Sword of Dawn

Page 337

"Yes, the 'retarder' is in effect, and the running speed of No. [-] sandbox has been reduced to the normal time flow rate through reverse time iteration. We are already at the same level as that thing, and we still have time to continue testing more A safe and secure plan," Selina's tone was gentle, but it seemed to have some unquestionable and refutable power, "the zeroth project has been running so far, and we have invested too much in it... not until the last step, the pope Neither Your Majesty nor I will abandon it at will."

A strange hum suddenly sounded from the air, interrupting the conversation between the two archbishops.

Selena looked up and saw that all the buildings and ground in the block were quickly dyed with a layer of grid, and then the distorted buildings were deleted in pieces, and the alienated ground was quickly reorganized into the basic plane , the water surface and clouds in the sky were decomposed into disordered light particles, and after a few seconds, the normal houses, streets, ground and vegetation began to be rapidly regenerated in this space.

The block reset is complete.

In the blink of an eye, the chaotic urban areas became orderly again, as if nothing had changed, and the deadly overflow data and network pollution were cleaned up.

The two archbishops, Selena and Yuri, stood on the edge of the restored neighborhood, and each was silent for a moment.

"I'm afraid that the short-term memory of a few compatriots will be erased," Archbishop Yuri suddenly sighed, "There is always a price for resetting."

Selena frowned: "I hope this is the last time."

"Archbishop Selina, about the security director I mentioned in the last meeting... what do you think?"

"Daniel..." Selina Geer nodded after thinking for a while, "I have been paying attention to him... He is a very talented mage and scholar. He has unique insights in concepts... It's a pity that his talent has been buried until our network is officially put into use, and it was almost wasted."

"The security system he built, network addressing, multiple databases and other technologies have proven to be of great effectiveness," Archbishop Yuri nodded in agreement, and continued, "Some of these technologies are even used in Project Zero. , I and several other archbishops believe that this man may be able to play a role in the crisis we are now facing."

"His current rank is a bishop, but he was promoted not long ago..." Selina Geerfen was thinking, "But for talented people, we don't have to stick to these rules too much. Archbishop Yuri, Do you personally think that Daniel is reliable enough?"

"I think it's reliable," Yuri said without hesitation, "I investigated his situation, he joined the religious order 20 years ago, he has a lot of qualifications, his external contact in the real world is clean and reliable, he is a loyal A scholar compatriot who is religious and devoted to research. In fact, if he is unreliable, he will not be able to become the director of security. You know the importance of this position—— Archbishop Selina, from my personal point of view, I think Bishop Daniel is very reliable, loyal to our cause, and very capable, with a great concern for spiritual networks."

"Very well, then it's up to you to get in touch," Selina nodded, "but don't be too hasty, observe a cycle, after all... this involves the zeroth project, we have to do a good job of promoting that Daniel to Preparations for the 'Archbishop'."

"I see."

Chapter 0738 Imperial College

In the next few days, there were no abnormal fluctuations in the spiritual network. Daniel has already started to investigate the rumors about the vision, and Gao Wen continues to pay attention to the situation at home and abroad, and pay attention to the huge empire machine he built. The movement, time, quietly passed between them.

On the first rest day of the foggy month, the weather was rare and clear.

In Cecil City today, there is one thing to celebrate.

The brilliance of the huge sun dispelled the thin clouds in the sky, and the brilliant sun shone on the streets of Cecil in winter. The cheerful citizens in thick winter clothes gathered together, forming streams of people in the mage district in the south of the city.

A brand-new and large-scale building stands at the end of this block, next to the buildings in the Mage District, next to the Rune Research Institute and the Magic Technology Research Institute, facing the block avenue and the semicircle of the Mage District The "Knowledge Square" is like a crown worn in Nancheng District, accepting the observation and cheers of the citizens.

——Imperial College will be officially put into use today.

