Horizon of Glory
"The Annals of Exploration and Empires," Book III, Chapter XVII, Page 211 In the annals of history, few epochs have been as rife with the promise of adventure and the peril of the unknown as the Age of Discovery. It was a time when the very fabric of the world was being stretched, its edges frayed by the bold hands of explorers and conquerors. Among these intrepid souls, one name, has been etched into the annals of legends. The Wars of the Roses, a conflagration that had consumed the heart of empires and forged kings from the crucible of blood and fire, had at last given way to an uneasy peace. It was in this aftermath, amidst the smoldering ruins of a world reshaped by conflict, that Byron's journey began. Armed with a relic of untold power, the "Navigation Logbook," he set forth into the uncharted waters of the world, where the mundane and the magical intertwined in an intricate dance. The high seas, a vast and uncharted canvas, stretched before him, a horizon that whispered of untold riches and the promise of peril. Great ships, their sails billowing like the wings of colossal birds, traversed these waters, their cannons thundering a challenge to the very gods of the deep. It was an age of ambition, a testament to the unyielding spirit of mankind's quest for dominion over the unknown. Beneath the waves, ancient beings from epochs long past slumbered, their legends carried on the creaking timbers of ships and the roar of cannons. Byron, undaunted by the shadows that lurked beneath the waves or the tempests that raged above, carved out a kingdom from the chaos that enveloped the world. His fleet, a specter of doom, became a symbol of his indomitable will, a force that would not be challenged lightly. This is a saga, a tale woven from the threads of history and magic, adventure and power, and the eternal quest for glory. It is a narrative that compels the heart and captures the imagination, a story that resonates through the ages, a reminder of the heights to which humanity can aspire when driven by the winds of ambition and the tides of destiny. Let this account, penned by the hands of the most esteemed historians and literature masters, serve as a beacon for those who seek to embark upon their own voyages of discovery. For within the pages of this epic tale lies the essence of the human spirit, a spirit that seeks, that conquers, and that endures.
HoG - Chapter 43
Chapter 43: Enemies on a Narrow Path
The Judiciary sequence 'Oath Knight' stood before them; a figure bound by more than just the chains of duty. Upon their promotion, these knights forgo the selection of a maxim from the Eight Virtues or any other source, instead swearing an unbreakable oath that dictates their very essence. In the heat of battle, they fight as any ordinary knight would, but when the conditions of their oath are met—be it to protect their king, lord, or honor—they unleash a power that is nothing short of astonishing.
These 'Oath Knights' are renowned for their ability to share some of their lord's talents or unique supernatural abilities, making them the epitome of loyalty and strength. They are considered one of the most fitting professions to serve as 'Guardian Knights,' embodying the ideal spear and shield for their lord.
As Byron drew nearer, a flicker of consciousness seemed to struggle within the depths of the 'Oath Knight's' vacant eyes. Yet, it was a fleeting spark that failed to ignite, and the knight's body crumpled to the ground, the weight of his injuries too great to bear. Miraculously, despite the disfigurement that marred his features, one could still discern the relaxation of his once-furrowed brow, as if he had finally found peace after a long and arduous journey.
"Damn it! I'll kill you!" bellowed 'Woodpecker' Maltz, his voice laced with venom as he finally stemmed the flow of blood from his nose. Snatching the Fisher's Cutlass from the waist of the pirate first mate beside him, he lunged at the fallen 'Oath Knight' with murderous intent.
But before he could strike, a sword's light, as dazzling as lightning, flashed before his eyes.
Clang!
Sparks flew as a longsword appeared between them, its blade strong and unwavering, blocking the path of the Fisher's Cutlass. In a swift entanglement, the sword rolled and flipped with incredible speed, deflecting Maltz's blade with ease. The final form of the 'Bull Sword Style' pressed the tip of the sword against his neck, a cold and merciless gaze fixed upon him.
"I've already said, these are the materials I want. You dare to make a move; do you want to die sooner?" The voice was sharp, icy, more ferocious and fiercer than the enraged pirate's.
Meanwhile, 'Echoes of History' had already begun to unravel the supernatural individual's past.
'Title: 'Woodpecker' Maltz, captain of the privateer ship 'Bug Chirp,' holding a privateering license from the Kingdom of England.
Enemies on a narrow path!
A first-tier 'Beast Tamer' of the Wilderness sequence, attendant-level.
Sequence Maxim: I came, I saw, I conquered!
Their vision is contrary to the name of the Wilderness sequence.
The purpose is to conquer oneself, conquer nature, and gradually transform the vast wilderness world into a humanized world suitable for human survival…'
The abilities within the same profession in the sequence are uniform.
Without needing to consult the log, Byron could easily deduce the 'Beast Tamer's' three attendant-level abilities: 'Silent Steps,' 'Extraordinary Endurance,' and 'Mind Sense.'
