I was a knight in the Middle Ages

"I am..." Alpha's Adam's apple rolled.

His eyes swept across the giant mecha floating in the mural and the long metal tube spewing flames. Those technological creations that were completely different from those on the current continent suddenly gave him an idea.

"We are knights and mages sent by the goblins to search for the remains of our ancestors." Before she finished speaking, Melissa immediately cooperated by tapping the mechanical compass on her waist. The sound of the gears turning was particularly clear in the silent underground palace.

The dark blue pupils suddenly contracted, and the remains of the ancient warrior on the mural began to shake violently: "Impossible! Will the Church let us goblins go?"

Its voice carried a thousand years of anger and confusion. "During that encirclement and suppression, even the weakest mechanical puppets were melted into molten iron!"

"Of course they won't let go of any threat." Alpha took a half step forward, and the soles of his boots crushed the scattered gears on the ground.

"The surviving goblins are now hiding in a cave 300 meters underground, building a new home with steam pipes." Alpha turned to look at Evelyn.

The elven princess immediately understood, and a faint green light mimicking the goblin lighting crystals emanated from her fingertips. "If you don't believe me, I can have my tribesmen on the ground come down immediately. They're already on standby at the entrance to the ruins."

The underground palace suddenly fell into silence, with only the humming sound of jamming gears coming from deep within the murals.

After a long time, the light in the dark blue pupils dimmed: "Okay, I'll give you half an hour."

The surface of the mural solidified back into the texture of rock, but a spiderweb-like crack appeared in the center. "If my descendants had not appeared, your hearts would have become the final fuel to activate this weapon of war."

The roar of gears meshing came from deep within the underground palace, as if an ancient giant beast was stretching its muscles in its sleep.

Twelve minutes later, the clanging sound of the metal prosthesis hitting the ground came from far away.

The goblin Perov, wearing goggles, scurried down the stairs, the searchlight at the end of his robotic arm illuminating the mural in every detail.

"Ancestral Spirit! I am Perov, the 73rd-generation technician of the Steamworks!" The goblin's pointed ears trembled with excitement, and his greasy hands pressed against his chest. "Our clansmen underground have never forgotten your instructions. We have rebuilt the Gear City deep within the lava fissures!"

The dark blue eyes on the mural flickered violently, and countless tiny runes moved like electric currents.

"Human, leave immediately." Its voice was hoarse like rust, and the mechanical devices on the walls of the underground palace began to hum like a warning. "This is a holy land flowing with gears and sparks. It does not belong to you flesh and blood."

Alpha held down Melissa's hand that was instinctively reaching for the hilt of the sword, took two steps forward and stood side by side with Perov.

Alpha could feel the pressure projected from the mural as if it were real, but he still maintained a calm smile: "We will leave now."

He pressed his palm hard on Perov's shoulder and said in a low voice, "If you encounter any abnormal situation, use the intercom immediately. That thing may be more dangerous than we thought."

The stairs on the way back seemed even longer than the ones on the way here.

When everyone finally stepped out of the entrance of the ruins, the two moons hanging high in the night sky were casting their silver light on the rubble on the ground.

Melissa's frost dagger was in her hand again at some point, the frost on the blade reflecting the moonlight, refracting tiny cold rays;

A light pink halo lingered around Evelyn's fingertips; it was the elves' natural magic for sensing danger.

"Tonight's exploration ends here." Alpha untied his cloak and draped it over the shivering Evelyn's shoulders, his eyes sweeping across the Vatican's sentry tower that was looming in the distance.

"We'll need a more complete response plan tomorrow." Alpha's palms held two warm bodies at the same time. He could clearly feel Melissa stiffen for a moment in his arms, while Evelyn quietly shrank into his arms.

The night wind blew by, carrying the unique smell of sulfur from the underground, and the hum of mechanical gears came from the distance.

Alpha knew that tonight was destined to be another sleepless night...

The early autumn morning mist hovered over the collapsed city wall. When Quinte wiped his bloody saber and strode into the tent, the sound of his iron boots crushing gravel woke up the gray sparrow curled up in the corner.

The smoke from the fierce battle outside the city three days ago had not yet cleared, and Rowling had already wrapped the captured Alliance flag into a bandage and casually wrapped it around his bleeding left arm.

"The transport convoys have been completely eliminated," Quintiles slammed the blood-stained map on the table, his scarlet fingerprints smearing the ink marking the supply lines. "The ten thousand Allied troops in the city can't even find half a cartload of hay for their horses."

