Chapter 1380 - 1296: Heading to the Front Lines

Chapter 1380: Chapter 1296: Heading to the Front Lines

In the early morning, a light mist rose over the New Life Bridge Wharf at the ry Court Barracks, where rows of soldiers, carrying clockwork guns, walked atop the mist.

They wouldn’t board the ship at the New Life Bridge Wharf, but instead at the old village wharf on the opposite side of the New Life Bridge.

At the New Life Bridge Wharf, only two Holy Armor Forbidden Army corps of the Imperial Guard were present, protecting Horn as he headed to the frontline.

Jumping down from the carriage, Horn strode forward several steps before suddenly remembering something. He turned back, trying to help someone out of the carriage.

However, a hand extended from the carriage, pushing him away. After all, he couldn’t support her unless she used his shoulder as a crutch.

Cradling her belly, a tall white-haired woman had already stepped down from the carriage: "I’m not yet so weak that I need you to help me."

This was Jia Li, standing beside the Pope, taller than Horn by more than a head.

Her white hair fell against a black high-necked knit sweater, and her baby-faced little cheeks pouted pink lips.

Yet the most striking thing was the elliptical shape protruding from under the sweater supported by her slim limbs.

If not for the height, this scene would be enough for Horn to be arrested in the street by the Night Watcher.

The Witch’s physique was indeed unusual compared to normal women, or rather, Jia Li’s physique could not be compared to a typical person.

She was already two months pregnant before, but hardly experienced morning sickness, handling official duties like an ordinary person.

Now, at six months, not only was she moving freely, but she could even run and jump.

Yet, her temper had grown much fiercer; she used to act modestly in front of Horn, but now she wouldn’t even bother pretending.

Sometimes, Horn even wondered if this was Moliat?

Initially, he wanted to express his concern, but seeing her this way, he found himself unable to speak.

"Take good care of your health, don’t engage in strenuous activities..." Halfway through, Horn paused, recognizing Jia Li’s impatient expression, knowing it wouldn’t help.

Instead, Jia Li suddenly extended her arms, giving Horn a hug: "Be careful, our child will be born in September, and I’m waiting for you to name her."

"In summer, I’ll definitely be back to be with you for the birth."

Angel’s blood, Horn was already prepared.

If anything happened, he could immediately inject the blood of an Angel to ensure the baby’s safety.

After embracing Jia Li, the second Saintess wife Catherine moved forward.

Catherine’s hands were crossed, resting on her belly; today she wore a high-neck knit sweater, and a Bosian-style long skirt for the lower half.

"The Ethereal Tower is under construction, using riveted steel frames and glass curtain walls, it will be faster than mortar buildings; at the latest, it will be completed by autumn.

However, it still requires recruiting personnel for astrology and instrument operation within the tower, workers need to be recruited."

"I know," Horn nodded, "I have discussed this with relevant departments; soon an ether bureau will be established, then you can set up two or three Holy ether energy companies to manage it collectively."

"Hmm." Catherine lowered her head.

Providers, regulators, and sellers should not be the same entity, which is the simplest logic.

In the Holy Alliance’s system, critical industries like energy, transportation, and steel are state monopolies.

Asking who the biggest mogul in the Holy Alliance is, it could only be the Saint’s Grandson.

Other industries are open to civilian development as they wish, as long as they do not harm the welfare of the majority of believers, it doesn’t matter.

In actual operation, sometimes the Holy Alliance sanctifies a specific niche industry or vice versa, marketizes a sanctified niche industry, or engages in public-private partnerships.

The collaboration, division, and income and expenditure between these Holy Alliance sanctified enterprises and civilian enterprises are managed by Catherine and her Sacred Property Guardianship Bureau.

Among the four Saintesses of the Holy Alliance, Catherine appears the most inconspicuous, yet she is undoubtedly a pillar-level figure in the Holy Alliance’s economy.

If Qianqian is merely the purse keeper, then Catherine is the one filling the purse.

At least a quarter of the Holy Alliance’s income comes from these sanctified enterprises.

This is not a simple task; each company’s cost accounting, mergers and splits, ensuring a smooth industrial chain and overall profitability.

Replace someone else, they’d be overwhelmed.

In the context of the Holy Alliance’s lack of economic talent, Catherine single-handedly created miraculous economic growth with her own superb soft skills.

