The towering city walls of Portland, built from massive obsidian blocks, gleamed with a cold metallic luster under the sunset’s afterglow, resembling a dormant steel behemoth finally standing before the caravan.
The enormous gates slowly creaked open with a heavy rumble, as if both welcoming and scrutinizing the procession.
The caravan entered the city, and through the carriage window, Eileen was immediately struck by the scene before her.
This was unlike the Kingdom’s sacred capital with its stone buildings heavy with history and religious solemnity, nor was it like the purely military fortress of Fort Maria.
Portland City was a vivid embodiment of the Empire’s power fused with emerging magitechnology!
The streets were wide enough for eight wagons to travel side by side, paved with precisely cut black stone slabs, polished like mirrors.
On either side, towering buildings were not the traditional brick-and-wood structures but extensively used magically reinforced steel frameworks and huge glass curtain walls, their lines sharp and industrially beautiful.
Most striking of all were the silver metal pipelines crisscrossing the city above like a giant spiderweb — the Magic Network!
These thick conduits climbed the exteriors of buildings, weaving a complex network over the streets, their surfaces engraved with runes glowing with a faint azure light.
They were like the city’s veins, delivering surging magical power to every corner.
Eileen noticed that the street lamps were not fueled by burning flames but rather topped with crystals powered by the Magic Network, radiating a steady and bright light that dispelled the encroaching dusk.
Huge billboards were not static paintings but dynamic scenes formed by flowing light-and-shadow magic, showcasing various products and announcements.
Even more surprising to Eileen were the means of transportation on the streets.
Horse-drawn wagons still existed but were rare. Instead, there were numerous magitechnical vehicles of varied designs, emitting a low hum!
Some resembled oversized metal boxes, propelled by tracks, smoothly transporting cargo;
Others were more refined, like open-top touring cars, hovering inches above the ground through stable air jets beneath, moving lightly and swiftly along the streets;
There were even small single-rider vehicles, with riders sitting astride like knights, steering skillfully through the crowds.
The air was tinged with a faint ozone scent and the subtle hum of magical energy at work, filled with vitality and efficiency.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Otto suddenly drove his horse close to the window, watching Eileen’s astonished expression with a trace of Imperial pride. “This is the result of His Majesty’s vigorous promotion of the ‘Magic Network Project’ and the ‘Civilian Application of Magitechnology.’ Portland, as the northern hub, is one of the first cities fully covered by the Magic Network.”
He pointed at a magitechnical transport vehicle unloading cargo with a deep rumble. “His Majesty is working closely with the Royal Academy of Magic to apply these highly efficient power cores in the military domain. More powerful magitechnical engines, sturdier magical armor… even the ‘Magitechnical Railways’ connecting the Empire’s provinces are planned and under construction.”
Otto’s tone was filled with anticipation for the future.
Eileen pictured the scene:
War machines forged of steel, covered in thick magical armor, equipped with mighty magitechnical cannons, rolling over the plains like a flood of steel amid the roar of their engines… A chill instantly crawled up her spine.
No wonder Frederica was willing to cede three fortresses!
Her vision had long surpassed the cold weapon age’s wall sieges!
If her plan succeeded, the Empire’s military strength would undergo a qualitative leap, utterly crushing the Kingdom still relying on traditional knights and infantry!
This “punitive” expedition against the Kingdom managed to conceal such an enormous magitechnical arms buildup flawlessly, deploying not a single new elite unit, achieving strategic objectives solely with the traditional Mystic Armor Legion!
This patience and cunning sent a shiver down Eileen’s spine.
While rejoicing in the Empire’s power, a deep unease surged within her.
Facing such a disparity, how could the Kingdom… possibly resist?
Could Veer recognize this imminent crisis? Could she make the necessary changes in time?
No… Eileen thought bitterly, if it weren’t for her own near-cheating ability as the “Miracle Weaver,” repeatedly turning the tide at critical moments and buying the Kingdom precious time, the Kingdom might have already collapsed.
Her mother, Marquis Cecil’s tenacious resistance, also relied on countless “miracles” to gain tactical advantages.
Unconsciously, the enterprising, reform-embracing Empire and the tradition-bound, internally strained Kingdom had already become separated by an unbridgeable chasm.
Now it seemed the Church’s downfall might actually be the Kingdom’s chance to break free from old shackles and seek reform?
Only… this chance came at a cruel price, with enormous sacrifices.
Eileen could only silently pray that Veer would soon see reality clearly and lead the Kingdom onto a path of survival.
*****
Under the escort of Count Ulysses himself, the caravan slowly drove into the city center.
Count Ulysses was a slightly plump middle-aged man with a genial smile, dressed in elaborate Imperial noble attire, warmly exchanging greetings with Otto and lavishly praising Eileen as the “Savior of the Nation” and the “Miracle of the Rain,” his deference bordering on flattery.
Eileen maintained a polite smile but remained wary of this overly eager enthusiasm.
The count arranged for the group to stay at the city’s finest inn — a magnificent building blending classical stone carvings with magitechnical lighting decorations.
Naturally, a banquet was planned, but after the harrowing dinner at Fort Maria, Eileen had no interest in such social engagements.
She declined the count’s lavish invitation, citing travel fatigue and the need for rest.
“Let’s go out for a walk,” Eileen suggested to Serena, Helga, and Lillisa. “See how the night looks in this great Imperial city.”
Her companions readily agreed.
Layla quietly stayed behind to organize their belongings.
Portland’s night, illuminated by the Magic Network’s crystal lamps, was like daytime.
The streets teemed with people, even livelier than during the day. Various magitechnical signs flashed in multicolored lights, bathing the streets in radiant hues.
The air was filled with the scent of food, merchants’ calls, the hum of magitechnical devices, and laughter—an energetic urban symphony.
Eileen and her group strolled through, feeling as if they had stepped into a dazzling, futuristic world.
In huge display windows, models formed by light-and-shadow magic automatically changed to showcase the latest fashions.
Street performers controlled intricate magitechnical puppets, drawing bursts of applause.
Shops selling all sorts of novel magitechnical goods lined the streets: from temperature-adjusting cups, to music boxes that played recorded melodies, to simple household cleaning magi-dolls.
There was even a shop called the “Magitechnical Theater,” with a long queue outside. It was said that inside, magical crystals projected moving theatrical scenes.
“My goodness… this is just…” Helga pushed up her glasses, her blue eyes shining with scholarly excitement and disbelief. “The civilian application and popularization of magitechnology far exceeds what I imagined! Meanwhile, the Kingdom… is still stuck at basic magical lighting and communication…”
Serena, still cautiously scanning their surroundings, revealed a trace of curiosity behind her cold expression. “Much livelier than the capital… and… noisier, too.”