The banquet began. The guests were all old faces from the celebration banquet just held at Harimaya Manor. The royal members went home to take a shower and change clothes. They appeared again in the banquet hall of His Majesty the Emperor. They greeted Jonah as enthusiastically as if they were meeting for the first time. Say hello. According to oriental comments, the standard of the palace dinner is slightly better than the prince's banquet. The freshness of the ingredients is comparable. The blend of various flavors is more charming. It makes people feel pleasing to the eye. This kind of gourmet The words were somewhat unconvincing coming from the mouth of a man who could not walk. But the astrologer had no time to think about these issues. He spent the normal banquet in a hazy state, thinking about the Vedic front and Ekbar. Tana's problem.
It wasn't until the banquet ended at nine o'clock in the evening. After bidding farewell to Emperor Isaibainke, Queen Marilian and the prince and getting into the royal carriage, Jonah found the opportunity to ask for details. "What about Asai Ekbatana?" What's going on? Tell me in detail."
The Easterner burped and slumped weakly on his seat: "You don't know this. This is a difficult case. It has been stuck in the throat of the Tocharian Empire like a fish bone for hundreds of years. It is so uncomfortable. It’s tight...I really don’t have the energy to speak now. If the salmon caviar accidentally comes out, I will suffer a big loss. I will tell you after it is digested..."
Jonah looked at this worthless guy with hatred. He was a little helpless. Suddenly he slapped his forehead, opened the deerskin bag that he never left, and took out the heavy book: "Erland Dantelier" "Geographical Survey of the Southern Continent". Sure enough, this all-encompassing encyclopedia has a chapter about Ekbatana. It is described in the usual frivolous and long-winded tone as follows: "
I don’t know how long ago the Flores people lived in the Ecbatana Basin. They were running around like two-legged ants tinkering with those creaking and steaming gadgets. They were in contact with the outside world. Exchanges were limited to exchanging ingenious steam products for human bread and bacon at the twice-weekly market. For a long time, the outside world believed that their only contribution to the world was to allow unlearned rich boys to At a party, he shows off to the girl he likes a small machine that rotates, makes sounds, and emits white smoke to deceive the curiosity of the ignorant girl.
The geographical location of the Ecbatana Basin is on the southeast side of the Tocharian Empire. It is surrounded by vast hills. Tocharor has repeatedly clarified the ownership of this enclave. But the Flores people used steam puppets The golems and steam magic crystal cannons responded euphemistically. This group of humanoid creatures were less than three feet tall. They wore funny pink hats. They smelled like engine oil and coal. They spoke sharply and quickly, except for themselves. The Flores language is incomprehensible to anyone outside the country. The only progress achieved in diplomacy over the past few hundred years was for a Tocharian ambassador to build an embassy made of thatch on the edge of the basin. Every morning when he went out to empty the urinal, he could Have a brief exchange with the early-rising Flores people.
This group of people became known to the outside world due to a coincidence. The first generation of astrology teacher Gilberto Gilberto Gilberto (with the deepest respect) passed by this strange land while traveling around the world in search of the truth of the starry sky. In Tochara He stayed in the ambassador's shack for two days. Then he entered the Ekbatana Basin alone to search for the secrets of steam puppet technology. It was during the 'Ekla' volcanic activity that occurs once every 50 years...Ekla volcano is located in the center of the basin. .It is an active volcano that erupts hot lava and sulfur steam at any time. It is the inspirer and spiritual support of the steam technology of the Flores people. You should know that 'Ekbatana' means 'Heart of the Ekla Volcano'. The dwarfs were gathering around the volcano. They watched in horror as magma columns shot up into the sky and shot up three hundred yards into the sky. Four rivers of magma flowed slowly. This eruption was more violent than any other recorded in history books. Although the three The thirteen-year-old patriarch has jumped into the crater to try to calm the wrath of the lava. But from a scientific point of view, fifty pounds (or less) of fresh meat will not have any negative impact on the volcanic eruption.
Gilbernaion (with the deepest respect) saved this scorching land. He used his unskilled time and space magic to change the state of the Ekla volcano. He forcibly suppressed the power of the lava. The volcano's once-in-50-year event The cycle has since terminated. The great teacher of astrology (with the deepest respect) regretfully told the stunned five thousand Flores people that this was not a once and for all solution. The volcanic power that was silently accumulated would be far away. Hundreds of years later, there was an unprecedented huge explosion. But that was a long time ago. Maybe by then conquering the volcano had become as easy as picking coconuts. The small regret did not dilute the admiration of the dwarves. .They regarded the astrologer as a savior sent by the spirit of the volcano. They erected a statue for him and worshiped him.
