Chapter 511: Entering the City

The month of Mist had arrived.

Winter was here.

In Ansu, winter always came early. Often, before the Frost Moon had even ended, many regions had already slipped into a bleak, silent season. The fields were harvested, winter grain and firewood stored away in every household. From the city to the countryside, from fortresses to humble homes, the streets and alleys would no longer see crowds of people. Like animals retreating to their dens before the cold fully set in, everyone would return to their shelter, quietly waiting for spring’s return.

But Cecil City hadn’t seen such a winter in two years. For its people, winter was still a time to go about their work as usual.

Last night’s light rain—likely the last of the year—had dampened the city’s concrete and cobblestone streets, nourishing the hardy flowers and trees lining the corners. As the sun rose, the moisture began to rise in gentle wisps. Thanks to the city’s slightly warmer ground temperature, these vapors formed a soft fog that settled over every inhabited place. Unlike the thick, vision-obscuring winter mists common in Typhon, this fog carried a comforting, lazy feeling—like waking from a hazy, beautiful dream.

The great sun shone down on Cecil City like this.

On this chilly early winter morning, people ate a hearty breakfast, dressed warmly, and stepped out to work. As more and more figures filled the streets and alleys, the entire city gradually stirred awake.

The thin morning fog soon gave way to the sun’s warmth, lifting the city’s veil of haze and revealing everything in crisp clarity.

A carriage, adorned with patterns uncommon in these parts, rolled through the gates of Cecil’s commercial district. The horses’ hooves clattered briskly over the street, sunlight glinting off the rain-washed copper fittings on the canopy.

A panel on the side of the carriage was cracked open, and a pair of bright eyes peered out, watching the city for several minutes before retreating back inside.

“Father, the streets in Cecil are so wide!” said a young man with short hair inside the carriage, looking toward the middle-aged man seated at the rear. “And their buildings… they’re all so tall!”

“When I was last here, there weren’t nearly this many buildings…” The middle-aged man—Kord, a prominent merchant from the Carol Province—couldn’t hide his surprise. Yet before his eldest son, he maintained a calm, composed demeanor. “Don’t act like a country bumpkin who’s never been to a city, Pal. We’re here representing the Carol Merchants’ Guild to meet the ruler of the Southern Territories.”

“Yes, Father.”

The young man, Pal, quickly lowered his head, listening intently to his father’s counsel. Kord was the most successful merchant in Carol, renowned for his sharp judgment and decisive action. It was because he was the first to respond to the government’s call and sign the Merchant Alliance Agreement that their family had advanced so far—so far, in fact, that they now had the opportunity to meet the Southern ruler in person. Pal deeply respected this man who had proven his worth through deeds.

Seeing his son’s attitude, Kord nodded with satisfaction, then slowed his tone. “But while maintaining a good impression, you must also observe carefully and cautiously. Opportunities and connections often hide in the smallest details of the environment. Take this city—it’s growing so fast, its population swelling rapidly. That means its business potential is practically limitless…”

As Kord spoke, he gazed through the open panel at the bustling streets of Cecil. “This is truly a city of gold…”

Just as Kord finished speaking, the large mechanical clock in the city center chimed loudly—eight o’clock sharp.

At the same moment, the many arcane network terminals scattered across the plazas and major intersections activated.

Magic surged into their bases, resonating through intricate runes and sigils, then infused into projection crystals. Flickering lights appeared in the air throughout the streets, quickly coalescing into clear holographic images. Smiling, the figure of Jipri—the “Witch”—appeared in the projections, greeting everyone: “Good morning, citizens of Cecil. It is now exactly eight o’clock Cecil time. ‘Witch’ Jipri sends her regards.

“Today, our wise and honorable mechanical scholars, magitech engineers, and rune masters will present a brand-new magitech device. The exhibition will be held at Pioneer Plaza in the city center, and all arcane network terminals will broadcast the event live…”

Inside the carriage, Kord’s eyes widened in astonishment as he whispered, “What is that?!”

Pal was startled too. He had fully opened the panel and stretched his neck to look outside. After a moment, he answered, “Father, I’ve heard of this—it’s in Kant! It’s called an arcane network terminal!”

“I’ve heard of it as well… some traveling merchants from the south described it to me…” Kord murmured. “So this is what it looks like…”

“Father?”

“Our audience time isn’t until later—we’ll head to Pioneer Plaza first.”

The central plaza was already crowded.

