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 17
Chapter 17: Bloody Mary's Culinary Recipes
As night descended, the relentless force 7 wind at sea showed no signs of weakening. The 'Maneater,' en route to the pirate port "Iron Anchor Bay" for repairs, opted not to risk capsizing by sailing through the darkness. Instead, under the guidance of the seasoned Captain Salman, they anchored in a secluded cove, away from the conventional shipping lanes. They successfully deployed the spare anchor from the hold into the sheltered harbor.
Salman, the "Blood Eye," did not afford Byron any further opportunities to impress and instead showcased his superior navigational skills before the crew, demonstrating that beyond his formidable strength, he was also an exceptional pirate captain.
Byron, ever self-aware, did not attempt to overshadow him. As an outstanding graduate of the Royal Naval Academy and a key member of the Royal family, Byron's mind was a treasure trove of the most valuable navigational charts amassed by Lancaster's, knowledge of numerous secret supply points, transoceanic routes, pirate private ports, and rare mineral deposits—information that was at least a decade ahead of lower-level adventurers and ordinary private explorers. This invaluable knowledge was his sole wealth now, ready to be leveraged as he advanced in the future.
As the acting navigator, Byron gained entry to the captain's quarters, access to the navigational charts, and the right to use the compass, the marine chronometer, and the sextant. Of course, if there had been a 'Navigator' or 'Pilot' from the Lighthouse sequence on board, none of these tools would have been necessary. They were the most adept human navigators, never once lost at sea.
"Heave! One, two! One, two!..." Chanted the pirates as they used small boats to haul a massive fishing net from the sea. The lively fish and crustaceans collected from the island were cleaned on the spot and transported to the 'Maneater's' galley.
The thick, milky-white fish soup in the large pot simmered, transforming the freshest fish and carefully selected spices into a culinary masterpiece. Byron, fully immersed in his role, wore a chef's hat and tasted a spoonful of the delectable soup, nodding in satisfaction.
"Not bad," he murmured. "Although the spices in the two worlds are different, with the 'Navigation Log's' ability to uncover secrets, the authenticity is at least 90%. This pot of... purine-rich soup is acceptable! Later, I can make a few steamers. Steamers are far more energy-efficient than ovens and pots, using the least amount of fuel to cook the most food, making them ideal for use on sailing ships. They also preserve the delicious flavors of the finest ingredients through steaming, tempting even the most discerning gourmets."
With 'Spirituality' awakened, Byron's senses and control over his body had improved dramatically, his hands-on skills reaching their peak. With the various gourmet recipes he had encountered and savored, he could easily pass as a Michelin-starred chef. With just a single strand of hair, he could outshine the entire culinary desert!
Soon, Byron used the pirates' catch and the ship's inventory to prepare a meal of three dishes and one soup. He placed the choicest portions on several silver plates, which he carried on a large wooden tray, ready to serve his "most esteemed" captain personally. Two pirates assisting in the kitchen also brought out the rest of the food.
The unique and enticing aroma drew a chorus of cheers from the famished pirates. At this point, it mattered little whether it was meticulously prepared gourmet food or moldy, worm-infested ship's biscuits; they would devour it with gusto.
Byron knocked on the door of the captain's quarters, situated at the top level of the sterncastle. "Come in!" The voice, clearly tinged with impatience, prompted Byron to wipe all expression from his face to prevent any mischievous thoughts from escaping the corners of his mouth. He entered like a meticulous noble steward.
The tall sterncastle, shielded from the sea's dampness and salt mist, offered far better conditions than the lower cabins. There were bright windows, red velvet curtains, polished brass and silver objects, locked treasure chests, and an array of gleaming cold and hot weapons on the weapon rack. The air was also scented with the sweetness of honey, maple syrup, and cane sugar, hinting at the captain's fervent love for sweets.
