The awkward conversation was finally over, and both Gawain and Hetty breathed a sigh of relief—and then their attention returned to the Trailblazer's Shield.

The legendary shield rests quietly on the table, its weathered and corroded metal cladding wrapping around the almost new alloy body that glows with a faint silver glow, and the sunlight shines on the surface of its metal parts, and the glimmer of light seems to precipitate centuries of time. Hetty stared at it for a long time with some distraction before breaking the silence with a light cough: "Ancestor, how do you plan to publicize this?" ”

If it was Hettie a few years ago, her first reaction after seeing the Guardian Shield must have been the consolidation of the family's glory, a treasure returned to Cecil's treasury, thinking of the improvement of the family's status and the restoration of influence, but the years have changed her, at this time, without Gawain's reminder, she knows how to maximize the value of this lost treasure.

"Just announce to the public that the dragon friends of the empire have helped us recover this shield, and don't make any official additions or statements other than that - just leave everything to the public opinion to ferment on its own, and let the military intelligence bureau pay attention to it," Gawain said casually, "There really is no insider in this matter itself, so the official voice only needs to say so much." ”

"Yes, Ancestor," Hetty nodded, and then couldn't help but look at the Guardian Shield once more, "I just really didn't expect it...... And so it came back......"

"During the war years, this shield was a vital asset of the expeditionary force, and many people's lives and deaths were pinned on it, but that era has passed," Gawain shook his head slightly, his tone flat and low, "Now it is just a shield—the symbolism behind it may bring us some benefits, but that's about it." ”

Herty glanced at Gawain and thoughtfully, "You don't want people to pay too much attention to the return of the 'Kingdom Guardians'?" ”

"We have a lot more important and practical things to focus on," Gawain said casually, "On the other hand, the excessive focus and promotion of the 'Guardian of the Kingdom' is likely to rekindle the enthusiasm of the old knightly class and the down-and-out aristocracy in terms of nobility and family glory, and return the social atmosphere to the worship of aristocratic pomp and righteousness of blood—something we have managed to press down with great difficulty, and we must avoid its resurgence. In the matter of 'Guardian of the Kingdom', the Government Department only does the most basic publicity and positive guidance. ”

Hetty immediately bowed her head deeply: "Yes, I understand. ”

Gawain snorted and didn't say anything more on this topic, but after pondering for a moment, he asked seemingly casually, "What is the current situation of the observatory project that Carmel applied for before?" ”

"You mean the Paramel Observatory project?" Hetty blinked and quickly sorted out the corresponding information in his mind, "The project has been approved by the Government Affairs Department and is currently under construction." The first batch of skilled workers arrived in the Paramel Heights last week and the work is progressing well. In addition, the resident scholars of the first phase have also been selected, and the head of the Paramel Observatory is the Grand Magician Mr. Morgan Hugo. ”

Gawain recalled the name he had heard: "Morgan...... I remember him as a former royal mage from St. Sunil. ”

"Yes, Master Morgan is a member of the former Saint Sunil Royal Mages Association and the Society of Astrologers, has been an astrological advisor to the old royal family for decades, and is an expert in astrology, astrometry, and planetary naturalism. After the siege of Saint-Sunil, the stargazing tower of the old royal capital was badly damaged in the war and has not been completely restored, so the 'star expert' accepted the invitation of Master Carmel to come to the south, and when he heard that a new observatory based on modern technology would be built in the Paramel Heights, he volunteered. ”

"Such a scholar is a treasure of the Empire, and must be cherished," Gawain said as he nodded as he listened to Hetty's introduction, "In addition, the Palamel Observatory can add an additional amount of money - it is one of the best 'windows' in the empire that Carmel has calculated, and the sooner it can be put into use, the better." ”

"Yes," Hetty immediately took the order, and then she couldn't help but look at Gawain twice, and showed a hint of a smile, "Ancestor, you really attach great importance to these plans proposed by Master Carmel to set up an observatory and observe the starry sky. ”

