After a six-day trek, there were no dangers along the way, except for the occasional few beasts that stood in the way. Finally, on the seventh day, Al arrived at his destination, the imperial capital of Xinlan.

Ever since he was a child, Al had only heard of this extremely prosperous metropolis from Uncle Paul, but he had never seen it with his own eyes. The most accompanying El is the low white residential area in the old city, as well as the flowing clouds and blue sky on the roof of his house, and the endless Green Valley Forest, and the tallest building in the town is nothing more than the Iron Curtain City belonging to the Green Valley Defense. He had never seen the world beyond the walls, so it was hard for him to imagine what Paul described.

On the sixth day of the road, Al was already able to see the buildings rising above the vast plains and the "blue sea" that connected to the sky, the sea that was said to have descended on the gods. The long coastline is so densely populated with harbors that he can even see seagulls flying, and Xinlan's abundance is also due to this.

Everything in front of him was new and strange to Al, just like a newborn fetus opened its eyes to see this beautiful world, and he sighed for the first time that human beings have such great creativity.

The city gate of Xinlan City is made of solid granite, and the two majestic stone lions on the left and right show the strength of the empire to the world without reservation. There are also waist-held swords patrolling outside the city walls, and ironclad patrols with heavy shields on their backs, who defend the heart of the empire day and night, rain or shine.

When he was about to enter the city, at the request of Uncle Coachman, Al and Uncle Coachman changed places, after this period of cultivation, although one of Uncle Coachman's palms could no longer be restored, but other places had already recovered, and I have to say that the treatment of that guy from the Holy Church played a great role.

Because Uncle Coachman often came to Xinlan to buy goods, he was more familiar with it, and the soldiers guarding it were not too difficult for them, and the two of them successfully entered the economic hub and trade center of the empire. It has to be said that a few silver coins of Uncle Coachman played a big role during this period.

When you enter the city gate, you are greeted by an ancient stone temple, where pious monks are celebrating mass for the believers who offer incense.

The coachman tied the reins of the carriage to a stone pillar on the west side of the ancient temple, away from the noisy merchants and travelers in the downtown area. Al knew that the two who met in the water were going to disperse like duckweed.

"Al, you're a good boy. Uncle Coachman looked kind and patted Al on the shoulder, "Uncle thanks to your care along the way, otherwise let alone come to Xinlan to get medicine for the old woman, even my life may be lost in that forest." As he spoke, the uncle's face flushed.

"Uncle Coachman, don't say that, I'm the one who says thank you. Al scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "Uncle, I'm back in Nack, say hello to Auntie for me, and," Al lowered his head and said slowly, "Please tell Uncle Paul so that he can have time to come and see me." ”

"Haha, definitely, guaranteed to be delivered. The coachman took out a cloth bag from his pocket, "Al, you have these silver coins, although we are from a small place, but we can't let these big city people look down on us, and it is difficult to move an inch without money when we go out." "Also, don't trust others easily, bad people always wear masks, especially in such a prosperous place, and there are not even bones left to eat people." ”

"Uncle, I can't ask for this money, the money I brought is enough. And I have the strength, I can work to make money. ”

"Listen, Al, what you have to do now is to get to where Brother Paul told you to go as soon as possible, and then settle down early. The coachman slipped the money into Al with one hand, "Remember, don't lose your heart." If you really can't survive, the money will be used as your way home. Although our town is small, there are people who love you waiting for you, aren't they?"

Al raised his head to meet the sincere eyes of Uncle Coachman, and for a moment, something seemed to roll under his eyes, moistening his sockets.

"Thank you, uncle. ”

"Al, a man can't shed tears casually, tears must be shed for something worthwhile. What's more, this cruel world does not believe in tears at all. ”

"Uncle, I remember. Al wiped away his tears, his gaze becoming brave and stubborn.

"Okay, go ahead, go explore your world, and I should also go and get medicine for my wife. The coachman stroked his old fellow, "See you again if you have a chance!" ”

Al nodded, his throat seemed to be stuck in something, and his stomach was obviously full of words that he wanted to say but couldn't say it.

A person you don't know will do their best to take care of you along the way, and even let you go first when you are in danger.

Although Al is unlucky, unfortunate that he was born crippled and lonely, and is disliked, at this moment he is extremely lucky, lucky that he has met such good people as Uncle Paul and Uncle Coachman, and something that has been frozen for a long time in his heart seems to be slowly melting, converging into a warm current and flowing into the softest place in the depths of his emotions.

