Chapter 463

Chapter 463: Within Nide County

The young girl performing the puppet opera was none other than Loran Hill. Holding the strings in both hands, she manipulated the exquisite puppets before the dark curtain, making them perform various actions under her command, narrating the story through her explanations.

“Finally, the girl revived her former companions, and everyone rejoiced together, celebrating her birthday with laughter. Amidst the joyous sounds, she shed tears of happiness.”

As the performance ended, the children and adults watching by the side applauded, their faces filled with satisfaction.

“Thank you all for watching. If you’re interested, you can also check out the candies we’re selling,” the girl said, lifting the corner of her dress and bowing slightly before retreating from the stage.

It wasn’t until she reached an empty tent that this girl transformed back into Lacy’s appearance.

Despite it being a spur-of-the-moment performance, she had prepared adequately, and the results were quite satisfactory. Compared to performing directly in front of everyone, this method of operating through puppets seemed to suit her better.

There are some things in life worth trying; they can be quite interesting.

Loran Hill no longer thought about her earlier nervousness, putting away the props and holding the puppet close again.

“Thanks for your cooperation, Yixue~”

“It’s nothing,” the puppet replied, which would shock any outsider. Fortunately, there was only Loran Hill in the tent.

The two caravans rested in Cold Spring Village for two days, selling a small portion of their goods before parting ways. Loran Hill and her group would head further north to Nide County, a region rich in mines and also the origin of the uprising in Clancia.

—

Emanas, Bridge Pier Academy.

On the field, second-year students lined up neatly, brandishing their long spears, practicing military spear techniques.

Spring had just begun, and these new freshmen at Bridge Pier Academy had to learn military tactics such as spear fighting, horseback riding, formation drills, military discipline, and strategy.

As a military school among the four academies, these were essential foundational courses.

Behind the field, on the watchtower of the fortress, a young student was anxiously moving through the corridor. She had short black hair and jade-green eyes, and her school uniform indicated she was also a second-year student.

After showing her student badge to the guards at the watchtower checkpoint, she entered an internal corridor of the fortress and stopped outside an office. After tidying her hair and clothes, she took a deep breath to calm herself before raising her hand and knocking on the thick wooden door.

Knock knock—

“Come in.”

“Good day, Teacher Hood. My name is Jena. I transferred to Bridge Pier Academy this year,” the girl introduced herself straightforwardly.

“Hello, is there something you need?” asked the woman at the desk, who wore glasses and exuded an intellectual charm.

“I want to take leave to go home. My hometown is in the Black Rock Duchy, and many disturbances have occurred recently. I’m very worried about my family,” she said, her voice tinged with anxiety and unease.

“I understand. I can give you a long-term leave of absence, but as a teacher, I must advise you. Going home now isn’t a good choice; you may encounter many dangers, and you’ve just changed your Sequence. It might be difficult for you to protect yourself right now.”

“I understand, thank you for your reminder, but staying at school doesn’t make me feel secure,” Jena bowed deeply.

“Since you’ve made your decision, I won’t stop you. Take this document carefully. As a student of Emanas, some forces will still show restraint and not trouble you too much.”

“Thank you, Teacher,” Jena thanked again.

“Then that’s settled. Go to the central school building and find a docile griffin. Although they aren’t particularly docile, having one will allow you to return home faster.”

“Yes, Teacher Hood.”

After receiving all the documents for her leave, Jena turned and left the office.

Watching the student disappear down the corridor, the teacher pushed up her glasses and circled her name in the register beside her.

“I hope she returns safely.”

—

A few days later, Loran Hill’s caravan entered a wide road, where more carriages and travelers could be seen.

“Miss, this is Nide County,” Mira opened the carriage window, looking at the scenery outside, then turned back to speak to Loran Hill.

“We’ve finally arrived,” Loran Hill looked out the window.

Surrounded by mountains, the terrain rose and fell. As the carriage turned over a hill, a purple-red mountain came into view.

A large hill had been excavated, revealing its rocky interior, with stones of dark red and purple hues.

This place should have been an iron mine in the past, abandoned for a long time. However, due to the abundance of minerals, the sparse vegetation around the mountain kept it desolate.

Nide County was rich in mines. During the era of the West Wind Kingdom, it produced a significant amount of domestic iron and copper, making it a resource-rich region of Fallen Rock Province.

However, there weren’t many metallurgical factories in Nide County. Most of the ore was transported to Red Gravel City, where coal from other regions was used for smelting, and water wheels helped save labor.

By evening, the caravan finally stopped in a city within Nide County. Though not the county seat, its proximity to the south made it relatively prosperous.

Miners carrying picks walked through the streets, covered in soot, discussing their day’s earnings. Occasionally, one could see alchemists in cloaks and robes, and heavy golems stood near shops along the road.

While dining at a restaurant, Loran Hill asked a local guide to gather information about the county.

“Hello, my name is Lacya, heir to the Lagatis Mercantile. I’ve just brought my caravan here and have some questions.”

“Miss, please ask anything you’d like.”

The guide wore rough clothing, and his muscular arms suggested he was a local blacksmith.

“I saw some alchemists on the street. Where do they come from?”

“Well, actually, they are native mages, though their lineage traces back to the Rurna faction. This goes back to long ago, before the Battle of Broken Bows, when Snow Flower Seven Nations signed an alliance. Some mages from Rurna came to support projects in West Wind.”

“To gain more metals and minerals, many mages came to Nide County, providing technical support, designing structures, and assisting with mining. They even brought basic golem-making techniques to assist with excavation.”

“Unfortunately, this support gradually ceased after the Battle of Broken Bows. Relations between the two sides cooled, although no major conflicts arose. Most mages from Rurna withdrew.”

“The alchemists you see today are descendants of apprentices who once studied here. While their skills and power don’t match those from Rurna, they are more approachable. Many of the current mine structures are maintained or designed by them.”

“So that’s how it is.” Loran Hill nodded and asked more about the county.

Most industries in Nide County were related to mining, with little agriculture. The county relied heavily on imports from other provinces. This was why West Wind previously controlled this remote yet crucial county through grain.

Fortunately, with the establishment of Clancia, there was now an abundance of food and daily necessities, eliminating the previous struggle for survival.

“What are the current major events? Let me think… Recently, several giant worms have appeared, destroying many tunnels. The authorities are seeking people to hunt them. Additionally, in the east near the Sighing Mountains, a Sequence 5 demonic beast was sighted, but it has since been dealt with.”

“Oh, how was it resolved?”

“A sturdy young man, who came from the foreign land two years ago, managed to kill many demonic beasts with his bare hands. He’s quite formidable,” the guide described a man with a slightly reddish complexion and a solid build.

(End of Chapter)