"I chased him, but I didn't catch him."
"Didn't catch up?"
Earl West's expression was almost distorted, and his right hand wanted to crush the phone. None of the news coming from the other side was good.
"Lord Earl, the current weather and temperature cannot require the steam mecha to be launched into the water, and there is insufficient fuel."
"Asshole! You can fool me with such nonsense as low fuel! As long as these steam mecha pilots don't want to work, they will be low on fuel, even if the fuel tank is full!"
He panted violently and decided to take antihypertensive medication tonight.
But the subordinate's report was not over yet. West frowned: "If there is anything else, tell me quickly!"
“That’s right,” the other end of the phone stammered, “My Lord Earl, your nephew died in an accident. Because the road was slippery in the snow, he accidentally hit General Sean’s weapon. Treatment was ineffective and he unfortunately died. "
thump.
There was a crashing sound, and only the busy tone was left on the microphone.
…
Sean stood outside the defense line. He did not ride a horse. He just held the steel gun in his hand and said nothing. He was gradually covered by the heavy snow and became as silent as a snowman.
I don’t know how much time passed, but a piece of fire floated over from a distance, and a large group of people holding torches gathered. The leader was the ashen-faced Earl West, and behind him was the expressionless Major General Huberton.
"Sean! You bastard! What did you do?!"
The Dragon Rider shook off the snow all over his body. His eyes first drifted from Huberton's face. The other party turned his face sideways and did not respond. He then looked at the furious West and said calmly: "Earl West, please come back. , the military department has an order, no one can pass here."
"You killed my nephew!"
"Don't frame me falsely. Your nephew died in an accident. Accidents are bound to happen in the army. This is normal."
"You killed him! You butcher!"
Sean frowned slightly: "Earl West, if you have any opinions on this matter, please send a letter to the military department. I am willing to accept investigation."
investigation? !
West knew very well that everyone in the military wore the same pants. Sean's influence was far greater than that of Sylvia. It was just that an insignificant nobleman died. Who would deal with a general because of this?
Sean's expression was indifferent: "Anyone who takes one step closer will be deemed to be attacking me. According to the order of the military, I have unlimited rights to counterattack."
He did it on purpose!
He blocked here and let Sylvia pass, it was definitely intentional!
Although West brought people here, he did not have the courage to challenge the military, because the man in front of him would definitely kill him immediately, and he would not be punished too severely afterwards.
"Sean, I hope you can keep doing this!"
The gray-haired man didn't answer, but stared straight at West, as if judging where to stab him in one blow to kill him.
…
In the ice and snow, the war horse carried Sylvia and walked hard, and blood kept dripping.
The Dragon Rider lay on the horse's back and hugged its neck. She could feel the vitality of her old partner draining away. It was too tired. After charging for a whole day, it was hit hard by Sean again. It was very likely that it would not be able to survive today. .
Finally, Leon Manor was in sight. The horse stopped and slowly fell into the snow. Sylvia also fell into the snow and climbed over quickly. She saw her old partner’s dark eyes rolling. , looking at her, tears streaming down her face.
The dragon knight caressed the side of his mount's face, only to feel that his vision was blurred and something was flowing from his eyes.
"Thank you, thank you for your hard work."
She hugged the war horse's head forcefully, kissed it, and then left resolutely.
Her severely injured body couldn't support it, so she crawled in the snow and climbed up the steps in front of the Leon Manor. Her frozen palms had lost all feeling, and her hair was mixed with snow and frozen into a lump. She wanted to take a breath, but she couldn't stop. Once she stopped, she didn't know if she had the strength to get up again.
There was no one at the main entrance of the manor, and the thick snow proved that it had not been cleaned for a long time, but the windows were bright, which meant that there was someone inside.
"lady!"
Sylvia shouted with difficulty.
Her voice was too low and was blown away by the wind and snow.
can not be like this.
She banged her body against the door, hoping the people inside would hear.
"lady!"
In this city, some people are bleeding, some are dying, and some are biting the flesh and blood of others, just because of their infinitely expanding desires.
"lady!"
She knocked on the door again, but it didn't move at all. Normally, with her strength, it would be easy to open the door, but now she was so weak that she could only cry helplessly.
"lady!"
Her students were dead, killed by the new nobles, her King was dead and injured by the new nobles, and her mount was also dead, more than a hundred meters away.
What is she going to do?
