Chapter 872: Peace and the Era

Thus, Xia De, who originally wanted to mix into the crowd, gained the qualification to stand in front of the platform. Although it was still in the admission inspection stage, most of the important figures who should come had already arrived.

People wearing hats crowded together, stretching their heads on the platform to look in the direction from which the train tracks extended, hoping to be the first to see the arrival of the train.

Tobesk in early winter hadn't welcomed the first snow of this year, but the temperature in the morning was already very low. The elderly gentlemen were all wearing velvet clothes with fur collars, and the ladies' skirts were no longer as thin as in summer.

Although Priest Augustus was still dressed in a clergyman's robe, Xia De keenly noticed that this robe was a thickened version.

Although Bishop Owen didn't come, Xia De knew most of the clergymen sent by the Dawn Church this time. After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Xia De asked Priest Augustus:

"Good morning, Priest, did you come so early?"

"If we came any later, we would be blocked outside."

The old priest lowered his voice and complained to Xia De:

"I haven't understood since I was young why this kind of formalistic welcome ceremony can't be changed to indoors?"

"Ahem."

Father Nikolai on the side coughed twice, signaling Priest Augustus to be quieter.

"There should be a special welcome party, right?"

Xia De asked again, and the priest curled his lips:

"Of course there is, but it will probably take a few days. Today's banquet is a separate reception by the Cavendish royal family.

But don't worry about having nothing to do. In the next few weeks, the number of party invitations you can receive will definitely not be small. The last time Tobesk was so lively was six years ago when the brother of the current king of the Anjou royal family, Prince Andre Anjou, visited. At that time, a large party was held in the city almost every week."

The two discussed past events, and the people around them also talked in twos and threes about news and gossip related to the visiting group.

Although the church didn't know what the Truth Society wanted to get from Princess Margaret, in order to protect the princess, they had already released the news that someone was unfavorable to the princess, making it convenient for Delarion to have a reason to increase security measures. Therefore, the sound of black thunder that could be heard by almost half the city at the farewell banquet in Huntington City was now spread as someone detonating a steam bomb at that time.

Such misleading news spread to Tobesk and became more and more outrageous. Priest Augustus naturally didn't know that Xia De was involved in this matter, and even smiled and told him those strange rumors, such as that more than half of the princess's entourage were actually agents sent by the Gray Gloves to protect her.

Soon, Father Nikolai, who was leading the Dawn Church team, was called away by Wang Hou Diana to ask about the celebration activities for the Year-End Festival this year—Wang Hou Diana was also a believer in Dawn. And after Father Nikolai walked away, Priest Augustus suddenly stopped the topic, looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to them, and then whispered:

"Xia De, I wanted to ask just now. Why do you have a strange smell on you?"

"Strange smell?"

Xia De was stunned and turned his head to look at Little Mia on his shoulder:

"Are you saying Little Mia has a cat smell? Oh, sorry, I'll give it a bath when I go back."

"Meow?"

Those amber eyes stared at Xia De.

"No, no, your cat has no smell."

The priest shook his head. Xia De thought slightly and asked with some embarrassment:

"Are you saying perfume smell? Maybe it was accidentally stained on the carriage when I came."

"No, no, it's not perfume smell, it's a strange smell."

The old priest continued to lower his voice, twitched his nose twice at Xia De, and the old man looked even more confused;

"This is a very familiar smell to me, but I just can't remember what smell it is."

Xia De thought for a while, put both hands on his waist, and learned the movements of Mr. Bernhardt last week, waving his palms up and down to simulate the movement of wings:

"Related to this?"

This referred to angels, and the priest also understood, hesitating for a moment:

"Not sure, and the smell on you is very faint. Xia De, did you go to a very strange place over the weekend?"

"I went to Huntington City in Kassenrick. The things you discussed just now are related to me, but it wasn't a steam bomb, it was that I was struck by lightning... This is not important, I also brought you local snacks, I'll give them to you when I leave."

Xia De said, and the priest nodded, looking a bit confused:

"Huntington City, you ran to another city again? Wish that city peace."

Priest Augustus didn't figure out what the smell on Xia De was until the end, but he could be sure that it wasn't the remains of the Primal Angel he was looking for.

At 10:17 in the morning, when the train head representing the steam locomotive finally appeared in the distance to the north of the platform, the people standing on the edge of the platform cheered immediately, not knowing whether they were welcoming the arrival of the foreign visiting group or rejoicing that they finally didn't have to blow in the wind here.

The Royal Band, which had been waiting on the platform, immediately picked up the musical instruments in their hands. With the high-pitched sound of the trumpet as a prelude, the wind music spreading in all directions was informing everyone that the visiting group led by Margaret Anjou had officially arrived.

