Monsoon City, Mosong.

This is a city with a great reputation. Many famous navigators and explorers in history, such as Columbus, Magellan and Captain Drake, have visited this city during their great voyages. Therefore, it is also known as the “pioneer of the ocean era”. Later, when the “Mayflower”, which was self-helped by the king to open up the route to the East Continent, returned, it lowered the sails at the port of Mosong City, causing a huge commotion. People rushed to the port to welcome the returning brave man, and from their mouths, they learned about a distant, mysterious, fertile, rich, but poor, ignorant, barbaric and backward world.

That day is recognized by historians as the starting date of the era of ocean trade and the colonial era, which has continued to this day and has not yet ended.

In that era full of gold, gems and greedy ideals, the port of Mosong City never stopped for a single day. Fleets set sail and returned from here in an endless stream. At first, they were traditional three-masted sailing ships, and later they were steam-driven ironclad ships; at first, they were ships carrying immigrants, bankrupt merchants, pioneering knights, down-and-out nobles and even criminals, and later they were ships carrying soldiers, magic guns, steam chariots and mechanical soldiers; at first, they only sent back spices from the plantations and furs, wood and handicrafts obtained through trade; later, they sent back blood-stained gold, silver and rare treasures in the world.

As long as the era of the ocean does not end, the prosperity of Mosong City will not end either.

Today, another fleet is about to set sail. Looking at the silent and solemn steel behemoth, the bright red battle flag flying high in the wind, and the stern-faced and unsmiling soldiers on the deck, you can already know what their mission is.

This is an intervention force – of course, this is a nice way of saying it. All the corps sent by the Order to the East Continent are called intervention forces, and the corps sent by various countries to the East Continent are collectively called overseas garrisons. No one questions why the Order interferes with the military operations on another continent, just like no one questions the legality of various countries sending garrisons overseas. This is something everyone knows.

On the port’s long embankment, many people were gathered around, they were citizens who came to watch the excitement. Mosong City had always had such a tradition, even children could discuss with great relish the size of the fleet, the type of ship, displacement and tonnage, etc., every time they set out or returned, they were all born good sailors. Others wanted to obtain the information they wanted to know in this way, for example, people with good memory would remember that in the past three months, four fleets had been stationed at the port of Mosong City, three of which were returning, and only today was setting sail.

The Kingdom has recalled three troops from the continent across the sea. Does this mean that the bigwigs in the parliament have readjusted their overseas strategy and decided to move closer to the conservatives? But the United Church has increased its investment. The scale of today’s fleet is unprecedented. Twenty-one ironclad warships and three legions of troops are incomparable to the “Invincible Fleet” in history, right? Does this mean that the United Church still has confidence in the overseas situation? The Kingdom and the United Church have always been in step with each other, so why did this contradiction arise?
This information is vitally important to them. They have to consider and then make a decision. If they are not careful, their interests may be harmed.

In another direction away from the crowd, at the end of the long embankment, there were also two people standing on the embankment, silently watching the lively or almost noisy scene in the port. Soldiers were boarding the ship through the pier, and sailors were carrying essential supplies, food or fresh water to the ship. The 21 steam warships were the main force of the fleet. In addition, each warship was also equipped with three large sailing ships as troop transports, responsible for transporting supplies and soldiers. As for the cabins on the warships, they were used to transport heavier and more efficient war machines – magic chariots and constructed mechas.

If the technology level of airships had not yet reached the point where they could sail across the sea, the size of this fleet would have been even more spectacular. At present, the airship forces stationed by the Axis Powers in the East Continent were all assembled and produced locally after transporting raw materials, prefabricated parts and technicians. Therefore, the number was limited, and the force stationed in the Gray Hill area responsible for logistics and transportation was already of a relatively large scale.

“What a majestic force.”

Tiantis looked at the steam warship as tall as a mountain and exclaimed in admiration. Her figure was indeed as small as an ant under the warship, but when she looked up, her posture and expression seemed to be looking down from a high position: “Once this fleet arrives at the East Continent, the defense gap caused by the withdrawal of troops from various countries can be made up. I think the allied forces will be very disappointed. They failed to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because of their own caution and…fear.”

Carabosse was also staring at the warship, but her gaze was looking further, as if she could see through the steel deck to the new world entangled in war and blood. She was silent for a moment and then replied, “That’s not important.”

Tiandis couldn’t help but smile when he heard this.

Yes, she also knew that it was not important. Even if the allied forces really broke through the defense line of the central battlefield, it would not have any impact on the overall situation. When the traveler riding the giant whale fell from the sky, the fate of the entire East Continent and even the entire world was no longer determined by a mere war. It was destined to be accompanied by another more magnificent but more cruel war.

What role will the Witch Society play in this war?

“I heard,” Caraboss suddenly said, “that there was a leak in the magic research department. Several researchers fled with a large number of confidential documents, including the research on the conception of gods and the nature of soul magic. Is this true, Tiantis?”

She heard the news as soon as she returned to the ground, but she never found a chance to ask, so she kept the confusion in her heart until today.

“kindness.”

The Reality Witch nodded slightly, with no intention of hiding anything: “I have already dispatched the Holy Purification Force.”

The only mission of this unit in the Witch Society is to track down and eliminate traitors. In history, it once took on the responsibility of hunting down Solomon. Although it ultimately failed, it forced the man known as the “Father of Modern Magic” to the East Continent, and he has not dared to return to this day. To deal with just a few researchers, they deployed such a posture. In the eyes of most members, it was undoubtedly a manifestation of the leader’s thundering anger. After all, how long has it been since there was a traitor in the history of the society? There have only been two or three recorded cases in history.

