Staying at sea for five days was indeed long and boring. Returning to his room in the evening, Ryan noticed Theresa reading a book. He sat down beside her. "What are you reading?"
"About some relics left by the Wizard Empire." Seeing Ryan, Theresa intentionally leaned into his embrace. Ryan neither rejected nor accepted her, letting her feel pleased. She fully leaned against him. "Interested in learning about it? There's a reward!"
"What reward?" Ryan asked curiously.
"...Go clean yourself up, and then I'll tell you." Theresa motioned for him to go wash up in the separate room.
Freshwater and hot water were precious resources on the ocean, but for Ryan and Theresa, obtaining fresh water wasn't difficult. After cleaning himself, Ryan found Theresa sitting on his bed with the cabin window open. Her eyes sparkled as she saw him come out. She motioned for him to sit beside her. "Come, sit."
Her purple high heels were placed under the bed. Ryan sat down. "The reward?"
"Don't rush..." Theresa nestled into his lap. "Do you like this? This is the reward."
"I suppose I can't say I don't like it." Ryan gently hugged her, the two watching the rolling waves in the night together.
After a while, Theresa spoke softly, "Exploring the relics is important to me. It's related to my father."
"Your father?"
"Yes, my father." The lavender scent wafted over as Theresa sighed. "My father... disappeared in the relics."
"I'm sorry." Ryan expressed his condolences.
"It's not your fault... Even though many years have passed, my mother and I still hope he's alive. We believe someone as strong as him wouldn't die so easily." The sorceress snuggled closer to Ryan, seeking warmth. "So, the exploration of Boris must continue."
Boris, located in the Tazir Desert, was once the capital of the Human Wizard Empire. Now, its former glory lay buried in ruins. Whether it's the Garland Council, the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy, or another major caster organization on the continent—the Wizarding Union—they all sought to uncover its remaining secrets and treasures. However, the ruins were extremely dangerous, filled with terrifying evil creations and alchemical corruption, along with severe magical imbalances. In that magical place, a gust of Chaos wind could instantly annihilate an army or fully restore a weary traveler.
"How long has your father been missing in the ruins?" Ryan asked after a pause.
"Twenty years." Theresa sighed deeply. It was indeed a long time.
"Then I must say, unless your father has amnesia or ran away without returning, if he's still alive, he's no longer your father... He's become something else." Ryan spoke without hesitation.
Normally, he would comfort her with words like "Your father must be fine" or "You'll surely meet again," but he didn't think it was necessary. The sorceress wasn't foolish.
"I know, but we must see him, alive or dead. Even if he's changed, my mother and I will end his suffering ourselves."
"Good to hear."
"Alright, let's rest, Ryan. I'll stay here tonight, but you can't do anything else." Theresa took out a pillow.
"You're making it more troublesome, Theresa."
"Well... okay, you can touch what you like... but nothing else..." Her voice grew quieter until it was barely audible.
"That sounds better..."
Then there was the sound of the quilt covering them and the quiet breathing hidden by the waves.
The next morning, Ryan stood on the deck, enjoying the sea breeze. Many familiar faces were around, including the half-elf ranger Esterel, Alfred, and Lopus, all people he knew.
The half-elf clearly wasn't used to being on a ship. Seeing his poor complexion, Ryan started a conversation. "Esterel, you stopped being Mr. Matz's bodyguard?"
"That was just a deal, my friend. The forest teaches us not to stay in one place for too long. Nord is too cold. If Mr. Matz hadn't offered a high price, I wouldn't have taken that dangerous journey with you." The half-elf used his hood to cover himself. It was winter, and the weather was very cold.
Due to the continuous power of the sea god Manannan, the ocean wouldn't freeze before December. It was early November, and sea transport was still operational. After December, the coastlines would freeze, thawing only in February the following year.
"It was indeed a dangerous journey. We almost died in several battles. Afterward, I encountered a four-armed minotaur alone. The journey ended with a terrifying encounter." Ryan spread his hands. The series of battles had tested him greatly but also brought significant rewards.
Anyway, the Nord journey was over. The next destination was Marienburg. Ryan had four divine coins on him and was considering finding a place to stay and a cover for his real purpose in Marienburg.
Esterel looked at Ryan and softly said, "I admit you're a brave warrior, Ryan. Your combat power and willpower are admirable. The forest gives us sharp vision and excellent archery instincts but takes away our strength and powerful magic."
Ryan sat beside Esterel. "There are always trade-offs."
"Mr. Ryan, you're going to Marienburg, right?" Lopus, bored, joined the conversation. Unlike Alfred, who could spend a day with a holy book, the young wandering knight loved excitement and activities. Hearing about a passenger ship to Marienburg, he insisted on coming along.
"Why else would I be on this ship?" Ryan thought this young man's conversation skills were terrible and retorted mercilessly.
"Hehe, I just wanted to know if you needed a squire." Lopus scratched his head, smiling awkwardly.
"Not for now. By the way, Esterel, do you know who the current Elf King is?" Ryan asked Esterel.
"Which one do you mean? The Forest King? The Phoenix King? Or the despised Witch King?" Esterel was puzzled.
"Hey, the Forest King and the Witch King haven't changed since the Empire's founding. I'm obviously asking about the Phoenix King." The Wood Elf and Dark Elf kings were unchanging, only the Phoenix King changed.