Wang Hou Diana was surrounded by princesses and princes, leading royal family members, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the ambassador of the Kassenrick Embassy to move toward the front of the platform, while reporters from large newspapers such as the "Tobesk Morning Post" and the "Delarion Kingdom Newspaper" who were allowed to take photos were excitedly setting up equipment with their assistants. There were even bold guys who dared to jump directly onto the tracks to face the train head, wanting to take a photo of the train head smoking before the train arrived as the front-page photo of tomorrow's newspaper.

Of course, as soon as they jumped down, they were scolded and thrown up by the Royal Army soldiers on guard around the tracks. The crowd nearby burst into laughter, making the atmosphere at the scene even more lively.

There was still heavy fog in the city today, and there was a rain shed above the platform, so the sun was not strong, and one could see the train in the distance without squinting. Xia De and Priest Augustus actually had two rows of people in front of them, but this didn't affect him from seeing Wang Hou Diana talking in a low voice with Miss Galina, and Lei Qianya, wearing a golden dress, was looking at the black train that was driving in.

Probably feeling Xia De's gaze, the princess wearing a crown also turned her head. After her eyes swept over Xia De, she blinked her left eye, and the playful look made Xia De somewhat doubt that it wasn't Lei Qianya but Dorothy.

"It's coming, it's coming!"

At this moment, even Priest Augustus looked very happy. He pressed his hand on Xia De's shoulder, and then borrowed strength to stand on tiptoe to look forward. Because Xia De was tall, he only needed to lift his head hard to see the platform coordinator waving flags to command the train to stop.

"Meow!"

Music, noisy sounds, and train sounds were intertwined. Little Mia looked at the people around her blankly, and then crawled down from Xia De's shoulder somewhat fearfully, and was held by him with one hand and shrunk in front of his chest.

Clang, clang, clang~

The huge black train head emitting steam finally drove into everyone's eyes, and the noise almost completely suppressed the music. And then, as the carriages passed by one by one, the cheers of the crowd reached a climax again.

The train was slowing down. In the sound of metal distortion caused by the steam mechanism braking, white steam mist sprayed out from under the train wheels, which made the crowded platform look a bit hazy for a while. The special train had seven carriages in total, and the exit of the fourth carriage happened to stop right in front of the red carpet.

After the train stopped steadily, Wang Hou Diana moved forward again accompanied by Miss Galina, and in the cheers, the pneumatic carriage door opened slowly.

First, a young attendant wearing red clothes and black pants and a sailor hat jumped out and laid the wooden board between the narrow gap between the train and the platform.

Then, the Royal Guards of Kassenrick walked out and stood on both sides of the train door.

Wang Hou Diana, dressed in luxury, wearing a golden crown, came to the train door in the flashing lights, and Princess Margaret Anjou, wearing a complicated and gorgeous blue dress, wearing a silver crown, with light golden long hair braided and hanging behind her head, finally walked out of the carriage with her right hand raised and supported by her maid.

The crowd seemed to be rushing forward in an instant, but was blocked by the human wall composed of police and Royal Guards who had been prepared. The calling and loud shouting exploded inside the station like a steam bomb at this moment.

Xia De and Priest Augustus were also pushed forward by the crowd for two steps. They could both see Princess Margaret Anjou saluting Wang Hou Diana, and then the two pairs of hands wearing white lace gloves held together, and after chatting intimately for two sentences, Wang Hou Diana introduced the others around her to the princess.

The first one introduced was naturally Miss Galina. The Great Witch showed the elegance and maturity of a Duchess, and Princess Margaret saluted her to express greetings. The status of a duke with real power was higher than that of a princess.

After a short greeting, more people from the Kassenrick visiting group walked out of the carriage, and the accompanying nobles stayed here. An area was cleared in front of the platform, and Princess Margaret was going to give a short speech.

During this period, Xia De didn't pay too much attention to the Wang Hou and the Princess, but looked at the carriage entrance, but didn't see Miss Sylvia walk out. But he could be sure that the Great Witch of the thirteenth seat of the council should be inside other carriages nearby, because the badge on his chest was already burning as if it were about to catch fire. When only Miss Galina was present just now, this badge didn't burn so hot.

"It's really lively."

Priest Augustus said loudly to Xia De, the old man had to raise his voice to let his voice spread to Xia De's ears:

"I hope this time the two countries can reach a new agreement to let peace continue for a longer time. Oh, Xia De, I really hope that the peace between Kassenrick and Delarion can be maintained forever."

As a local, Priest Augustus, like most people in this city, regarded the mutual visits of the two princesses as an important symbol of the peaceful relationship between the two countries. And the Outlander, although he had been in this world for half a year, didn't have the same feelings as them.

He only thought now that since the welcome ceremony in the morning could end, he could go to Huntington to try his luck again in the afternoon.

While soothing the cat that was somewhat unaccustomed to such a noisy environment, he thought about other things in his heart. At this time, Princess Margaret's short speech about "coming with peace" had also ended, and the reporters from Tobesk City and the reporters accompanying the visiting group were setting up cameras to prepare for photos.

Everything was proceeding according to the process. Princess Margaret smiled and waved to the people, and then selected three people from the crowd to ask questions.