"Goodbye!" a thousand words came to his lips, and they were just these two most ordinary words.

Al knew that if he still had a bit of luck in his heart when he said goodbye to Uncle Paul, and Uncle Paul would come with a hammer and scold him to go back to strike iron halfway, then the goodbye to Uncle Coachman was a real goodbye. Say goodbye to the town that has countless memories, say goodbye to the group of people who like themselves and hate themselves, and say goodbye to the sound of striking iron that rings on time every morning and dusk.

Gazing at Uncle Coachman's carriage drowning in the bustling crowd, Al lifted the wooden box and turned firmly.

Behind him, there is a distant past, and in front of him, a new world.

A low building made of granite, dressed in clothes infested with multicolored paints. The short buildings made of logs floated with all kinds of propaganda flags, the wide roads paved with bluestone, the endless stream of business travelers and vendors, and the crowds of people who stopped in front of the dazzling array of goods, including ordinary foods such as bread and milk, as well as imported goods such as tobacco blankets.

From time to time, sumptuous carriages of costumed aristocrats drove by, and hurried convoys carrying goods from the port transported energy to all corners of the city like worker ants to keep this sprawling city running. Of course, there are also soldiers who walk the streets and alleys to maintain stability - those soldiers who are majestic and strong in iron armor.

As far as the eye can see, Al is constantly refreshing his perception of the world, and his restrained appearance is like a fledgling released from a cage.

"Butter bread!honey bread!" "Fresh milk!authentic tea!" The shouts came from the shops on both sides, and the scents of all kinds also seduced Al's taste buds. After all, for seven days in a row, the two of them were obsessed with hurrying, and they didn't have time to find a place to eat, so they often ate a little casually to fill their stomachs, and El, who hadn't eaten breakfast, began to scream uncontrollably.

Al felt in his pocket, and there were some round things, and the silver coins that Uncle Paul had given him were in them. Rubbing his shriveled stomach again, Al strode into a small shop with a relatively hot business.

Al thought to himself, in addition to filling his stomach, by the way, he could also ask the boss to inquire about the location of the place he was going, killing two birds with one stone.

"Hello, what service do you need. Al had just sat down at the window when a waiter in a black vest asked politely.

"Hello, I'm hungry, do you have anything to eat here?" replied Ello, a little nervous.

"Sir, can I recommend our signature teppanyaki steak and lobster soup to you, which are very cost-effective?" the waiter smiled and looked at Al's dress, and then responded.

"Sounds good, then let's have both, hurry up, thank you. ”

"Okay, please wait. The waiter smiled politely.

"Well, excuse me, I want to ask where the Imperial Military Academy is by the way?" asked Al, timidly.

The waiter's figure was stunned, and his demeanor could be felt to change significantly, "Sir, are you a freshman in the academy this year?" The waiter's voice trembled a little.

"Freshman?" Al scratched his head, "You've mistaken someone, I'm not a freshman." ”

"Oh, that's right. The waiter, who was still a gentleman just now, patted his chest and let out a sigh of relief, "Recently, the Imperial Military Academy is recruiting new students, and I thought you were a freshman in the academy." The waiter smiled awkwardly.

"Is this academy famous?" said Al, looking very silly and naïve.

"Of course!" the waiter's voice raised a degree obviously, "Sir, this is your first time coming to Xinlan, let me tell you that at this time of year, the shops in our imperial capital are sincerely afraid, and they dare not neglect any customer, even a beggar has to smile and welcome in." ”

"Sir, do you know why? This time of year is the warm-up period for the spring enrollment of the Imperial Military Academy, and many young people from all over the country come here, including extremely low-key strong and local nobles and even friendly royalty, these people we can't afford to mess with. So our principle is that we would rather admit a thousand mistakes than neglect one. Speaking of which, the waiter made a firm gesture, but he didn't expect that the waiter was also a gossip master.

"As for the location of the Imperial Military Academy you mentioned, it is easier to find, you walk along this main road, through the Imperial Arena and the magnificent building of the Imperial Capital - the Imperial Palace, and then walk a short distance to the Imperial Military Academy, and you can see a very high administrative building at the main entrance of the academy, which is very easy to identify. And today the Imperial Arena is said to have a show, so there are many academy students on the street, and you can also go with them. "The waiter was very helpful.

"Oh, thank you so much. Al said.

"It's okay, it's our pleasure to serve you, please wait, the food you ordered will be ready immediately. The waiter bowed slightly, and then hurried away.