Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 1133: Chapter 1132: Adventurers Heading North

"Feeling of urgency..."

Beltira softly repeated Gawain’s words, her gaze falling on this "mortal" before her who could remain unflinching even while confronting gods. A thought suddenly arose in her mind:

Is there anything in the world that could cause such a person to feel a sense of urgency?

It must be a risk from beyond the known world...

"Since that signal appeared, your nerves have been somewhat tense," she couldn’t help but say, "although others probably can’t tell, I’ve noticed it — do you think that signal is a great threat? The sender of the signal... although you spoke optimistically just now, it seems you’ve already determined they are malicious."

"No, I can’t determine whether they are malicious or benevolent at the moment, but the existence of the signal itself should make all of us tense," Gawain glanced at Beltira, "if it truly comes from another civilization deep within the distant Star Sea — then this civilization is completely unknown to us, and that means anything is possible. They could be more advanced, stronger, potentially possessing great aggression; even those signals themselves could be some kind of trap...

"Of course, the opposite could also be true, but we cannot place all our hopes on that being the case.

"Moreover, the unknown can be more dangerous than the ’divine disasters’ we face, because at least we have started to contact and understand the mysteries of gods, we at least know where the boundaries of gods roughly lie, but as for a foreign civilization deep in the Star Sea, we can’t even determine what their life forms might be."

Beltira listened quietly to Gawain’s words and suddenly spoke softly, "For countless years, mortals on this planet have wandered alone in the dark, without any other lights in the world, so most of us think we are the only ones in this vast wilderness, competing and surviving within the range of our civilization’s light. All threats we’ve encountered have also come from this scope, but now... a cluster of light has suddenly appeared in our vision from afar."

Gawain nodded gently, "So that’s why I felt some urgency — the existence of the sea demons and the testimony of the Dragonkin have already proven that we are not the only candle flame in this universe, but we never expected another light to be so close, even shining towards us... regardless of whether this unfamiliar light is benevolent or malicious, it means we have little time to waste."

"Although I don’t know what plan you have, it seems you place great hope on the Sorin Giant Tree," Beltira said thoughtfully, pondering as a gentle breeze passed through the treetops, causing slight waves on the edge of the sea of leaves. After half a minute of thought, she broke the silence, "Perhaps there is a way... to break through my growth limits."

Gawain, lost in his own thoughts, was immediately jolted out of contemplation, "You have a way?"

"The growth limit of the Sorin Giant Tree currently seems mainly limited by my control ability, and regarding control ability..." Beltira paused briefly, seeming to show a hint of pride, "Do you remember how I controlled two avatars at once?"

Gawain immediately guessed her idea, his eyes widening slightly in surprise, "You’re talking about those Servo Brains?"

"I’ve always used the Servo Brains as auxiliary organs to stabilize my personality tendencies, and occasionally for solving research topics, but I rarely use them directly to control the giant tree — not due to any safety or technical issues, simply because my control ability is sufficient, so I haven’t needed to," Beltira nodded, speaking very seriously, "Recently, I started using the Servo Brains to aid in controlling additional ’avatars’, and this has yielded very good results. Your question just now gave me further inspiration... additional computational power could not only control extra avatars but also manage the increasingly large giant tree."

Intrigued, Gawain nodded in agreement, "Go on."

"I’ve just conceived a plan: If during the growth process of the Sorin Giant Tree, auxiliary brains are set up at intervals within its neural grid, and around these brains, a series of auxiliary neural nodes and independent biomass circulation channels are established, perhaps the scale of the giant tree could be greatly increased without exerting too much pressure on my own cognitive cycles and biomass transport," Beltira continued, "Simultaneously, these auxiliary brains can be deeply buried underground, preventing enemies from targeting my neural nodes, greatly enhancing security..."

Gawain listened with widened eyes, envisioning Beltira’s astonishing plan in his mind, picturing the scenario that was already extraordinarily impressive. Upon hearing her intention to deeply bury those auxiliary brains, he immediately nodded in agreement — whether it’s safe or not is secondary, primarily it’s more psychologically accommodating for ordinary people active on the surface...