Sylvia was dazed and confused, and she thought she might die and never see her husband and daughter again.
Today, too many people died.
She leaned against the door, her body became cold, and she could feel her life force passing away.
Squeak.
A soft sound.
The closed door opened, and the pale-haired old man stood at the door. He looked down and saw the stiff Sylvia, and slowly closed his eyes.
"Perhaps you are right, too many people have died in Londinium, and it is time to stop this farce. Since the nobles of this country think it is more important not to have Aslan, then as they wish."
The well-dressed young Li Boli chuckled and said: "Madam, you are serious. Aslan is still the royal family of Victoria, but it will not be like before. We will define a red line that is safe for everyone. You have already seen it Yes, that’s the ‘Freedom Charter’.”
"You are not one of those nobles, nor Drake, nor Gaul. Liboli, what on earth do you and those people behind you want to do?"
"Madam, we are doing the right thing. Aslan is Felin, we are Liboli, and Draco, they are not important now..."
"I understand, you are Li Boli and you are also gryphons..."
Sylvia was confused and soon lost consciousness.
…
The unfamiliar ceiling, the faint smell of disinfectant, and the warm environment. Ms. Vaifan opened her eyes. She was sure that she was still alive and that this was a ward.
"I heard that the royal family and the aristocratic group signed an agreement called the 'Freedom Charter'. From now on, we will have no king, and the government will be governed by aristocrats."
The call from outside the ward came in, and Sylvia looked indifferent, as if everything had nothing to do with her.
…
Vaifan's excellent physique only allowed her to stay in the hospital for half a month before she recovered. Sylvia was suspended. She had to undergo an investigation and was not allowed to leave Londinium during this period.
She was not idle. After learning what happened that day, she rushed to the dilapidated apartment and found that the apartment manager had been replaced.
"Ma'am, the person you are looking for has moved away a few days ago. I heard that their family is planning to move to other cities. To be honest, this period has been chaotic enough. We will be busy for a while."
Sylvia, who was disappointed when she didn't find out anything about the man, was about to leave. When she walked to the door of the apartment, she saw a suitcase thrown next to the trash.
She had seen it once, that night.
There was nothing good in the box, just two pieces of clothing. All valuable items must have been taken away.
Sylvia finally decided to keep the suitcase temporarily.
…
"The military was also in chaos during this period. We lost the support of some people, and the military was almost torn in half by the old and new nobles."
In the office of General Sean, one of the dragon cavalry generals, Sylvia was holding a glass of water and quietly staring at the steaming water.
Although they were once enemies, they are now colleagues.
Sean, who had changed into casual clothes, didn't look so cold, but after that day, his hair became much grayer.
"The review about you is still ongoing, and there will be no results in a short period of time, but don't worry, someone will protect you. In fact, many people are watching you."
Sylvia, who had not spoken for a long time, said: "I heard that the military department will soon cease to exist."
Sean rubbed his forehead: "That's true. The relevant agenda has been submitted to the parliament. The military department will be reformed into the Ministry of National Defense and the National Defense Policy Committee. Many people plan to get involved."
"So I'm an easy card to play?"
Vaifan's sharp words left the old general speechless, so he had to tactfully say: "Sometimes, you can't just look at the surface."
"Thanks."
"What?"
Sylvia repeated: "I said thank you, thank you for that day."
Sean was silent for a few seconds: "I'm just doing what I need to do."
"Well, General Sean, this is my retirement application." Sylvia took out a document bag from the bag beside her. "I know the rules of the military. The retirement application and review can be done at the same time. I hope it It can be passed as soon as possible.”
Sean said in surprise: "Are you leaving?"
"I haven't seen my daughter and my husband for a long time. I miss them very much. Maybe this is the best choice. I have calculated that after retiring, I can get a lot of retirement fees and subsidies, which is enough for us. Go buy a farm in another mobile city and live a peaceful life."
At this point, Sean knew that Sylvia had decided to go and had no intention of staying in Londinium.
Perhaps she had made plans when she learned the news that the king was dead.
A few days later, Sylvia came to the office again, this time with a few more people.
"Hello, Ms. Sylvia, here are the documents you need, as well as related materials. It will be over soon."
During the whole process, Sean remained silent until everything was over, and Vaifan took the initiative to speak: "It seems they want me to leave quickly."
