The formal initiation of the harbor construction project took place several days after soliciting the Swarm to "resolve" the issue with the Chǐ God.
Subsequently, a few Privateer Ships from the Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company had already crossed the east-west shipping lanes and taken position. They were the first to spot the uninvited guest.
Trained negotiators stepped forward to engage in talks.
Only after clarifying intentions and receiving Byron's permission through the Parrot Conch were they able to guide the Iris warship to dock at the temporary pier of the port, which had been named Rapid Stream Port.
Even though Byron had no immediate plans to formally acknowledge his aunt, Meghane, out of courtesy, he, the Governor, still made it a point to arrive early on the jetty to welcome the distinguished visitor.
However, before he could lay eyes on his aunt, he first caught a glimpse of a short-haired figure through the open stained-glass window of the sterncastle, in a luxuriously decorated cabin. The figure bore a moderate resemblance to Meghane. She was behaving frivolously, grabbing a young maid dressed in a black and white dress. Pressing her head closer, she reveled in the scent of the maid's hair, her voice crisp yet slightly husky as she cooed, "The scent of gardenia represents eternal love and promise. Did you wear it just for me? Little Diana, come to my room tonight. Let me take my time to savor the fragrance of your perfume." Googlᴇ search novelꞁire.net
The maid, her face flushed with embarrassment yet unable to resist, looked as pitiable as a little rabbit, which only made the figure laugh with greater satisfaction. She then wrapped an arm around the petite maid's waist.
Witnessing this deplorable scene of bullying, Byron felt not the slightest inclination to play the hero. Instead, he scrutinized the short-haired figure with great interest, shaking his head regretfully.
TSK TSK, such an impressive talent for wooing the ladies, pity... she's one herself.
The figure teasing the maid, although dressed entirely in masculine attire and sporting chestnut-colored short hair, had not used Transcendent methods to conceal her true appearance; even a blind man could tell at a glance that she was an impostor. Moreover, she was a pretty girl, but with a rather undeveloped figure.
Her skills, no matter how refined, were ultimately like the art of dragon slaying—impressive but useless—since she could only tease and dally.
At that moment, Magnyra, having applied simple makeup and already approaching the warship's cabin door, as a Third Order Transcendent, naturally had keen senses. Hearing her daughter persist in her folly, she couldn't help but coldly scold, disregarding the etiquette and dignity of Great Nobles, "Jacqueline, have you no awareness that we are fleeing a crisis? If you don't come out now, our agreement is completely null and void! You can go wherever you please; I shan't be responsible for you any longer. Just wait to be captured by those who bear a grudge against you and have them split you between their two families!"
"Yes, yes, Mother, I know I was wrong."
The short-haired girl's face showed reluctance, but her body moved obediently.
Before leaving, however, she didn't forget to caress the maid's smooth cheek one last time, intoxicated by the lingering fragrance on her hand.
GIGGLE GIGGLE GIGGLE...
She left behind a trail of silvery laughter in the cabin.
Before long, the mother and daughter, accompanied by their entourage, descended the gangway and stood before Byron.
Compared to her daughter, who seemed to have odd predilections and was perpetually dressed as a man, Magnyra wore a purple, sheer gown of the kind that only a married noblewoman might wear. It was boldly designed, exposing much of her creamy bosom.
Her gemstone brooch sparkled brilliantly.
On her head, she donned a sunhat with a white veil that revealed a pair of shining, light blue eyes, and a tiny teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her left eye. Only a hint of her fiery red lips could be seen beneath the edge of the veil, which displayed myriad charms with a casual smile. Her high-heeled shoes added further allure to the distinguished lady's tall and enticing figure.
In overseas lands, there are various Magic Potions akin to Blood Brew Bloody Mary that help maintain youth and delay the signs of aging. Her appearance was evidently much younger than her actual age.
Byron, with impeccable grace, performed a flawless hand-kiss to her, saying, "Beautiful lady, you shine exceptionally today. Rapid Stream Port is glorified by your presence."
Magnyra was visibly surprised. Pausing momentarily, she then said, lightly covering her red lips in admiration, "Governor, you are truly a gentleman. Had I not known you beforehand, if someone told me you were a nobleman's son who received excellent upbringing from a young age, I would have believed it without hesitation."
Byron stood upright, smiling modestly. "It's all but a task set by the Swarm, involving the forbidden knowledge of the Bloodthirsty Cult. I regret that I cannot say more."
The next ritual, the Blood Feast Holy Grail, demanded they obtain a title and learn the related noble etiquette and demeanor. This might not be something a wild Black Witch could achieve overnight. As the Swarm said, without several years' time, it would be hard to meet the prerequisites required to hold the ritual; indeed, some say it takes three generations to cultivate a true noble. But for Byron, whether it was the aristocratic title or this so-called noble demeanor, it was as simple as eating and drinking. Rather, that unfettered and boisterous pirate chief persona was the true disguise for this descendant of the Royal Family. After all, Lancaster had given up piracy many years ago and had long since washed the mud from his feet. Indeed, while others pursued this so-called noble demeanor, he was one of the few who could see through the essence of "noble etiquette." Whether it was social etiquette among nobles, dining etiquette, or ennoblement ceremonies... they were all initially just the King's tests of his vassals' obedience.