The guard of honor lined up in a heroic queue on the Knowledge Square. A high rostrum was set up in the early hours of the morning. Long curtains with black and blue background patterns and golden sword and plow emblems hung down on both sides of the high platform. Under the rising sun, there was a majestic glow, and four white knights in heavy armor stood on both sides of the high platform. When Gawain in uniform appeared, the white knights and the soldiers lined up in the square turned around at the same time , saluting their allegiance to their sovereign in a clash of metal armor.

Before Gao Wen stepped onto the high platform, he turned his head and glanced at the building behind the high platform that was about to be put into use——

The castle-style main building of Imperial College is standing under the bright sky. The two outbuildings on both sides of the main building and the four spiers around the college are shining in the sun. In the college, the new fountains, flower beds and squares are quiet. The rotating large obelisks of magical energy are distributed scatteredly, mixing the classical mysterious atmosphere and the unique aesthetic feeling of the modern magic industry.

However, Gao Wen couldn't help but think of the low brick buildings, fence walls, dusty squares, and wooden shacks that would shake when the wind blows.

What a difference.

With the development of the southern border, especially the reorganization of the old Ansu Kingdom, many of the foundations that Gawain laid in Cecil City are becoming inadequate, especially the emergency-like infrastructure in the past, which is facing upgrading and transformation. rigid requirements.

Cecil General College once trained the first batch of key intellectuals for the southern border, and completed the first four-year literacy mission. Now, with the gradual increase in the population of Cecil City, the demand for higher education continues to increase. Scholars from all over the north continued to pour in, and the simple college was gradually overwhelmed.

For this reason, Gao Wen began to plan and build a larger capital college a year ago as the most important "educational facility model" in the new order he created. This college was originally named "Cecil Higher Academy", but after the establishment of the empire, its name was finally named "Imperial Academy", and a series of later adjustments were made in response to the new imperial situation. Finally, today, it ushered in the day for the public.

As the "advanced" institution of Cecil General Academy, Imperial Academy will be able to accommodate more students and provide higher-level education. In the early days, it will be divided into four branches, which focus on magic technology, The four fields of cultural knowledge, extraordinary education, and modern military are also subdivided into disciplines including runes, mechanics, grammar, history, law, magic, alchemy, society, nature, military strategy, modern weapons, etc. It can be said that the entire new order created by Gao Wen has been included in the entire set of huge and complex systems of this college.

This college will be open to everyone, just like the previous Cecil General College, it is an institution that does not consider the origin of the students and prohibits any differential education.

While the previous Cecil General College was of course not abandoned because of the establishment of Imperial College, it still remains, and has undergone some renovation and transformation. It is only two streets away from the new Imperial College and will continue to bear Perform the functions of literacy education and basic education, and provide opportunities for those who have no foundation or weak foundation to receive education.

In a sense, the General Academy is also a path specially reserved for low-level civilians to enter the Imperial College-the low-level civilians without any foundation will definitely not be able to keep up with the professional education of the Imperial College, and they will not be able to compete with those with higher education in more advanced institutions. Wealthy children with a knowledge base compete, but they can fill in the gaps in this area at the General College, and the recommendation letters and scholarships from the General College will also be a boost to help civilians enter the college to study.

This can be regarded as an imperfect but effective "patch measure" set by Gao Wen under the current social structure.

Gao Wen came to the high platform prepared for him, with a heartfelt smile on his face, his eyes slowly swept across the countless people gathered in the square.

Cheers sounded from all directions, and everyone in the square shouted happily, saluting the founder of the empire.

"Citizens, you are welcome here, and it is my pleasure to announce to you that a new facility for the well-being of the Cecilians will be inaugurated today, right behind me..."

Among the crowd in the square, a young man with short brown hair stood in an inconspicuous corner, looking up at Emperor Cecil who was speaking on the high platform like everyone else.

But different from others, although there was respect in the young man's eyes, he looked more calm, and there was a trace of curiosity in his eyes.

