Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 600 - 599: Face to Face

The style of the Typhon Empire’s Pinnacle Base is markedly different from that of the base built by the Cecil Clan. From Gawain’s perspective, if the Cecil Peak Base embodies the power of the magical industry and the fusion of steel, machinery, crystal, and magic, then the Typhon Empire’s base is an expensive magical spectacle. This complex, which is larger than the Cecil Peak Base, is over eighty percent constructed by the personal craftsmanship of the mages.

The Typhon people opened their grand gates and dispatched guiding knights. Soldiers wearing black standard armor observed curiously and cautiously as those steel monster vehicles lined up and entered the base. Gawain sat in the back seat of the first vehicle, quietly observing everything through the window. He saw many stone buildings neatly aligned along a central axis, several spired towers interspersed among the architectural complex, with the ethereal and mysterious "Eyes of the Mage" suspended at the top of the towers. Additionally, soldiers in tidy armor and high alert stood sentry on several sentinel towers on the base’s outskirts, vigilantly watching over any movements in the wasteland area.

Orderly, disciplined, and impressive.

Amid observation and contemplation, the convoy, guided by several Typhon knights, arrived at a fortress shaped by magical power. Gawain saw a middle-aged man with thick black hair and a serious expression standing nearby, surrounded by a group of knights. He wore a seemingly ordinary but actually made of high-grade non-human monsters’ fur black cloak, with a dark blue coat underneath, adorned with a gold chain and ribbon. His gaze was fixed on the approaching steel monster vehicles, yet Gawain could not discern any emotional fluctuation from the deep, restrained eyes of this Typhon Emperor.

Sitting in the back, Amber leaned over and whispered, "He’s a bit shorter than I imagined."

Gawain casually replied, "That’s because you’ve been by my side for too long."

Meanwhile, several magic-guided vehicles simultaneously halted before Emperor Rosetta Augustus, and then each vehicle simultaneously opened its side or rear doors. Attendants and soldiers in blue uniforms or white light armor swiftly exited with surprising discipline and coordination, forming a guard along the convoy’s sides in the blink of an eye. Then, an attendant opened the door of the first vehicle, from which Gawain Cecil and his personal guard emerged.

Rosetta Augustus watched all this in a silent and serious manner, his eyebrows imperceptibly twitching slightly.

This Duke Anzu did not lead an entire army, nor did he come with a few strong figures in a legendary manner.

Yet he still demonstrated... some form of power, and to great effect.

Retracting his gaze from the magic vehicles, the Typhon Emperor took a step forward, actively approaching the disembarked Gawain, managing with some difficulty to muster a smile: "It is my honor to meet a legendary hero such as yourself—welcome to the Typhon Empire’s camp. It is prepared to receive distinguished guests."

"The honor is mine," Gawain extended his hand to shake with Rosetta Augustus, performing this widely-used simple gesture originating from the pioneer era, still commonly employed today. He casually replied to the other’s polite words, "This is an impressive camp, I can see the courage and perseverance it demonstrates."

Standing slightly behind to the side of Gawain, Amber felt bored enough to want to roll her eyes. This pattern of ’high-ranking individuals exchanging pleasantries’ was putting her to sleep, but she feared that truly rolling her eyes would result in Gawain pinning her to the wall, so she held back. Just then, she suddenly sensed a gaze upon her.

Following the feeling, she saw a tall young female knight standing not far behind Rosetta Augustus. The young lady had gray hair over her shoulders, with a figure and appearance that were quite commendable, yet her gaze remained quite cold, seemingly harboring a hint of hostility.

Amber blinked, and relevant intelligence immediately surfaced in her mind.

That would likely be the Typhon Empire’s current "Wolf General," Andresha Wendell, apparently bearing hostility towards Anzu due to her father’s disappearance in the Anzu-controlled area.

Amber thought it over, feeling she found something to do, and promptly glared and stared back at Andresha.

A moment later, the young Wolf General, Andresha Wendell, somewhat awkwardly and reluctantly averted her gaze.

She had never encountered such an uncultured aristocrat, lacking experience, which led to her being at a disadvantage in this exchange of stares, and couldn’t resist pondering: Are all Anzu people this uncivilized?

Amber was quite pleased with this small victory and quietly muttered, "Yay—"

The covert confrontation between the Cecil intelligence chief and the Typhon Wolf General went unnoticed by anyone. Gawain’s full attention was almost entirely focused on observing the Typhon Emperor before him and speculating on the other’s character. After some rather unsubstantial small talk, he and his accompanying Amber, Sonia, and others were led into Rosetta’s temporary palace.

A banquet awaited them, not sumptuous but already exceptionally commendable in this wasteland.

On this wasteland where plants cannot be grown, the rampant monsters clearly couldn’t serve as food. The resources of the Typhon camp, just like the Cecil camp, entirely relied on supplies from the rear. Under such harsh conditions, even what Rosetta Augustus could offer to entertain guests was extremely limited, yet it was evident that no one truly cared about this banquet itself... at least, everyone except Amber.

After letting Amber go off to forage on her own, Gawain naturally picked up a wine glass and approached Rosetta Augustus, as people around them subtly stepped back a little to provide space for a conversation while still maintaining their guard duties.

