Chapter 681 ·The Three Heading to the Northlands

Yami and Alvare bade farewell to Bettys, then met up with Hunter, who had arrived early at the train station. Together, they prepared to board the train northbound.

This trip, Yami was escorting Alvare to the Northlands and would also stay there for a period to lend a hand. As for Hunter and Alvare, they would be stationed in the Northlands long-term.

The two of them had both received Hughes’ special pardon, permitting them to leave Castel and travel to the Northlands.

Of course, this journey was not a vacation, but to assist Alexei in carrying out construction in the Northlands.

There was no need to elaborate on Yami. With his academic capabilities, he could assemble an entire team in the Northlands by himself. Hughes intended for him to help establish an academy there.

As for Alvare, though his academic talent was rather ordinary, he possessed a strong ability to accept new things. Moreover, as one of the Three Grand Dukes of the North, he wielded immense influence throughout the entire Northlands.

With his assistance, Alexei’s efforts would surely yield twice the result with half the effort.

Hunter, bearing the identity of a scholar, had another task for this trip. Hughes had long found the scholar system of the Northlands displeasing. Hunter’s mission was to bring them to Castel.

Though those scholars naturally could not rival Castel in mechanical technology, many of them researched secret histories and forbidden knowledge, which would perfectly compensate for what the Silent Sanctum lacked.

—The historical research faction within the Silent Sanctum was basically composed entirely of members from the Temple of the Forgetters, and they were still trapped within the White Mist.

Over the past year, Blood Harbor had developed at a rapid pace. After the railway connection was established, construction in the Northlands had not lagged behind either.

The foundational infrastructure outlined in the Northlands’ plans had already been completed. Railways now connected most of its cities. What remained was the transformation and development of those cities.

At this point, the disadvantage of insufficient manpower began to show.

Whether in universal education or talent cultivation, such tasks could not be accomplished overnight. Alexei had already written several handwritten letters to Hughes requesting personnel.

Now, the first batch of graduates from Blood Harbor School had begun entering various positions. Some of the outstanding ones had already become pillars of support. It was precisely the right time for them to venture outward. Hughes offered generous treatment, and naturally, a large number of graduates eagerly signed up.

Hughes had already sent several batches of engineers and civil officials. The trio of Alvare filled the final missing piece.

Yet as they moved with the flow of people through the station, they did not yet understand their place in the development of the Northlands. They were simply delighted to finally have a chance to return home.

Well, Yami was a native of Blood Harbor, but he was more than willing to go take a look—this was his first time leaving Blood Harbor and Castel.

Their luggage had already been shipped ahead of time. Even traveling light, however, it was still difficult to walk through the crowded station.

“Damn it, when did Blood Harbor’s station get so crowded?” Alvare was drenched in sweat from being squeezed in the crowd. The three of them finally managed to find a corner with fewer people.

Blood Harbor had now nearly become a transportation hub, linking maritime routes between Castel and Gem Bay, as well as land routes to the Northlands. Every day, countless goods flowed through here. The production capacity of the Factory District radiated across most of the coastline, including the Principality of Tis.

As they waited on the platform, they were somewhat surprised to notice quite a few unfamiliar faces.

“Red, red-haired people?” Yami whispered in surprise.

“They’re traveling merchants from the Southern Archipelago. They usually only do business on the Southern Continent. I didn’t expect them to come to Blood Harbor as well,” Alvare sighed.

Yami nodded blankly. After all, he had grown up in the slums; his knowledge naturally could not compare to that of the duke beside him.

Alvare, who had traveled widely in his youth, was now in high spirits and quietly introduced them to the two beside him.

“Look at those people, always wearing scarves around their necks. They’re sea merchants from even farther north. Hunter, you didn’t spend much time by the sea when you were young, so you probably haven’t seen them. As long as the northern ports aren’t frozen over, they’re always around.”

“But isn’t the Storm Ocean the territory of the Pirate King?” Hunter asked in surprise.

The Storm Ocean lay to the east of the Empire, encompassing the entire imperial coastline—including the portion belonging to the Northlands.

“They don’t sail into the deep sea. They just trade along the coastline. Of course, there’s involvement from the Empire and the nobles behind it,” Alvare explained casually, though a hint of astonishment lingered in his eyes.

Since the upheaval in the Storm Ocean, these merchants had not been seen for a long time. Alvare had assumed they had vanished within its waters. He had not expected to see them here.

Blood Harbor was already in the south. These merchants typically operated near the ice-free ports of the Northlands.

Merchants pursued profit. That meant the goods here were worth the risk of coming all the way.

Alvare narrowed his eyes. Castel, it seemed, had no intention of monopolizing maritime trade like the Pirate King had. Instead, it had opened its doors to merchants from all regions.

The Northlands had long been synonymous with desolation and poverty, largely because commerce had never flourished.

The tundra of the Northlands appeared flat and open, yet packs of wild beasts and bands of mounted bandits often roamed. Merchant caravans’ wagons were easily trapped in the marshy wetlands of the tundra. As a result, few merchants ever ventured there.

Maritime transport should have been the better option. However, affected by the White Calamity, stable ice-free ports were rare in the Northlands. In addition, the Pirate King had once almost controlled the entire Storm Ocean. Ships had to pay maritime taxes before even arriving, stifling development.

Now, the Pirate King had joined Castel in another form. It was said that the White Calamity, which had threatened the Northlands for over a thousand years, was gradually receding. The train between Blood Harbor and the Northlands was already in operation.

Alvare drew a deep breath, his eyes filled with excitement and anticipation. The Northlands had never lacked minerals or resources, and its land was vast. In the future, it might well become the next Blood Harbor.

And he was about to participate in building this grand undertaking!

After all, both Alvare and Hunter were Northlanders. They were truly building their own homeland.

“Hey, Hunter, do you have any plans for the future?” Alvare jerked his chin toward the distant merchants, implying something more.

Not many members remained in Hunter’s family, but its influence endured. With his help, establishing a merchant caravan would not be difficult.

With a bit of maneuvering afterward…

Castel had not prohibited merchant caravans. On the contrary, it even encouraged them, simplifying many customs import and export procedures—Alvare had inquired about all this in advance.

Alvare’s family had survived until today not merely by surrendering quickly, but by rising swiftly every time it fell into decline.

Though he currently possessed nothing, as long as his vision remained sharp, his future status might surpass even that of a Grand Duke of the North.

And the Hunter before him might be the greatest support of all.