It is early morning, May 3rd, the 101st day of the Saint's Calendar.

The golden dawn shines on the earth, and surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains, a magnificent city stands quietly on the steep cliff, overlooking the surrounding land; the blue river flows around the mountains, towards the end of the white horizon in the distance

Flowing and rushing endlessly.

This is Winter Torch City, the frontier for colonists to explore the new world.

To the empire, this was just a remote inland colony with not very convenient transportation, not rich products, a very sparse population, and a strong centrifugal force. If Winter Torch City hadn't insisted on flying the golden iris flag, it would be hard to say what the empire was like.

Or do you think it can be considered part of the prosperous times under the emperor's rule?

But for the adventurers who came to explore the new world, Winter Torch City and its city walls and towers towering on the cliffs can almost be regarded as a holy place in the north of the new world.

It was from here that the colonists, who had only been able to move along the coastline for hundreds of years, used this as their base to muster up the courage to head towards the colder interior closer to the north.

Countless adventurers, pioneer groups, and colonial organizations...with the dream of opening up a new world and exploring, carried simple luggage, dragged two-wheeled carriages and sleds, and headed towards the endless wilderness, dense forests, and hills...

The vast majority of them can only return in vain, and more than half will even lose the chance to return forever, abandoned by severe cold, disease, plague, hunger, attacks by wild beasts and indigenous people, and some unspeakable accidents.

The corpse wilderness becomes part of the new world.

Even so, it still can't stop more people from gathering in the Winter Torch City, gathering like-minded friends here, filling their bags, holding extremely suspicious maps, and embarking on unknown roads.

On the road surrounded by mountains, large groups of people and horses are arranged in loose formations, marching towards the city gate of Winter Torch City; hundreds of almost indistinguishable figures, stepping on the brisk drumbeats, taking neat steps

, causing the sporadic adventurers and caravans on both sides of the mountain road to quickly get out of the way, and stared dumbfoundedly at each other as they passed by.

Behind this team with the black and red unicorn flag, another team that looks more "luxurious" is not so neat: four-wheeled carriages, two-wheeled trucks, sleighs... countless carriages and mules and horses.

The road was almost completely blocked. Travelers and coachmen from various colonies shouted in various accents and shouted at the top of their lungs, but they could not make their wheels stuck in the mud and snow go faster.

In fact, in order to welcome the "new guests" who are about to come, Dongju City has mobilized the young and strong labor force in the city a week in advance, thoroughly cleaned the roads outside the city, and even doubled the road width.

But they obviously underestimated the number of guests and the ability of their "remote town" to handle the foreign population. At the same time, they overestimated the guests' organizational capabilities, causing the transportation system to be completely paralyzed...

They have almost proved with facts that this "colonial sacred place" is not the best choice for holding large gatherings, organizing multi-person activities or major ceremonies.

"In this case, why was the first meeting of the Free Confederation set here?"

Looking at the crowd at the foot of the mountain, Polina, who was sitting in the carriage with a confused expression, couldn't help but ask.

Regarding this "obvious" question, Thalia, who was sitting opposite, remained silent, smiling while looking at her with meaningful eyes.

Feeling the other person's sight that could almost penetrate her body, she stayed quiet all the way. After finally summoning her courage, Polina's heartstrings trembled slightly, and a biting chill continued to surge upwards.

Only now did she realize what a wrong decision it was to accept Lord Anson Bach's fiancée's invitation without riding in a carriage alone.

Sarah Frey beside her was not as nervous and scared as her sister. She was very happy to enjoy the various desserts carefully prepared by Thalia - candies and snacks that are very common in Clovis City.

The world is full of expensive luxuries.

The quiet and eerie atmosphere lasted for a long time, and was finally broken by the little clerk huddled aside.

"Precisely because Winter Torch City is the least suitable of all colonies, it is the most suitable."

Facing the astonished and confused eyes of the two Frey girls, Secretary Xiao said: "This is exactly the choice that Mr. Anson Bach came up with after careful consideration that best balances all parties."