Beltira saw Gawain’s approving gaze, she stopped with a smile, "Do you have anything to add to my plan?"

"No one knows your body better than you, so handle the technical aspects yourself," Gawain nodded, "I just want to make one point clear — I am not asking for the Sorin Giant Tree to expand blindly and aimlessly; there’s a detailed ’growth plan’..."

While speaking, he couldn’t help but remind her, "Additionally, I must point out: although this grand plan has a good starting point, you must not forget the lessons of the Oblivion Association. Back then, your starting point was also good, but in the end, you fell into the dark side of technology — so this time, you must pay close attention to risks during the growth process. If there is any possibility of the giant tree going out of control, you must suspend operations immediately. No matter what stage your plan reaches, you must continuously report progress to me directly, bypassing other departments."

Seeing Gawain’s particularly stern expression and hearing the solemnity in his voice, Beltira also became solemn. As a witness and participant in the past divine evils’ disaster, memories of the Oblivion Association’s gradual descent into dark madness surfaced in all her minds — she deeply lowered her head and spoke with a heavy tone, "Yes, I will never make the same mistake as back then, Brother Gawain."

...

On the distant northern coast, the Empire’s largest seaport, the new city "Northport," has now become the busiest logistics hub in the northern parts.

This city, almost fully mobilizing half of the Empire’s resources, was built in the shortest time at the edge of the northern coast. Its rise created numerous records seen as miraculous by the locals — no one has ever seen a city constructed in such a short time, nor seen giant collector towers standing tall, with web-like heating pipelines placing the entire city in warmth. The Empire’s new order spreads outward from this city, like an unstoppable great surge sweeping across the entire north — and no one has seen so many merchants, travelers, and adventurers gathering in swarms on this coastline once ruled by cold and wilderness.

The voices that once questioned the Northport construction army and doubted the Wilder Clan’s decisions have quietly disappeared. Before the towering port barriers and municipal collector towers, all their pale and feeble doubts melted away like spring snow, while other worries expressed by some gradually faded following Northport’s rapid commercial rise.

The new order brought a prosperity never before seen by the northerners, a prosperity so astounding that the flow of Gold Pounds and Fernells glued the tongues of all doubters like honey. Even the most blindly shortsighted native aristocrats, when standing at the "Northport Customs Hall" or "Northport Railway Hub," could not, against their conscience, dismiss it as a "crude product of disorder."

Of course, some were particularly stubborn—only they and their hard heads have now merged with the earth, becoming part of the cornerstone of the new city’s outward expansion.

A gentle rain visited this port city; it was the second rainfall since the beginning of summer, but this was still the extreme northern frontier. Even though summer had arrived, the rain was exceptionally cold, as if tiny ice crystals were mixed within the droplets. In the misty rain, the towering city heating facilities and magic symbols inlaid into the Magic Obelisk pointed to the sky, each radiating magical light that formed circles of diffracted light in the foggy skies.

An iron-black Magic Train slowly decelerated in the drizzle, and the yellow holographic sign wall in front of the railway platform turned green, signaling permission to pass. The iron beast, powered by repulsion devices, drove into the platform marked by holographic projections and steadily decelerated by the edge of the platform. It finally stopped with a series of clattering noises from mechanical devices changing polarity, and the train doors opened with the sound of a bell.

Travelers from afar streamed out of the train, and the already busy platform became even more bustling.

Among the travelers pouring toward the platform, a figure in a black short robe squeezed out of the crowd, swearing all the way—a figure that was conspicuously noticeable among the variously dressed travelers. His hair and beard were completely white, appearing to be a man in his seventies or eighties, but full of spirit. Not only could he make way among the strong, young men, but he also jumped and shouted at the edge of the crowd about someone stepping on his foot.

He was dressed in a short mage robe that had become somewhat outdated in this "new era." The robe apparently had accompanied its owner for many years, showing many signs of wear on its surface, yet still clean and tidy. Hanging from his waist was a black goatskin magic book commonly used by mages, and on the other side hung a short staff and a packed magic sphere. A black soft hat rested on the old mage’s head, which looked simple, but the rubies inlaid at the edge testified that it was an extraordinary treasure with a restrained style.

