6kv Chapter 1159 - 1092: Black Tower Port
Chapter 1159 - 1092: Black Tower Port
The waves pierced the air, seagulls circling the mast, and the spice ship Golden Sheep set sail once more, replenished with water and supplies.Danio's recent studies were not without results.
Soon, he used his proficient Baroque language skills to buy a local clan's navigation flag at twice the normal price.
With this flag flying, they could replenish supplies at nearby ports along the way.
Heading south along the Western Continent where the Royal Court is located, the further south they went, the fiercer the sun became.
Even though it was already November, the scorching sun still hung overhead like it was an endless August.
Failing to sell spices, Essuan quickly adjusted his mindset after the initial misstep.
Spending a long time on the Western Continent could be beneficial, as he still needed to gather intelligence on the Royal Court.
Moreover, according to the merchants' rampant rumors, there's a group of El people rebels known as "Bagoda" in the lawless areas full of vampires and ogres.
They might be a force that could be utilized.
Thus, even though it wasn't necessary to disembark for supplies every time, Essuan would always leave the ship to investigate whenever they reached a supply port.
However, compared to the elusive Bagoda, nowadays there were more war-related news from the south of the Royal Court.
Danio was particularly concerned with these war-related matters.
That day, Essuan greeted the people on the small transport ship and climbed up the rope ladder.
As soon as he got on deck, he saw Danio leaning against the railing.
"Good afternoon, Brother Essuan." Danio extended his hand to Essuan.
"Good afternoon." Essuan held onto Danio's hand to board the ship, feeling a bit embarrassed: "Look at me, delaying everything every time—at the next port, I won't disembark."
Danio waved his hands repeatedly: "It doesn't delay us at all—it's one of our journey's purposes.
Moreover, with such a significant event happening in the Royal Court, we absolutely must gather more intelligence to send to His Majesty."
Having persuaded Essuan several times and seeing him change his mind, Danio finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Danio actually welcomed Essuan's disembarkation to gather intelligence, as it seemingly slowed their journey but gave him more time for studies.
Judging from the smoothness of the flag-buying incident earlier, he had a knack for commerce.
Though two months weren't enough to master the trade, at least the captured merchants left behind a plan.
Although the plan's initial phase faced issues at Moon Bay, heading south should make no difference.
Perhaps he could barely manage this time!
"How's the Royal Court's civil war progressing?" Sitting on the forecastle stairs, Danio asked with genuine curiosity.
"Hard to say, I'm still sorting it out." Essuan held a thick notebook, "This Serafe rose too quickly—I still can't figure out how she convinced those Ogre Warlords."
Vampires and ogres have had a millennial secret pact, supposedly signed under the Eternal Lord's gaze when the Royal Court was established.
The Ogre Warlords may suppress smaller clans but are usually subservient in front of the thirteen noble clans.
Serafe Tedis was merely a second-generation vampire who rose by aligning with the Tedis clan.
In just two years, she rocketed to prominence, quickly becoming a vampire Count.
Now, she's using the volcanic incident to massacre eight clan princes and even proclaiming herself the ruler of the Royal Court.
As for the noble vampires left in No Light City, beyond the Tedis family, almost eight-tenths have been slaughtered.
This naturally incited anger among the thirteen noble clans, with the remaining four princes immediately raising flags of revenge.
Nearly twenty provinces in the Royal Court responded, contributing money and strength, organizing a coalition of close to three hundred thousand to march north and reclaim No Light City.
Of course, there were also seven or eight provinces choosing to avoid the conflict, claiming to mutually protect the south.
Serafe, however, only has support from three provinces, and even southern ogres stand against her.
"Even if she holds the densest and richest capital province, she won't be a match for the coalition?"
"That's the strange part." Flipping through his notebook, Essuan took out the precious Dick pen, "Currently, the southern coalition is at a disadvantage—calling them disadvantaged is flattering.
To be precise, on the battlefield, their three hundred thousand-man coalition reaped some early victories but was repeatedly defeated thereafter.
Important strongholds and cities fell consecutively, and the coalition's early advantage was almost entirely lost in the last half month."
"There must be some issues with these three hundred thousand troops?"
"Even excluding the weakest Skeleton Soldiers and Zombie Soldiers, there are still two hundred thousand troops."
In the Royal Court, any vampire is obligated to join the military, whereas the lower-tier Blood Slaves and human races are not.
Recruiting two hundred thousand vampires, though not the Royal Court's limit, is still a serious move.
"How is the northern Serafe achieving victory?"
"Unknown, rumors say Serafe's vampires use a special explosive blood magic, allegedly the key to their victories.
However, thus far, we've received no evidence to confirm this claim, so it remains speculative."
Essuan closed his notebook and gazed northward: "For the first time, the thirteen clans have rarely united."
Departing from Moon Bay heading south, the Golden Sheep had smooth sailing all the way.
In Essuan's prayers, Danio's curses, and Paolina's sentiments.
The Golden Sheep spice ship arrived at the largest port among the southern provinces of the Royal Court—Black Tower Harbor—in just two weeks.
Standing at the bow, one could see the famous landmark of Black Tower Harbor, the hundred-meter-high Black Rock Lighthouse.
This time, nothing went awry.
They smoothly passed the Tax Collector's inspection, following the provisions Danio memorized—checking goods, sealing, and storing…
That afternoon, before sunset, they successfully entered the port.
Golden sunlight poured over the bow, as the distant pier drew near, and Danio and the others began sorting their clothes and bags.
As the largest southern port, Black Tower Harbor naturally housed empire merchants' commercial bases.
Danio's first stop on this trip was undoubtedly to establish connections with these commercial bases and quickly enlist an ally.
This made sense—after all, arriving in a new place, one needs to invite someone familiar with the area.
If he did well, Danio wouldn't hesitate to offer this unseen friend a chance.
To add more responsibilities, more honing—it's not Danio shirking duties—it's that the Holy Alliance needs talents.
Where do talents come from? They're cultivated through experience.
Danio himself had already matured, needing no further honing.
Once successful, would Captain Danio hesitate to write him a brilliant promotion report?
The Golden Sheep docked as ships clustered together, even allowing one to jump from one ship's deck to another.
Sailors preemptively took up the mooring ropes, tying them to the dock, and sinking the anchor to stabilize this spice-laden vessel.
Bringing the spices in duplicate, under Paolina's lead, Danio hurried towards the local Empire merchants' guild.
Within the empire and Royal Court's trade, both sides set up guilds in coastal areas.
An individual merchant often weaves a web of collaborators, employees, trade agents, distributors, and more.
Danio knew that contact with the guild would soon find interested agents even if he had to offer some profits.
In fact, that's the guild's purpose.
To provide joint venture opportunities and credit guarantees for all guild members.
Five hundred years ago, merchants sailed solo with small boats.
Today, factions were formed—it's no longer life-or-death but social dealings.
The empire merchants' guild had an entire street in Black Tower Harbor, both sides lined with guilds from various places and countries.
Danio quickly located the Windmill Society, nestled inside an old warehouse surrounded by high walls.
With accommodations, taverns, trade gatherings, and even private soldiers patrolling.
Danio confidently presented his name card at the entrance.
Regardless of the Holy Alliance's standing in Windmill Land, the Holy Alliance's reputation alone commanded respect.
Before long, Danio received a reply—
"Where did this beggar come from? Scram to the side!"