Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 724 Opening the Pass

The crowd gathered near the pass held their heads high, watching the emperor's magic airship sail northward into the distance.

At the same time, several alchemical trumpets hanging high on the corner towers in Langya Ridge Fortress also began to sound.

This unusual commotion immediately attracted the attention of the crowd. Many people who had just exchanged grain and sold their belongings in the city stopped in their tracks as they were about to return to their settlements outside the city, and began to discuss the matter with some unease.

The heavy gates of the pass slowly opened, and Saint Valen soldiers, dressed in black uniforms and carrying long spears, entered Langya Ridge city in neat formation.

The crowds along the street quickly moved aside, leaving enough width for them to pass... Everyone subconsciously lowered their heads, occasionally glancing up to secretly observe, holding their breath and waiting for the army's next move.

The once bustling city market was now completely silent.

Wood held Jacob's hand tightly, carefully pulling aside the only possessions the uncle and nephew owned—the old draft horse Greythorn and an empty wooden cart.

A wheeled vehicle, its entire body gleaming with a metallic sheen, began to move on its own without being pulled by oxen or horses, rumbling behind the soldiers... Several Saint Valenese men who appeared to be officers sat on the vehicle, the leader of whom placed his hands on a disc and gently rotated it from side to side.

This thing must also be a magical creation! Just like those floating sailboats that just sailed across the sky, they are all miraculous creations of that magical emperor, Saint Valen!

As the army and the wagons approached, the fluttering flags and the emblems engraved on the wagons became clearly visible—a silver-gray castle silhouette against a deep black background, with spears and gold stars intersecting and circling... This was the iconic emblem of the United Kingdom of Saint Valen and the Northern Territory, exactly the same as those hanging high in Wolf Fang Ridge City, representing the strength and majesty of this newly formed kingdom.

Jacob leaned close to his uncle's ear and whispered, "What a big commotion... Uncle, do you think it might be His Majesty the Emperor of Saint Valen?"

Wood swallowed nervously and shook his head, saying, "Why would the Emperor come to the border region? Something big must have happened!"

The mighty army quickly arrived at its destination. Near the only clock tower square in the city, the soldiers silently dispersed, holding their long spears and evacuating the people to the outer perimeter, leaving the most conspicuous spot in the center of the square.

Several carts also stopped, and they quickly began to build a simple wooden platform.

When the alchemical communicator and metal loudspeaker were also erected high, the local minor nobleman in charge of temporarily managing Wolf Fang Fortress on behalf of Saint Valen received the news and hurriedly came to meet the leader of the army.

"Ah! Commander Callum! Why...why didn't you inform me beforehand? Is there something important to announce?"

Callum glanced at the humble-looking minor nobleman and said indifferently, "Well... this is Superintendent Max Anton from the Royal Capital Police Department, and Mr. Dave, the Deputy Director of the Kingdom's Population Management Department. They've come here... to carry out an important matter involving the border region. I'm just here to assist them."

The minor nobleman paused for a moment, and before he could ask any questions, Dave waved his hand, pulled a thick stack of documents from his briefcase, and waved them in his hand. "His Majesty has decreed that due to the rampant incursions of alien races within Eisengard, a large number of innocent people have been forced to flee south. In accordance with the tradition of mutual assistance among human nations, the United Kingdom of Saint Valen will open its borders from today onwards to accept refugees stranded in the Wolf Fang Ridge area."

His Majesty the Emperor of Saint Valen intends to completely open the borders... to accept the nearly 100,000 refugees from Eisengard who are entrenched in the surrounding area?
The young nobleman's eyes widened, his expression one of disbelief. After a long pause, he stammered, "Then... what about within Eisengard? Does His Majesty intend to send troops to wipe out those northern barbarians for us?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he immediately realized his slip of the tongue... Logically speaking, what did the invasion of Eisengard have to do with the people of Saint Valen? The two countries had recently clashed over church issues, and it was unclear whether the royal family still had any surviving bloodlines or legal heirs. Even if they wanted to borrow troops for help, it was out of the question.

Thinking of this, the young nobleman immediately changed his tone, putting on a fawning smile and saying, "Commander Callum, I wonder if you... if you have conveyed to His Majesty the letter expressing your loyalty, as well as the gift you presented to His Majesty? I... do I still have the opportunity to go to the capital, Starfire City, to express my feelings to His Majesty in person?"

Callum felt a little embarrassed and gestured to Max standing to the side. Max chuckled and said, "Baron, there's no need to rush. His Majesty is busy with official duties and doesn't have time to reply right now... However, you have managed Wolf Fang Ridge quite well during this period. Although you haven't managed to control the price of grain, the security situation in the refugee settlements inside and outside the city is quite good. I will submit a joint report with Director Dave in the subsequent work report. Perhaps it won't be long before you can officially become our colleague."

Baron Peyton was overjoyed. The rest of his family had fled to other countries via Daus, but he had taken a gamble and sold all his property and land for enough food. He then led a personal guard to cling to the Saint Valen people and manage the border city for them.

Surprisingly, his gamble paid off!

The strength of the United Kingdom of Saint Valen is evident to all. Boarding this ship... the future is bound to be limitless!
……

As news of the complete reopening of the borders spread throughout the city via alchemical communicators, large numbers of soldiers and officials from Saint Valencia dispersed to various locations, erecting tall notice boards in densely populated refugee settlements and repeatedly announcing the news through megaphones.

"To pass through the border checkpoint smoothly, you must strictly follow the rules, queue up first, then register... After a simple verbal interview, you can only be allowed to pass with a permit in hand!"

"Once you cross the border and arrive in Saint-Valéon, you will be met by government officials. No one is allowed to leave on their own or try to escape. If discovered, they will be immediately deported and will lose all chance to cross the border!"

"Upon successful arrival in Saint-Valéon, all individuals will receive free food and medicine assistance and need not worry about running out of food and going hungry. However, they will need to sign an agreement to voluntarily become citizens of Saint-Valéon and thus become legal citizens of Saint-Valéon. From then on, all personal safety will be protected by the relevant laws of our country."

"Once you choose to become a citizen of Saint Valentine, you must immediately renounce your past beliefs, leave your church membership, and be strictly prohibited from preaching or spreading the faith in the country. Violators will be subject to corresponding legal punishments..."

Wood stood by the notice board, listening to the young official's hoarse and repeated pronouncements, feeling his palms and back sweating profusely.

Jacob, somewhat embarrassed, rubbed his rumbling stomach and asked in a low voice, "Uncle... as long as we volunteer to be Saint Valen, you can distribute food to us. We don't need to sell Old Graythorn's connections with the merchant guild, and we can both leave here."

Wood paused, then turned to look at his nephew's sallow face. These days, food in the city had become increasingly expensive, and their rations were long gone. They might starve to death before the northern barbarians even attacked…

As long as one can give up their faith and religious affiliation, they can fill their stomachs and survive... which doesn't seem like a completely unacceptable price to pay.

He forced a bitter smile and said, "Grab Old Graythorn and we'll head to the border and queue up right away. Anyway, you've never liked going to church since you were a kid... Right now, survival is the most important thing!"

Jacob is his brother's only bloodline, and he must ensure that he gets him to a safe place to start a new life... Family is more important to Wood than any vague belief in gods!
(End of this chapter)