Residents nearby had noticed the activity since dawn: soldiers stood guard around the square, technicians in white robes and blue uniforms gathered, and a street had been cleared early to transport a large machine. Any seasoned Cecil citizen would recognize what this meant.

The great lord and learned scholars had another new creation to unveil.

While common folk elsewhere might not care what their lord was up to, Cecil’s people were different. They knew that whatever was displayed here was closely tied to their lives—usually new magitech devices, sometimes books or newspapers. Whatever it was, it would soon become part of daily life, often bringing great benefits.

People gathered, watched, and speculated about the day’s exhibit. Yet as the announced time approached, the platform in the plaza’s center remained empty.

Whispers grew louder—until suddenly, a sharp, loud, strange sound cut through the chatter.

It sounded like a brass instrument, booming across the plaza. Nearly everyone there jumped in surprise. Then, as they spotted the massive object rolling along the cleared path toward the center, they were startled a second time.

What on earth was that?

It was a colossal machine made of steel, nearly a full size larger than a carriage. Wheels surrounded it, confirming it was a vehicle—but there was no animal pulling it. This enormous thing was moving on its own!

Even the most experienced Cecil citizens gasped, but few panicked. They watched nervously as the steel behemoth rolled steadily to the plaza’s center, coming to a smooth stop among the soldiers and technicians. Curiously, they examined its exterior: a boxy front, an open rear compartment, magical crystal lamps at the front, and huge, towering wheels. Given the Southern Territories’ rough terrain, the wheels’ diameter, chassis height, and internal shock-absorbing and balancing mechanisms had been specially adjusted before final production, making the wheels look even more formidable and impressive.

After a moment, a panel on the vehicle’s front-middle section suddenly opened—a door—and a lively young woman jumped out.

The crowd immediately burst into applause. Some smiled and tipped their hats, others bowed slightly. An elderly woman standing at the plaza’s edge beamed, “See? It’s our very own Miss Rebecca.”

Those nearby chuckled, “She must have had a hand in this thing.”

“Hello, everyone! This is called a magitech carriage—or a magi-powered vehicle,” Rebecca greeted the familiar and unfamiliar faces in the plaza cheerfully. “As the first generation, its model is the ‘Magi-475’…”

Magi-475.

The name commemorated the very first magitech carriage’s successful maiden run of 475 meters after assembly.

Back then, Rebecca had installed a mechanical counter on the wheel to precisely measure the distance.

The crowd applauded again—though many still didn’t fully grasp what this magitech carriage was, their enthusiasm was undiminished. Partly because Rebecca’s lively, warm personality was beloved, and partly because…

This magitech carriage really was incredible.

In a corner of the plaza, a father and son stood wide-eyed.

“Don’t act like a country bumpkin,” Kord suddenly recalled his own words to his son just moments ago.

But… what could he do?

Carol City, on the northern frontier of the Cecil Duchy, right next to the Rock Fortress… was, at this moment, truly the countryside.

Though just two years ago, it had been considered the Southern Territories’ most promising place, closest to the “kingdom’s trend center” thanks to its proximity to the Holy Spirit Plains…

“Father,” Pal finally snapped out of his daze, swallowing nervously. “Is that carriage powered by magical mechanisms? Is it a magical automaton?”

“It is indeed powered by magical mechanisms, but it’s definitely not an automaton. Look inside the door—do you see those control levers? It’s a magitech machine, just like the mining machines we’ve seen before.”

“Mining machines…” Pal pondered. “You mean, it’s made for ordinary people to use?”

“Yes, without a doubt. From what I’ve analyzed, our lord has always been committed to creating magical devices accessible to common folk,” Kord said, straining to listen as Rebecca explained the magitech carriage’s concept to the crowd. He muttered to himself, “Just as I thought… it’s powered by a magi-engine… so it must be much stronger than oxen or horses, and it doesn’t need to eat fodder…”

“Father?” Pal looked at him curiously. “What did you say?”

“Pal, my son, take a good look at this city. See how many opportunities you can find.” Kord’s eyes burned with fiery passion. Though middle-aged and at an age when many would consider retiring, the great merchant’s spirit surged anew. For a moment, he was transported back to his first solo trading trip, the first time he left home to seek business elsewhere. He remembered the first time he saw a city street, the crowds, the goods—and overheard a phrase that stuck with him.

“My son, here… gold lies everywhere…”

(End of chapter)