"Many people are quite afraid of you, but now you can rest easy, because your trouble is about to leave, but after you leave, the old nobles will introduce new candidates. By the way, Huron was sentenced to prison. He was accused of many crimes. For this crime, I probably won’t be able to get out of jail in this life.”
"Ah."
Sylvia chuckled lightly and said calmly: "That's it, I've got the retirement certificate and the gold pound. It doesn't matter whether I get the demobilization certificate or not. I probably won't come back. Okay, I'm leaving, General Sean , maybe you and I will never have the chance to meet again, I wish you good luck."
"Actually, I have already submitted my resignation."
Sean spread his hands: "I have spent half my life on the battlefield, and the rest of my life I don't want to deal with those disgusting nobles, so I will leave the Ministry of Defense soon."
"where are you going?"
"Royal Guards College, they gave me an invitation. I also plan to be a professor there for my pension. Sylvia, I heard that you have a daughter. If she grows up, she wants to come to Lentini." Mum, you can write me a letter of recommendation.”
Sylvia raised her eyebrows: "Ha, don't even think about harming my daughter!"
Vaifan stood up to leave, and Sean's deep voice came from behind: "The person you are looking for fell into the man-made river that night and never appeared again. I have confirmed it for you."
Sylvia paused for a moment, then left without looking back.
As she left the Defense Department, stepping into the warm morning sun, the city was recovering from the chaos.
…
In the other direction of Londinium, the young girl Aslan left under the escort of several knights. She looked back at her hometown, with no nostalgia or sadness in her eyes. She was about to leave here and start a new life.
"Your Highness..."
"Don't call me Your Highness."
"Yes, Miss Vina, Madam has selected some retainers for you, and they will leave with you."
Young Aslan whispered: "I will come back one day."
"Yes, you will definitely come back."
…
"Dad, where are we going?"
"Another mobile city in Victoria, we're going to take a ride."
The fat man was teasing his little daughter, accompanied by his wife, who was not in a good mental state.
"Dad, when can I see my brother?"
The man said gently: "Gray is waiting for us in that city. We will have a new life. We won't have to live in a basement anymore, and the weather will become warmer."
The little daughter held the doll and asked again: "What about Mr. Fourth?"
"Mr. Fourth may have left the city. He is very busy."
"oh."
No matter what, life must go on.
…
"Arizona, even if you don't have a fief, you are still a noble. This will not change."
The gentle man with a beautiful mustache was comforting the wanderer who had returned from a distant place. However, this journey was so difficult and dangerous that it made an energetic young man feel sluggish. Maybe it was a physical injury or a mental blow. .
"Thank you, Mr. Vincent, I'll cheer up."
It could be seen that the young man in front of him needed a family and a safe environment. Vincent turned and left the room. After nodding with Joel at the door, he walked to the living room, where there was another guest.
"Count Vincent."
"Friar, I've been waiting for a long time. The person you want to see is here."
The person standing in front of Vincent was Kelsey. She looked in the direction and found the target in the garden of the manor.
The little girl with long platinum blond hair was sitting in the pavilion, her face red from the cold. She raised her head and saw Kelsey.
"Who are you?"
"Kelsey, you can call me monk."
"Brother Kelsey, are you here to comfort me too?"
It seemed that the little girl already knew, and Count Vincent did not want to hide it from her.
Kelsey shook her head, holding a new pocket watch in her hand.
"This is daddy's thing!"
Holding the pocket watch tightly with her little hands, the little girl neither cried nor fussed. Maybe the tears had dried up long ago, or maybe she suppressed the sadness deep in her heart.
Kelsey knelt on one leg in front of the little girl, and like magic, took out another fiery red flower and handed it to her with both hands: "What's your name?"
"Isabella, Isabella William."
…
Under the same sky, when Sylvia, who had returned to her hometown, walked out of the car exhaustedly carrying her luggage and suitcases, the little girl in a dress who had been waiting by the station jumped up to her and hugged her tightly.
"Mom! Mom! I miss you so much!"
"Mom misses you too!"
The mother and daughter look very similar, as if they were carved from the same mold.
Sylvia raised her head and found her husband looking over with a smile.
It's time for them to go home.
"Mom, tell me a story tonight!"
"Okay, let's tell... the story of the explorer."
"An explorer? Dad bought a book. It was written by the great writer Mr. Alexander August. It also wrote stories about explorers. The protagonist is Thomas Coatman..."
(End of the first half of One Hundred Years of Solitude)