Alpha lowered his eyes and stared at the bronze terracotta warriors on the sand table, the candlelight dancing in his dark gray pupils.

When the last arrow pierced the shaft of the last baggage cart, Alpha knew that the balance of victory had already tilted.

The Allied forces trapped in the isolated city might be sharing moldy bread or fighting for the last half pot of turbid well water.

In this mining town where the supply lines were crushed by the imperial army's iron hooves, time is the sharpest noose.

"No need to rush." ​​Alpha's slender fingers stroked the incomplete city wall model on the sand table, and the obsidian ring shone coldly in the moonlight.

"When the granaries are empty and their horses are gnawing on the bones of their comrades, they will either break out like stray dogs or kneel in the mud and offer their swords." Alpha suddenly chuckled, the ending tone shrouded in a chilling chill. "And that is when the harvest is best."

The morning mist gradually dissipated, and the imperial army's trumpet calls echoed among the ruins.

The engineering corps carried huge logs and bricks and stones and moved back and forth like ants. The remaining city walls of the South City and the East City were extending at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Like two giant steel pythons, they slowly devoured the west wall of the north city held by the Allied forces.

When the last section of the city wall crashes together, the Alliance's only geographical advantage will be completely destroyed.

At midnight, Alpha leaned on the arrow slit of the watchtower, staring at the flickering lights of the military camp in the distance in a daze.

The caravan of the Balor Chamber of Commerce should be arriving soon. The transaction of that batch of fine iron and mithril is enough to make golden roses bloom in the ruins of the mining city.

The night wind brought the salty taste of autumn, and in a trance, he seemed to hear the crisp sound of gold coins colliding.

"Sir, a distinguished guest has arrived, a merchant caravan from the north." At this moment, the trains in the north have resumed normal operation, and the merchant caravan has brought a lot of supplies.

Mingyue's clear voice pierced the night. When Alpha turned around, the moonlight just happened to pass over the silver bells swaying in Mingyue's hair.

In the conference room, the crystal chandelier casts a warm yellow light onto the Baroque-style carved long table.

This was to welcome these envoys. Alpha deliberately used all the limited electricity stored in the mining city here, so that these envoys could see the technological achievements of the mining city.

Several of Balor's old friends - Javier of the Montgomery family and Guston of the Thames family - were sitting on the leather seats.

The two of them tapped their fingertips lightly on the gilded tabletop, and the spicy aroma of tequila floated in the air.

These two had shown goodwill to Alpha long before his power rose.

At that time, Alpha was just a young knight trying to survive in the cracks of power, and their help was like a spark in the dark night. Now Alpha will naturally not let down this friendship.

However, when Princess Flinna stepped into the room with graceful steps, Alpha's eyes were involuntarily drawn to her.

Florina was wearing a moon-white silk dress, and the pearl necklace sparkled between her collarbones, like the brightest star in the night sky.

Phryna's beauty reminded Alpha of the holy and fierce demeanor of Athena, the Saint of the Church, when he fought against her.

I also remembered the graceful and poetic figure of the Elf Queen Evelyn dancing in the moonlight.

The three beauties of different races, each with their own merits, have left an indelible mark on Alpha's heart.

But at this moment, the two handsome men following Florina like shadows stung Alpha's eyes.

As they followed Florina, the unintentional physical touches and the tacit understanding between their eyebrows and eyes all indicated their close relationship.

Alpha had been mentally prepared, knowing that with Florina's status and position, it was impossible for her to belong to anyone alone, but when he saw this scene with his own eyes, Alpha still felt a little sour in his chest.

In the memory of being with Florina, her fiery and greedy eyes seemed to still linger before my eyes.

Alpha forced himself to withdraw his thoughts and return his attention to the business.

The ownership of the mining city is of utmost importance. This time, Alpha must sell this strategic location at a price that is good enough to change the balance of power.

"Alpha, I didn't expect you to really drive away those guys from the Sea Alliance. You are really amazing." Guston of the Thames family was the first to break the silence. He patted Alpha's shoulder excitedly, his eyes full of admiration.

Alpha smiled modestly, but his eyes were filled with caution. "That's because the Alliance has no foundation here at all, coupled with the strong support of the Imperial Knights."

Alpha deliberately emphasized external factors and directed the credit to the conflict between the Empire and the Alliance.

In this continent where the strong prey on the weak, Alpha is just a small pawn on the chessboard of power, and will be crushed to pieces if he is not careful.