Reflecting on it, before the Saint’s Grandson brought mysterious otherworldly knowledge, Catherine was the inventor of stocks, becoming a dye oligarch in just twenty years.

Gently caressing Catherine’s dark eye bags, Horn suddenly felt a twinge of guilt.

Once more, spreading his arms, he embraced Catherine, whispering softly in her ear: "Sorry for neglecting you all this time."

"What’s gotten into you?" Usually accustomed to Horn’s mockery of being an old woman, Catherine turned red, not used to this sudden display of genuine emotion, "Enough, there are so many people watching."

Horn didn’t care about that, fiercely kissed Catherine on the lips, only letting go amid the cheering and whistling of surrounding soldiers and officers.

Next, it was Hilov who slowly stepped forward.

Hilov, unlike Jia Li and Catherine, simply spoke mildly, "Remember to bring back the crown."

After saying this, she turned to leave but was swiftly pulled into Horn’s embrace by her tail!

In fact, it was still a hug and a kiss, just with a hint of compulsion.

But evidently, the constantly wagging tail revealed Hilov’s happiness.

Horn had long since figured out the Wolf Woman inside and out; this was her nature.

Absolutely passive, somewhat cold, she would even actively push Horn away.

But if Horn ignored her rejection and forced affection upon her, she would be very happy.

"If only I could leave the ry Court Barracks," the Wolf Woman buried her head in Horn’s embrace, "that way, I could accompany you everywhere like Jeanne."

"Silly girl..." Horn rubbed her wolf ears.

"Hmm?"

"...Of course, I mean Jeanne," Horn coughed, "Once I resolve the issue with Serafe, your situation will surely be taken care of."

"I know." As if having made some resolution, the Wolf Woman lifted her head in Horn’s embrace, "If you encounter Serafe, don’t hold back, kill her, even if it doesn’t solve my problem, some things are more important."

"Don’t worry, I’m not someone who is soft-hearted."

Releasing the Wolf Woman, Horn shook hands with the cardinals who came to see him off, and then boarded the Pope’s ship.

Standing on the deck, Horn waved at the people who came to see him off.

In fact, there weren’t many people, mainly cardinals, privy counsel, and followers of faith; the rest of the citizens didn’t even know Horn’s departure date.

Otherwise, what if a crazy gunner appeared and shot the Pope in the head?

After learning two mysterious experiences from another world, Horn felt it’s better to keep a low profile.

Those who applaud you may not necessarily be your admirers.

Horn intended to return to the cabin when he saw Seching standing at the prow smoking.

"Seching, brother," Horn approached to greet, "What are you watching?"

"Nothing much..." Seching looked at the riverbanks shrouded in morning mist and suddenly sighed, "Once upon a time, both sides here were desolate swamps."

Indeed, this place used to be a remote swampy island.

But now, after the ship sails by, you can see scattered homes and cottages on both sides.

Farmers beside the dike carry buckets toward the shore, preparing to wash clothes.

As for the children, some follow their mothers, while others carry backpacks and board rural carriages to attend school in New Life Town.

Humans, along with beastmen, every child’s face is filled with smiles.

Is this the just world without a Knight, with no one weeping, that Danji dreams of?

In contrast to Seching’s sigh, Horn couldn’t help but ask himself this question in his heart.

Has everything he’s done really reached the standard of the new world in Danji, Frick, Kosse, and Vine’s hearts?

Or rather, will the Celestial Kingdoms he promised to countless believers really come one day?

And when will that day be?

If one day he truly leaves the Holy Alliance, will the dream of the Celestial Kingdom be inherited by someone?

Horn never could quite figure this out, yet he couldn’t stop thinking about it, even finding himself lost in thought at the ship’s rail.

The golden-red sun finally climbed over the mountains, turning the mist into flowing golden silk.

Suddenly, immersed in doubt, Horn heard a distant song.

He looked up to find Seching already enraptured by it.

The singing, at times near and far, came from both adults and children, sung by the washerwomen, or the farmers carrying hoes.

"The good eighty mu of farmland, along with gentle in-laws..."

"Growing our own grain, the more we work, the more we harvest..."

"This is my dream of the Celestial Kingdom, small and simple as it is..."

Listening for a while, Horn suddenly smiled and patted Seching on the shoulder, "The wind on the deck is strong, I’m heading back inside the cabin."