A few weeks later, Gilberneon left Ecbatana with a lot of gifts (the editor will not give up every opportunity to express his respect). At the same time, he also spread the magic of steam puppet technology to the world. From From that time on, people from four continents began to gather at the southeastern border of the Tocharian Empire to learn the unique skills of the Flores people. With gratitude to mankind, the pink hat dwarves no longer rejected tall people so much. The ugly creatures. Communication gradually increased. Human mechanics began to appear in front of the volcanic furnace. The profession of steam puppet warlock was born. As steam technology became more and more important in the development of world civilization. One hundred years ago When the "United Amnesty Decree" was signed, various national governments finally recognized the legitimacy of the Steam Puppet Warlock Association and listed this newest and weakest organization as one of the five major guilds.
The Flores people still ran around the basin year after year, tinkering with those little gadgets that creaked and emitted steam. The Tocharian ambassador was finally allowed to build a stone house that could shelter from the wind and rain. .But the relationship between the dwarves and the empire is still not very harmonious. As of the revision of this edition of the book, conquering the volcano is still slightly more difficult than picking coconuts. The Ekla volcano is a huge time bomb. As an advice to tourists. If it is just for Purchase exquisite steam machinery souvenirs to give to relatives and friends who are waiting for food at home. Just go shopping on Khalifa Street in the Golden City. There is no point in visiting Eqbatana, which is hot, noisy, xenophobic and has weird language. It is even a bit dangerous. ...Of course. If danger is your travel souvenir, then that’s a different story.”
"Oh..." After closing this lengthy book, Jonah exclaimed in sincere amazement. Unexpectedly, he could see the deeds left by the first generation mentor everywhere in the Southern Continent. This history answered the questions in his heart. Since there is still a statue of the first generation of astrologer erected in Ecbatana, it is natural that as a descendant of the astrologer, he can easily gain the trust of the people of Flores. What Emperor Isaiah Bayink valued was not his own ability. It's about identity. This unique and irreplaceable identity. This discovery made him feel a little disappointed. The 17-year-old boy longed for the recognition of others. Compared to being a member of the five major guilds, he hoped that others would regard him as a powerful and trustworthy person. A real man.
After returning to the Harimaya Manor, Jonah repeated the request he made to His Majesty the Emperor to the old prince. The prince did not show any particular surprise. The night was calm. The enemies of the Red Owl Brotherhood did not appear again. They were left at the manor. The body of more than a dozen soldiers was found. The guard also found the body of an old man in a robe in the rose garden. The body had no obvious trauma. It should be the barrier master who died after Asai broke the barrier and caused the magic to backfire. The identities of these people are not clear. Major Sardis, the captain of the Royal City Guards, said that they will find out as soon as possible. After all, they plotted to attack a noble, an army officer, the holder of the clan coat of arms and the five major businesses protected by the "United Amnesty Act" Being a member of a society is a serious crime punishable by death.
Asai, whose blood was all concentrated in his stomach, didn't say much. He went back to his room and fell asleep. Jonah lay in the luxurious bedroom, smelling the faint fragrance of flowers coming from the garden outside the window. He couldn't fall asleep for a long time. He tried Calling the names of Zuta, "Ugly Face" Liche and Ross Ross. No answer was received. The protector of the ghost left hand was lurking nearby like a real ghost. As the Easterners say. At his current level, there is no answer. Not aware of the other person's presence.
I was thinking wildly. I don’t know when I fell asleep. The next day at breakfast, Jonah made another request to the old prince, asking him to help arrange manpower at the major transportation thoroughfares and hotel entrances in the Golden City to prepare for Eli who might arrive at any time. Ott and Long Ji conveyed this message: "I am going to the southeastern border of the Tocharian Empire soon. If possible, we will see you in Ecbatana; if you cannot leave, I will return to Baktri I'm looking for you. We will definitely meet again."
Prince Harimaya promised with all his heart. Once he finds these two companions, he will immediately mobilize all means of communication to inform Jonah so that he does not have to worry. Shortly after breakfast, Emperor Isaiah Bayink sent a golden scroll wrapped in red silk. Royal etiquette The official opened the scroll arrogantly and expressed a small dissatisfaction with Jonah who refused to kneel down: "Uh-huh... Baron Ekbatana, Lieutenant Colonel D. Jonah II of the Royal Flame Cavalry Regiment" From now on, he will be transferred to the southeast theater command post of the Flame Cavalry Regiment. He will lead the 4th, 5th Cavalry and the 13th Flying Cavalry to be responsible for the defense of the Ekbatana area. May the clan coat of arms shine on your path forward. Forty The ancestors of the fourth generation of the Hall of Heroes bless you with a long-lasting military career..., the wise, upright, and brave King Isaiba Inke. May 8."
"Thank you." Jonah bowed to the emperor's golden scroll. He understood that his short stay was over. Under the spring sunshine of the southern continent, his destiny would take him on his journey again.