Chapter 500 — Two Visits
Blade of Dawn · Page 2 of 4
From Gao Song's experience, this sense of identity would lay the psychological cornerstone for the people's acceptance of "territorial unity." Carried forward in its natural course, and combined with the Cecil family's ancestral tradition of pioneering, they might even set out on the road of "shelve disputes in adversity, claim since ancient times in prosperity"...
All right, perhaps that was getting a bit ahead of himself.
But even setting aside "claim since ancient times in prosperity," awakening a national and state consciousness was no easy matter; it would take many years. Though the people in the streets and alleys now spoke the words "we Cecilians" in tones of excitement and pride, this was at best a temporary wave born of circumstance. Two or three short years were not enough to build a firm and enduring national conviction. Yet so long as this wave had taken its first step, so long as Gao You committed no grave errors in governing this land, and so long as this land continued to develop as a single whole, it would only be a matter of time before "Cecilians" became a whole.
"In addition, word has come from the Stonehold Fortress in the north—the Holy Spirit Plain sent a messenger to relay a letter from the royal house to Warden Vald Perich," Hetty continued. "It seems they have finally found the leisure to turn their attention to the southern situation. Grand Duke Victoria Wilde of the North wishes to visit in person; it will be a 'private' visit. The letter is still on its way—the news came directly by magic-net communication."
The hand holding his spoon paused ever so slightly, and a faint, peculiar smile surfaced on Gao Yang's face. "A northern duke crossing half the realm to visit another border grand duke in person, and at the very crux of a civil war within the kingdom... 'private' is about all they can call it."
"Will you agree?" Hetty looked into Gao Song's eyes. "Refusing the Northern Duke might provoke the royal house further, making them warier and more resistant toward the Southern Region. But if you agree... the Northern Duke will be entering Stonehold Fortress."
"There's nothing to refuse," Gao Lan answered at once. "We only use Stonehold Fortress to keep the north's troubles out—it's not as though we mean to seal off the Southern Region entirely. That girl of the Wilde family has inherited a measure or two of her ancestor's qualities; I'd be glad to talk with her."
At the phrase "inherited a measure or two of her ancestor's qualities," Hetty could not help glancing at Rebecca, seated on her other side—the girl had her head down, fiercely doing battle with a cut of meat, wielding knife and fork as though facing her father's murderer. At the sight Hetty could only sigh, imperceptibly, and draw her gaze back. "Very well, I'll have Warden Vald reply to that messenger. But there is one more matter... this one may prove rather delicate."
"Hm?"
A trace of difficulty showed on Hetty's face. "The living saint of the Northern Yao Chen Church, the Saintess Princess Veroz Morn... she has also sent a letter, wishing to visit the Southern Region. Her timing would almost coincide with Duke Victoria Wilde's visit..."
Amber, who sat across the table studying how to spread her cream evenly, looked up at once at these words, her face full of astonishment. "Coming to wreck the place? Because we wrecked theirs at Mingyuan City? Knocking on our door this soon?"