Zhendan, the mysterious kingdom in the East of the world, yet even crossing the World's Roof Mountain Range, it remains very distant. Merchants must traverse the Chaos Realm ruled by Chaos Dwarves and several Ogre Tribes, and also cross the Kurgan Giant Steppe, where countless chiefs cause perpetual warfare. The roads of commerce have been blocked for centuries, and only a few lucky ships arrive in Marinburg yearly via sea, with tea from the East priced like gold.
"...Haha, how can I accept this?" Laine smiled, neither agreeing nor refusing.
He had some idea of what Odrich wanted to do.
Soon the files were brought, and the five secretaries of the Ocean Church and Veronica started reviewing the shipping records. In this world, there was no automatic retrieval system, and records could only be checked through manual searching.
"Does the war affect maritime transport?" Laine began inquiring about the subject.
"There's basically no effect because Nord generally enforces a port closure by this time," Odrich nodded, "On the contrary, because of the war, a large amount of armaments and supplies are sent to the front lines, and merchants are making money."
Just as he thought! Laine pinched his chin and began to ponder. Discover more novels at novel★fire.net
In some ways, war stimulates economic development, expands production demands, and increases job opportunities. In the conservative feudal system of the Middle Ages, it is also one of the few means for class mobility.
"By the way, it's said that the Aesthetic Society has frequent large transactions these days?" Laine switched to another question, "Is it possibly some luxury goods again?"
"Yes, their luxury trade has been particularly frequent lately, and the sum is exceptionally large. Sometimes I really wonder where the Aesthetic Society gets so much money," the Archbishop said in his aged voice.
"Found it, Laine, we've discovered five records of ships traveling from Nord to Marinburg. Among them, excluding two rule-breaking cargo ships and one large passenger ship, only two meet your description of a small passenger ship," Veronica said deftly as she found the records with the help of the secretaries.
"It's been more than ten days, and we must act fast. Thank you, Archbishop Odrich. Veronica and I will take our leave now," Laine said, seeing the records had been found, and immediately bid farewell to Odrich.
The Archbishop, seeing their urgency, did not try to retain them. He handed two boxes of tea to Laine, then whispered in Laine's ear: "Mr. Laine, I can see you're in a hurry, but could you come by when things are done? We have a matter to entrust to you."
"I will come by when it's over," Laine nodded, "But I cannot guarantee I'll agree."
"That's fine. We're facing a very troublesome issue." The Ocean Church Archbishop took out a special Gold Coin embossed with a mermaid holding a trident, "Take this, I will see you at any time."
Leaving the Ocean Church, Veronica held the maritime records: "Both passenger ships arrived about ten days ago, a day apart. One ship disembarked three people and returned, while the other disembarked all its passengers into the city, and has yet to return. We can't determine how many passengers there were."
"Then I think the second passenger ship is more suspicious. Which docks were they at?" Laine asked, looking back.
"Dock No.6 and Dock No.8," Veronica replied while checking the records.
"Let's go to Dock No.6 first."
As Laine and Veronica were busy investigating, a war was simultaneously unfolding.
Northern Nord borders, the Chaos Sea coast.
The Imperial Army, led by their Emperor Carl Franz, set heavy ambushes along the coastline. The forests provided excellent cover for the Emperor's forces, while Dwarf and Human Engineers calibrated the cannons to target the shore.
After eating some bread and hot milk, the Emperor exhaled cold breath, "Nord is this cold in November, I really miss the bacon and egg breakfast in the Imperial Palace."
"Hahaha, Your Majesty, though we can't have bacon and eggs, we can offer these damned Barbarians cannons and long spears!" The Rick Guards were high in morale as the Imperial Army conserved their energy, waiting to strike.
"Very good! Soldiers, let's leave these damned Barbarians a lesson they'll never forget!" Carl Franz nodded. With about an hour left until the predicted Barbarian landing by the Star Mage, his soldiers were fully prepared.
Despite heavy losses, the Nord Navy was unable to prevent Barbarian leader Ufric the Wanderer from breaking through their blockade, with several tribes preparing to land.
"My liege, may I offer you some advice?" Great Alchemist Biersaze Gaert asked, leaning on a Magic Staff, emerging from behind the Emperor. After returning from Mijordenhaven, Gaert seemed transformed, becoming more loyal to the Empire, more invested in the Emperor's affairs, and notably advancing his magic skills significantly. The Emperor witnessed his sudden advancement while marching and, for the first time, Gaert privately removed his mask, affirming his humanity.
Gaert explained it as a fortunate encounter with the Ancient Saints, learning more magic. The Emperor genuinely rejoiced at his Great Alchemist's good fortune. "Gaert, what do you want to say?"
"Once the Barbarians land, I will use magic to aid the army's efforts. When I raise the black flag in the forest, I will summon the Golden Hound and Metal Storm to help the Imperial Army break the enemy. When I raise the red flag, my liege, please immediately lead your forces to charge."
"Why? What have you prepared?"
"It is a meticulously crafted spell, Eighth Ring Magic. Within ten minutes, all weaponry, shields, and armor of the Barbarian army will turn to clay. My liege, seize this opportunity."
"Alright! I believe in you!"
In an hour, a large number of Barbarian ships appeared along the coast, beginning to land on the shores, ready to bring blood and death to the Southern Man, and take back wealth and glory to the North.
The largest Barbarian ship barely docked when the Imperial Army warmly "welcomed" its distant visitors. Several cannon blasts shattered the right side of the Barbarian's large ship, causing it to sink. The Barbarian Chief shouted, "Abandon ship! Get ashore quickly! We've been ambushed!"
With cannons roaring and crossbows and muskets firing in volleys, the Imperial Long Spear Legion, Swordsman Legion, and Long Halberd Legion completed their formations. The Imperial Army lay in wait. The Barbarians, just crawling out of the water, suffered heavy losses under a hail of metal fragments raining down on their ranks, with several five to six meter high Golden Hounds dashing wildly through the Barbarian army.
When all the Barbarians landed, the originally over twelve-thousand-strong army had only over eight thousand reaching the shore. They formed shield arrays and charged the Imperial Army, beginning a brutal battle. Yet, the disciplined, well-equipped, and high-morale Imperial Army left no room for the Barbarians, who were driven back, leaving many bodies and pushed to the sea.
Gaert immediately raised the red flag.
Seeing this, the Emperor raised the symbol of the Human Emperor, the Divine Hammer Gael-Malaz: "Soldiers of the Empire! Listen to my words!"
"We have crossed mountains and lands, spent much time to reach this place, yet thinking of facing the Barbarians, the insatiable followers of the Evil God, I would willingly travel any distance!"
"Willingly! Willingly!" The soldiers of the Empire loudly responded to the Emperor's words.
"Now, let's drive these damned Norsca people into the sea to feed the fish! Let us defend the Empire's sacred coast!"
"Protect the nation, protect the coast!"
"For Charlemagne! For the Empire!" The Emperor raised the Divine Hammer and led the Rick Guard personally charging into the Barbarian ranks.
Simultaneously, the Barbarians were horrified to find their shields, weapons, and armor turning into clay, facing the Human Emperor and his Rick Guard barehanded.
"For the Empire!!!" The Imperial Army fervently responded to their beloved Emperor.