"If you mean the Phoenix King... our forest had little to do with Asur, but we all know the current Phoenix King, Finubar. He visited our forest two or three hundred years ago. King Orion warmly welcomed him, but our king refused the return request. Later, this Phoenix Lord named Finubar became the next Phoenix King."
"The 'Sea King' Finubar?" Theresa appeared beside Ryan, naturally holding his arm. "He's well-known. During the Great Holy War 150 years ago, it was this Phoenix King who contacted Emperor Ludwig. He sent the High Elf Archmage Teclis with a team of high elf wizards and Hoeth Swordmasters to assist the Empire. They played a crucial role in the Battle of Fasha, with Teclis's summoned meteor destroying several regiments of Chaos demons."
"After the war, the Empire and the High Elves signed a trade agreement. Teclis officially stayed in the Empire's capital, spending over twenty years establishing the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy before returning to Ulthuan." The sorceress recounted this history.
The High Elves, whether in soldier quality, naval prowess, or caster foundation, were the best on the continent. But low birth rates and long training times limited their military capabilities, especially after thousands of years of war with the Dark Elves. The High Elves' military strength and population had severely declined.
Their army was still the strongest globally, but no longer invincible. Their navy still ruled the seas but could no longer easily split forces for multiple simultaneous campaigns.
With declining economy and production and no expansion, one economic pillar for the High Elves was trade with humans. Humans loved High Elf luxury goods, spices, fine foods, and magical items. High Elves needed large amounts of raw materials and minerals from humans.
"Why are you asking about this, Ryan?" Theresa curiously asked. "High Elves are hard to deal with. They don't see us as equals, except for a few human powerhouses."
"Marienburg is the main trade hub between the Empire and the High Elves. We're bound to interact with High Elves there." Ryan shook his head, wondering how to gain investigation rights in Marienburg.
In Nord, as a Kingdom Knight, he could investigate freely. But Marienburg was a chaotic territory where his knight title was useless. What mattered were his strength and reputation.
We'll see when we get there.
"Alfred and I together... Anyway, when we reach Marienburg, we'll find a place to stay and then start investigating." Looking at the vast sea, Ryan summarized for now.
...
Meanwhile, the news of the championship victory spread across the continent.
Marienburg, the largest trade center and port in the Old World, received vast amounts of gold and currency yearly, rarely flowing out. Countless young people seeking opportunities and wealth flocked to this place.
The city had several districts, each comparable to a separate city. The deep-water docks handling millions of tons of cargo saw large ships constantly coming and going. Located at the mouth of the Reik River in the cursed marshes, the city on the central island of the Reik River delta connected to the coast road, allowing its merchants to enter the Empire by land.
Those who had seen Marienburg said it was a beast devouring gold and seawater.
The permanent population of Marienburg was about 150,000, but the actual population could be 500,000 or more. Since "The Savior" Ludwig allowed Marienburg's independence 150 years ago, the city had developed rapidly and maniacally. New buildings sprang up daily, constructed atop existing ones
, even on bridges and shallow areas. Every day, criminals dug deeper tunnels to smuggle precious goods. The city's originally clear layout became blurred, and the influx of people turned Marienburg into a large urban cluster.
Currently ruling Marienburg was Grand Duke "Lender" Vanderkoop-Schultz. This over fifty-year-old nobleman was perhaps the richest man in the world. His lineage was peculiar; he was essentially an Imperial, but his family crest bore deep ties to Bretonnia's fleur-de-lis.
In his grand office, the over fifty-year-old Grand Duke Schultz meticulously reviewed promissory notes.
The notes bore the names of many high-ranking nobles, especially Bretonnian dukes. These notes were indisputable, as each one held divine power from the god of justice, leaving no room for denial.
"Lord Berchemont still owes me ten wagons of gold marks. Muller, any news from him?" Schultz rubbed his temples, the divine-powered scrolls straining his eyes.
The courtier named Muller stepped forward. "Lord Berchemont requests an extension."
"Alright, tell him to settle the balance before Winter Veil, but interest will accrue if he delays." Schultz nodded.
"Understood, Grand Duke. The Empire is pressing for this year's defense payment." Muller noted the instructions.
"We must pay. Inform Emperor Karl Franz to send his troops to collect it." The Grand Duke agreed. Marienburg paid an annual "protection fee" to the Empire for its independence and safety. In return, the Empire would send troops if Marienburg faced an insurmountable enemy.
"Also, news from the front lines indicates the Bearman tribe in Nord retreated. The retreat was due to a young White Wolf Knight winning the championship duel by killing the renowned Bearman chieftain, the Chaos Champion Beirag." Muller presented a new record.
"A championship duel? Interesting, Nord has such a warrior?" Schultz stroked his well-groomed beard. "A young White Wolf Knight? Could it be the hammer guy?"
"Yes, Grand Duke. The young man is Hammer Ryan. According to our sources, he's on a ship heading to Marienburg."
"He's coming here? Strange, someone who can win a championship duel—didn't Nord or the Empire reward him with a title? Such a capable person, not of peasant birth, should have been invited somewhere." Schultz found it odd.
"Ryan is a White Wolf Knight and... the Holy Maiden Convent declared he is now the Lake Fairy's chosen." Muller detailed Ryan's profile. "Major forces are likely preparing offers for him, but any action would be after Winter Veil."
"This is very interesting. All powers vying for this rising star... Interesting. What if I recruit him as another protector of this city during this period?"
"What?"
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