"The compilation of this book is, to a certain extent, to fulfill the last wish left by my mentor."
"For many years, we have regarded the change in Salem City at the end of 2699 in the Cathar calendar as the real beginning of the new era. However, in fact, the public still knows very little about what happened that year. After analyzing a large number of textual materials,
Through repeated verification and interviews with some insiders, we can confirm that the details of the changes in Salem City are far more complicated than we imagined."
"What caused this incident and caused subsequent serious consequences was not just the conflict between magic and steam, nor just the collision between countries and interest alliances. Many factors collided with each other in a very short period of time, connected and ultimately related.
Together, they jointly caused the world war that ended the Kartel calendar and Van En's nearly three hundred years of stability, and finally confirmed the ancient prophecy that people feared."
"As this introduction is written, many of the legacy issues of Vann's past are still widespread."
"These problems are national, ethnic, and racial... Even today, although the hostility between many different groups has eased, due to historical and cultural reasons, it still takes root in all corners of the world.
…When the wave of the dark abyss comes again, these contradictions and emotions will sweep over Van En again, which is something none of us want to see.”
"The changes in Salem City are just the beginning of this book. We aim to reveal the inseparable connections between the countries, nations and races in Van En. We hope that the content of this book will enable readers to understand the various countries and races in Van En."
Changes and development have a more macroscopic understanding.”
"As the mentor said: The Sinar Sea goes back and forth, but Van En always moves forward."
"Let's encourage you all."
"——The scholars of Van En Magic Society, compiled in the 99th year of Black Sun."
"Excerpted from "Dark Abyss, Van En and Races"."
The residents of the Goddess Plain believe that the Winter Festival is a test set by the gods for mankind. As long as they successfully survive the cruel winter, they can usher in the spring when all things revive...
Without exception, these topics were all thrown by Wei Lin. After she discovered that Shuge's efficiency in learning magic was extremely amazing, and her control over magic power had also improved, she directly entered the state of "strict teacher" and read various books.
, notes and magical problems would "appear" on Shuge's desk on time every day, and she herself plunged into the study of "Poetry of the Night" and sorcery.
Relying on the advantage of weapons, two days before the arrival of the Winter Festival, the St. Steele artillery position on the west bank of the Isa River launched a ferocious bombardment towards the predetermined position that directly violated the "war etiquette". During this bombardment
, the St. Steele Army moved out its world-famous "Snowfield Cannon".
"This is a good thing, this is a good thing!"
The decorations, sculptures, banners or huge picture frames used to celebrate the Winter Festival are still placed, but near them, you can always find various propaganda posters about conscription, war bonds, and wartime regulations.
Some of them also received small subsidies, and most of these people were only children in ordinary families.
And here, Xiuge not only saw humans, but also saw figures such as giant-eared goblins, mountain elves and plateau dwarves. They were also residents of the kingdom that had been officially recognized by Walter, so while enjoying the benefits, they naturally also
Will assume the responsibility of enlisting in the army.
"Go and see the battlefield, go and see this era of change... Only after seeing it with your own eyes can you understand more things."
This is destined to be a war that will involve everyone.
But this year's Winter Festival has become an exception.
Although the Kingdom of Votel treats soldiers strictly, it is also very considerate in its treatment. After Xiuge took a few steps, he saw people carrying issued uniforms, firearms, and personal tools and supplies coming from the academy.
Walked out.
Speaking of which, Xiuge hadn't seen her for several days, but he knew without thinking that Weilin's current image was probably not much different from the workaholic female colleagues he was familiar with in his previous life.
In the past, this situation would have involved a long period of intrigues at the negotiation table, but this time, the St. Steele Kingdom was obviously overwhelmed. After this bloody conflict, they immediately took the initiative to aggravate the entire situation.
Expand.
The vehicle stopped some distance away from the college. Because there were so many people here, the movement of the vehicle was affected, so Xiuge had to get out of the car and walk.
This is what Old Zeke said when he sent Xiuge out of the study.
Winter festival.
Therefore, when a recruitment notice signed by the council and the military was delivered to Shuge, he was still in an extremely calm mood. After all, he had already received the exact information from Wei Lin before.
On the street with a strong atmosphere of war, the Ernst family's vehicles were driving fast. Shuge looked out the window and asked: "Duden, I remember you mentioned before that Miss Sally is at the Alchemy Physician College.
?”
Charges like these that can scare people to death just by hearing them have been thrown at them one after another. In the past week alone, Bolden alone has been sentenced to mental interrogation or shooting as many as a hundred "key criminals".
Of course there are giant-eared goblins who have been abandoned, but there are also many unlucky ones who have been brought to the table.
"Alchemy Physician Academy..."
Duden scratched his head: "Although your family should have made comprehensive arrangements, the battlefield is a battlefield, and sometimes a missed crystal shell can kill someone... When I was in the military camp before,
Many people are still discussing you, and everyone thinks it is a waste to let people like you go to the battlefield."
"I also have time to write in the military camp. After all, my work may not be so busy by then."
As the Isa River completely froze, the front line that had been controlled by Saint Steele's army began to move.
If we say, the changes in Salem City were the trigger for this war.
"I'll ask again when I see her later."
On the contrary, this is the best way to truly hone your abilities and thoroughly integrate into a country.
Almost on the same day, a considerable number of mages, alchemy apprentices and doctors in the entire city of Bolden received similar recruitment notices, and the military did not leave too many adjustments and adjustments for these recruits because of the arrival of the Winter Festival.
The relaxation time was clearly written on the notice, requiring the recruits to register and report immediately to the Alchemy Physician College located on the outskirts of Bolden within three days after receiving the notice.
