Before entering the Gwana Empire, you will pass through several small countries. These small, forested countries served as buffer zones between empires.
And they, who survive in the cracks between big powers, are also proficient in the skills of playing both sides. At least in their attitude towards outsiders, they hold a considerable degree of openness. Because the regimes that locked the country in a tough stance have become part of the two empires. If you don't have the strength, you still have to compete with those big guys, and you can't blame anyone for being crushed to death with one finger. This is what the mantis said about blocking the car.
Ships on the golden waterway pass through these small countries. Due to the convenience of their national policies, there are not many restrictions. Of course, the taxes that should be paid still have to be paid. As magicians, Lin and his party passed through these countries smoothly without any unnecessary obstacles.
But even the most relaxing journey has an end. The last river port city on the golden waterway, Colombo is just around the corner. There are not thousands of sails lined up here and ships connected with each other as imagined, but it still seems quite crowded. Because it is quite close to the source of the Po River, the river channel is quite narrow.
On the other side of the horizon, you can see towering mountains. The Jura Mountains stretch across the junction of the Central Continent of the Lost World and the Western Continent, stretching for more than ten thousand kilometers (1,000 kilometers). They are also the birthplace of the Po River. It is late winter and almost spring, and the top of the mountain is still as white as a knife. It is like a world barrier that separates the two worlds of reality and the unknown.
But judging from the historical trajectory, thousands of years ago, the other side of the mountain belonged to the civilized world, while this side belonged to the wilderness.
There are many ways to cross the Jura Mountains. The most popular method is to disembark at a port before Colombo Port, which is also the final point of the commercial port. There is a passage into the underground world near the river port city, which is jointly operated by countries on both sides of the mountain range.
What the two countries have done is not only to widen the channels to facilitate the exchange of vehicles and horses. We must also encircle and suppress any monsters approaching this passage, as well as the residents of the underground world with malicious intentions.
As a price, all people who want to pass through this underground world channel must pay a large toll, one payment per side, a total of two expenditures. The two countries on both sides of the mountain range are living quite well relying on the income from this underground world passage.
Another challenging route, and one taken by some smugglers, is to cross directly across the Jura Mountains. In fact, this is also the earliest path used.
Crossing the mountains is not as easy as hiking. So far, people have only discovered some relatively easy mountain roads in this mountain range that stretches for thousands of kilometers; even fewer people can walk on horse-drawn carriages. Even these roads will be temporarily interrupted due to climate changes in the mountains. It can be said that going up the mountain hastily without a guide who is familiar with the conditions in the mountain is no different than courting death.
Thinking of this, Lin remembered that Uzov who was introducing him on the cruise ship sighed at this time. A certain magician, who was puzzled as to why this man was still with him, asked in a flattering tone: "What's wrong? Could it be that you have walked through the mountain roads of the Jura Mountains before?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. When I was young, I once challenged the feat of crossing the Jura Mountains with a group of friends. Although I succeeded, I was lucky enough not to leave anyone behind, but it was not a good memory. Several accidents made it almost impossible for any of us to get out of the mountain."
On the boat, a group of people were boiling a pot of hot soup and drinking to dispel the cold. Looking at Uzov's frightened expression, they all had the same doubts in their hearts. Since it is so dangerous, does this guy bring himself to this place for the sake of world peace and to send some disaster to his death?
Sensing everyone's suspicious looks, Uzov changed his gloomy expression, put his hand on the back of his head, and said with a hearty smile: "I recommend everyone to come here. Of course, it is not to challenge the mountain road, but to use another means of transportation."
"Transportation?" At that time, listening to this experienced adventurer's prompts, Lin only thought of one thing in his mind.
"Yes, the third, safest and most convenient way to pass through the Jura Mountains is to take an airship."
I still remember when I heard this term again, it felt a little unreal. At the same time, Uzov continued to introduce: "The pass that can be crossed in the Jura Mountains is also a low-lying mountain. This means that the airship can easily cross this mountain from the air. And the airship can also fly directly To reach the destination we want to go to, as long as there is no restriction on the entry of airships, it can be said to be the most convenient means of transportation. If we just want to take a ride, we have to pay an expensive ride fee. But flying from the sky, There is no need to pay the road tax of the countries you pass through, or the aristocratic territories, and it takes a shorter time, so you don’t need as many supplies. So some people think it’s a good deal, and some people don’t want to spend more money. But in your opinion In terms of your net worth, that’s just a small matter, right? Or maybe you want to travel leisurely by land and travel around the world?”
Regarding the related expenses, if there is no detailed actuarial calculation, whether it is a profit or a loss, it is indeed a mess. But for a certain time traveler, the concept that time is money is deeply ingrained, so Lin believes that he can save some time.