"I hope you don’t mind this meager reception," Rosetta offered a faint, elusive smile, "Our supplies are not easily obtained."

"The situation is the same on our side," Gawain said calmly. "I can very much understand the harsh environment on the edge of the wasteland—in fact, the so-called ’difficulties’ we face here today would have been unimaginable luxury seven hundred years ago. At least, now we can converse with a glass of wine in a relatively safe camp."

He gently swirled the gold cup in his hand, the dark red liquid inside rippling slightly, reflecting a tempting gleam.

"That’s why we must cherish this hard-won safety and prosperity," Rosetta raised his glass slightly. "To you, and to the pioneers who created all this seven hundred years ago."

Gawain accepted this tribute openly, and then Rosetta continued, "We are here today to ensure that this safety can be maintained, aren’t we?"

"Of course," Gawain said, discreetly observing every slight change in Rosetta Augustus’s expression, "but not everyone wishes for this safety to be maintained for long. There are some irrational people who might even deliberately destroy the safety barriers that sustain us. What do you think about this?"

"I have heard about the damage you discovered at the sentinel towers... the harm caused by the evil cult followers is shocking," Rosetta Augustus said solemnly, his expression stern. "Sonia’s Messenger also spoke of your concerns when mentioning this matter... Frankly, I not only think these concerns are necessary, but we should also be even more vigilant against those cultists. I have already sent the master of shadows to inspect this nearby sentinel tower, but no signs of erosion were found. Next, I will arrange a domestic search for traces of those cultist members—they are not only active in Anzu, but also in the north and west of Typhon."

"It requires all of us to eradicate these dark sects, just as repairing the great walls requires the concerted effort of all human nations," Gawain seemed moved by Rosetta’s sincerely open attitude, continuing along this topic. "The peace and tranquility of these seven centuries were built on the contributions of that pioneering generation. To say something relying on my seniority—I am very pleased to see that your generation can still unite when facing crises, even if there are some conflicts and disputes among you. When faced with a disaster that looms over all of humanity, rational people can always cast aside prejudices and divisions."

At this, he paused for a moment, not giving Rosetta time to ponder, and continued: "Seeing nations from across humanity come to repair the great walls reminds me inevitably of the past... of those friends who fought side by side. I still remember Roland Augustus... he always had a stern face, telling some outdated jokes. He was once very troubled about how to improve his sense of humor, even consulting Charlie for advice..."

Indeed, discussing one’s ancestors while holding a wine cup and talking whimsically about the past with someone resurrected from seven hundred years ago is undoubtedly one of the most awkward yet eerie things in the world. Even the ambitious and resourceful Emperor Rosetta had to bow his head and make a listening gesture, unable to interrupt when these topics were brought up.

Seeing this, Gawain naturally continued the topic: "And then there’s Beltira... she was the most powerful Druid I ever knew. Countless people were saved by her..."

Rosetta’s face showed no additional emotional fluctuation, remaining calm and slightly stern, deeply reserved.

He merely nodded slightly, speaking gently and unhurriedly, "Hearing things about the ancestors from you is a novel experience... From your perspective, they are no longer symbols in history books but have flesh and blood."

"Of course, they have flesh and blood. We are all mortals," Gawain said slowly, quietly observing Rosetta’s eyes. "...It is said that you have yet to find Beltira Augustus’s remains... is that so?"

"...I should feel ashamed," Rosetta said solemnly. "Family Saint Beltira went missing during her pilgrimage at the Ancestral Peak, and her sacred remains are still lost to this day. It has now been seven hundred years... I’m afraid our hopes of recovering her are slim."

Gawain looked at Rosetta quietly for two seconds before withdrawing his gaze.

He didn’t mention the possibility that the missing Beltira, along with most Druids near Ancestral Peak at the time, might have joined the darkness, as this would exceed the limits of ’probing’ and appear overly provocative and offensive. Although he could afford to be indulgent in this regard due to his ancestry, to avoid ruining the atmosphere too early, he decided not to bring it up.

If Rosetta showed no special reaction to hearing the name "Beltira Augustus," even Gawain’s further probing should also maintain composure.

Following this, Gawain deliberately steered the conversation towards a more relaxed and natural direction, savoring the food and wine present, gradually discussing some customs and legends of the two countries, Anzu and Typhon.

In this process, the atmosphere gradually lightened. Both tacitly avoided discussing the near-war state between the two nations three years ago or any ongoing war threats, as if all opposition and friction didn’t exist, as if Rosetta was oblivious to it, and Gawain was indifferent to it.

A man from seven hundred years ago, a contemporary emperor, one discussing the culture and customs of the grand pioneering era, the other talking about the evolution and development of modern society. They conversed like old friends with seemingly endless topics, presenting a scene that left Amber—who had just finished her meal, satisfied and happily gnawing on a chicken bone—dumbfounded.

The half-elf lady stopped in her tracks, softly muttering, "Old fox..."

She then heard Gawain speaking along some trade-related topic: "...Actually, we can completely extend our cooperation to fields broader than repairing barriers, such as trade—we can complement each other."

Amber blinked, crunching the chicken bone in her mouth loudly.

Another victim is about to fall into the pit.