We have tanks now. Tanks. They are only flame tanks and they would have been easily destroyed by any of the modern ones, but still. How is this possible? How are they able to move with those three metal logs? Clearly the treads are better, but I don't think they have discovered rubber yet. I am starting to wonder if Arcadion is also a person like me since he is the one behind all the new designs that have popped up ever since his arrival. Sadly, I can't approach him to ask about this since at best he won't have time for me with Prince appointing him as the second-in-charge of the colony and still continuing to work on his designs and at worst I might end up on the list of suspicious people since these are brand new designs not present anywhere in the world. Sadly at this point I have to admit that cowardice dictates my decisions rather than curiosity.
There is also a strange rumour about the name of the prototype. I heard he was asking around about the name and apparently everyone had given him the same name. The prototype's name is Fortunate Son. I am surprised because I was going to jokingly say that. I don't know about the others, but for me that name had some meaning. You see, back when the OCN military was still in the rearmament process during the Phalanx Protocol, I got to meet the design team that was responsible for the design of our main battle tank. Apparently the main designer was so proud that his design was chosen he named the prototype Fortunate Son. I think that tank ended up in a museum somewhere. Anyway, it's weird everyone was thinking of the same name. At least we will have use for them in the upcoming names.
Not only there is a planned expedition to the Longsong Island, but there are two major developments in the archipelago. One, Emerald Council declared an embargo on all products from the Crimson Star Company and demands that all countries follow suit. While they won't close the embassy here, they are trying to convince the council to do this and some merchants have already left the colony in protest against our cooperation. Two, the Republic of Sathen has established their own colony in western part of the archipelago. For now it looks like we will have cordial relationship with them since their governor was a friend of the royal family, but who knows if this will last.
As I write this my 15th birthday is coming up. Can't believe it has been 5 years since I started writing this. Sadly I don't have to write about myself recently. Ever since Merlin showed nothing too exciting has happened to me personally recently. The only reason why this birthday will be different is because my brother won't be here to celebrate it with us. I feel sad knowing about this, but I can't just force him to lose several months' worth of his studies just to have a family celebration. This is just something you get used to as you get older. I did made my sister feel sad about it even if she knows something about my past.
Speaking of my brother, apparently he had an interesting encounter down there in Dolsmere. Since the army is planning an expedition on the nearby Longsong Island, the supplies are being prepared in Dolsmere while the army is getting ready here. Some units were sent ahead of time and among these were the medics. The reason why Ferlin chose to study there is because a brand new facility was built there that prioritizes alchemical and medical research. The medics will be able to utilize the fruits of their labour so we might see a drop in casualties and people being turned to ghouls.
Anyway the reason why he was mentioning this encounter in the recent letter is because apparently the medic came from Sathen. He lost his family before the revolution in a Frostling raid and, since he didn't know where else to go, he left for Metzaca. A bit of a strange decision since my brother writes that he noticed some anger against the Prince. Anyway, they had a long talk about lots of stuff. Comparing lives in Sathen and Sur Carys, how he had a small hospital in Metzaca before joining the army, his army experience etc. I actually heard rumours about this hospital. Didn't think they were true until now. The main reason why he mentioned this encounter was their talk about medicine.
Apparently this Anegor doesn't believe in traditional medicine. I was a bit confused about this, but my brother later backtracked and wrote unproven traditional medicine. I guess he didn't want to start over a new letter over this and I understand it well. I noticed some mistakes when reading through earlier entries. In one of them I wrote twice „I…" in a row. As much as I wish to fix them, it is a leftover from those sad times, so I shall keep it.
But back to the topic. The reason why he doesn't believe in the traditional medicine is because of our fellow elves in the Emerald Council. They are far more trustworthy in the traditional ones than in modern ones and that causes a lot of unnecessary deaths. My brother tried to argue with this, but in the end he admitted the defeat. While Sathen elves aren't as gullible as our cousins, there are still some leftovers that should be removed or proven. I guess Anegor saw enough cases in his hospital where the modern medicine has proven itself so he doesn't want anyone else dying unnecessarily.
The medic also doesn't like necromancy, but that's a matter of pride for medics. If they can't save the wounded, the only option for them is to be turned into ghouls and even this option isn't possible for those who are beyond any help. I can't blame him for this opinion. I can't imagine how many he has lost while in his care. Anyway in the end they parted their ways in amicable terms. Wonder if they will stay contact. I guess time will only tell.