Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 1098: Chapter 1097: Founding

In fact, Gawain could well understand the current predicament of Talronde—not referring to the post-disaster wasteland predicament, but the predicament of the Dragonkin as a race.

A race nurtured by Omega for 1.87 million years, surviving in a cradle for the same duration, despite maintaining the most basic observation of the outside world and having a tradition of sending "agents" like Melita to other continents, these limited, high-level contacts had little effect on a society needing normal development. They had already moved away from the normal social order, with neither progress nor regression, pressure nor motivation—like animals raised in a greenhouse, they still had sharp teeth and claws but had regressed to the point of not knowing how to use them.

After the cradle collapses, the infants must learn to crawl—and this has little to do with the inherent strength of the dragons themselves.

But Talronde still has its hope: ancient dragons like Andar survived, with their past survival experience, and a "new generation" like Melita, having contact with the outside world, also survived, possessing the ability to change the tribe. As long as these two groups maintain a certain level of influence among the dragons, the renaissance of Talronde is promising.

For Gawain, who urgently needs to enhance this world’s overall "disaster resistance," he is pleased to see Talronde’s revival, and the sooner, the better—to put it bluntly, he needs a powerful race like the Dragonkin to help "shoulder the disasters."

Gawain shook his head, temporarily casting aside these thoughts that were unrelated to the current situation. He looked up at Melita, suddenly showing a slightly awkward expression: "Actually, when I first talked to you about this, I was a bit hesitant—I was worried that discussing these topics might upset you, or even make you think this is some kind of... offense."

Melita seemed puzzled: "Why would you say that?"

"What happened in Talronde was a disaster—you lost so much; that wasteland is a huge scar for the Dragonkin," Gawain sighed. "Turning scars into ’landscapes’ for tourists, and even packaging your cultural traditions to sell outside—I don’t know if this is something the Dragonkin can accept..."

Melita fell silent for a moment and then suddenly chuckled softly after several seconds of silence: "Would it be worse than selling our compatriots’ flesh and bones?"

Gawain: "...?"

"We considered scenarios worse than this," Melita smiled. "Friend, the problem Talronde faces now is ’survival,’ not dignity or individual emotion. Ensuring more compatriots survive and rebuilding our homeland in the shortest time is the highest honor for us. Besides...I don’t see any reason to lament over turning that wasteland into a ’landscape,’ because we never regarded post-war Talronde as a ’scar’—it is our pride."

At this point, the blue dragon lady suddenly blinked, half-jokingly saying: "And there’s one very important point—it’s a good business that’s faster than robbing money, so why not do it? Dragons are quite greedy, after all."

"If that’s how you see it, then I’m much more relieved," Gawain exhaled lightly, showing a smile. "I look forward to seeing the day when Talronde shines once more. Ah, by the way, there’s one more thing I’d like to remind you, though I’m sure you will notice when the time comes—keep a close eye on that tower, especially as more outsiders enter Talronde. The nature of that tower is too dangerous; the risk of leaks increases as more intelligent beings get close, and the wisdom races of Loren aren’t short on overly keen instincts for exploration and rashness. This point must be guarded against."

"Rest assured, this is now our top priority besides survival—we will first ensure the monitoring and lockdown of the Inversion Tide Tower, and then consider Talronde’s opening up. Moreover, the areas that can be opened in the future will be concentrated in the southeastern part of the continent; ordinary people probably won’t be able to get close to the tower located in the northwest of Talronde," Melita nodded immediately, her brow slightly furrowed, and her expression turning serious. "However, relying solely on monitoring and lockdown is ultimately not a long-term solution. In the end, we still have to consider how to completely resolve the hidden danger of that tower..."

Completely resolving the hidden dangers within that polluted high tower, huh...

Gawain showed a thoughtful expression. At this moment, he recalled his previous conversation with Dragon God Enya, thought of some plans that had come to mind at that time, but after a moment of contemplation, he lightly shook his head again.

"We will solve it, but it’s too early to think about these things now...let’s maintain surveillance first. Talronde and Loren both need some time to solve their own problems."

