Before entering the Gwana Empire, you will pass through several small countries. These small countries act as buffer zones between empires.
While surviving in the cracks between big powers, they are also proficient in the skills of playing both sides. At least in their attitude towards outsiders, they hold a considerable degree of openness. Because the regimes that have locked down the country with a tough attitude have become part of the two empires.
No. If you don't have the strength, you still have to compete with those big guys. You can't blame anyone for being crushed to death with one finger. That's what the mantis said about blocking the car.
Ships on the golden waterway passed through these small countries, and due to the convenience of their national policies, there were not many restrictions. Of course, the taxes that should be paid still had to be paid. Lin and his party, as magicians, passed through these countries smoothly without any unnecessary
obstacles.
However, no matter how easy the journey is, it has an end. The last river port city on the golden waterway, Colombo, is right in front of you. It is not as imagined as the scene of thousands of sails and ships connecting with each other, but it still seems quite crowded. Because it is already here
It is quite close to the source of the Po River and the river channel is quite narrow.
On the other side of the horizon, you can see towering and stretching mountains. The Jura Mountains, which span the junction of the central continent of Midi and the western continent, stretch for more than 1000 kilometers (1000 kilometers) and are also the birthplace of the Po River.
It is late winter and almost spring, and the top of the mountain is as white as a knife. It is like a world barrier, separating the two worlds of reality and the unknown.
But judging from the historical trajectory, thousands of years ago, the other side of the mountain belonged to the civilized world, while this side belonged to the wilderness.
There are many ways to cross the Jura Mountains. The most popular way is to disembark at a port before Colombo Port, which is also the final point of the commercial port. There is a passage into the underground world near the river port city, which is connected by the mountains.
Countries on both sides operate together.
What the two countries have done is not only to widen the passage to facilitate the movement of carriages and horses, but also to encircle and suppress any monsters approaching this passage, as well as the residents of the underground world with ill intentions.
As a price, all people who want to pass through this underground world must pay a hefty toll, once for each side, a total of two expenses. The two countries on both sides of the mountain range rely on this underground world.
The income from the channel is considered to be quite comfortable.
Another very challenging route, which is also taken by some smugglers, is to directly cross the Jura Mountains. In fact, this is also the earliest route used.
Crossing the mountains is not as easy as ordinary mountaineering. So far, people have only discovered some relatively easy mountain roads in the mountains that stretch for thousands of kilometers; there are very few people who can walk on horse-drawn carriages. Even these roads
, will also be temporarily interrupted due to changes in the climate on the mountain. It can be said that going up the mountain without a guide who is familiar with the conditions in the mountain is no different from courting death.
Thinking of this, Lin remembered that Uzov, who was introducing him on the cruise ship, sighed at this moment. A certain magician who was puzzled as to why this man is still with him, but then he
He asked very flatteringly: "What's wrong? Is it possible that you have ever walked through the mountain roads of the Jura Mountains?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. When I was young, I and a group of friends once challenged the feat of crossing the Jura Mountains. Although I succeeded, I was lucky enough not to leave anyone behind, but it was not a good memory.
Several accidents made it almost impossible for any of us to get out of the mountain."
On the boat, a group of people cooked a pot of hot soup and drank to relieve the cold. Seeing Uzov's frightened expression, they all had the same doubt in their hearts. Since it is so dangerous, then why did this guy lead himself to this place?
Is it for the sake of world peace to send a certain scourge to death?
Sensing everyone's suspicious looks, Uzov changed his gloomy expression, put his hand on the back of his head, and said with a hearty smile: "I recommend everyone to come here. Of course, it is not to challenge the mountain road, but to use another means of transportation."
"Transportation?" At that time, listening to this experienced adventurer's prompts, Lin only thought of one thing in his mind.
"Yes, the third, safest and most convenient way to pass through the Jura Mountains is to take an airship."
I still remember hearing this term again at that time, and it felt a little unreal. At the same time, I heard Uzov continue to introduce: "The pass that can be crossed in the Jura Mountains is also a lower mountain position. It means airship
We can easily cross this mountain from the air. Moreover, the airship can also fly directly to the destination we want to go. As long as the place does not restrict the entry of airships, it can be said to be the most convenient means of transportation. I just want to take a ride
If you do, you will have to pay an expensive flight fee. However, if you fly through the air, you don't have to pay the road tax of the country or noble territory you pass through. The time spent is relatively short, and the supplies you need don't need to be that much. So some
Some people think it's a good deal, and some people don't want to spend more money. But considering your net worth, it's just a small thing. Or maybe you want to travel leisurely by land and travel around the world?"
Regarding the related expenses, it is indeed a nonsense to calculate whether it is profit or loss without detailed actuarial calculation. But for a certain time traveler, the concept that time is money is deeply ingrained, so Lin believes that it can save some time.
Just save some time.