"As the first official meeting of the Free Confederacy, it will not only determine the balance of power in the future colonies, but the location where it is held also has very unique significance - if everything goes well, that colony is likely to be established in the near future.

Become the capital of the Free Confederacy."

"As the capital of the Confederacy, in addition to certain historical significance, population and wealth, the most important thing is convenient transportation - in this regard, Long Lake Town, Red Hand Bay, and Black Reef Port all have certain competitiveness.

"

"Red Hand Bay and Black Reef Port have excellent harbors, as well as roads leading inland and connecting to other colonies; Changhu Town is slightly weaker in this regard, but it also has developed inland river transportation and a convenient inland road network.

"

"In terms of particularity and historical significance, the three places are not far behind - Red Hand Bay is the center of the six major colonies of the empire, and is naturally surrounded by all the colonies; the location of Black Reef Port is close to Gray Pigeon Castle, which is adjacent to

Down here is our forward position against the tyranny of the empire; Changhu Town is at the rear, and it is also a well-equipped fortress, which perfectly meets the security requirements of a capital city."

Having said this, the little clerk who paused deliberately looked at Polina:

"So, what do you think Lord Anson Bach realized from this information?"

question?

Polina was silent for a few seconds, and said somewhat uncertainly:

"They... all hope that through this meeting, they can naturally become the capital of the Free Confederation?"

"Exactly!" The little clerk nodded immediately and praised in a formulaic manner: "Miss Polina Frey, you are really a natural politician, you found the key to the problem at a glance!"

"Yes, this is what Lord Anson Bach is worried about: except for Winter torch city, all the colonies are very competitive in this aspect, and they certainly hope to have this honor, so as to make themselves more popular in the Confederacy.

obtain a higher status."

"Because of this, if any one is successfully elected, the other two will hold objections; and it is very unfair to Winter torch city and the still-lost Gray Dove Castle and Sailing City - they are both colonies that resist tyranny, but they are

Not even qualified to run for office.”

"So, Sir Anson Bach deliberately chose Winter Torch City as the location for the meeting; because the transportation here is inconvenient, it is not suitable to be the capital of the Confederacy?" Polina slowly straightened up, with a slightly excited expression on her face:

"Could it be that you hope that Gray Pigeon Castle can become..."

"What your Excellency hopes is that the Free Confederacy can remain united and not cause discord between each other because of petty gains, giving the enemy an opportunity to take advantage of it."

Realizing that the girl seemed to have some unrealistic fantasy, the little clerk corrected him slowly, with seriousness written on his young face: "As for which city the Free Confederacy hopes to become the capital of, this is the Free Confederacy.

Beluga Port has no right to interfere in our internal affairs, let alone take the initiative to interfere.”

Active interference... Polina, whose heart strings were tense, secretly glanced at Thalia opposite her from the corner of her eye, thoughtfully.

Although she is just a girl who has not yet reached adulthood, after experiencing the loss of her family and the deliberate support and training of Anson Bach, the ignorant and simple Polina Frey has gradually acquired some wisdom that is not suitable for her age, as well as the skills of observing words and emotions.

Just like "taking the initiative" when facing Anson Bach, the only one she could rely on, she had already heard the meaning of Clerk Allen's words: there would be no active interference, which meant that she could passively accept it; as long as the Free Confederation "invited"

Beluga Port upholds justice, and the commander-in-chief of the garrison will not refuse.

Therefore, the key to getting help from Anson Bach is...

"In that case, why not hold a general meeting in Beluga Harbor?"

Just when Polina was about to ask for more "details", her sister Sarah beside her suddenly said:

"Anyway, the Free Confederacy can't choose a capital anyway, so wouldn't it be better to go directly to Beluga Port - the Stormtroopers don't have to go to such a long distance, and people from other councils can also come directly by boat.

Is a horse-drawn carriage more convenient?"

The moment the voice fell, the car immediately fell silent.