Gawain couldn't help but think of the previous conversation with Melita and Noretta in his mind, recalling those impressions about the Vipranton Observatory and about the glorious technology of Gondor in the past, although many memories were not his, but the regret and emotion that seeped out with the retrospective memories really filled his heart, which made him sigh softly, looked at Hetty and said solemnly: "The research project involving the starry sky is very important- While they may not see the same huge economic benefits as railways and mines in the short term, in the long term, they have the potential to brew a variety of world-changing technological achievements, and even if these distant things are not considered, curiosity about the unknown and distant places is the biggest driving force for the development of mortals—Hetty, the most mysterious and unknown place in the world, full of secrets, is in the starry sky above us. ”

"I understand your words," Hetty smiled, a hint of happiness in her eyes, "Ancestor, don't forget—I'm also a mage, and while I can't indulge in research as much as I used to, I'm still a mage, and a mage is the most passionate about exploring the unknown." ”

Gawain looked at Hetty, who was smiling in front of him, and after a few seconds, he also smiled.

"It was a glorious and exciting time in the ancient days of Gondor, when mankind was already curious about the starry sky overhead, and when various observatories and stargazing stations were scattered in the 'windows' of various places, and our scholars observed the cosmic starry sky through the natural channels of magical ripples in the atmosphere, and speculated about the secrets of our world itself...... However, before they could really develop, the tide wiped everything out.

"Now, maybe it's time to bring some of our eyes back to the stars."

……

Dressed in a golden and red robe, Malm Dunit lowered his eyelids, his hands folded over his chest, and the strings of gold beads and amulets wrapped around his wrists dangled down, glowing in the light.

In the midst of his sincere prayer to the god of war, his heart gradually calmed, and as the voice in his ears that seemed to contain infinite knowledge faded away, the burly old man slowly opened his eyes and looked at Matilda Augustus standing in front of him.

"Your Royal Highness, on behalf of the Church, I would like to thank the royal family for their support of this year's God of War Festival and for their consistent protection of the faithful," he said in a deep and powerful voice, "May the God of War protect you and your family, and may the glorious Augustus always stand on this blessed land." ”

"It is the duty of the House of Augustus to support the operation of the Church in the Empire, and it is our natural duty to protect the people of the Empire," Matilda nodded slightly to the old man in the costume in front of her, and said in a polite but always measured tone, "The Church of the God of War is the most powerful church in Typhon, and you have a huge influence over tens of thousands of Typhonites - our Majesty wants to see you continue to influence the faithful correctly and keep them on the right path." ”

With a calm smile on his face, Malm Dunit nodded slightly: "This is also the duty and responsibility that the Lord has given me. ”

Under the majestic iron spire, the Great Sanctuary of War is brightly lit, and thick white candles are lit in the niches like stars, illuminating the sacred temple belonging to the god of war. As the annual God of War festival approaches, the country's largest religious festival where the god of war is the dominant denomination, Matilda, as a representative of the royal family, traditionally sent congratulatory gifts and letters written by the emperor himself, and now this routine and ceremonial visit has been completed.

After all the sessions were over, Matilda breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, she glanced at this solemn and oppressive temple, and saw that the bishops and priests on the scene had left the venue in order, and then she retracted her gaze and nodded to the God of War Pope in front of her: "This year's festival should be even grander than usual - the economy is rising, the wealthy citizens now have more wealth to celebrate the festival, and many people from the surrounding villages have also gathered in Aldenan. ”

"Foreseeable prosperity," Malm Dooney nodded, "the Church will control the order, and we will not allow anything to embarrass the royal family." ”

Matilda looked at the old Pope in front of her and smiled: "Of course, my father and I both trust you on this point - you have always been a friend of the Augustan family. ”

"Personal friendship, I know, personal friendship," Malm Dunit's always straight face softened after a smile from the woman in front of him, and the sturdy old man, who had been a chaplain in the army, smiled with a hint of amusement in his tone, "You will not come to my baptism." ”

