Shan Ling Pass, rather than being a checkpoint, is more like a small city located at the boundary between the Royal Capital and the Northern Border.
The real checkpoint and fortress are not located here, but if a war were to break out between the Royal Capital and the Northern Border, this place would undoubtedly be instantly engulfed in flames of conflict, as Shan Ling Pass can be considered built right at the doorstep of both sides, serving as the only buffer zone.
In theory, Shan Ling Pass is indeed a formal checkpoint, because there was an agreement between the Royal Capital and the Northern Border at the beginning, whereby Shan Ling Pass is jointly governed, with each side controlling half.
However, in reality, neither the Royal Capital nor the Northern Border has established the true checkpoint here. Instead, both sides have taken a step back. In a sense, this location also symbolizes the friendly relationship between the Royal Capital and the Northern Border.
The Northern Border Governor originally wanted to set the negotiation venue at Winter Fortress, but faced strong opposition from Nora, as Winter Fortress is a military base where entering is one thing, but exiting is another; even getting close would be dangerous.
The queen’s convoy has entered Shan Ling Pass, but there aren’t many people to welcome her. More are there to watch the spectacle. Originally, Lilith thought Shan Ling Pass’s location would be awkward, since neither the Royal Capital nor the Northern Border has invested much effort here, suggesting that it might be relatively decayed.
Lilith was half right, in a physical sense; the area governed by the Royal Capital is indeed rather desolate and indistinguishable from the Outer Districts of most territories and cities around the Royal Capital.
However, the side governed by the Northern Border presents a completely different scene. For one, it is bustling with merchants, and most of those who came to watch the excitement are from the Northern Border.
The most significant difference is that the side ruled by the Northern Border has constructed roads, specifically cement roads, familiar to Lilith.
The formula for cement has long ceased to be a secret, but despite Lilith’s efforts to promote it, road construction across various regions is still progressing very slowly, as the nobles below are treating road construction as a business, continuously reaping benefits from Lilith.
After all, if you don’t take it, I won’t take it; how will the overlords above get their share?
Lilith was originally quite indignant and prepared to deal with the situation, but she discovered that such corrupt practices are actually rare talents among the nobles, and taking a little bit has even become an unspoken rule. What used to be very cheap cement roads now cost exponentially more by the time they reach Lilith.
While the Northern Border roads extend to Shan Ling Pass, the Royal Capital is just beginning.
Nora, observing the current state of Shan Ling Pass, is filled with emotion, as people have unknowingly migrated north; there are very few left in this part of Shan Ling Pass governed by the Royal Capital.
In fact, the specific location for negotiating and discussing has not yet been finalized, but Nora knows that given the circumstances, it is impossible to hold negotiations within the territory of the Royal Capital.
Not far away, many Northern Wind Bear flags have already been erected in the northern part of Shan Ling Pass, with gold-edged blue backgrounds and intricate designs, creating an impressive sight.
In contrast, the double-headed lion flags within the queen’s convoy are sparse, resembling a group of well-behaved kittens.
Nora sighed deeply, steering the convoy toward the northern part of Shan Ling Pass. When they stepped onto the cement road, the whole convoy’s pace quickened significantly. Even though no one came to receive them, flags were planted along the way, and the convoy simply needed to follow the path outlined by the flags.
This made Nora’s heart sink; they hadn’t even met yet and had already stepped into the other’s rhythm. The Northern Border Governor truly was no ordinary character.
Lilith, on her horse-drawn carriage, was flipping through information from the Royal Capital. Although she was about to meet the Northern Border Governor, her greatest concern lay with the Royal Capital. She hoped that those Augustines would fall into her traps, but she also worried about the situation spiraling out of control.
Fortunately, it seemed the Royal Capital was very stable, with nothing amiss.
Lilith let out a long breath but felt a tinge of disappointment.
Once Lilith finished reviewing the information and opened the carriage window to observe her surroundings, for a moment she thought she had returned to some small mountain town from her previous life. If it weren’t for Judith loyally guarding her queen’s side, Lilith would have truly thought she had crossed over again.
