Ch.394The Road to Neriden Gorge (2)

Neriden Gorge might sound like a steep ravine like Maximus Gorge, but contrary to its name, it was a place with mostly gentle hills and a few tall rocky mountains.

Originally, it did look like a true gorge, but over time, continuous mining and excavation gradually flattened the terrain.

And with colorful flowers arranged in rows along the contour lines, it earned the nickname “Flower Gorge” for its beauty resembling geological strata.

In some ways, this aspect could be considered similar to Maximus Gorge.

Normally, cultivating such a diverse array of flowers on a large scale would require tremendous labor.

Not only do different flowers thrive in different soils, but above all, each flower desires different climates and weather conditions.

However, the people of Neriden Gorge did not give up.

Gathering the legacies of the past, they installed climate controllers underground and utilized the labor of tens of millions to apply suitable fertilizers for each flower, gradually filling the gorge with various blooms.

After efforts that could almost be called madness, their achievement was rewarded by being designated as a famous attraction.

“So Neriden Gorge’s specialty is… honey, I see.”

“I heard their honeycomb ice cream is insanely delicious.”

“Well, with more flowers than people, beekeeping would naturally flourish.”

The specialty of Neriden Gorge is, of course, flowers.

But where there are flowers, there are bees, and where there are bees, there is honey.

They say it dominates the beekeeping industry of the Cecilia Continent alone. With flower fields of this scale, they must produce enough honey to preserve any ordinary city in honey jars and still have plenty left over.

Even the beeswax extracted from honeycombs has many uses, so it’s not just about being pretty.

Even excluding honey and beeswax, many of the flowers are edible, and numerous species can be used as medicinal herbs when dried or boiled. One could reasonably assume that they’ve accumulated substantial knowledge of herbology on their own, without necessarily having to venture into medicinal production like Oak Swamp.

“By the way, what dishes use flowers…? I know about pancakes and rice cakes with flowers in them…”

“Hmm… I think I’ve seen a dish where flower petals are used as dumpling wrappers.”

“Is that all?”

“Well… there might be many dishes made from what comes from flowers, but not many that use the flowers themselves as food? Even this seems like quite a lot, doesn’t it?”

“I suppose…”

Listening to Hawk’s words, it did seem to make sense.

Come to think of it, even during Viktor’s desperately poor days in Parcival, he might have dug up tree roots to eat, but he never touched flower petals.

He seemed to recall hearing that high-end restaurants use flowers as garnish or decoration for dishes like steak, and some breweries add them to enhance flavor, but he had never actually seen it himself.

“Well, that’s better for us. It means we can have the most unique experience in the most beautiful place.”

“Oh, is that how it works?”

“Hmm.”

An adventurer must adventure. Even if the outcome isn’t favorable, as long as you don’t die, you can use that experience as a stepping stone to climb higher.

*

“Ohh… So that’s…”

“The scent of flowers is already so strong. Indeed. I suppose it lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful attraction.”

Four days later. The Sky Warden finally arrived at Neriden Gorge.

The intense flower fragrance was already remarkably pleasant, but because various scents were mixed together, it was impossible to pinpoint exactly which flower’s aroma it was.

However, the fact that despite so many scents blending together it produced a fragrance rather than an odor revealed how much effort the people of the gorge were pouring into it.

Only now did it occur to him that one of the most representative cultural products using flower scents is perfume. Even perfume becomes an unpleasant smell if sprayed too much, so for such a pleasant fragrance to emanate from so many flowers truly required dedication worthy of being designated as a famous attraction.

“It’s truly beautiful. Look at the flower petals dancing in the wind.”

The Gorge of Flowers, created for peace and regeneration. And above it, a massive war machine flying low. Could there be a more ironic sight?

A steel warship casting its shadow over plains, hills, and gorges dyed in natural colors. If elves were down there right now, they might shudder with memories of the Age of Eclipse.

Swoosh…

And just then, the wind blows.

That wind carried countless flower petals, and as if telling the steel lady covered in thick armor plating that there was no need to fight here, it tucked its withering petals into the seams between the armor plates before departing somewhere else.

Soon those petals fluttered in the wind before falling out again. Was this sufficient consolation, or does it mean that flower petals cannot soothe the sorrows of a war machine?

Now that the Sky Warden had become a decorated ship that any ordinary nation would proudly call the pride of their fleet, Viktor personally chose to interpret it as the former.

The Sky Warden too would someday become an old, worn-out warship, too outdated to serve any purpose.

If that day comes, Viktor, as the ship’s master, would gently place the Sky Warden in an uninhabited plain and slowly watch as the ship crumbles, returning to the earth from which its materials were born.

Rusting, collapsing, crumbling, becoming a shelter for wild animals, a perch for countless birds, and occasionally receiving respect from people who come to pay homage to its aged body.

A flagship of the Solar Army that once carried the sun deserved such rest.

Rain and wind would cover the gun barrels and turrets with soil and dust, rust and moss would envelop the armor, and eventually, after enough time had passed that no one would recognize that the Sky Warden once flew through the sky or was made by humans, this massive ship’s grave could become a shelter for people.

The mound formed on the plain would soon become a hill where flowers and trees would grow, and people would weave flower crowns and hang ropes from trees to make swings.

Perhaps a village might even be established. Like people living nonchalantly atop ancient ruins, they would build houses of wood, stone, and mortar on top of the Sky Warden filled with soil, sand, rocks, and gravel, being born and dying there.

If machines have souls, the mechanical spirit of the Sky Warden would surely depart for the sun’s side with relief at that sight.

“Do you see them?”

“Yes.”

“They’re kneeling before you. You should be proud. It means something that they welcome a Legion Commander who arrives on a war machine in this place symbolizing peace and regeneration.”

“Legion Commander…”

Viktor suddenly thought of when he left Parcival.

Riding not even a Bruiser but a pack horse, with just a longsword and a middle sword at his waist, setting off for a distant place. Could anyone have predicted he would become a god?

Probably not. But Viktor never once regretted becoming a god. What he accomplished was something no one else could have done.

Everything was his choice. And the consequences of those choices were his to bear.

And he was prepared.

“My lord. The city is in sight.”

“Is that so. What about their air force?”

“Neriden Gorge is an undefended state. No military is stationed here.”

“An undefended state. It’s been a while since I heard that term. But well… such an ideology would suit this place. Prepare for landing.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Now the Cecilia Continent ends here as well.

Faerun, Miriam, Meridia, Yenisei, Hyacinth, Raision, Hurichel, Terius, Karkata, Cecilia…

Even he doesn’t know how long the Solar Army, which has already traversed 10 continents, will stay in this land. They might leave in a day, or perhaps not depart even after a year.

Gradually, the altitude decreases. The flower petals that seemed distant just moments ago were now close enough to almost touch.

“Seeing places like this, I can’t help but become sentimental…”

“We agreed to call that humanity. Get ready.”

Simon grasped his shoulder and glibly responded, and Viktor smiled faintly as he kissed his wife’s forehead.

Swoosh…

“Open the main door!”

“Opening!”

Clank…

The landing gear descends, and the Sky Warden carefully settles on the flower-covered hill. The crushed flowers were quite regrettable, but as long as there are seeds, flowers can sprout once more.

And finally. Through the opened door emerge those who walk with iron steps.

They have arrived.

To the land of those who rose from the empire’s remnants, those who will establish a new empire.