While they were talking, the two of them had already arrived at the gate of the manor in a carriage. Their next destination was the Alchemy Physician Academy. Xiuge planned to get these things done as soon as possible. After all, he still had a lot of magic topics in his hands.
Fierce bloody clashes broke out in two woods in the Isa River Basin, with both sides suffering casualties.
When Shuge told Old Zeke that he had received the recruitment notice, the old man was extremely magnanimous and satisfied. As a very typical Votel soldier, he did not think that joining the army and rushing to the front would be a bad thing.
.
Because in the Isa River Basin near the northern border, local battles have already started in advance.
Of course, Shuge had some expectations for the power of this special weapon, but when he learned from others, just a magic explosion caused by a single bombardment from the Snowfield Cannon successfully destroyed less than half of the Principality of Imop.
An artillery position, the horrific impact and the direct casualties caused the defenders' crystal cannons to be unable to organize an effective counterattack. Under this situation, the Saint Steele army advanced brazenly and directly destroyed the Principality of Imop.
forward position and completed the forward push of the line of control.
Then before the Winter Festival, the "Issa Bombardment" that occurred in the Issa River Basin announced the official start of this grand war.
"What? It's beyond your expectation?"
This behavior has already posed a threat to the defense line itself, so the army of the Principality of Imope responsible for the garrison took response actions as a matter of course.
At his level, even sending juniors to the battlefield to be gilded can be said to be very upright. That kind of indifferent attitude, Xiuge thinks that he may not be able to do it without decades of accumulation.
of.
This extremely heavy magic crystal cannon has an exaggerated range and amazing power that exceeds that of ordinary crystal cannon weapons. However, it is too bulky and cannot be easily transported, and can only be used as a city defense weapon.
"That's not..."
Even though he has a special status now and is under the dual attention of the Walter royal family and the Ernst family, as long as his name has appeared on the list of members of the Mage Council, he is destined to have no way to escape such a large-scale attack.
recruitment.
Strange scenes appeared on the streets of the city.
The most important festival on the Lovi Plateau, a large number of ancient traditions, fables and stories give this festival a lot of special meaning.
Although before that, everyone thought that the war would break out completely after the Winter Festival, but when it was brought forward for one reason or another, everyone chose to remain silent.
As the "white gloves" raised by major families and officials, they are destined to be abandoned one day because they are stained with blood and dirt, and now is the time - collaborating with the enemy, treason, smuggling important alchemical materials, leaking intelligence
And ordnance research and development secrets...
The giant-eared goblins in the city are now in constant fear.
The Bolden School of Alchemy Physicians has been jokingly known as the "Merlin Lehe of Plateau Doctors" for a long time in the past. Although this is obviously an exaggeration, it is enough to illustrate the importance of this college to alchemy doctors.
to a certain extent.
In response, Xiuge smiled and said nothing.
"I thought I was going to see an ogre."
At first, only a few teams tentatively crossed the frozen river and explored on the other side of the Isa River. However, as the bad weather intensified, the Saint Steele people became more bold in their actions - they deliberately crossed the frozen river in some places.
Temporary guard towers were erected at delicate locations, and they even deliberately entered plain villages near the border areas and ruthlessly plundered some of the supplies stored there.
"What's the meaning?"
Xiuge read softly for a moment, then he turned to look at the guard Duden who was following him. This guy had been following Xiuge these days, and the two of them were already very familiar with each other. Although Duden was in most cases
Most of the time, he still adheres to his discipline and responsibilities as a guard, but the conversation between the two is not so polite and tactful.
The St. Steele people believe that the Cold Winter Festival is the day when the God of Life sleeps, so after passing through the Cold Winter Festival, the whole world will become colder. Spring will not come until the God of Life reawakens, so they will
On this day, very traditional prayers and sacrificial rituals are performed to express respect for life and hope that the God of Life will awaken again.
"You just need to stay behind and write more... Even if it's an encouragement to everyone, without your works, now everyone doesn't like to hoard those magazines. It's boring."
…
Duden looked at the recruitment notice in Shuge's hand, with a somewhat complicated expression on his face: "I didn't expect you would actually enlist in the army."
In this atmosphere, no matter who it is, they will make certain psychological preparations for what is about to happen.
"Sir, Miss Sally must miss you very much. This makes many people in the military camp very envious..."
Of course, the old man did not hide from Shuge the arrangements and operations he could make in this regard - with the power and connections of the Ernst family, and the support provided by the Walter royal family, Ernst
The children of the family will have a safer journey on the battlefield than most people.
"Yes, the Alchemy Physician College is very close to the station of our Chasseur Regiment. This recruitment work should also be supported by us... But Miss Sally's study time is still very short. I don't know whether she will do it this time.
Will move with the army."
"Wow."
Even the mages of Merlin Lehe will follow the traditions of the North and the spellcasters and regard the Winter Festival as the most important magical ritual day - on this day, the magic power in Van En will be more stable than ever, which is very important.
Suitable for performing certain important and rigorous rituals.
"Those big guys are too violent and unstable, so the army usually comes directly to recruit them... You will see it later."
Duden replied softly, then he raised his hand and pointed in a direction: "We should go there, you are the spell caster, and the recruitment must be carried out under the supervision of the Council...I will wait for you here."
Xiuge nodded. He took out his Mage Council's ID card and recruitment notice, and followed the directions on the roadside toward the recruitment site for the Mage Council.
Compared with other passages, there are much fewer people here, so the appearance of Shuge naturally attracted the attention of the college students who were assisting in the recruitment work. Some of them recognized Shuge's skin color and hair color.
Characteristics, so they turned their backs and discussed secretly.