It must be said that the execution power of the new regime is much stronger than that of the old regime undergoing reform. While Lilith was still arguing with the nobles, the development in the Northern Border had already begun to influence the border areas.
As the convoy proceeded deeper, more and more soldiers formed ranks around them. These soldiers wore dazzling bright armor, with flowing and elegant lines, and were inlaid with intricate patterns. From a distance, they resembled statues cast from silver.
Nora, of course, recognized these soldiers as the honor guard, fully aligned with the standards and requirements of noble etiquette; their weapons were merely ceremonial swords and axes without actual combat power.
The nobles and knights beside Nora knew this as well, but for some reason, upon seeing the honor guard, both Nora and the surrounding noble knights felt an eerie chill, and in their daze, they could even smell the lingering scent of blood from the honor guard.
Judith, upon sighting the honor guard, instantly understood that these were likely soldiers just returning from the battlefield.
The elite knights accompanying Lilith, however, felt completely overshadowed by the momentum of the honor guard. As the carriage moved forward, the honor guard drew their blades and lowered their ceremonial axes, moving with precise and coordinated actions, causing many of Lilith’s knights to feel their hearts skip a beat.
Even Nora’s heart rose to her throat, fearing that a signal might come from the other side leading to the queen being captured. However, she quickly realized that this was merely a reminder from the other side that they had arrived.
Indeed, not far away, a young man dressed in black military uniform was holding Lena’s hand, leading the guard to the front of the convoy.
Although Nora did not recognize Lind, she was familiar with the famous Lena from the Royal Capital, so she quickly dismounted.
This young Northern Border Governor had a serious expression; while his demeanor wasn’t exactly respectful, his attitude was at least appropriately on point. Seeing this, Nora felt relieved. Although she had been very worried the entire way, at this moment, she realized that the governor did not seem likely to act recklessly.
The queen’s attendant gently pulled open the carriage door and even lowered a small set of stairs to help the petite queen descend from the carriage gracefully.
Lilith wore a magnificent brocade robe, with a purple velvet cloak billowing in the chilly early spring wind. The queen’s crown sparkled with golden glimmers under the clear blue sky, and her scepter radiated utmost nobility.
Though Lilith was not tall, the overall impression was still overwhelming, especially with Judith and the fully armed knights by her side.
In such scenarios, every position is carefully designed to create psychological pressure prior to the conversation.
However, it was quite clear that the pressure coming from the Northern Border was more than sufficient. The sight of those honor guards was far more reliable than the knights beside Lilith. Only Judith was still barely holding up Lilith’s dignity.
Lilith looked at Lena beside the governor and couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. It was evident Lena held a certain reverence for her queen, after all, she was once Lilith’s top enemy belonging to a very traditional noble lineage.
However, the Northern Border Governor was willing to cooperate with Lena, slowing down, abandoning the so-called oppressive atmosphere, and walking toward Lilith with Lena.
Unexpectedly, the villainous daughter ended up living the life she wanted. Lilith couldn’t help but sigh deeply in her heart.
But when this Northern Border Governor reached Lilith’s side, she found herself momentarily distracted, peering closely at his features.
Why does this guy look somewhat familiar?
Lind was likewise curious, looking at the queen before him. She was even smaller than he had imagined… and somehow reminiscent of a younger sister.
Lilith quickly dismissed this unreliable thought, attributing it to her fatigue on the journey, causing her to see things distortedly. Looking closely again, this governor, with a hint of fierceness and an imposing air, clearly made decisions swiftly; how could he possibly resemble the brother from her previous life who complained daily, stayed up late playing games, and was annoyingly nagging?
Lind instinctively shook his head, thinking he might be missing his younger sister a bit. This queen, while smaller in stature, exuded authority and grandeur—how could she be that messy younger sister who wore tank tops, had poor posture, and looked unkempt? At least this queen seemed far from being someone who couldn’t find a suitable partner.
