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 41
Chapter 41: Historical Revisionist
The destinies of indentured servants mirrored the varied lives of pirates, each marked by their own peaks and troughs. Typically, three motivations drove one to embrace piracy: the first, dire poverty and a future shrouded in bleakness; the second, a yearning for wealth, power, and social ascension; and the third, a last resort for the continent's outlaws with nowhere else to turn.
Every supernatural profession adhered to its own code and standards. The Judiciary sequence—Jurists, Punishment Knights, Prison Wardens, even the church's Judgment Knights—never missed a chance to ascend the Stairway of Glory. They would hound these criminals to the edges of the earth, relentless in their pursuit.
Since time immemorial, the vast sea had been the sanctuary for those on the run from the law.
Under typical circumstances, the second and third motivations often blended, forming the backbone of the pirate community. It was a rarity to find the kind of 'good family' stock that armies favored for their soldiers. There was no organization, no discipline among them. They might be strong, unafraid to fight and kill, but even with limitless resources and knowledge, molding them into the iron-willed army Byron remembered seemed an insurmountable task.
Byron was selective about whom he would allow on his ship. 'The quality of the original members is crucial,' he thought, 'as they will be the seeds for the future pirate crew. Perhaps I should seek out a group of blank slates and train them from the ground up over a year or so?'
If Byron had to categorize his own behavior, he felt that "lawful evil" might fit. He was content to be a self-interested individual within a certain framework of rules, and when his interests clashed with others, he would prioritize his own without hesitation. Yet, he also sought to maintain order and stability, striving to establish laws and rules that benefited him.
The crew members of the future 'Golden Hind,' regardless of their abilities, should at least steer clear of being "chaotic evil" instigators.
"What are you staring at, Eight Fingers? Guss?" Byron's gaze lifted, and he realized that his companions had halted without his notice. Following their line of sight, he discovered that this slave guild, which housed numerous trading companies, offered more than just slaves.
Beyond the main gate of the slave guild lay a bustling commercial street. Lining both sides of the wide road were shops in the minimalist Northern style, densely packed. As far as the eye could see, they were filled with contraband deemed forbidden by the church and the kingdom. Hallucinogenic drugs, potent poisons, high-powered military weapons, sleek sleeve arrows perfect for assassination, a variety of explosives... Even many clearly labeled supernatural potions, made from forbidden knowledge, were on display. Without needing to use 'Echoes of History,' their labels revealed their contents in stark detail.
"Wandering Witch's Growth Potion: Can make adults continue to grow taller, increasing height by five centimeters per bottle, but does not increase weight synchronously. Please distribute your mass carefully."
"Wandering Witch's Slimming Potion: Effective only for females, helps you lose ten pounds of flesh in three days, but the area of weight loss is random."
"Wandering Witch's Iron Cannon Potion: Effective only for males, the red pill energizes a certain part of your body for a whole day. Also random! Perhaps you'll find yourself with an indestructible... tongue or finger?"
The list of such potions went on, each promising potent effects with an unpredictable twist. For a moment, Byron couldn't decide if these were the intended effects or side effects of a punishment mechanism. He doubted the bravery required to consume such concoctions.
However, as he continued to survey the surroundings, he realized that what had captured the attention of Eight Fingers and Guss was not these items, but a list posted on the wall.
"Charles Rich List (This Time Location: France, Loiret)
10th Place: Doyle Harvey, Spice Merchant, Director of Thyme Trading Company, Assets: 23,800 pounds.
9th Place: Clemens Walter, Lord, Lucky Aristocratic Heir, Assets: 25,100 pounds.
8th Place: Bart Clark, Shipowner, Owner of Two Ocean-Going Merchant Ships, Assets: 29,300 pounds.
7th Place: Thomas Wayne..."
Honest Eight Fingers stared at the dizzying numbers, wiping away the drool that had nearly reached the corner of his mouth. He muttered under his breath, "So many wealthy individuals in just one county. They must work incredibly hard and diligently, right?"
Money-obsessed Guss, though not seeing the rich list for the first time, found it difficult to tear his eyes away each time he encountered it.
His visage, marked by poverty, was awash with envy as he said, "This list changes regions and rich people every week. But no matter how remote the place, as long as they're on the list, I can't afford to offend them. I wonder when I'll be able to make it onto the list?"
Byron shook his head in helplessness and waved his hand in front of the two, effectively dousing their dreams with a bucket of cold water. "Hey, snap out of it! Don't you see where we are? The so-called rich list, posted in Iron Anchor Bay, is no longer a rich list but a proper 'High-Value Target' list! You two make terrible pirates, an embarrassment to the profession."
He then called out to a passing pirate with a fierce demeanor, pointing at the list and asking, "Buddy, when you see this rich list, what's your first thought?"
"Duh, of course it's to rob these fat sheep!" The man looked at Byron pitifully, as if he were an idiot, shook his head, and walked away.
Byron turned back to the two stunned young men and shrugged. "You see, that's the normal reaction of a pirate. Actually, the nobles and supernatural individuals of various countries all know about this 'First-Tier Sacred Relic · Charles Rich List,' also known as the 'Legendary Fat Sheep List.'"
"It used to belong to the North Sea Pirate King, the 'Whale Hunter,' and is now managed by the Iron Anchor Bay Pirate Council. Every week, it randomly selects the names of some rich people from a region to display, and the higher the sequence rank, the smaller the chance of being listed. It has always been used as a business guide for pirates. Every time the original version is updated, the Iron Anchor Bay Pirate Council copies and posts it throughout Iron Anchor Bay to help them choose their plunder targets."
"This thing, for the pirates of Iron Anchor Bay, is undoubtedly a 'Sacred Relic' that can guide them to great wealth. But for the rich people on the list, it is undoubtedly a 'Cursed Object.' Even if it doesn't have the curse of supernatural abilities, just the fact that their wealth is exposed in detail to countless hungry wolves is already terrifying enough. About a fifth of those listed disappear from the world within a year after being listed. And it's said that 45% of the rich people listed worldwide are Remits."
Eight Fingers and Guss couldn't help but swallow hard, gaining a more intuitive understanding of the dangers of the supernatural world. Some things in this world are far more secretive and harder to guard against than guns and swords. Neither the knowledgeable Guss nor the country bumpkin Eight Fingers dared to point fingers at the items here anymore, sticking closely to Byron's side.
After Byron had explained the relevant knowledge of 'Sacred Relics' to them, they instead looked forward to when they could obtain a powerful 'Sacred Relic' of their own.
Byron looked at the first entry he had activated after becoming a 'Storm Knight,' 'Historical Revisionist,' and its effects:
"1. Your anchoring is more stable. Objects with anchoring connections to you will also be more easily drawn into a historical vortex with you, approaching various unknowns and secrets. Of course, if the 'Anchor' is strong and numerous enough, it might pull you out of the vortex directly!
2. As compensation, when participating in secret events with historical influence exceeding 30, you can summon a one-time 'Sacred Relic' related to the region or ethnic group from history at any time to help you revise history. The higher the decryption level, the stronger the effect of the 'Sacred Relic'!"
He thought to himself, "Actually, obtaining a 'Sacred Relic' might not be that difficult."
At that moment, Byron suddenly stopped in front of a shop that looked very familiar, named "Gold Palm Trading Company." He frowned, staring at the entrance with some uncertainty for a while. Finally, unable to resist the fleeting palpitation in his heart, he stepped inside.