Huge holographic images stood on both sides of the square, and the speech amplified by the magic device resounded throughout the square. Whenever Gawain Cecil said a few words, there would be bursts of cheers from around, which made The young man couldn't help raising his head and looking around - he looked curiously at the excited and joyful crowd, felt the strange enthusiasm emanating from everyone, and finally couldn't help touching a passerby beside him:

"Such a grand rally... Did everyone gather spontaneously? How did you know there was a rally today?"

The passer-by who was encountered turned his head to look at the young man, and asked loudly, "Are you a foreigner?"

The loud voice of the person in front of him seemed to make the young man a little uncomfortable. He took a small half step back imperceptibly, but he still had a gentle and polite smile on his face: "I... am indeed from another place."

"Then it's normal if you're not familiar with it," the loud passer-by said with a happy smile, "This kind of gathering is a big event in Cecil City, where various novelties or important new policies are usually displayed. , of course everyone is interested. Before the rally starts, there will be newspapers to advertise it, and then the Mowang radio will announce the news. Basically, anyone who doesn’t stay in the house all day and doesn’t go out or read newspapers will know about the rally matter……"

The young man showed a look of sudden realization: "So that's how it is..."

The passerby with a loud voice glanced at him again, suddenly curious: "Hey, young man, what are you here for?"

"I'm here to study," the young man said with a smile, and pointed in the direction of Imperial College, "I'm going there."

"Hey—that's terrible!" The passer-by with a loud voice suddenly widened his eyes, "Then you will definitely have a bright future."

The young man blinked: "Why do you say that?"

"It's a simple truth. If you go to school, you will know more things. If you know more things, you will be able to find a good job. In factories, government affairs offices, and the army, you must be able to write and count in these respectable places. "The passer-by said with a smile, showing a hint of pride, "You are like me, I used to be a coolie on the mountain, but now I work as a mechanic in the factory, because I entered the night school..."

The young man listened to the loud voice in front of him saying these words in a daze, and gradually became a little surprised.

These are superficial "reasons", but they are "reasons" after all.

An ordinary civilian, with such a confident and happy appearance, said these "reasons" to himself, this is really an unprecedented experience for him.

"Anyway, young man, you should study hard." The passerby with a loud voice suddenly reached out and patted the young man on the shoulder twice, "I can see that you are capable, and this place welcomes capable people." Man, what did Master Godwin say... By the way, this is a good time!"

The young man's eyes widened in astonishment when the opponent's hand was about to hit his shoulder. He frowned instinctively and wanted to avoid it, but he only turned his body slightly and stopped on the spot. It still patted him firmly on the shoulder.

The strong impact from his shoulders caused the young man to shake twice. He showed a weird expression for a moment, and then covered it up with a slightly stiff smile. After a few casual responses, he turned sideways , squeezed out from the crowd.

He was about to walk towards the edge of the square, leave here unobtrusively through a small path, and return to the hotel where he temporarily lived, but just after taking a few steps, he stopped as if he sensed something.

The young man raised his head and narrowed his eyes slightly. Under the bright sunlight, he saw two figures approaching not far away.

One of them was a blond man about his own age, but he didn't know him.

The other was a man wearing a dark blue silk jacket with short silver hair and a bright smile.

He knew this.

It's someone else's child.

The heir to the Duchess of the North, Fendil Wilder.

That unique, cold magic power is hard to miss, and the young heir to the north obviously hasn't learned the essence of Duchess Victoria's control of magic power. He appeared in the square, and the faint magic power fluctuations were completely hidden. Can't live.

The young man with short brown hair smiled, and walked towards the two people not far away, and the other party had obviously noticed this side. Before he could speak, the heir to the northern border had already waved his hand and shouted Shouted: "Eleven! Are you really here?"

Eleven Franklin walked forward quickly, and couldn't help frowning slightly: "Fendil—yelling so loudly in the square is not what a Marquis should do."

