The black sun hangs high

Chapter 69 The Song of Borden

Hugh had to admit that there might indeed be a preference and fondness for weapons within his body and soul.

To be honest, rather than finding familiar traces in newspaper articles, Hughes prefers to glean a sense of déjà vu from these cold machines and metal objects.

Although rifles with similar structures only appeared briefly in human history in another world, this similar historical development brought some comfort to Hugh, and at the same time, it also gave him some new ideas and impulses.

"how?"

Seeing Hughes remain silent with his head down, Alfred immediately burst into laughter: "I told you, every man would like this thing. It's far superior to traditional crystal guns! However, the way to communicate with this 'lady' is a bit different, Mr. Ernst, you don't need to rush..."

As they were talking, Alfred saw Hugh raise the crystal revolver and aim the muzzle at an empty open space.

The memories of those seasoned soldiers in his mind quickly resurfaced, and under their guidance, Hugh's originally clumsy movements immediately changed. Then, relying on the vague impressions in his memory, he quickly lifted the metal lever on the left side of the revolver used to lock the cylinder. After repositioning the cylinder, he pressed the lever down hard, locking the cylinder back into place.

As he made this movement, a faint light flashed on the rotating magazine engraved with the magical ritual, and the metal hammer inlaid with the magical crystal quickly rose, already in a state of waiting to fire.

As Hugh pulled the trigger, the hammer slammed down, and the translucent crystalline tip forcefully struck the pre-drilled groove on the top of the gun. At that moment, the partially incomplete magical ritual was briefly activated, and with the vibration, a faint magical light flashed in the chamber of the gun.

After firing once, Hugh raised the lever again. As the wheel loosened, a little magical mist generated by the activation ritual drifted out from the gap in the wheel and then dissipated in the cold wind.

"A remarkable innovation."

Although no actual shooting took place, the gun vibrations and magical mist emitted during the activation of the magic ritual still gave Hugh a great deal of satisfaction.

He let out a sigh of relief, then handed the revolver to Alfred: "Major, what's its name?"

"Mookie 2699 revolver".

Alfred did not reach out to take the gun, but instead whispered its name. Like most of the magical firearms in Vaan, this revolver had a direct and simple name.

"So it was manufactured by the Mookie family?"

"To be precise, it's Muqi Workshop, part of the family business."

Only then did Hugh notice that Alfred was holding some ammunition, but it was not a crystal bullet that could create a magical explosion; it was a bullet made by molten metal.

Hugh smiled with some regret. He knew that his actions just now had likely dissuaded Alfred from having him conduct a live-fire test.

"Mr. Ernst...you seem to know a lot about this weapon?"

"Some master craftsmen in the Kingdom of Delan are currently thinking about more innovative firearm designs. Major, you should remember... I had a revolver crystal gun on me at the time, and that was the latest work of the Delan gunsmiths. This weapon should now be widely used by the Delan royal guards."

After listening to Hugh's explanation, Alfred nodded: "That's true. The master craftsman in the workshop also said that the structure of these types of firearms is always the same. As long as you understand a few of them, you can understand the principles of other firearms to some extent."

"It seems that once we get back to Borden, I might be able to invite Mr. Ernst on a hunting trip?"

Alfred gave Hugh a rather approving look: "The wolf packs in the Black Nest Mountains are starting to overrun again. If you can hunt a few wolves, you might even get a Wolf Hunting Medal from the Kingdom."

Hughes nodded: "I'm looking forward to it."

However, Major Alfred's next words and actions surprised Hugh. He stuffed the pack of bullets and two replacement magic crystals into Hugh's hand: "Mr. Ernst, please keep this gun and these ammunition safe."

Hughes frowned and immediately pushed his hand forward, trying to refuse the other's "kindness." However, Alfred pressed his palm on the revolver: "Mr. Ernst, don't forget, you promised to deliver the letter for me, and this is the letter."

Seeing Hugh's serious expression, Alfred laughed and said, "I originally thought it would take some time to teach you how to use it, but it seems I was overthinking it. Mr. Ernst's performance just now was more than enough to perfectly demonstrate the performance of this weapon."

Hearing this, Hugh breathed a slight sigh of relief: "It seems that the one who needs to send a message is not the Major, but the Mookie family?"

"To be precise, it's our workshop."

Alfred shrugged: "At any time, the effects of war are two-sided. The Mookie family has always established itself on the Love Plateau through diversified investments and large-scale workshops, and this time is no exception."

"So, Major, is there anything else you need to tell me, your 'messenger'?"

"Don't use it casually, it might cause some trouble."

The young officer from the Mookie family said, "Furthermore, for the ladies of Boldenley, Mr. Ernst's posture when aiming a gun should be more charming than when he holds a pen."

……

As night fell, the snowfall finally subsided, and as the Fifth Regiment of the Armed Forces rounded a huge bend, Hugh finally saw Borden, the capital of the Kingdom of Walter.

This enormous city, filled with spires and predominantly black, now resembled a sharp sword standing amidst white mountains. It was massive and sharp, pointing straight to the sky, while the large workshops located within the city continuously sent billowing smoke into the air.

Hugh stood by the window, gazing quietly at the city that was both familiar and unfamiliar. Memories and images from different worlds and eras flashed and merged in his mind.

Fragments of memories about Borden from within this body collide with images from another dimension within Hugh's own soul.

Along the wide road that winds its way through the mountains and plateaus to Borden, countless lights move slowly. These lights come from lanterns hanging from carriages, from the headlights of magical steam engines, and of course, from the crystals embedded in the large steam engines...

