How does it feel to go out for training for the first time?
Faust had originally looked forward to it with great expectations, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of a grand and heroic adventure.
However, after walking for a few days, it felt more like a wilderness outing. The journey was incredibly smooth. The only difference was the lack of servants to order around; he had to do everything himself.
【You've developed the land so thoroughly, and yet you expect adventure?】
Mocked by the fairy, Faust clapped his hands. "You're right."
Thanks to the prince's meticulous cultivation of the Qingxi Kingdom, there were no bandits or magical beasts throughout the kingdom or its surroundings.
It wasn't just the Qingxi Kingdom. The neighboring countries that had joined the Qingxi trade network had also put immense effort into public security to ensure the safety of trade routes.
As a result, from the Qingxi Kingdom to its neighbors, there were regularly maintained national roads for the use of merchants and travelers.
Beyond these national roads, the land was entirely filled with fields of cash crops.
Small countries, unlike vast empires, found every inch of territory precious and had to utilize it all. Anyway, in this fairy tale world, there was no such thing as 'barren' land. Do you understand the concept of constant fertility?
This sightseeing-like state only began to change once they left the 'Qingxi trade circle.' The forests were finally no longer fully developed, gaining a bit of a primeval jungle feel.
Faust did not go to the Midwinter Kingdom's official trade station. Instead, he planned to slip in secretly. Thus, the closer he got to the border of Midwinter, the more desolate and primitive it became.
Faust no longer hunted from horseback. He began to encounter a few low-tier magical beasts and monstrous spirits. He immediately put the martial saint path experience into practice to see its effects in actual combat.
The results proved that a martial saint was truly powerful. In the past, Faust had practiced against low-tier monsters; he could win, but it took some effort.
Now, hunting these creatures required no thought at all. Relying entirely on physical instinct, he could easily slaughter large groups. It didn't even count as a warm-up.
"That's all there is to it. It seems everyone is too civilized. There are no fiend nests for me to farm experience. Whatever, I never really counted on the path of subjugation anyway."
Faust abandoned his sudden urge for 'subjugation' and focused on heading toward the Midwinter Kingdom. As he stepped into a forest spanning the Midwinter border, Mephistopheles let out a sigh of nostalgia:
【The Midwinter Kingdom... how nostalgic...】
"What? Did you provide guidance here too? Like in the Zhexuan Kingdom?"
Faust immediately thought of Mephistopheles's seniority as a primordial fairy. Perhaps every ancient kingdom in the world had some connection to it.
【No, I have never granted a revelation in Midwinter. In fact, I haven't looked much at that kingdom.】
Mephistopheles flatly denied it, then added:
【It is just that their ancestors... were remnants of the Tower of Babel. Even now, the legacy of Babel is buried in this land. It has been so long, yet they still haven't given up.】
"The Tower of Babel?"
Faust was stunned. "The tower that reaches heaven?"
Hearing this, Mephistopheles's voice rose:
【Oh, you know of it? Faust, I thought that by now, no son of man still knew that name.】
Faust said calmly, "I'm not sure if what I know is the same thing you're talking about."
"Can you tell me more, Mephistopheles?"
【It is not forbidden knowledge. Of course I can. I hide nothing from you, my dear Faust.】
Mephistopheles seemed to fall into a memory, slowly speaking:
【That happened in the earliest era of the son of man. To you, it is no different from myth. The son of man replaced the Son of the Sea and the Son of the Beast, occupying every corner of this world. It was far more prosperous than the modern era.】
Good, good. As expected, the older things are, the stronger they were!
Faust listened intently to the fairy's tale of the distant past:
【The son of man explored every corner of the earth. Naturally, they turned their gaze toward the sky.】
【They said: Come, let us build a tower. That tower shall reach heaven and link all the Sons of Man, to listen to the will of the heavens and sing the psalms of the Holy Spirit. From then on, there would be no more barriers, no more conflict, no more pain and sorrow. Everyone would march toward heaven and attain eternal happiness.】
Faust: "I can guess what happened."
Based on his understanding of the wheel of destiny in this fairy tale world, it would absolutely never allow mortals to truly unite.
It wasn't about fearing an uprising; a wheel of destiny without sentience didn't care about nonsensical concepts like 'power and survival.' But out of principle, destiny would not allow the Tower of Babel to be completed.
【Yes, they failed. The purpose of the Tower of Babel was to create an eternally pale history. This completely contradicted the wheel of destiny. Thus, the Sons of Man who built the tower fell into division and turmoil. Ultimately, the Tower of Babel collapsed, and the Golden Age of the son of man came to an end.】
Mephistopheles said meaningfully:
【A nation that gives rise to heroes is fortunate, but a country with a pale history is truly happy.】
"A good story."
Faust wasn't that sentimental. Such distant history was merely a legend to him.
Compared to legends of the past, the Prince of Qingxi cared more about the present:
"You said the Midwinter Kingdom are remnants of the Tower of Babel?"
【After the Tower of Babel collapsed, not all Sons of Man forgot the ideal. A small portion remained. The current Midwinter Kingdom is a survivor that preserved a part of that legacy. However, it's hard to say if that is good or bad. By stubbornly holding onto the defiance of the past, the wheel of destiny will inflict continuous trials upon them.】
"No wonder, no wonder..."
Faust realized. He had previously studied the Midwinter Kingdom, and from any perspective, this ancient kingdom was strangely powerful.
Despite never expanding outward, it could repel any invader with lightning speed. Neither the Radiant Dynasty nor the surrounding kingdoms could gain any advantage.
Even in its most dangerous moment when the evil dragon invaded—even though it was cursed—the kingdom was still preserved.
While Faust was lost in thought, he suddenly heard a cry for help from deep within the woods:
"Is anyone there? Anyone?! Please help me!"
Huh? What was that?
Faust pulled back his thoughts and rode toward the source of the sound, stopping before a large tree.
He saw a tall, elegant sister with her hands tied by vines, bound to the tree.
Her stunning hair fell like a waterfall to her waist. Beneath golden-brown bangs, her eyes were teary and pitiful, her red lips pressed tightly together.
A ruby pendant hung from her swan-like neck, yet her shoulders and a large portion of the white skin below were exposed.
Her white, gold-trimmed nun's habit, besides being solemn, exuded a sacred and forbidden charm.
The thin silk fabric was pulled tight, showcasing her softness and volume. The white and gold dress-robe clung to her body, revealing her perfect and moving waistline without reservation.
A gold-inlaid waist ring encircled her slender waist, with two pendants hanging from either side. The high-slit gaps exposed her enticingly fair skin.
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