Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 1199: Chapter 1198: The Advance

The "portal" plan carried out in Winterhold Castle is the first large-scale joint operation since the establishment of the theocracy Authority Council, and it can also be considered a feat substantial enough to leave a profound mark in the history of mortals and shake the Alliance Countries. Although only two major human empires, Typhon and Cecil, could directly participate in this great plan, countless eyes within the alliance are watching the progress of Winterhold Castle.

Those countries unable to directly participate either find ways to send their top scholars, even if these scholars can only do some "fieldwork" of an investigative nature onsite; or provide manpower and resources within their capabilities to hope they can learn the outcomes of the door’s opening a bit earlier; or offer numerous ancient texts and reference materials in the theologic field in exchange for a qualification to have their names appear on the list of participating countries...

These forces converged from various countries, like a trickling stream, eventually integrated and channeled through the pathways of the two great empires, and infused into the towering castle standing in the cold wind.

"Winterhold Castle..." On the way to the castle’s main hall, Windsor Maple could not help but lift her head and look at the flags fluttering high above the castle, speaking thoughtfully, "Established during the Anzu Era and witnessed Anzu’s downfall... The peace treaty between Anzu and Typhon, the trade agreements between Typhon and the Cecil empire, armistice agreement, new peace agreement... One after another, agreements symbolizing ’unity and progress’ were signed here, until today, forces from different nations and races gathered here, committing to a cause, making this ’Winterhold Castle’ finally live up to its name..."

"I don’t recall you being such a sentimental person to speak such profound insights," Daniel glanced lightly at his former apprentice, "Weren’t you only known for burying yourself in the laboratory researching magic?"

"...Master, you’re kidding, what I said hardly counts as deep insights, merely expressing what’s on my mind," Windsor laughed, shaking her head slightly, "I simply recalled the numerous incidents that happened between us, Anzu, and the Cecil Empire over the past few years, many events seem to be intertwined with this castle. Even Your Majesty privately mentioned that this castle would likely leave several significant entries in future history books."

"The concentration of important historical events in one place does have advantages," Daniel remarked casually, "At least future students can remember fewer geographical names when memorizing information -- when struggling to recall the locations of major historical events, if they guess Winterhold Castle, at least there’s a fifty percent chance of scoring."

Windsor showed a slightly surprised expression, staring at the old mage in disbelief, but Mary, who always followed behind with her head down, couldn’t help but laugh, and then quickly covered her mouth.

"What’s so funny, how disgraceful," Daniel turned to glance at the black-haired female apprentice, then at Windsor, "Why aren’t you laughing?"

"I..." Windsor was taken aback, awkwardly tugged at her mouth corners, "Apologies, Master, I didn’t expect you to joke, I failed to react immediately..."

"Both of you are equally disgraceful," Daniel seemed displeased and shook his head, then looked forward, the main hall door already not far away, flags representing the Cecil Empire fluttered on one of the flagpoles before the main hall, he asked casually, "Who is the technical leader sent from the Cecil side, did you inquire about it? Have any details?"

"Ah, of course, I inquired," Windsor immediately nodded, sharing the information she acquired early through internal channels, "The chief Great Arcanist of the Cecil Empire, Master Kamel Slayen -- it’s said he is a mighty ancient Heroic Spirit hailing from the Gondor Empire’s pinnacle era, living on for a thousand years now, a certain powerful and incredible pure energy reshaped his mortal frame, allowing this formidable ancient mage to remain immortal..."

When discussing such transcendent domain matters, even mighty and noble legendary mages accidentally slip into a state of gossip, Windsor Maple spoke at length about Kamel Slayen’s "extraordinary legends" and "epic adventures", then suddenly realized, awkwardly coughing twice: "According to documents disclosed within the theocracy Authority Council, Master Kamel is an ancient Defier, knowledgeable of many divine realms’ secrets, and his specialized technology tends toward ancient magic symbols, mathematical logic, and arcane energization theories. The pure arcane energy source we are employing this time was designed personally by him."

Daniel listened quietly to the apprentice’s narrative, his expression unchanged from start to finish, until Windsor finished speaking, he slightly nodded and calmly remarked, "Well informed."

