A caravan headed north along the narrow Anzetta Corridor to the city of Romulo at the southernmost tip of the empire.
The leader is a famous big businessman in the Kingdom of Thracia, one of the principals of the Pearson Chamber of Commerce, and the general person in charge of trade between the Chamber of Commerce and the Empire - Joseph Salazar.
It is said that he has one-sixteenth of the elven blood, so he is quite handsome and younger than ordinary people. Although he is over fifty, he still looks like he is in his thirties.
At this time, Joseph looked at the long and narrow valley with no end in sight, and tapped the ground with his stick impatiently: "How long until we get there?"
"Sir, if you walk out of the Anzetta Corridor, you will reach the homeland of the Burning Ember Empire."
The guard replied.
"This is basic common sense!"
Joseph was a little annoyed.
"How long has this trade route been opened? You are not even familiar with the surrounding environment!"
"Lord Joseph, this is our first time too."
The guard smiled apologetically and apologized repeatedly, and Joseph's anger subsided slightly.
In fact, there was a teleportation circle in Tahan City in the Katpa region that led directly to Isdalia, but Joseph refused the other party's help on the grounds of "looking for business opportunities."
This is of course just an excuse. In addition to being the head of the Chamber of Commerce, Joseph also has another identity - the eldest son of King Wilham and the "white glove" of Prince Bowles.
He used his relationship with the prince to obtain inside information to make a profit, seize wealth for that highness, and handle some matters that he could not personally attend.
Although their trade with the Burning Empire has been quite frequent in recent years, the Thracian Kingdom is busy with wars, and most of those transactions are solely handled by the Empire's Southern Continent Company. They only need to wait in the south to receive the goods.
Coupled with the fact that the Burning Ember Empire is heavily defended and has a complete intelligence system, the top brass of the Thracian Kingdom actually know very little about the situation in the Burning Ember Empire.
During this trip to the Ember Empire, Joseph took on the task of collecting empire intelligence: including but not limited to drawing maps, exploring the defense situation, investigating the status of the army, and stealing ordnance blueprints
Of course, in order to better understand the situation, they also hired a guide from the empire named Heya Gati in Tahan City.
The guide had a beautiful appearance, but Joseph always felt that her pupils were a bit like those of a reptile, giving him an inexplicable sense of danger.
"Mr. Joseph, don't worry, we can get to Isdalia before dark, and we don't need to walk out of the Anzeta Corridor."
Heya came from behind and said softly.
Joseph was a little confused and asked: "Why?"
Heya smiled, stretched out her hand, and pointed forward: "The Anzeta Corridor Station is ahead. We can just take the steam locomotive to Isdalia."
"Steam Locomotive."
He has heard of this term. It is a unique mode of transportation in the empire and is said to be quite convenient.
Joseph looked in the direction of his finger and saw that a clearing was opened in front of him, and metal tracks were laid on the ground, extending to the end of the valley.
The surface of the steel was smooth and flat, the color was uniform, and there were no hammer marks, dents or cracks on it. It was obviously good steel.
"Such good steel is laid on the ground like this?"
Joseph was a little stunned. Even the former Fadland Empire would not be so extravagant.
Heya smiled and explained: "Mr. Joseph, the empire's steel production should be far beyond your imagination. They will use those huge furnaces to gather all scrap steel and pig iron together.
Moreover, these are His Majesty’s assets, and absolutely no one in the empire dares to steal them. ”
Joseph quickly adjusted his expression and pretended to say: "I originally thought Anzetta was just a remote and barren place, but now it seems that it is indeed richer than I imagined.
However, compared with the once holy Fadlan, this is still nothing worth mentioning. ”
"Woo——"
Accompanied by the roar of the whistle, the steel giant came with billowing steam and stopped in front of the caravan.
Suddenly, everyone present except Heya opened their mouths, and even Joseph was no exception.
Some guards even thought that an enemy was coming, so they nervously raised their shields to block the way.
"Everyone, don't be nervous, that's the Empire's steam locomotive."
Heya smiled and made a "please" gesture, and then said: "Get in the car, Mr. Joseph.