"The members of the House of Augustus have not been baptized by any other church," Matilda smiled and spread her hands, "I think this ensures the balance of the royal family on religious matters—we don't have just one church." ”

“…… Rosetta has been dealing with me for years, and now it's your turn to say the same," Malm gave Matilda a helpless look, then shifted the subject, "We're not going to talk about that. Matilda, before you go back, would you like to tell me about what you saw in Cecil? ”

"Of course, I still have some time," Matilda nodded, but then glanced at the old Pope in front of her with some confusion, "but why are you suddenly interested in my experience at Cecil?" You know, it's been half a year since I came back from Cecil, and you've never cared much about things outside of the church. ”

“…… Even if you are intoxicated by the interior, you will hear the thunder sometimes," Malm said slowly, "and there has been more and more things about Cecil in the city lately, and all kinds of news have even reached the Great Temple, even if I don't care, I have heard and seen it." ”

"It's also ......," Matilda said with a hint of emotion, "the era of economic exchange...... The flow of information has become different from what it used to be. ”

"Just over a year ago, however, the situation was the opposite of what it is today," Malm shook his head, "we were at war with Cecil, almost everyone thought we were about to go to war, countless war priests were ready, incense and essential oils dedicated to the god of war were even lit in advance on the side of the Great Sanctuary - and then, peace came suddenly. ”

"Do you regret that?" Matilda looked at the God of War Pope in front of her and asked very seriously.

Malm glanced at the "Pearl of the Empire", and a smile suddenly bloomed on his old but still energetic face.

"Your Highness, I am a servant of the god of war, but the servant of the god of war is not a war maniac - we are only in the service of order and fairness in war, not always expecting this world to be full of war. Of course, I am indeed the main battle faction, but I admit that prosperity and stability are better for my people. It's just that this sudden 'peace' is really unexpected...... I was a little stunned, as were many bishops and priests who were ready for war. ”

"It's understandable, after all, the gods of war have always been important members of the Imperial army, and the current 'peaceful' situation is indeed beyond everyone's expectations......" Matilda nodded slightly, saying with understanding and agreement, but then she muttered for a few seconds before slowly shaking her head, "It's just that in my opinion, the term 'peaceful situation' is not accurate. ”

The burly Pope couldn't help but raise his eyebrows: "Oh? ”

"We have only avoided a bloody war, but a bloodless war may still continue," Matilda said seriously, "This is the judgment of the parliament and the royal advisory group - we will compete with the Cecil for the market, we will compete with them for influence and discourse on the continent, we will compete with them for literacy, for the size of the city, for the investment and results in technology, we have put away the sword, but we have begun to compete more comprehensively, economically, politically, technologically...... And all this ultimately points to the national interest.

"My father told me that this is also a war, a war that has nothing to do with the sword, no bloodshed, no fighting, but never stops, except that this war is named peace, and all that one can see on the surface of war is prosperity—at least until the two behemoths are decided."

Malm Dunit listened quietly to Matilda's words, his deep brown eyes full of condensation, he seemed to be thinking, but no expression was revealed.

After a moment, he put his hands back on his chest and whispered the name of the god of war, and his mood gradually regained his calm.

"You should be able to understand what I'm saying." Matilda looked at the respected old man in front of her, although the Augustan family had always kept away from all the gods, but at least in personal interactions, this admirable old man was a friend of the Augustan family for many years, and she had also received a lot of care from the other party in her childhood, so she was willing to talk more to the old man, she knew that although the other party seemed to be serious and old-fashioned, he was also a wise man with quick thinking and excellent understanding, and he could understand these words immediately.

"War has always been there, but the form and scope of war have changed." She nodded one last and said in conclusion.

"Thought-provoking," Malm Dunit said in a deep tone after a moment of silence, "it's an angle I've never considered. ”

Matilda smiled, "If you don't mind saying these deep words in front of you." ”

Malm Dunit laughed with a hint of the elder's spoiling junior: "Of course not. ”