Salman, the "Blood Eye," now dressed in a fresh set of clothes and exuding a gentlemanly air, sat at the desk. However, under the somewhat dim light of the whale oil lamp, what lay on the teak desk was not a navigational chart but a rather peculiar book. On the open page, a small paragraph written in a certain red ink was in the common tongue.
—Dolphin Pudding.
Mix dolphin blood and fat with oats, salt, pepper, and ginger, stuff into dolphin intestines, and boil until soft, not too hard.
Then take it out, roast it a little, and serve.
It was unmistakably a recipe.
However, the "pudding" in this recipe bore little resemblance to the pudding Byron was accustomed to, more closely resembling what he knew as... blood sausage. It involved filling intestines with meat, animal blood, and other ingredients, then boiling them to eat. Moreover, Byron had never encountered such a crude recipe, let alone seen one. Could one believe there existed a recipe in the world that didn't even use the mystical measurement unit "a pinch"?
Yet, Byron, with his robust repository of supernatural knowledge and proficiency in various arcane scripts, sensed that the intricate decorative patterns on the pages concealed something. Just as he was about to lean in for a closer inspection, driven by the 'Navigation Log's' insatiable curiosity to unravel mysteries, Salman casually closed the book and set it aside.
This gesture allowed Byron to glimpse the title of the book—"Bloody Mary's Culinary Recipes." For some inexplicable reason, the sight of the yellowed pages and the scarlet writing evoked images of charred skin, melted fat, and flowing human blood in Byron's mind. This was followed by a terrifying... intense hunger! It was as if he genuinely believed those things were delicious.
An ordinary chef might have been unable to resist the inner urge to reach out and touch the book, but Byron suddenly shuddered, realizing what it was. "This is... forbidden knowledge!"
Humans, mere mortals risen from the dust, have never been the sovereigns of the supernatural world. Each elevation of 'Spirituality' is a 'transgression' of status, fraught with unforeseen risks. In the supernaturalists' perception of the world, the entire cosmos is inundated with violent, chaotic, and unknown dangerous aetheric tides. Beyond the seemingly tranquil known human world, who knows how many dark creatures, degenerates, evil spirits, and even grotesquely bizarre entities lie hidden.
The 'Silver Laws,' crafted by the 'Creator,' serve as a fundamental mental barrier safeguarding humanity! They interconnect the spirituality of all humans, past and present. Within the seven-layered Law Network, from the shallow to the deep, lies the history, knowledge, and even the inexpressible experiences of the human race.
Much of this ancient supernatural knowledge and abilities are far from dazzling, possessing quite ordinary powers, such as passive abilities. For example: 'Weather Intuition,' 'Photographic Memory,' 'Sword Mastery,' 'Toxin Identification,' 'Goat's Foot,' 'Supernatural Endurance'...
The highest principle they adhere to is: Stability! Stability! Stability! From the first step on the 'Stairway of Glory,' one can see the finish line at a glance. As long as they assume the same profession, after each rank promotion, the supernatural abilities acquired by two individuals are almost identical.
The advantage is that these knowledge and abilities have been tested for centuries, even millennia, and will never cause inexplicable side effects to the user. Moreover, one only needs to touch the corresponding level of the law network to master the corresponding professional knowledge in a very short time, becoming the pinnacle of their respective fields without the need for additional learning.
But 'Forbidden Knowledge' is an entirely different matter. Dangerous, mysterious, powerful—supernaturalists of any profession can acquire bizarre abilities outside their sequence through subsequent learning. Yet, they are never embraced by the guardians of order like the 'Silver Laws.' The church even condemns them as: the knowledge of the devil—black magic!
Not only are they strictly prohibited, but their practitioners are also mercilessly hunted down.
And it was at this very moment that the 'Secret: Salman's Unspoken Suffering' decryption rate leaped from 40% to 66%. Clearly, while one may harbor the heart to fight a tiger, the tiger also has the intention to harm; before Byron could present his "gourmet" dish, Salman was preparing to strike first!