This is a sight that Hugh could never have seen in Seren.

It is a spectacular sight formed by the collision of forces from different fields.

In recent years, Borden has undergone a very obvious change—magic, steam, manpower... all the forces that can be used have contributed to this amazing change. At least in the original memories of this body, Hugh did not see so many large workshops, nor did he see those magical streetlights erected on both sides of the road.

At the edge of that vast, towering complex of buildings, Hugh saw a massive shadow soaring through the air—a colossal airship. Its shape and size were remarkably similar to the giant aircraft Hugh remembered, but he was certain it was a product of the fusion of magic and steam technology. Below the airship hung a huge banner, coated with some kind of special luminescent material, which conjured the image of a giant highland eagle with outstretched wings, radiating a dark golden glow, against the night sky.

Perhaps because they saw the national totem, songs were heard from the Fifth Hunter Regiment as they marched.

"Great eagle! Great eagle!"

"The ruler of mountains and plateaus".

"The ruler of the motherland and the people."

"Praise be to the supreme King of Water!"

"We ride on fine horses."

"We are armed with knives and spears."

"We wield knowledge and the scepter."

Gradually, more and more singers appeared, and their deep and powerful voices carried the unique spirit of the Kingdom of Walter and the soldiers of Walter into the fluttering white snowflakes. Through the carriage window, Hugh saw Major Alfred and Mage Klaus riding alongside the procession, and they too were singing intently.

"Where the giant eagle is."

"The passion to defend the motherland."

"The freedom that the people pursue."

"Like a mountain on a plateau."

"Like a raging fire."

"Our light will shine alongside our motherland, never to be extinguished!"

The soldiers' singing voices weren't particularly melodious, but they possessed a unique charm.

Even though Hugh felt no sense of belonging or identification with any of the countries in the world of Vaan, he couldn't help but be somewhat moved when the "Song of Borden" played amidst the magnificent night scene.

Amidst a series of songs from the Kingdom of Walter, the Fifth Jaeger Regiment finally arrived at the military camp on the outskirts of Borden. Immediately afterwards, a small squad led by the mage Klaus separated from the camp and escorted the vehicles carrying Hugh and the others towards Borden.

Hughes thus blended into the flow of traffic heading to the Royal City of Walter.

The enormous black city was now before him, and the scenery that had been indistinct before was gradually becoming clearer to Hugh.

The towering spires of the buildings resembled solemn, fully armed guards. Under their watchful eye, Hugh, a visitor from another world and time, finally passed through the magnificent black gate with the flow of traffic.

At this moment, Hugh felt an atmosphere completely different from that of Seren.

As the Kingdom of Delan began its full mobilization, the Kingdom of Wotel had clearly also entered a state of full preparation for war. Therefore, on the wide streets, Hugh saw many slogans used to promote the army and the Wotel "Star" Legion, among which the Fifth Jaeger Regiment was prominently featured. And now, these young men of the Jaeger Regiment were indeed welcomed by the people on the streets. Hugh even saw some bold young girls take off their hats or scarves and wave them vigorously at the soldiers they liked.

The rate at which magic and steam technology became widespread in Borden far exceeded Hugh's expectations.

As it turns out, when a brand-new technology and power begin to be widely used, the imagination and creativity that emerge in a short period of time can indeed overturn everything in the past.

Hugh saw a water dispenser on the roadside that could provide hot water on a cold winter night. At that moment, some homeless people in tattered clothes were queuing up to get water. Next to the water dispenser, Hugh also saw signs pointing to a "temporary shelter" and a "recruiting office".

Clearly, Borden officials have already figured out where to go for these homeless bankrupts and vagrants.

Besides the magical slogans and posters promoting the army, you can also see a lot of festival decorations related to the "Winter Festival" in Borden City. This festival, which takes place at the end of the snowy month each year, is one of the most important festivals in the kingdoms of the Lovi Plateau and Goddess Plain.

In the Vaan calendar, the Winter Solstice symbolizes the complete end of "Sea God's Roar," and also signifies the return of the goddess of spring and the fields to the edge of the earth. At this time, the beautiful goddess, worshipped by all the farmers of Vaan, will begin her long and gentle journey. She will melt the ice and snow, make the land fertile, and people will begin planting crops.

But this year, this important holiday will likely be spent amidst gunfire and artillery fire.

"It seems that war is inevitable... Its effects have already spread throughout the entire plateau. I wonder what the other cities in Waterl are like now, and whether they are as peaceful as the residents of Borden."

Hugh observed the decorations on both sides of the street and thought to himself, "However, judging from the situation in Borden, the Water people seem to have a lot of confidence in their country and alliance. At least they still have the mood and energy to decorate their shops and residences."

The vehicle's speed began to slow down.

Finally, the procession turned into a relatively narrow road, where there were far fewer people, and people dressed in costumes from other countries and ethnic groups began to appear on both sides of the street.

After traveling some distance, the vehicle finally stopped in front of a huge complex of buildings.

There was a knock on the carriage door, and Duden, a soldier from the Jesse Regiment, called out: "Mr. Ernst, we've arrived!"

Hugh responded, then picked up all his belongings: the revolver and bullets given to him by Major Alfred, a few paper documents, and the remaining general currency.

There was nothing else besides that.

Hughes put on his coat and, like the other soldiers, adjusted his revolver to his back.

He pushed open the car door, left the temporary warm shelter, and stepped into the cold wind of Walter.

(End of this chapter)