Free Web NovelChapter 1102: Chapter 478: Boundless Sea Breeze (Part 2)
The golden-haired, blue-eyed Temple Knight initially intended to visit Margaret, where the Main Temple of the War Goddess Mirmidia is located, a site considered a pilgrimage holy land.
The War Goddess Mirmidia is the primary deity worshipped in the Southern Realm, which includes Estalia and Tiriel. Her faith has spread to the empire as well. It is said that this goddess’s power was first widely recognized during the Red Flame Grand Expedition. While Yurik represents the barbarism and valor of war, Mirmidia embodies the art and strategy of warfare.
In Brittania and the empire, the War Goddess Mirmidia is not as widely worshipped as in the Southern Realm, yet she remains one of the commonly revered deities. At times, Brittania knights also visit the War Goddess’s temple for prayer before their expeditions, an act the Lake Fairy regards with a smile.
Within the empire, there are three knight orders that hold the War Goddess Mirmidia as their patron deity: the renowned Flame Sun Knight Order, the Flying Eagle Knight Order, and the Knight Order of the Spear of Justice. Among these, the Flame Sun Knight Order ranks just below the Three Great Knight Orders of the Old World, possessing astonishing wealth. Each Flame Sun Knight adorns their armor with gold, black jade, obsidian, and diamonds. They each carry a polished mirror shield capable of reflecting every beam of light. This order’s headquarters is located in Talabeheim, specifically tasked with protecting the trade routes between the empire and Estalia, from which they gain immense profits.
Led by Alfred, the Justice Church is not very fond of the War Goddess Church, though they do not oppose it either. The Yurik Sect, however, strongly dislikes this goddess, who views war as art and strategy. Although they cannot do much about the War Goddess Academy in Nuer, Yurik’s followers successfully prevented the establishment of a branch of the War Goddess Academy in White Wolf City.
Thinking too far, Laine glanced sideways at Alfred: "Shut up!"
The fiery atmosphere on the road was just a small interlude. Soon, the group reached the dining room, where Duke Boldro Bodric’s eldest legitimate son, Holy Grail Knight Fedmond, was already present. In addition to him, there was a red-nosed captain, adorned with a pirate round hat, a scimitar, and a fire cannon at his waist. His fierce countenance and bull-like eyes, combined with a full beard, made him quite intimidating.
Upon seeing Laine, both Fedmond and the red-nosed captain immediately rose from their seats: "Good afternoon, Lord Laine."
"Good afternoon! Please be seated." Laine nodded, his expression calm.
Only Veronica was amazed in her heart, while the Jialan Witch thought that the red-nosed captain aside, Holy Grail Knight Fedmond was Duke Boldro Bodric’s eldest legitimate son, the future heir to the duchy!
Despite being over fifty years old, he actively rose to greet Laine, which was enough to demonstrate that in Fedmond’s mind, and indeed in the minds of all knights throughout the Knight Kingdom, Laine was already considered an equal to the dukes.
"Hello, Lord Laine. This is Captain Penelope de Gamma, whose father is Estalian and mother is Brittania. Currently, he is the captain of the Boldro’s Great Sailboat ’Manannan’s Fury’ in the Sea God Fleet. This time, he will cooperate with us on the high seas to exert sufficient pressure on those damned Estalian robbers, forcing them to hand over the perpetrator and the artifact." Fedmond was clearly anxious about the theft of the Sea God Trident, his expression one of frustration and gritted teeth hatred.
"Hello, Lord Laine, you may call me Pepe. It is an honor to have your assistance in this endeavor. May Manannan bless our sails." The red-nosed captain put on a grand show, fully aware that to enlist Laine’s help, the Duke’s family must have paid a significant price.
Pepe? Upon hearing the name, Laine suddenly recalled a fierce martial monk dressed in white, who kicked down students from La Masia Film and Drama Academy in quick succession, a judge rushing up to present a Red Ruby War God Card to penalize him.
Shaking his head, Laine gestured for Veronica, Ollica, and Alfred to take their seats.
Seeing such a beautiful Dark Elf, both Fedmond and Captain Pepe stole a glance. Fedmond mused how, as a paragon of the Knightly Path, Laine could keep such company—a Dark Elf by his side—it was inexplicably peculiar.
"Ollica is skilled in various soul magics and interrogation techniques; she will assist us in gathering information during this mission." Laine noticed the curiosity of Fedmond and Captain Pepe and casually introduced her, then continued to ask: "How long until we reach the Bilibali Duchy?"
"About a week to ten days, depending on wind speed and weather." Captain Pepe consulted the map.
"Hmm..." Laine nodded slightly, pondering for a moment before suddenly asking Captain Pepe: "The Sea God Fleet should be carrying enough cargo too?"
Holy Grail Knight Fedmond was surprised upon hearing this, promptly turning to look at Captain Pepe, astonished at the idea that a main ship like the Great Sailboat would carry cargo; his initial reaction was disbelief.
"Indeed, we carry a significant amount of cargo in our hold." Captain Pepe confirmed confidently.
"In that case, let’s first prepare a gift; once we make landfall, present these gifts to Duke Bilibali." Laine instructed Captain Pepe with a furrowed brow: "Remember, the gifts must be divided into several parts, and one part must be especially substantial."
"Yes!" Captain Pepe nodded: "I’ll have the first mate handle it immediately."
"Lord Laine?!" Fedmond was bewildered and slightly frustrated: "Why should we give gifts to those damned Estalian robbers? They stole our heirloom!"
"Indeed, the Estalians orchestrated rogue knights to steal the Sea God Trident." Laine nodded slightly.
"Then why are we preparing gifts? We should land in Bilibali with a group of people and start the investigation immediately!" Fedmond’s face flushed red, unable to comprehend Laine’s decision.
"Why not prepare gifts?" Laine snorted: "If an Elf army came to Boldro to seek holy relics within the Elf Ruins, would you open the port and let them freely rummage through your territory while you sat in the castle pretending nothing happened?"
Fedmond was speechless.
"We are here to investigate, not to declare war. Consider carefully, Fedmond, if our actions lead Duke Bilibali to write to His Majesty King Richard the Knight, causing Richard to hold us accountable. How much trouble would that cause?!"
The reality of the Sea God Trident’s theft had been pressing heavily on Fedmond’s mind, but he finally came to his senses.
As he realized this, Bodrick’s son discovered that cold sweat had already soaked his back.
"Then what should we do, Lord Laine?"
"We should do it this way..."