The silent Thalia's smile remained unchanged, her looming eyes constantly looking back and forth between the Frey sisters; feeling the other's gaze, Polina's whole body tensed up again, like a snow hare being stared at by a poisonous snake, unable to move.

The little clerk coughed a few times unnaturally. Before he could reach out to the compartment door handle, he withdrew like lightning at Thalia's look and sat down obediently in his seat.

In the dead silence, only Sarah remained unaware, blinking curious eyes and asked:

"No way. Did Lord Anson Bach really not think so?"

……………………

"Needless to say, of course I have thought about it!"

Faced with Carl Bain's doubts, the commander-in-chief of the garrison retorted very naturally: "But there is no way, the difficulty is too great, I can only give up after weighing it."

"First of all, we need to advance westward so that the liberals or the 'Free Confederacy' in the rebel colonies think they are protected; secondly, the Storm Division has just shared a batch of spoils and retreating to the base camp rashly is not good for morale and can easily weaken the soldiers.

They have the idea of ​​'staying where they are' or 'taking a rest'."

"Therefore, although there are many advantages to holding the first meeting of the Free Confederation in Beluga Harbor, especially it will make it easier for us to maintain control over them in the future; there are too many disadvantages, and rushing for quick results will only result in more losses than gains."

"The most important thing is, don't you think that doing this really exposes our thoughts too obviously? Although everyone knows some things well, it is always good to be a little more obscure and preserve some dignity for our allies."

"Really?"

Faced with Anson's extremely patient explanation, full of care and respect for his allies, a certain adjutant who had been complaining recently had a completely different view: "So you really feel that what we did was not obvious enough, and we even tried to save a little face for our allies.

'Room?"

Anson Bach: "...or else?"

Karl rolled his eyes, resisting the desire to complain and took a deep breath: "Then let me ask another question: You went to great lengths to set the venue of the meeting in Winter Torch City just to make this group of self-proclaimed 'liberals'

Are all the slave owners and unscrupulous traders so grateful to you?"

"That's not the case." Faced with the adjutant's cynicism, Anson chuckled and shrugged: "What's more important is to prepare for the next battle, so that the colonial minister in Sailing City can leave his base camp with confidence."

"Headquarters?"

"The news about the Stormtroopers heading to Wintertorch City and the first meeting of the Free Confederation has been spread by the "Lake Town Candide"; counting the time, he must have obtained this information - if you

It’s Bernard Molwes, what would you do?”

Before Carl could answer, Anson immediately said: "You have only two choices, either believe it or not believe it."

"If he believes this information is true, then the smartest thing to do is to send troops decisively without leaving us any room for preparation."

"The main force of the Storm Division is concentrated in Winter Torch City. Even if it takes at least ten days at the fastest, it will take more than ten days to reach the Black Reef Port closest to Gray Pigeon Castle, and it can only travel from land. In such a long time, the imperial army will definitely have time to capture it.

By the way, Black Reef Port set up a position on the road and ambushed us who were 'hurrying for reinforcements' on the only way."

"Right now, Black Reef Port has gone through the 'Great Purge', and the city is full of the most determined 'liberals'. Even if the empire captures the colony, it will have to pay a high price; at the same time, the most important group of liberals in Black Reef Port

With all of them in Winter Torch City, not only will we have no losses, we can even further stimulate other colonies to unite closely under the command of Beluga Port."

"And if he doesn't believe it, then things will be even more interesting: we will have enough time to go to Black Reef Port, and continue to gather militias from various colonies along the way; waiting for the Gray Pigeon Castle Imperial Army to finally realize that something is wrong

, then he will have to face more than just Stormtroopers."

Looking at the nearby Winter Torch City, Ansen, who was chatting eloquently, suddenly raised the corner of his mouth: "Also, do you dare to make a bet with me?"

"What to bet on?"

"Just bet that Winter Torch City won't thank us for choosing them as the venue for the meeting - I'll bet on a box of black rum, a specialty of Adlan, and Veneto that has been cellared for five years."

"I'll follow!" Karl agreed without hesitation:
Chapter completed!