This profession leans towards magic, with its combat effectiveness heavily reliant on the beasts it tames. To challenge a 'Storm Knight' in swordsmanship is a fool's errand, a display of sheer folly.
However, the 'Forbidden Knowledge: Queen Ant's Blessing' noted at the end of the record gave Byron pause.
In the blink of an eye, 'Woodpecker' Maltz had suffered one defeat after another, and his rage knew no bounds. A sharp insect chirp erupted from his stomach, echoed by the pirates he had brought along. Their bodies flushed with blood, turning a deep crimson.
This was Maltz's trump card, the Forbidden Knowledge—'Queen Ant's Blessing':
It is said that when ordinary ants are infected by tapeworms from a woodpecker's feces, they transcend their natural limitations, tripling their lifespan.
Other worker ants, mistaking them for the queen ant, care for them until they grow fat and large, only to be devoured by the woodpecker, perpetuating the cycle of the tapeworms in its stomach.
This forbidden knowledge operates on a similar principle, a dark echo of nature's cruel dance.
'Woodpecker' Maltz embodies the role of the woodpecker, harboring within his stomach his trained beast: the bloodline tapeworm. He infects his crew with these tapeworms, granting them a false strength that serves his purposes.
As the tapeworms within these so-called "queen ants" mature, Maltz uses them to feed the mother worm in his own stomach, thereby enhancing his own strength. Maltz adeptly combines his profession with forbidden knowledge, creating an effect that surpasses the mere sum of its parts.
Had he brought his meticulously trained "queen ant" team, his combat effectiveness would have far exceeded that of ordinary attendants of the same rank. Even the overall strength of the pirate ship would have outmatched the 'Man-Eater', led by the second-tier supernatural individual 'Blood Eye' Salman, in its prime!
Gazing at the log's prompt, Byron shook his head slightly. 'Both "Blood Eye" Salman and this "Woodpecker" Maltz are cut from the same cloth. Once they acquire forbidden knowledge, humanity seems to slip further away from them.
In contrast, "Magic Mirror" Wester, with his severe obsessive-compulsive tendencies, is practically a saint, silently enduring all the side effects alone.'
Of course, "Woodpecker" was not immune to the side effects of forbidden knowledge. On the mental level, he deviated from humanity, gradually taking pleasure in the torment and abuse of his prey. On the physical level, like a queen ant, both he and his parasitized crew members would slowly transform into females.
Yes, these burly men, who appeared capable of wrestling bears, were physiologically women.
Regrettably, no matter how much they were enhanced, they were far from reaching the point of qualitative change, unable to best a 'Storm Knight' in close combat.
Clang! Clang!
Eight Fingers and Guss also drew their weapons at the first sign of conflict, standing shoulder to shoulder with Byron. The 'Pirate Code', steeped in the spirit of pirates, allows for unlimited counterattacks in Iron Anchor Bay when faced with a deadly threat, without fear of repercussions for excessive self-defense.
Byron was resolute. If this privateer captain, summoned to Iron Anchor Bay by the Navy like "Magic Mirror" Wester, dared to make a move, Byron would use the rules to eliminate them openly, and the law enforcement team would have little to say.
"Stop!"
As the two sides were on the brink of battle, merchant Mishaal, accompanied by a group of guards armed with long firearms, emerged from the non-slave area. They swiftly formed a human wall, keeping the two hot-tempered groups at bay.
Though Remits are known for their cunning and dark hearts, they also place a high value on their commercial reputation. The death of customers in a bloodbath would not only tarnish their store but also halt the day's earnings.
That's not just anything; it's all money!
"Huh, it's you? The warehouse manager?"
Mishaal recognized Byron, who had embarrassed him days prior. The frazzled attendant, seeing Mishaal as a savior, hurriedly recounted the events that had just unfolded.
After listening, Mishaal's face lit up with a smile, his gold tooth—his trademark—gleaming.
"We only have one batch of goods here. Since both of you are interested, why not bid? These materials are first-tier attendants, albeit old, weak, or injured, and unsuitable for cultivation as subordinates. However, they are guaranteed to be alive. Adjusting the standard price of attendant-level slaves moderately, they are priced at 800 pounds each on average, with a starting bid of 3,200 pounds for the four."
"Gentlemen, please place your bids."
Despite his previous loss to Byron, Mishaal treated him without bias. People like them, who run trading companies, are in the business of making money, not holding grudges. Which is more important, face or money, do they not understand?
The Creator is my maker, and the customer is the Creator. Therefore, the dear customer is my maker—a logical conclusion.
If 'face' and 'integrity' could be sold, this 'Golden Eye' of the Gold Sequence wouldn't hesitate to sell them by the pound!
Although, he doesn't possess such things...