This overall attire was evidently suited for action in the wilderness. Mages embarking on an adventure journey would typically prefer such outfits that did not hinder movement and could stabilize combat power.

However, few mages embarking on an adventure journey would be of his age—even if he remained a powerful spellcaster, he should cherish his remaining years and honestly stay in the mage towers, studying the compendium he had amassed throughout his life.

"These young people nowadays really have less and less respect for the elderly," the old mage exclaimed a few words from outside the crowd, shook his head, and muttered as he walked toward the platform’s exit. As he walked, he couldn’t help but look up, surveying the dazzling magic-guided devices, advertising signs, and directional markers on the platform, as well as another freight train slowly coming to a halt on the opposite platform. "But then again, these sophisticated devices of this era are indeed interesting... Automated machines? Truly something only clever people could come up with..."

"Indeed, this perceptive gentleman—" Before the old mage’s words had fully fallen, a cheerful and energetic young male voice suddenly came from next to him, "Welcome to Northport, the most prosperous and advanced port city in this land. You’ve come to the right place; there are fascinating things everywhere here..."

The old mage turned his head to glance at the side and saw a young man in a dark blue coat, his hair meticulously groomed, standing beside him with a cheerful and friendly smile on his face.

"Are you selling local specialties, or promoting a travel hotel?" The old mage immediately raised an eyebrow, cutting off the young man before he said more, "Don’t take me for a country bumpkin on his first Magic Train ride—I may work outdoors often, but I’ve been in cities before. Has the Rune Forge Factory in Sherlin City ever been entered by you? How about the Crystal-Melting Workshop in Poqikesburg?"

The young man was stumped by the old mage’s barrage of words, his face reddening slightly with embarrassment as he said, "I... I didn’t mean it that way, sir. I just saw you on the platform and was seeing if you needed any help..."

"Firstly, there’s no need to put ’old’ before ’gentleman’ when you’re addressing me, because I might just live longer than you next. Secondly, I don’t need local specialties or hotel recommendations. I’m here for proper business with my own arrangements—however, speaking of help, there is indeed something I need to ask you for."

The young man seemed to be a bit intimidated by the aura emitted by the old man and quickly swallowed a gulp, nervously forcing a smile, "Please... feel free to ask."

"There should be a ’Arctic Exploration and Development Group Office’ somewhere in this city, right? Which way do I go?"

"Arctic Exploration and Development Group?" The young man was stunned for a moment before reacting, "Are you referring to the Adventurers’ Guild heading to Talronde?"

"Exactly, that’s right, the Adventurers’ Guild... I do find that name rolls off the tongue better," the old mage stroked his beard, "It seems there are two places to register up north on the continent, one in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom and one in Northport—I originally planned to head to the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, but that’s too far, and there’s no train, so I came here to check it out."

"Yes, indeed, there is a registry center here for adventurers heading to Talronde," the young man said, sneaking another look at the old man in front of him, seeming unable to believe that the white-haired elder and "adventurer" were synonymous. "But you... are you planning to go to Talronde, too?"

"Of course!" The old man glared, "Do you think I took a whole day on the train just to visit the Arctic Exploration and Development Group’s toilet?"

"No, no, no, that’s not what I meant... Well, from here, you go forward, turn west after you leave the exit, cross two intersections, and you’ll see the signs—a very obvious sign with both Cecil and Talronde’s emblem. Of course, if you don’t mind spending some money, you could also take a horse-drawn carriage or a Magic-guided Vehicle to get there directly."

The young man said, suddenly blinking, realizing that the platform before him was now empty, with chilly winds sweeping by—where was any trace of the old mage?

"I-it’s like I’ve seen a ghost!"

The young man instinctively shrank his neck, mumbling softly, but suddenly felt something in his palm. He looked down, opened his hand, and saw a coin with a face value of 1 Fernell quietly lying there.