As for traveling around the world, I have been wandering around for nearly three years. For a homebody, three years can be said to have used up all the time I can leave home in my lifetime. After all, I can't wander around.
Personality, so let’s go straight to the destination.
What's more, there is a lot of research, and I can't do it thoroughly because I am constantly traveling. Many of the topics I want to do have been backlogged. Just looking at the list and memo, I feel like my legs are shaking.
However, some people still have doubts about airships. Of course they also asked at that time: "Is the airspace in the Jura Mountains safe?"
"Airspace? What does it mean?"
Uzov's puzzled expression is still impressive to this day. It was only then that Lin remembered that there was no concept of air control in Midland. But the sky here was not free at all, let alone unsafe.
On Earth, after excluding machine creations, the overlords that move in the sky are, at best, carnivorous raptors with wingspans of two to three meters. But in the Lost Lands, flying monsters of more than ten meters are not everywhere.
, but it’s not a rare species.
The airships I saw in the southwest peninsula, such as the Gosbottom belonging to the Leon District, or the Heidel Empire Airship Corps I have heard of, are all military weapons. Do not talk about self-protection in the sky
It has the ability to even fight. Perhaps its flexibility is not as good as those with wings, but with the use of various magic and war weapons, ordinary flying monsters can only take a detour when they see it.
But according to Uzov's introduction, he meant that you can find airships carrying passengers near the Port of Colombo. This kind of airship is definitely not for military use, so how is the protection in the sky done?
Of course, Lin wanted to ask more clearly. But at that time, the man laughed and said: "It shouldn't be so unlucky. You will encounter dragons wherever you fly. And I have never heard anyone say that they met dragons in the sky."
Some dangerous monster."
...I won’t be able to come back and report to you whatever I encounter, that’s fine.
Although he wanted to complain about this man who was clinging to him so shamelessly, Lin still seriously thought about his next move. Finally, he decided to check the status of the airship, as well as the various arrangements and expenses. If it didn't work, he would turn back.
It was still too late to cross the Jura Mountains through the passage in the underground world. So the group came to Colombo, the last port on the golden waterway.
The airship's parking place is to leave Colombo Port and go to another lively town with a large grassland. The airship there is completely different from the airships seen before on the golden waterway.
The main purpose of those airships on the golden waterway for both sea and air purposes is to move forward as a ship, and flying can only be regarded as an auxiliary function. The airships here are purely aerial mobility tools with a high ceiling. They are used
The tethering method is close to the ground, but cannot completely fall to the ground. The airship Cosbottom seen in the southwest peninsula in the past is of the latter type.
A high ceiling means flying high. There are few types of monsters that can fly high, so the safety is naturally greatly improved. Not to mention crossing mountains, which is not comparable to flying on the ground, and there are more things to consider. And this
Without seeing everything with your own eyes, you can't make up your mind.
But we can't make it to that town in time today. So Lin and his party will spend the night in Colombo Port and set off again tomorrow morning.
When entering crowded places, Lin is still used to wearing a magician's cape. Revealing one's identity in a timely manner can reduce a lot of trouble.
The two apprentices and the dwarves were busy setting up the carriage again and carrying the luggage. The four horses they got when they left the Five City nearly three years ago also followed them to Colombo Port by boat, and returned to Colombo Port again.
Stand in the position of pulling the cart.
By the way, looking at the two girls busy in and out with happy expressions on their faces, it reminds me of the time when I was forced to study. As long as I can get in touch with things other than books, I will feel very happy, even if it is
Heavy labor.
In the past few months, during the time they were on the ship, they had been forced miserably by the lich next to them. It could be said that they were learning as soon as they opened their eyes. So Lin did not dare to rob them. What was going on now would make them happy.
work, this is definitely not an excuse to be lazy.
"Hey, you didn't hang those two out?"
Fen, who was standing next to her, was staring at the two apprentices with sharp eyes to see if they had integrated magic into their lives, and she was always vigilant and protected by magic. But she suddenly said something.
For a moment, someone was a little confused. But then he realized that what Fen was referring to was probably the two golden threads that he could hang on after he was awarded the qualification of a great magician by the Lizejian branch of the Magicians Association. In fact,
, Lin only wore one on his chest.
It’s not that I don’t have money to buy a second golden thread. As long as the shape and specifications of that kind of thing comply with the regulations; in other aspects, the Magician Association doesn’t care. So some magicians will do some tricks on the golden thread, such as
It can instantly cast some protective magic, resist mental charm, etc. Lin also made many golden threads with different functions, but there is still only one that actually hangs on his body.
Smiling, Lin said: "My qualification as a great magician was obtained from Liz Jian, but it has not been recognized here yet. If there is a conflict with other people because of two lines, it will be very troublesome. I
Unlike you, the truly solid foundation of magic knowledge and the accumulation of power are all in the inhuman range. If we only look at those two points, who would admit that I have the qualifications to be a great magician?"