"Don't be like this, I managed to get out of my aunt's sight," Fendil Wilde immediately waved his hands, "and is it in line with the style of a Marquis for you to squeeze into the crowd to watch the rally like this?"

Beside the two of them, the blond young man Film was going to say hello to a friend of a friend, but at this moment his eyes widened a little dullly. He looked at Fendil and then at the man called "Eleven" in front of him. The stranger, finally his eyes fell on Fendil: "... huh?"

"...Damn it, I haven't figured out how to say it yet," Fendil also reacted suddenly, couldn't help pressing his forehead, and stared at Eleven again, "This is the first time you screwed me up What happened?"

Eleven was stunned for a moment, as if he had guessed something, he looked at Film, who was still at a loss, and then at Fendil: "Then this is..."

"My traveling companion, we met on the Highlander—ah, the Highlander is a magical mechanical ship, you know, it's..."

"I know about mechanical boats. I've been on the Baishui River before." Eleven shook his head helplessly. "So, you didn't tell this traveling companion your identity?"

"I don't want to spoil this rare trip," Fendil smiled wryly, and turned to Film, "I'm sorry, Film, but I didn't intend to hide it, I just don't want the status of the heir to the Duke of the North to affect us It's not easy getting along with a friend outside of a castle."

"The heir to the Duke of the North..." The blond young man from Barron finally confirmed what he heard, and he was even a little suffocated by the great shock, "My God...so your full name is..."

"Fendil Wilder," Fendil said, and then pointed to Eleven next to him, "This is Eleven Franklin, the son of the Duke of the West, ah, I should introduce his title in detail on this occasion and his many honorary titles, but that is too troublesome, so this step is omitted.

"Elvin, the person in front of you is Mr. Film from Baron, the creator of the phantom drama, an outstanding playwright...at least I think so."

Film's eyes once again jumped back and forth between the two duke heirs. As a person who aspires to become an outstanding playwright, he suddenly questioned his ability to write scripts at this moment.

In the face of dramatic reality, his imagination as a playwright was suddenly a bit insufficient.

Chapter 0739 Young People of the Empire

As aristocrats, socializing with other nobles of similar rank is itself a part of social duties. Therefore, as the same heir to the Duke of the Protectorate, as young nobles of similar age, Fendil Wilde and Eleven Franklin Of course they knew each other, and they had a certain personal friendship.

This personal friendship can basically be described as "each other is someone else's child".

In the Ansu era, apart from the declining Cecil family, the other three heirs to the Duke of the Protectorate were similar in age and status, and they all shouldered certain responsibilities. Naturally, such a situation would inevitably occur.

But that didn't hurt their friendship.

Eleven and Fendil haven't seen each other for a long time. At this moment, they meet again in Cecil City, which represents the frontier of the magic industry era. They both have the same purpose of studying, so they naturally have a lot to say. Talk, but before that, there is a third person here.

Film felt a little dazed. The traveling companion who had been traveling with him for half a month turned out to be the heir of the Duke of the North. This kind of thing that he didn't dare to arrange randomly in the drama happened in the real world, which made him confused for a while. The boundary between dreams and reality, this young man from the Barron area swayed twice, and when he looked at Fendil again, his eyes were no longer so natural: "I...you..."

Fendil interrupted Film before he continued speaking: "My friend, stop, don't use honorific words and titles."

Film's eyes were wide open, for a moment he didn't know how to continue.

Fendil couldn't help sighing inwardly.

He thought that his performance in being close to the civilians during the trip was not bad, and he also thought that he had gotten as close as possible to his civilian friend.

He had carefully studied His Majesty Gawain Cecil's theories on the nature of the aristocratic system, and those theories opened the eyes of this young nobleman who was born and raised in the northern mountains, and made him yearn for it.

But maybe, that's just the unreasonable yearning of the too impetuous young people after seeing something deviant.