Don’t be ashamed of it, this is how you react to everyone who sees it for the first time. ”
Joseph quickly closed his mouth, smiled stiffly, and retorted: "Compared to the steel guards of Fadland, this is also nothing worth mentioning.
I'm just curious, is this steam train open to ordinary citizens, or does it only serve the rich and powerful? Also, what should we do with our goods? Heya patiently replied: "The steam locomotive is a favor given by His Majesty to all the people. It only requires a small amount of money and can be used by anyone. It is very convenient."
A poet once said that His Majesty used steel to open up the mountains, rivers and plateaus, making the distance between people infinitely closer. ”
She chuckled and continued: "As for the cargo? You don't have to worry, this steam locomotive can carry up to three hundred tons of cargo.
These steel behemoths roar between north and south laden with cargo, transporting tens of thousands of tons of goods every month, selling the Empire's goods throughout Fyanthor. ”
Joseph took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, and whispered: "It is indeed very convenient"
At this moment, what he thought of was the Burning Ember Empire's military mobilization capabilities.
You must know that not every place has a constant teleportation circle, and the manufacture and maintenance of such a thing are extremely expensive.
These steam locomotives can carry hundreds of tons of cargo, not to mention soldiers.
In other words, as long as the emperor gives an order, the entire empire's army will quickly gather to the south - this is an absolute disaster for the Thracian Kingdom.
And these things that are obviously magical creations can be used by civilians! Even the once holy Fadlan would not do such a stupid thing.
Joseph thought so.
After paying the freight of twenty-one kinnars, all members of this caravan of nearly a hundred people boarded the train, and their goods were moved into the freight car.
"Woo——"
The whistle sounded, and along with the billowing gray smoke, the steam locomotive started running again, speeding on the track and heading north.
Its speed was not too slow, and it quickly passed through the Anzeta Corridor and truly entered the vast Anzeta Wilderness.
Joseph looked at the scenery outside the window and secretly recorded it with the photo stone disguised as a medal on his chest. However, as the train was speeding and the scenery outside the window was passing by in a hurry, only a very limited part could be recorded.
Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes.
"That's farmland?"
In the distance lay vast, flat fields stretching to the horizon, with neat rows of ravines in the fertile soil.
"Compared to the farmland in the central Great Plains, this can only be regarded as"
Suddenly, his eyes widened and the words in his mouth froze.
I saw a giant steel beast with a huge wheel on its head traveling in the farmland, using its wide "mouth" to plow the land and sow seeds.
There were also billows of smoke rising from the backs of those giant beasts. This sight made Joseph feel particularly ridiculous.
magic.
Definitely a magical creation.
These Anzeta people in the magical wilderness actually use precious magical creations to engage in the lowest and most menial farming work?
What happened to this world?
Is this what you use magical creations for?
Even in the once holy Fadland, spell casters were noble beings and would never engage in such lowly jobs.
Seemingly seeing the shock in Joseph's eyes, Heya took the initiative and said: "That's a joint seeder, and it's also a favor given to us by His Majesty.
She looked at the farmland in the distance and sighed: "Anzetta used to be shrouded in hunger and cold, but now, we have got rid of the dilemma of insufficient food and clothing.
This piece of Lier farmland is actually nothing. The most spectacular one is the large farmland of Matra in the north, which was once a desolate land.
A few years ago, His Majesty Cassius personally exerted his supreme power to raise the earth and form tall mountains, blocking the cold wind from the north, making it warm, and allowing the endless fertile black soil to emerge from the snow.
Today, 70% of the empire's food supply relies on the Matera farmland. ”
Speaking of this, Heya's tone has become somewhat pious, and her beautiful eyes are full of reverence and enthusiasm.
When he heard this, Joseph's eyes became particularly shocked, even showing a hint of disbelief.
Change the terrain?
Or even create mountains?
If what she said is true, it would be difficult for even a legendary mage to do this. I am afraid that the effect can only be achieved by a spell above the nine-layer magic network.
Before arriving at the legendary imperial capital of Istalia, Joseph was greatly shocked by what he encountered along the way, and even made him feel a little panicked.
Such an empire, full of ambitions, would it really be satisfied with the less fertile lands of Anzeta and Catapa? (End of chapter)