As for traveling around the world, I have been drifting for nearly three years. For a homesteader, three years can be said to be a time when he has used up all the time he can leave home in his lifetime. After all, I don’t have the personality to wander around, so I’d better go straight to my destination.
What’s more, there’s a lot of research, and I can’t do it thoroughly because I’m constantly traveling. Many of the topics I wanted to study were backlogged. Just looking at the list and memo made me feel like my legs were shaking.
However, some people still have doubts about airships. Of course I asked at that time: "Is the airspace in the Jura Mountains safe?"
"Airspace? What does it mean?"
Uzov's puzzled expression is still impressive to this day. Lin only then remembered that Midi did not yet have the concept of air superiority. But the sky here is anything but free, let alone unsafe.
On Earth, after excluding machine creations, the overlords that move in the sky are, at most, carnivorous raptors with a wingspan of two to three meters. But in the Lost Land, although flying monsters of more than ten meters are not everywhere, they are not a rare species.
The airships I saw when I was in the southwest peninsula were the Gosbottom belonging to the Leon District, or the Heidel Empire Airship Corps that I had heard of. Those were all military weapons. Not to mention the ability to protect yourself in the sky, you can even fight. Perhaps the flexibility is not as good as those with wings, but using various magic and war weapons, ordinary flying monsters can only take a detour when they see it.
But according to Uzov's introduction, he meant that airships carrying passengers could be found near Colombo Port. This kind of airship is definitely not for military use, so of course Lin has to ask clearly how the protection in the sky is done. But at that time, the man laughed and said, "It shouldn't be so unlucky. You will encounter dragons wherever you fly. And I haven't heard anyone say that they encountered any dangerous monsters in the sky."
...I won’t be able to report back to you when I encounter them, that’s fine.
Although he wanted to complain about this man who was clinging to him so shamelessly, Lin still seriously thought about his next move. In the end, we decided to first look at the condition of the airship, as well as the various arrangements and expenses. If that doesn't work, it's still possible to turn back and cross the Jura Mountains through the passage in the underground world. So a group of people came to Colombo, the last port on the golden waterway.
The airship's landing place is to leave Colombo Port and go to another lively town with a large grassland. The airships there were completely different from those seen on the golden waterway before.
The main purpose of those dual-use airships on the golden waterway is to move forward as ships, and flying can only be regarded as an auxiliary function. The airship here is a purely aerial mobile tool with a high ceiling. It is close to the ground in a tethered manner, but cannot completely fall to the ground. The airship Cosbottom seen in the southwest peninsula in the past was of the latter type.
A high ceiling means flying high. There are only a few types of monsters that can fly high, so the safety is naturally greatly improved. Not to mention crossing mountains, which is not comparable to flying on flat ground, and there are more things to consider. And you can't make up your mind without seeing all this with your own eyes.
But we can’t make it to that small town today. Therefore, Lin and his party will spend the night in Colombo Port and set off again tomorrow morning.
When entering crowded places, Lin is still used to wearing a magician's shawl. Revealing your identity in a timely manner can save a lot of trouble.
The two apprentices and the dwarves were busy setting up the carriage again and carrying the luggage. And the four horses he got when he left Wulian City nearly three years ago also followed him by boat to Colombo Port and stood in the position of pulling the cart again.
By the way, they looked at the two girls busy in and out, with happy and happy expressions on their faces. I just think of the time when I was forced to study. As long as I can get in touch with things other than books, I will still feel very happy, even if it is heavy labor.
In the past few months, during the time they were on the ship, they had been tortured by the lich next to them. It could be said that they were learning as soon as they opened their eyes. So Lin didn't dare to take away the work they were currently doing that would make them happy. This was definitely not an excuse to be lazy.
"Hey, you didn't hang those two out?"
Fen, who was standing next to him, used to stare sharply at the two apprentices to see if they had integrated magic into their lives, always maintaining vigilance and the protection of magic. But she suddenly said something.
For a moment, someone was a little confused. But then he realized that what Fen was referring to was probably the two golden threads that he could hang on after being awarded the qualification of a great magician by the Lizejian branch of the Magicians Association. In fact, Lin only wore one on his chest.
It's not like I don't have money to buy a second golden thread. That kind of thing, as long as the shape and specifications comply with regulations; in other aspects, the Magicians Association doesn't care. Therefore, some magicians will do some tricks in Jinsui Online, such as instantaneous use of some protective magic, resistance to mental charm, etc. Lin also made many golden threads with different functions, but there was still only one that actually hung on his body.
Smiling, Lin said: "My qualification as a great magician was obtained from Liz Jian, but it has not been recognized here yet. If there is a conflict with other people because of two lines, it will be very troublesome. I Unlike you, those with a real solid foundation, magical knowledge, and accumulated power are all in the inhuman range. If we only look at those two points, who would admit that I have the qualifications to be a great magician?"