When he left the northern mountains, he thought that he would be an outstanding "new nobleman". He was willing to support His Majesty Gawain Cecil's reforms, and personally break down the rotten barriers accumulated by the old Anzu nobles, sweeping away Shen Ke in this ancient country is so self-confident because he is the successor of the Duke of the North and a nobleman with a prominent status. A nobleman like him is willing to break his identity, so what is there? Can it prevent him from becoming friends with a commoner or civilians?

But now he suddenly and vaguely understood the meaning of the words his aunt said to him when he was passing by Saint-Sunil——

"...You have such an idea, which shows that you are still arrogant. The barrier between the nobles and the common people cannot be broken by a nobleman's 'putting down'."

Fendil smiled silently, looking at the nervousness in his eyes, and there was a murmuring Film in his expression.

That wall is really strong. His Majesty Gawain blew up the Crushed Stone Ridge and pierced through the Holy Spirit Plain. A contract deprived the country of noble privileges, but the wall still stands persistently, standing in people's hearts, stubbornly as if Those frozen boulders in the north.

But northerners are often tougher than stone.

He reached out and patted Film's shoulder hard.

"Friend, relax, you are the creator of the phantom drama - don't think about your identity for now, didn't you take the letter of introduction from the big businessman and go to meet His Royal Highness Rebecca?"

Film suddenly woke up from his astonishment. The "His Royal Highness Rebecca" mentioned by Fendil instantly diverted his attention from the word heir to the Duke of the North. The blond young man subconsciously touched Touching the box that he had been carrying in his hand - the box contained his brainchild, the hope of revival of the family theater troupe, and all the bargaining chips and expectations he had put in to come to the southern border, all of which made his mood quickly return to normal.

Eleven on the side looked at Fendil quite curiously: "You mentioned the phantom drama just now... what is that?"

"Ha, that's an interesting idea—if you're interested, would you like to come along?"

……

Amid warm cheers and gun salutes, Gao Wen left the high platform for his speech.

Behind him, hundreds of runes shimmered on the magnificent classical arches of the Imperial College, and the thick shield covering the gate was gradually fading, symbolizing the first teachers and students entering the gate. The dean of the college, the tall and thin Santis Seid was standing at the door, watching the students enter the college with excited eyes.

Around the square, several large-scale holographic projections are playing in a loop, introducing the main subjects of Imperial College with easy-to-understand short films, introducing the situation of the four branches, introducing the methods for imperial citizens to apply for the college and the basic conditions for admission.

The citizens gathered in the square are gradually dispersing, but a considerable number of them remain in the square. They gather around the holographic projections, looking at the content introduced in the projections curiously. An inexplicable light shone in it.

Gao Wen didn't disturb all of this, he returned to the magic car parked on the side of the square.

As soon as he was seated, a petite figure suddenly appeared on the seat next to Gao Wen. Amber was sitting there, stroking her head and looking in the direction of the Imperial College.

"It's such a beautiful place... Even more beautiful than your shabby palace..." the half-elf muttered, "You are really willing to spend money on this."

"This is the foundation of the country. No matter how many grand plans I have, they will ultimately be realized by people, and people...need to be cultivated by these academies," Gao Wen said with a smile, "Why, are you also interested in going in? 'Reheat'?"

"I don't think so at all." Amber immediately turned her head and stared at her eyes. "The military intelligence chief of the dignified empire is not up to standard and went to the academy to make up lessons. How can I maintain my dignity in front of those little bastards in the future?"

"...I didn't mention your culture class either..."

"Isn't that obvious? I don't know how much I weigh?"

Gao Wen: "..."

After a helpless smile, he shook his head: "What are those two young people doing?"

"Visiting the city and experiencing life, they seem to be very interested in the matter of mixing among the common people and throwing aside the rules and decency... But how should I put it, there should be some meanings of observing the 'Cecil Order' instead of their respective families Yeah, but they didn't do anything out of the ordinary."