But in the eyes of those in the know, such as Carabosse, it seems like a lot of noise but little action.

“You should know that this is just their test. There are other plots behind this.” Karabosse said, “If we don’t get to the bottom of it and only target a few pawns, the mastermind will probably think they have an opportunity. I’m afraid there will be many such tests in the future.”

“What you said makes sense, but I’m still waiting.” “Wait?”

“Well, wait for Fei and Bailong to stand in front of me and tell me their decision in person; wait for those who are no longer willing to continue on this path to stand up and express their opposition in person; wait for Eve and Timis to make up their minds and tell me in person that they will no longer hesitate… In short, I am waiting for the moment when the time is right. It may be a long time, but I am a person who is very good at waiting, Carabosse, so I am never in a hurry.”

“That sounds like the exact opposite to me.”

Carabosse smiled, which was rare. It wasn’t that she didn’t like waiting, but she was more decisive. She believed that if she could do something now, she would do it immediately. Even if there would be better opportunities later, it would often come with greater risks. She thought, this was why she was here today, instead of staying at the headquarters of the association and waiting for the opportunity that Tiantis mentioned.

“But sometimes, you are too anxious and don’t even meet Fei’er and the others to say goodbye. Do you know how much Eve is looking forward to your return? Timis has also prepared a gift for you. Like today…” Tiandis opened her hands and looked around. The sea breeze passed through her fingers, empty: “It’s too lonely for only me to say goodbye to you.”

After returning to the ground, Caraboss only did three things. The first was to arrange for subordinates including Floyd to return to the headquarters of the association to conduct routine job reports and learn about what had happened recently. The second was to reject the repair application of the Magic Research Department to the Alien Philosopher, because it would waste too much time, and her next mission still required the help of this construction mecha. The third was to prepare and form this fleet as a cover for her secret trip to the East Continent. Otherwise, once the news that the saint of the Night Habitat had descended on the earth and was about to arrive in the East Continent spread, many twists and turns would arise out of nowhere.

Apart from that, she did not meet anyone, did not tell anyone that she was leaving, and did not say goodbye to them. Instead, she came directly to Mosong City and waited for the time to leave. If Tiandis did not know her well enough and had the time, he might not be able to find her here.

In response to Tiantis’s words of implicit blame, Carabosse was silent for a moment before saying, “Say sorry to them for me, and tell them not to be sad if they don’t see me again. Everyone has to go through it to become stronger, but when the unstoppable fate comes, they must still maintain firm faith and tenacity. This is my only expectation for them. If they can do this, I believe the road ahead will not be difficult for them.”

In fact, there are many more things I want to say. For example, tell Fei’er not to be so impulsive in the future and learn to think calmly when encountering things; hope Eve will learn to smile, even if her royal power will bring misfortune to the people around her and even herself, it is not her fault; tell Lilisti to stop being naughty and playful, tell Timeis to stop staying up late to read, and let Pereike take care of everyone on my behalf; and Favrona… But Favrona is in the East Continent, maybe it would be better to say it in person, but will I have the courage to do so then?
Once these words were out of my mouth, it wasn’t a farewell anymore, it felt more like a farewell forever.

But Carabosse has always believed that she and her sisters will not be separated forever, but will reunite in a better new world, which is what her mother expected but could not create. Wouldn’t sincere emotions hurt anyone? Someone once desperately sought the answer, but his memory was confused instead. And Carabosse is going to get that answer, even if it is not in a so beautiful way.

Woo woo woo, the departure whistle sounded. The soldiers and supplies had been transported and the time of departure was about to come. Carabosse said nothing more, but just waved to Tiantis as a farewell.

She turned to leave, but Tiantis suddenly stopped her and said with a smile: “Hey, Carabosse, you cold guy. It’s the last time, don’t you want to say goodbye in a more enthusiastic way? After all, I am your sister.”

Carabosse stopped and looked back at Tentis. In fact, the former was taller than the latter and usually behaved more maturely and steadily, but in terms of the order in which they were created, Tentis was indeed the elder sister. The Reality Witch never cared about such things. The way she and Carabosse got along was more like partners than sisters. Could it be that she suddenly mentioned it today to take advantage of her before they parted?

The dark witch suddenly smiled, she walked forward, opened her arms, and gave the other person a gentle hug.

“Wow, this is really…passionate.”

She hesitated for a moment before putting her hand on Carabosse’s back and hugging him. At this moment, she suddenly heard Carabosse’s voice, which was unimaginably confused and a little weak, two emotions that would never appear in her, but Tiantis heard it, right now, right here: “We will succeed, Tiantis?”

The Reality Witch felt the weight of it, pursed her lips slightly, and nodded lightly and firmly: “I will.”

Then she sighed again: “Do you have to wait until the last minute to be honest? I’m sorry that I didn’t realize it until now. I’m really not a qualified sister.”

At the same time, she thought of the girl who had the same face as her mother. It was not until the last moment of her life that she suddenly heard her true thoughts and realized that she had never understood this introverted and melancholy girl. For many years, she was pushed forward by a force based on faith and ideals, but the price seemed to be ignoring the feelings of those around her.

“It’s ok.”

Carabosse whispered, “Because I am not either.”

She let go of my hand, ending the hug. Then she turned around, waved her hand, and walked away without looking back, as if she had never hesitated. The fleets in the port were gradually arranged, and the huge roar of the steam engines rolled up the sky with water vapor and waves. The smoke and haze spewed out from the huge chimneys would bring a long black night to the distant foreign continent. But after darkness comes dawn, and at dawn, will we see the light of day?

It was not until the last ship left the port and the crowd on the levee gradually dispersed that Tiantis suddenly realized: This time, it seemed to be a real farewell. (End of this chapter)