"But you are really amazing. The Alliance and the Empire were originally cooperating, but I didn't expect you to force them to separate." Javier of the Montgomery family praised sincerely, with a bit of envy in his words.

At this moment, Flena's cold voice rang out: "But I see there are still many enemies in the city. Is it impossible for the Alpha Knights to completely occupy the mining city?"

Florina raised her eyebrows slightly, her eyes filled with scrutiny and suspicion. She seemed to have forgotten the vows she had made to Alpha.

Alpha took a deep breath and straightened his back. "I'm waiting for someone. Once everyone arrives, I will completely eliminate the enemy here."

Alpha knew clearly that these so-called allies before him were too weak.

During the crisis in the mining city, the major families almost stood by and watched without providing any substantial support.

But Alpha also understood that in this world where interests are paramount, it is rare not to kick someone when they are down, and resentment can only be buried deep in the heart.

At this moment, Alpha can only rely on his own wisdom and strategy to win a place in this power game.

Alpha stood in front of the long carved table in the conference room, his fingertips running across the carefully drawn sand table of the mining city on the table, a cunning light flashing in his amber pupils.

"During the next two days, everyone can enjoy the mining city. I believe this will be everyone's mining city in the future. Let us build a better future together." Alpha raised the corners of his lips, revealing a perfectly confident smile, but his eyes concealed unknown calculations.

The core industrial mother machines had already been transferred to a secret base overnight, and the remaining old equipment was just bait to attract various forces to join the game. After all, brothers should settle accounts clearly.

Javier of the Montgomery family was the first to raise the carved silver cup: "Alright! Alpha, I believe we can build a new mining city together!"

The crystal chandelier swayed with the sound of clinking glasses, reflecting the luster of the gilded wine on everyone's face.

Although everyone seemed to be chatting and laughing on the surface, there were actually undercurrents. The ownership of the mining city was like a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, but no one dared to touch this sensitive topic at this time.

When the last footsteps disappeared at the end of the corridor, Alpha turned and stepped into the secret door leading to the private office area.

The rosewood bookcase automatically slides open, revealing a secret passage hidden behind the wall.

Moonlight streamed through the diamond-shaped window panes, cutting out alternating light and dark patterns on the Persian carpet.

"Lord Alpha, Princess Florina is so beautiful. Only the Elf Princess Evelyn can be compared with her." Mingyue knelt on the leather sofa, her silk nightgown slipped off her shoulders, and her amber eyes sparkled with amazement.

Mingyue's slender fingers unconsciously twisted the gold embroidery tassels, recalling the radiant figure in the conference room.

Alpha chuckled, and cupped the girl's blushing cheeks with his warm hands: "Little girl, you're cute too."

Alpha leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss, and the scent of sandalwood mixed with ambergris enveloped the bright moon.

At this moment, a low voice from the secret guard suddenly came from outside the door: "Lord Alpha, Guston of the Thames family wants to see you."

Mingyue in his arms was so startled that she almost jumped up, and the tips of her ears turned a charming blush.

Alpha patted her back soothingly and quickly fixed her collar with the girl's help.

When the gold-rimmed glasses were put back on his nose, the lord who was in control of the situation returned again.

Alpha stroked the silver cufflinks of his custom-made soft armor, with a meaningful smile on the corner of his mouth.

Guston asked for a meeting at this time. It seems that the real competition for the transaction in the mining city is about to begin.

Under the cold light reflected from the gilded dome, Guston's suited figure bent slightly, his knuckles turning pale from excessive exertion. "Alpha, congratulations on your success, but I would like to apologize. We are deeply sorry for this matter."

Guston's voice seemed to be wrapped in sandpaper, and every syllable was pronounced with an imperceptible grit of teeth.

Alpha twirled the crystal whiskey glass in his hand, the ice cubes clattering as crisply as a silver bell. "Does this represent the Thames family behind you, or does it just represent you personally?"

The amber wine reflected the other person's tense jawline. Alpha lowered his eyes and took a sip, but he could see the fleeting panic in the other person's pupils.

Faint explosions could be heard from deep within the mine, mixed with the hum of ventilation ducts.

Alpha knew that this belated apology stemmed from the thrilling crisis in the mining city three days ago.

When the pirate alliance's artillery fire dyed the sky red, everyone left the mining city and did not give Alpha any support, but Alpha turned the tide and completely changed the outcome of this battle for resources.

At this moment, Alpha's fingertips stroked the wall of the cup, letting silence ferment in the air.

"Does it make any difference, Alpha?"