"Salute to the great Anjou family! Your Highness, did you bring a new wine trade agreement? People in Tobesk like the red wine produced by the southern vineyards of Kassenrick very much!"

The first one selected was a middle-aged gentleman wearing old-fashioned formal wear standing in the third row. If Xia De remembered correctly, that was Count Orland.

"Yes, Father gave me some tasks, and I hope that Tobesk can also taste those sweet wines next summer."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Count Orland said loudly, and then waved his hand to take out a book and hand it forward:

"Your Highness, this is a gift for you!"

After inspection, the book was handed to the princess, and the princess thanked her softly. The flash kept flashing, recording Princess Margaret holding "Pearl of the North: Eternal Tobesk."

"Your Highness, salute to you, hope you like this city. During your visit, will you visit the Tobesk City Art Gallery?"

Laughter came from the crowd, and the selected old gentleman was Mr. Leonardo, the curator of the local art gallery.

"Yes, I like oil paintings in Delarion style very much."

The princess said again and accepted the beautiful brooch given by the curator of the art gallery as a gift.

The flash kept flashing, and the princess's itinerary had many more, so she could only choose the last person to ask questions. Margaret Anjou's gaze swept toward the crowd, and then finally saw Xia De.

Both were stunned, but it was clear that the princess didn't recognize this "Mr. Holmes," but was surprised by the unique temperament of the young gentleman.

"That is Hamilton of Leged."

Wang Hou Diana reminded softly, so Princess Margaret smiled and signaled Xia De to ask questions, and Lei Qianya on the side also looked at Xia De.

It's just that Xia De didn't want to ask questions at all, and he didn't even wave his hat.

But since he had been selected, everyone in the crowd on the platform looked at him, and even Priest Augustus was curious to know what Xia De would say. Thus, Xia De stabilized his mind and said loudly:

"Your Highness, wish you can enjoy the winter time in Tobesk. Peace and friendship are the bonds of human civilization and the cornerstone of the development of our era. Do you believe that Delarion and Kassenrick will be peaceful and friendly forever?"

Xia De's question was not abrupt, because this was the theme of her speech at the manor banquet when she left Huntington.

"Yes, I firmly believe in this!"

The princess with light golden long hair said, causing the crowd on the platform to applaud and cheer.

Xia De's questioning had ended. He suddenly had a flash of inspiration, reached into his pocket, and took out the shield-shaped jewelry box he had taken out from the gift box this morning:

"Gift for Her Highness Margaret Anjou, hope you come with peace and leave with beauty!"

Amidst people's laughter, Xia De's jewelry box was sent to the princess's hand. She thanked him while opening it, and after seeing the oval flawless emerald inside, like Wang Hou Diana and Miss Galina, she showed a surprised expression.

The volume of the gem was not large, so the value was not particularly high, but the gem itself was indeed excessively beautiful.

The flash flashed one after another, and the ladies restored their normal expressions, smiling at the camera. And Xia De also knew that his first step to approach Princess Margaret Anjou had succeeded, and "Hamilton of Leged" had been remembered by her.

He just really wanted to know if MI6 could reimburse that gem.

"You actually prepared a gift in advance, it's really not bad."

Priest Augustus on the side praised with a smile. Xia De responded while looking somewhat trance-like at the royal nobles standing in the flash of the magnesium light, standing in front of the black steam locomotive, with jewelry flashing on their bodies.

"The era of steam, the era of change..."

The scene in front of him was rare for people in this world, but it wasn't something never seen before. But the Outlander vaguely felt that today's scene could become an illustration in a history book, and he witnessed this scene in history.

"Is this civilization?"

【Yes, this is enlightenment.】

The voice in his ear sounded, and it seemed that warm wind blew gently over Xia De's ears. In this noisy, but exceptionally bright and beautiful scene, Xia De, like seeing the street lamps on Silver Cross Avenue light up one by one at night, felt again in the strong sense of reality that made his scalp tingle that he had new insights into this world and the civilization of this era.

Placed in it, but also watching all this from the perspective of a bystander. A smile couldn't help but appear on the corner of his mouth, cheering and applauding with the people around him.

At this moment, the white pigeons symbolizing peace were released by people, flapping their wings, flying over people's heads in groups, flying past the heirs of the Cavendish and Anjou families, flying past this noisy platform, and flying toward the sky above the city covered in haze.

Whether the white pigeons would bring lasting peace, no one could know, just like the Orthodox God 【Father of Peace and Mercy】, peace and war had never been able to be separated.

7017k ===== CHAPTER 873 =====

At this very moment, white doves symbolizing peace were released by the people, flapping their wings as they flew in flocks over the heads of the crowd, past the heirs of the Cavendish and Anjou families, and over the noisy platform, heading toward the sky above the city, which was shrouded in haze.

Whether these white doves would bring lasting peace, no one could know, just as with the True God, the "Merciful Father of Peace"—peace and war have never been separable.

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