The northeast winds that prevail all year swept across the Bantaan Archipelago.
A fleet of privateer ships wended its way forward on the azure sea.
Byron held the helm of the Golden Deer with his own hands, feeling an unprecedented sense of exhilaration, as if his blood were connected with the ship.
After breaking through to the Flow State, the Storm Knight's ability to "ride" the wind also surged naturally.
Spiritual perception transmitted along the winds, extending to every corner of the pirate ship.
The ship's sails, masts, rudder... even every plank and rope seemed to become an extension of his limbs.
He could control it as he wished, as if directing his own arm.
"Sailing crosswind, adjust one compass point south, port tack. Boatswain, for the foremast, tighten the port brace of the upper yard by one foot..."
Just a few words brought the sailing ship to its optimal state of navigation, the limit of its performance given the current sea conditions.
All the seasoned sailors aboard could not put that feeling into words. They could sense how the sails effortlessly caught the wind, the bow sliced through the waves without struggle, and everything was exceptionally harmonious.
Beneath their feet was no longer a heap of dead objects made from wood, canvas, iron nails, and tar, but a living being that breathed with them.
On the foundation of the "World's Fastest Three-Master," the sailing speed even increased by a knot.
If there were a Storm Knight's soul serving as the ship's spirit, it would definitely be the best ghost ship in the world. The intelligence I've received states that the York Family did not find the Blue Dragon King on the original battlefield. It might have been dragged into the Dream Realm by the Touch of the Kraken. That ship carries the strongest Storm Knight of the present time, which is me... cough, children's prattle, children's prattle.
Joking aside, Byron truly dreamed of finding that ship again. He wanted his uncle, his father, and every Lancaster to be able to return to their homeland and find peace.
Without maintaining maximum speed, Byron soon had the Golden Deer voluntarily slow down. Otherwise, the other privateer ships in the fleet, even if they exerted all their strength, would not be able to catch up.
Feeling the sea breeze that fluttered past his hair, along with the privateer fleet returning laden with plunder from Traskopan City, Byron was filled with exuberance.
He opened his Sailing Logbook, and the records within were renewed.
Captain: Byron Tudor (Lancaster)
Bloodline: North Bay Folks
Racial Motto: Revenge at all costs! Sequence Motto: Taking by force is better than toiling! Professional Motto: I am the vanguard!
Title: I. The Last Lancaster (Enemy of York, eternally hunted, relentless pursuit until death); II. Mad Hunt (Mad Hunt Legion); III. Sea Hunter (Ability not activated)
Legend: Mad Hunt (25) Sea Hunter (12)
Spirituality: 6.5 (Received log feedback during the "Aztec Blood Sacrifice Mystery" and "Cortes's Ambition")
Profession: Storm Knight
Innate Abilities: Weather Intuition, Cognitive Revision
Professional Abilities: Mastery of Swordsmanship, Mountain Goat Steps, Riding, Child of the Storm (Second Order Core Ability)
Forbidden Knowledge: Ritual - Holy Grail of Blood/Blood Brew, Third Order Blood of Transformation x2, 50% completion of 108 Blood Brew recipes
Special Ability: First Realm of Swordsmanship "Flow State"
Entries: Historical Reviser; Heartfelt Trouble; Outlaw Madman; You are not the murderer; Why did you carve your name on my pipe
Flagship: Pirate Ship Golden Deer, special effect, the World's Fastest Three-Master
Fleet: 15 various sailboats
Miracles: Storm Sigil Ring, Bloody Mary's Gourmet Cookbook, Warrior's Cup, Longsword Frost, one Echo Conch, several Parrot Conchs, storage Snake Skin Bag, Lord of the Dance (men's high heels)...
Sacred Relics: No. 3 Crystal Skull, Golden Toilet (held by Catherine), Shaman Mask (held by Bruh)
Golden Code, The First Overseas Expansion Order of the Great Nautical Age
Contracted Creatures: 27 mutated Man-Eater Sharks
[Secret: The Shadow of the Red and White Rose War, historical impact 31, Decryption Rate 59%]
[Secret: Prophecy, Authority, and the Racial Revival Prophecy of the Mad Hunt Deity Woden, historical impact 69, Decryption Rate 17%]
Whether it was his path of transcendence or the forces under his command, all had made tremendous leaps forward.