"I understand," Melita nodded, then looked at the sky outside the window and stood up. "Then I shall take my leave—I need to promptly write down the things you just mentioned into a report and send it back to Talronde. I think Speaker Andar and Leader Heragor will be very interested in these incredible plans."

Melita left—Gawain watched the figure of this blue dragon lady disappear at the door, only withdrawing his gaze after the door to the lounge gently closed. He then looked at Amber, who had rarely remained quiet for such a long time next to him.

"It’s not easy...the once thriving Dragonkin have been forced into such a situation." He shook his head, softly sighing.

"Indeed, I still remember the grandeur of their cities and temples..." Amber pouted, with a hint of emotion. Then she suddenly asked, "But speaking of which, the ideas you just proposed were... even someone as experienced and quick-witted in making money as I am was a bit taken aback. I thought I had understood your business acumen, but I didn’t expect you to still have so many hidden tricks."

"Your little business instincts..." Gawain was momentarily at a loss for words, "Oh well, it’s rare for you to view my ideas with such high praise as ’wisdom.’

"I always take your ideas very seriously!" Amber immediately said, "But... I really didn’t expect you would work so devotedly to help Talronde. The plans you proposed might indeed aid the Dragonkin’s economic recovery to some extent, but aren’t you worried this might lead to too much wealth from the Loren Continent flowing northward? They’re earning Loren’s money, after all."

"There’s nothing to worry about," Gawain dismissed nonchalantly, waving his hand. In matters related to economic activities, the half-elf indeed lacked some depth in thinking, "Let them earn; the circulation of wealth is what gives it value. Moreover, when you think about it—they earning a bit more is beneficial too, since the alliance’s food aid is temporary after all. The Dragonkin shouldn’t want to rely on food ’handouts’ for too long. Once a round of aid ends, we’ll start exporting food to Talronde, and by the way, export various engineering machinery. If the Dragonkin are unfamiliar with our engineering machinery, then we can directly send engineering contractors over... According to Cassandra’s report, those Dragonkin cared for by Omega aren’t very adept at building houses with their own hands."

At this point, he couldn’t help but stroke his chin, quickly pondering in his mind: "Thus, their tourism industry might not be enough... we need to find ways to help them expand into other industries, or see what else they’re willing to sell..."

Beside him, Amber listened with wide-eyed amazement: "..."

Gawain noticed her expression and couldn’t help asking: "Why the sudden look?"

"...Sometimes I really don’t know if you’re a great hero or a dreadful schemer," Amber sighed, she was always forthright in front of Gawain, "You push this world forward with all your might, yet you seem to have calculated everyone, even those you are striving to help... Isn’t this contradictory?"

Gawain did not expect that she would suddenly think of these things. He appeared somewhat surprised, but soon chuckled and shook his head: "This is not contradictory—because everything in this world is inherently complex and chaotic, impossible to easily define. We do not live in a black-and-white world, so there are no absolute heroes or absolute correctness in this world."

As he spoke, he suddenly let out a soft sigh, with a look that even Amber could not quite understand.

"I am actually the same as everyone else—we are all forced to live in this world and do things that we have to do, many of which are not decent or glorious. As Matilda said, I probably can’t become a ’saint,’ but if I could, I would indeed hope for this world to become a little better... at least so that future generations do not have to face many choices like we do today."

"Choices..." Amber looked at Gawain with a half-understanding, then sighed as if muttering to herself, "Sigh, I never thought I’d live such a tiring life."

...

Under the night sky on the edge of the wasteland, the changes in this world were slowly brewing. In many rooms of the diplomatic buildings, lights remained on until late.

Many brilliant minds worked late into the night on this day, many decisions and plans that might affect future generations gradually took shape tonight. The people who might be the most intelligent and powerful in this world gathered in such a small frontier town, thinking, discussing, observing, and responding throughout the night... In the end, everything was engulfed by the silent night and the vast starry sky.