Mary, following behind Daniel, had been bowing her head since earlier, concealing her gaze and expression completely -- she knew well her master’s relationship with Master Kamel, they are old acquaintances, familiar enough to frequently play cards in the neural network recently. The basic card playing process between the two masters is this: When Daniel wins, Kamel poses a question to Mary, when Kamel wins, Daniel poses a question to Mary...

Windsor couldn’t see Mary’s expression nor hear Daniel’s thoughts, she only felt her master’s attitude seemed overly cold, couldn’t resist reminding from the side: "Master Kamel is a scholar worthy of respect, I have read some papers he published in public journals, not only I, many in the Royal Mage Association bear reverence for him. You might want to be closer to him -- after all, the relationship between Typhon and Cecil is harmonious now, academic exchanges are supported by His Majesty, even those councilors domestically have nothing to say about this."

Daniel glanced sideways at Windsor: "Do I seem like someone who would care about those naysayers in the council?"

Windsor was suddenly choked, could only smile awkwardly, yet was unsurprised -- her master is always a proud person, unless someone truly gains his recognition, speaking praises to heaven is meaningless to his ears, this point stands within Typhon’s academic circle and even more so facing a scholar from another country, such a reaction from him is normal.

Daniel saw Windsor’s change in expression, his face maintaining its usual cold indifference, only with a trace of amusement seemingly emerging deep within his eyes, he then moved past his former apprentice, stepping forward, pushing open the door leading to the main hall.

Inside Winterhold Castle’s main hall, the brilliance of magic crystal lamps illuminated this spacious and grand place.

This hall, blending Typhon and Cecil’s architectural styles, is built entirely of extremely sturdy giant stones, its walls painted with special coatings mixed with Adamantite powder, giving the whole interior a faint metallic sheen. There are no pillars within the entire hall, solely relying on a intricate structure to uphold the high domed circle, and the greatest benefit of such a structure to those presently located in this castle is they can more easily install the huge portal device inside the hall without needing further demolition of many pillars, walls and additional reinforcement work.

At this moment, a "battle" at the forefront of technology has commenced at this place previously used for kings and emperors to sign alliances, front commanders to strategize warfare, for urgent treatment of the wounded during battles of the gods. In the center of the hall where the oath altar once resided, a large metal base with multiple ring structures has been installed -- the treaty stored here has long expired with Anzu’s disintegration, returned to the museum.

Surrounding the metal base, numerous auxiliary devices remain foundational, countless parts and materials are orderly itemized throughout the hall, construction personnel are using paint to delineate remaining work zones and reference lines on the ground, dressed in white short coats or various mage robes, technical personnel, engineering mages, Typhon scholars traverse between each area, busy counting materials, inspecting equipment conditions, supervising worker installations.

A tall figure brimming with arcane magic floated beside the base at the hall’s center, subtle energy sparks leaping and flowing amongst his rune armor plates, he curiously observed the complex array set within the base device, occasionally exchanging words with adjacent technical personnel -- this is Kamel Slayen, Cecil Empire’s chief think-tank and Great Arcanist, as Cecil’s highest technical officer in the "portal" plan, he’s ordered to oversee this crucial engineering.

A strange aura wafted from the direction of the hall’s entrance. Kamel instantly halted his conversation with those beside him and turned in mid-air, just in time to see three figures appear at the door and start walking his way.

One was a tall, dignified middle-aged lady; another was an old mage clad in a black robe who appeared aged and gloomy; and the third was a young female mage, dressed similarly in a black robe and with short black hair, following closely behind the old mage, like a fledgling imitating its elder.

The arcane magic sparkled in Kamel’s eyes for a brief moment before he floated from mid-air downwards, gliding toward the direction of the visitors. He firmly made eye contact with Daniel, bearing a cheerful "expression" on his "face," not at all worried about the Typhon technicians beside him gleaning any insight from his "expression."

After all, aside from a few colleagues he worked with day in and day out at the Cecil Clan, no one in this world could discern any change in expression on his 200-lumen face...