Byron nodded in satisfaction.
The goals set this time have been almost all achieved. The maritime overlord, the Kingdom of Castilia, met its end on Yucatan Island and suffered heavy losses under the pursuit of the Bone Gnawing God. The gold they took from the City of Gold must all be sent back eventually, to be received by the Aztec's new emperor, Cortes. Half of their lives must also be offered as compensation to lift the curse of the living dead. He had successfully connected with the Bloodthirsty Cult and begun to learn from the Swarm. The Secret: The Shadow Behind the Red and White Rose War continues to progress, and the Crimson Holy Grail, which I have been yearning for, is also within reach. The mighty Aztec Empire perished, but the new empire under my control was reborn. Flanked by the Taya Empire to the south, it is enough to counter the westward advance of the People of Castilia. During this process, my privateer fleet and the Pioneer Navigation Colonization Company grew rapidly. Moreover, the contingency plan I had prepared earlier is now coming into play.
At this time, after entering stable navigation, Wayne Dote, who was most concerned about the welfare of his people, immediately approached and asked cautiously, "Captain, do you really have a way to cure that plague called smallpox?"
It wasn't that he lacked confidence in his captain; he had already consulted all the ship's doctors in the Hightins expeditionary force. All the doctors said that there was no specific medication to treat this virulent plague. Once infected, the only outcomes were death by disease or natural recovery. He simply could not figure out what treatment method, within the transcendent system of the Ladder of Glory, his captain knew that the doctors did not.
Unless it was his own invention.
Previously, after receiving Byron's promise, Geronimo, a Third Order Eagle Warrior, had already returned to Chichen Itza City in advance to make preparations.
The remaining Chichen Itzans continued with the fleet, and many of them now gathered around.
Byron flicked his captain's hat and showed them a confident smile. "Of course. I haven't contracted smallpox myself; would I joke about such a matter? But my method isn't curing, it's preventing, allowing all of us to develop immunity to the virus. That bizarre 'The Bury-the-Dead Plague Doctor' will weaken and eventually dissipate if it can't kill people for an extended period. However..."
Byron scanned the crew members who had crowded around him and continued mysteriously, "We need to return to the Tayman Archipelago first to see the quality of the... cows that the Earl has purchased."
The crew members looked at each other in bewilderment.
Especially those who had drunk "Blood Brew·Angel's Kiss" and, unlike Byron, did not have a beautiful elder sister by their side, seemed to recall something unpleasant.
For example: "Shocking! The Untold Story of a Strong Young Man and a Cow."
"What Exactly Happened in the Cowshed That Night? Was it a Fall in Morality or a Twist in Human Nature?"
"How Could He Do Such a Thing in Broad Daylight!"
Thinking back to the "motherly love" from the cows, their complexions turned rather pale.
As if oblivious to their constipated expressions, Byron continued, "Yes, cows. The livestock bred on the local islands probably don't have what we're looking for, but the ones that just came with the overseas fleet definitely do. I notified Miss Catherine in advance to purchase them when we began our retreat. I hope to receive good news upon our return to the island."
This was Byron's prepared contingency after identifying the type of plague (Chapter 133).
However, just as the Golden Deer took the lead and rounded Cape Orwolks of Yucatan Island, about to re-enter the east-west sea route from their journey...
With the sound of a cannon blast, a group of pirate ships flying black flags suddenly emerged from a clutter of nearby large and small islands and sandbars.
These were primarily Garen-style pirate ships but carried a distinct West Coast flair.
Hanging high on the pirate flag was a fearsome throne set atop a pile of skulls.
A rough voice with an exotic accent rang out clearly.
"You East Coasters can fight the Aztecs to death if you want, but we West Coast Barbary Pirates don't need to.
"We just need to rob you on your return route.
"Motto: Taking by force is better than toiling!
"When it comes to piracy, you are not up to par, heh heh heh..."