And when the giant sun rose again the next day, with its brilliant corona covering the earth, the representatives of various countries came to the Oath Stone Circle once more—everyone looked spirited and full of fighting spirit.

Beneath the green banner with silver patterns symbolizing the Elven Empire, Silver Empress Belsetia stood beside the ancient stone table. Her gaze slowly swept across the room, then she spoke in a tone that combined gentleness and majesty: "I hope last night’s rest has truly rejuvenated everyone, because today we still have to face a battle of intellect and energy—as will be the case for many days to follow."

"We will continue with yesterday’s unfinished agenda," she continued after a short pause, "After a night’s consideration, surely you representatives have fully understood the significance and long-term impact of the ’Alliance,’ and have conducted thorough discussions within your teams. Next, today’s first agenda item: a full-member vote to decide on the establishment of the ’Mortal Civilization Community Alliance.’ This vote will be conducted openly. You may cast your vote by touching the magic symbol on the stone table. Please note the marks for approval, opposition, and abstention."

Under the flag of Talronde, Melita took a deep breath. She saw that the magic symbol light had lit up on the stone table in front of her, with three conspicuous marks emerging from the ancient stone surface, each labeled in the common human language, the Dragon language, and the Elven language with their meanings.

She felt her heart pounding—that heart belonging to her flesh and blood, which had been with her since she hatched from the shell, was now beating particularly strongly.

Without any hesitation, Melita placed her hand on the magic symbol representing approval.

In the next second, she heard a faint humming sound coming from above behind her. Looking towards the sound, she saw fine streams of light suddenly appearing on the surface of the towering stone pillar behind her. Immediately afterward, the massive flag draping from the top of the stone pillar began to radiate a striking glow, with its originally dark fabric revealing a texture akin to light-forged material.

Soon after, similar magic power waves emanated from various parts of the venue—the blue dragon lady instinctively lifted her head and saw that the flags at the Oath Stone Circle were lighting up one by one with the symbols of the Mortal Nations illuminated by the infusion of magic power.

All recording devices in the venue began operating, capturing this scene in Memory Crystal.

Finally, the flags of the three major empires were also illuminated.

Above the entire Oath Stone Circle, all the flags were soaked in a layer of solemn light.

Gawain slowly removed his hand from the voting magic symbol, a slight smile on his lips—as this voting process was jointly discussed and personally designed by him, Emperor Rosetta, and Belsetia. After all, for a meeting of such significant importance, every step needed a certain sense of ceremony. This was not meaningless "show," but in a sense, this "ceremonial" aspect was actually part of strengthening the cohesion and recognition of the new organization.

"Unanimously passed..." Amber murmured softly behind Gawain.

Gawain looked at the Silver Empress beside him, who simultaneously cast her gaze upon him. After a brief exchange of glances, he stood up and declared in a solemn and steady voice: "Then, I now announce that the ’Mortal Civilization Community Alliance’ is officially established today—Mortal Nations are bound together in fate, and from this day forward, we shall advance and retreat together. May we stand united and collectively face all of our tomorrows.

"At the same time, the ’Charter of the Alliance of Common Civilizations’ takes effect immediately from this moment. The legality of each member country’s seats and governance is effective from this moment. The responsibilities, rights, and laws stipulated in the Charter take effect immediately.

"Under the terms of the Charter, the Cecil Empire, Typhon Empire, and Silver Empire, as the joint founding countries and initial initiators and organizers, become the permanent member states of the Alliance from today, with their corresponding rights and obligations taking effect immediately...

"Under the terms of the Charter, each country...

"Now we enter the oath swearing segment..."

The solemn voice reverberated within the Oath Stone Circle. After the solemn reading and the joint oaths taken by the three national leaders, all representatives inside the stone circle stood up simultaneously to repeat the oath and applauded in celebration.

Today is the 3rd year of Cecil, also the 2490th year of Gondor—in the Revival Month, on the 26th day, Gawain’s most daring of all grand plans was finally realized.

The world is still not a solid unified whole, but it has finally ended its era of fragmentation; at least nominally, all mortals have finally stood on the same front.