From Sylvania all the way north, via the Boulevard all the way north, past Ryan and Tiberius, then you can head east into Turan. Turan is the northeasternmost country of the so-called "Central Seven". According to historical records, Turan was originally developed and founded by a tribe in this area. They relied on maritime trade with the elves (as for what elves would trade with the Turanians, who were very small and backward at the time, there have always been different theories) gradually grew stronger, and eventually became the overlords of the region. As the Church expanded and spread the faith, the Turanians easily became followers of the gods of the Star Field. Little by little, with the support of the Church, the Turanians changed the status of "overlord" to "ruler". When the last country in the land, a country called Cell, was finally annexed by Turan, all the power of the land was surrendered, and from then on there was only one state, one king, and one power in the land.

Economically, the Turanian were known for their trade with the elves, while militarily, the Turanian had a cavalry force that rivaled the nations.

There is a saying that the Turanians could ride anything - from the most ordinary warhorses to the rarest dragons and, of course, women. Of course, this is just a prejudice with a smacking flavor. Among other things, the Turanians were able to ride dragons not because of how clever and amazing they were, and they mastered the relevant skills from nothing, but because they learned the art of taming dragons from the elves. Of course, in fact, the symbolism of such a thing as "dragon riding" is far greater than the actual tactical significance. Because in the whole of Turan, there are not many dragons. Everyone admits that dragons are very powerful creatures, but that doesn't mean they are invincible. In fact, there are only a handful of examples of dragons appearing on the battlefield so far. A look through all the history books of the church and the state can barely make up ten records, and at least half of them have been defeated.

However, these are never a problem for foreigners visiting Turan. Strictly speaking, no one cares how valuable the dragon is on the battlefield, what matters is whether the dragon is powerful enough. If a wealthy foreign aristocrat visits the country and tries to see the so-called "dragon knights", then Dandrok is an ideal place for them.

Dandrok is a seaport city located on the border with the elves. It is now known that after several major changes in history, the elves have abandoned the lands on the continent and retreated back to Ussuan, the island of the elves, the origin of a mysterious race. However, on the mainland, the elves also left a handful of coastal towns. These towns were not so much strongholds as outlying guard posts to defend Ussuan. Due to the small size of the area, and the fact that it does not occupy any transportation arteries, it is strategically important, so the Turanians have almost no territorial disputes with the elves, and peace and trade have always been the mainstream.

In Dandrok, a dragon belonging to the Turanian army is stationed. This is because monitoring the movements of the sea requires the dragon's great strength and incredible flight speed. Due to the frequent reconnaissance missions, the dragon's frequent departures and returns are just right for the visitors to enjoy the dragon knights.

It was late summer and early autumn. The farmland of the plains is full of golden wheat waves, and the mountains and forests are dotted with the red of various colors. Since it is a harbour, the temperature is pleasant, and it is a great time to enjoy and have fun. The avenues outside Dandruck are never interrupted by pedestrians and merchants. When a traveler on a tall black horse appeared on the avenue outside the city, it barely attracted anyone's attention.

This man was none other than Ashrufat. Since his departure from Sivania, along the way, he has followed Carrie's advice. Carrie's route was all a safe and calm road, and almost every section of the road was protected by local officials or lords, and was chosen by many merchants and travelers. Unlike the desolate and remote places of West Vania, where birds don't poop, a lone traveler is not particularly noticeable on this route. Even if a person gallops on a horse, everyone thinks that he is in a hurry or that he loves sports. Relying on the advantage that the Nightmare Horse did not need to rest and would not be injured, he arrived here more than ten days earlier than expected.

"It's Dandrok up ahead. Ashruphat looked at the city in the distance, listening to Carrie's introduction in his mind. "The last stop in the realm of mankind. Find a ship and we can go to the land of the elves. I'm sure it's not that difficult, so I'd suggest you take a moment or two to inquire about the situation in the Elven Kingdom...... After all, the information I have is from a long time ago, and I don't have a grasp of the new situation. ”

Dandrok's city is characteristic, with many saying that the city was not built by humans, but by elves - it's hard to say whether the Turanians hired elves to build it or if the city originally belonged to the elves. Of course, these are just legends, which the official of Turan never admitted. However, when Ashrufat saw the city, he immediately knew that this legend was not groundless. From afar, the city looks like it has a certain elegance and nobility that ordinary cities don't have.

The façade of the city is not the short, thick shape characteristic of contemporary walls (which is necessary to resist cannons), but appears tall and thin, delicate and detailed. However, when he got closer, he realized that the walls were much thicker than they looked, and although they did not meet the standards of a fortress, they were fully qualified as a port city. Moreover, every attached fortification on the city wall, the watchtower, the horse face, and the arrow tower were all carefully arranged, and a perfect harmony was found between military use and ornate appearance.