"Master Kamel," Windsor approached Kamel with a dignified and courteous smile — apart from in front of her mentor and the King, the president of the Royal Mage Association always maintained her most proper smile in any setting. "Ri An — this is my mentor, Master Daniel, and this is Mary, a senior scholar from the Imperial Construction Association, and also another apprentice of my mentor."

As she spoke, the Legendary Mage couldn’t help but cast a couple more glances at Kamel, her gaze skimming over the blazing arcane sparks and rune armor plates on the other, with curiosity and amazement in her eyes.

This truly is an incredible form of life... Does he need to eat? Drink water? Use the toilet? Recharge? Perceive temperature normally? Need to sleep? When sleeping, does he need to turn off the lights? If he needs to... how does he turn off his "lights"?

Windsor Maple slightly bowed her head, suppressing the string of slightly offensive questions that emerged in her mind, while Kamel turned his gaze to Daniel. After a short moment of observation, he broke the silence and spoke with a chuckle, "Nice to meet you for the first time, Master Daniel — I’ve heard of your name from scholarly newspapers."

"Nice to meet you for the first time too, Master Kamel," Daniel maintained his usual icy expression, "I’ve heard of you as well — through my apprentice."

Mary, standing nearby, was like Windsor, head bowed, holding her breath nervously, seemingly overwhelmed by the presence of such "figures" for the first time.

In truth, she was truly nervous — because during their last virtual meeting, she hadn’t solved a single one of the three major questions Master Kamel left for her on the neural network...

After the simple exchange of pleasantries, Kamel floated forward half a step, extending an "arm" filled with arcane magic glow: "How about a handshake? It’s how we of the Cecil Clan express goodwill."

Daniel glanced at the flowing energy currents on the other’s arm and cautiously asked, "Hot to the touch?"

"Rest assured," Kamel chuckled, "You won’t even feel noticeable heat."

Only then did Daniel reach out his hand, allowing one flesh-constituted palm and a cluster of swirling arcane glow to make contact and quickly part.

"Well, the necessary exchanges and mutual introductions are done, now let’s get down to business," Kamel floated back half a step, turning his gaze to Windsor Maple, "I’ve been observing the foundational structure of your portals and have some questions I hope you can clarify..."

Windsor immediately smiled slightly, "Of course, feel free to ask."

...

While the technicians at Winterhold Castle set out to construct a "bridgehead" to advance towards the kingdom of gods, another grand-scale "march" plan was being meticulously prepared at the southern foothills of the Dark Mountain Range, initiating its first step.

The Southgate Fortress, serving as the southern entrance of the defied Fortress and an essential gateway in the southern gentle slopes of the Dark Mountain Range, was fortified in every inch of brick with magic-guided artillery and alloy armor. Here, engineering vehicles were gathering within the first inner wall. Massive batches of resources, machinery, and personnel deployed from the Empire’s territory formed several teams. Magic-Powered Engines emitted continuous roars as traction and lifting devices repeatedly loaded more crates of supplies onto large trucks. Meanwhile, tanks and Multi-Functional War Vehicles ready for escort duty were undergoing final inspections, preparing for their imminent journey south.

Grand Architect Gordon stood at the high point of the external walls, drawing his gaze from the convoy in the assembly area to the forest beyond.

In the distance, the Black Forest remained lush while colossal, dense, twisted plants filled his vision. These florae, nurtured by the chaotic magic of the wasteland, showed no signs of waning throughout the entire previous winter. As the recently concluded summer drew to a close, more twisted plants emerged at the edge of the Black Forest as if challenging the border set by the Cecil Empire at the Southgate Fortress.

The imperial soldiers stationed at the fortress couldn’t tolerate such provocation, so, in the last two weeks of summer, they responded to the Black Forest’s encroachment with righteousness using heavy incinerators and fortress cannons on the walls. After pushing back the growth once more, Gordon gazed toward the direction of the last burning mission, as if still seeing smoke rising gently from there.

"Constructing a railway through the Black Forest, huh?" The Grand Architect grunted twice, his face breaking into a smile, "That truly poses a bit of a challenge."