There were no nasty charges at the city gates, only a small group of soldiers perfunctory on guard. However, after entering the city, Ashruphat was a little surprised to find that it was not as prosperous as expected.

And it's a bit strange, because the scene in the city is good, and the number of vendors in the market is quite large, but it is still far from the expected prosperity of the port trading city. In the open-door tavern on the side of the road, you can see many men dressed as porters gathering there to drink and play cards. There were people dressed as businessmen walking by on the street, but the footsteps of these people did not have the feeling of rushing for time like businessmen, but their gait was leisurely, and they knew at a glance that they were killing time. In short, although there seems to be nothing doubtful, there is a strange sense of incongruity. He still remembered the first time he arrived in Mill City, and that was how Mill City felt to him.

"Carrie, is it because of the season, so the port traffic has been temporarily suspended?" Ashruphat asked in his mind. Although he didn't know much about navigation, he had heard that many port cities were seasonal. Some ports are frozen and others are affected by wind and currents. When the wind and currents are right, the city is very busy because of the throughput of goods, and vice versa, it will be in a state similar to the one it is now.

"No!" Carrie's voice affirmed. "Master, I think something must have happened that we didn't expect, let's get someone to inquire first. ”

You really should inquire. Ashrufat led the Nightmare Pony down the streets, looking for a suitable match. The streets are paved with white stones, and they should look neat and beautiful, but in some places, the accumulation of garbage greatly affects this impression. Even if it was once an elven city, it is now deeply imprinted with the imprint of humans.

"Ashrufat?!" a voice suddenly came from behind.

The cry was so sudden that the normally bold Essrufat felt a stiffening of his spine.

Somebody in Sivania who has seen me? Or is it a secret agent of the Church? or something...... If you are found here to discover your true identity...... Ashrufat turned slowly. He tried to keep his face as calm as possible, ready to deny the other party's identification. And his body is stretched to the limit, ready to fight at any moment.

"Ashrufat, it's you!

Standing in front of Ashrufat was a middle-aged man dressed in gorgeous clothes. The man wore a fancy hat on his head—all for the sake of ostentation and pompousness, for the season there was no need for a hat to protect him from the cold—a gown with jewels that would be the envy of the nobles, and a pair of boots of an unknown texture—but the mere look at the latest style was worth a lot. The man pretended to wear a pair of white silk gloves on his hands, and a gold-painted cane in one hand. In short, every detail of this man's whole body is announcing to the surroundings that "I am rich, I am a very large man".

“...... Cosbodi ...... "It took a while for Eshurufat to recognize who the other person was.

The man, Cosbody, was a professional gambler nicknamed "Multi-Hand". When he was in Mill City, Ashrufat met him by chance, and the two of them partnered to make a lot of money by slapping a casino called "Hope Casino". However, after making this big deal, Kosbodi left for the north, while Ashrufat went to West Sylvania, and the two parted ways.

Sure enough, it was Cosbody. Since the last time they met, Cosbody has gotten a lot fatter and looks like he's living a privileged life and is in good health. His face was visibly rounded, shiny with emotion.

"It's me, my dear friend!" said Kosbodiha, smiling, stretching out his hands and embracing Ashrufat. "It's great to see you here. How happy I am to see you, you haven't forgotten me, have you?"

"Of course not, I will always remember you. Ashrufat replied heartily. If there was anyone in his journey from Oren to Sivania, it was this Cosbodi. In fact, he is also very happy to see Cosbody now. There is no mysterious atmosphere, no concealment, no political maneuvering and power games, just a face excited by the sight of an old friend, a warm embrace full of sincere feelings.

"Oh, my dear friend, how did you get here?" Cosbody let go. Ashrufat noticed that he was followed by two servants, all of them beautiful young men, smiling and dressed in fine uniforms, and respectfully following Kosbodi. From this point of view, Cosbody did not dress like this for a certain gamble, he was probably rich in the true sense of the word.

"I'm here ......" Ashrufat couldn't find a suitable excuse for a moment, so he immediately changed the subject. "You look really good...... Couldn't you have made a fortune?"

"Fortune? oh, hahaha...... It's just a little bit of money. "Cosbodi's unexpected modesty. But Ashrufat could assume that Kosbodi was merely humble for the sake of a deep-seated custom, and that he had indeed made a fortune.

"Don't you ......," Ashrufat asked tentatively.

"Oh, of course not, dear Ashrufat, I would have quit that for a long time!" Kosbody looked at the reins of the horse in Ashrufat's hand. "Hurry up, don't let my friends say that my servants don't know the rules. ”

One servant took the reins from Ashrufat, and the other took the backpack he had with him. Ashrufat did not refuse Kosbodi's kindness, as he was sure that it would be difficult for ordinary people to see the true identity of the Nightmare Pony.

The two men walked side by side, and the horses and packages were handed over to the two servants.

"I just came back from a trip outside...... How about we go to lunch together?"

"I was so happy that the seaside air whetted my appetite. ”