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 44
Chapter 44: Brothers Reunited
Byron was unfazed by the sight of this familiar face; he had anticipated this encounter upon entering the Golden Palm Trading Company.
Yet, when money speaks, truth falls silent—and Byron had money to spare.
With the flourish of a nouveau riche flaunting his wealth, Byron gestured grandly, taking the lead:
"I require four supernatural materials for an upcoming forbidden ritual. Isn't it just 3,200 pounds? I'll take them all."
Of course, he didn't need everyone here, but in the art of negotiation, one must never reveal their true intentions, especially their most pressing needs. Doing so only gives others leverage, with no positive outcomes.
This matter was too crucial to fail. Being exploited by competitors or merchants was not a scenario Byron wished to entertain.
Upon hearing this, 'Woodpecker' Maltz grew frantic, his earlier indignation forgotten. He leaped up, shouting:
"No, I was here first—these people must be mine! I... I'll offer 3,300 pounds."
These privateer captains were all on a mission, aware that something significant was about to unfold in Iron Anchor Bay, and each was striving to enhance their strength.
The principle behind his 'Queen Ant's Blessing' was straightforward: use the host's body to cultivate bloodline tapeworms, with stronger hosts producing more potent offspring.
He didn't discriminate against old, weak, or sick supernatural individuals. As long as he could use their bodies as hosts to cultivate tapeworm larvae, he could swiftly create several monstrously powerful crew members.
This would allow him to excel in the impending operation.
Just a few days ago, they received news from the privateer ship 'White Crystal.' Captain 'Magic Mirror' Wester had vanished without a trace after discovering the 'Spawn of the Devil's' whereabouts.
Every privateer captain was eager to catch this big fish themselves.
Who didn't know that the failed Lancaster Party in the Kingdom of England had left numerous noble titles vacant? Could these outlaws in the gray area transform into lords? This might be their only chance in life, and no investment was too great!
As the parliamentary election date neared, more pirate captains arrived in Iron Anchor Bay, and prices could skyrocket at any moment.
It was a race against time, a true case of the swift hand getting the goods while the slow hand got nothing. Raw materials here were scarce, and he couldn't let them slip away so easily.
But Byron was acting like a reckless youth, his resolve even stronger than Maltz's, ready to battle it out to the end.
"I'll offer 3,400 pounds, Eight Fingers, make the payment!"
Before Eight Fingers could produce the large deposit slip from his pocket, 'Woodpecker' Maltz countered with a higher bid.
"3,500 pounds! I'll offer 3,500 pounds!"
Seeing merchant Mishaal's face alight with joy and Byron's seemingly equally urgent need, unconcerned with the cost and ready to raise the bid again, 'Woodpecker's' anger-clouded mind began to clear. He weighed the situation and took the initiative to soften his stance.
He discreetly activated his 'Mind Sense' ability on Byron, communicating sincerely on a spiritual level:
"Friend, let's discuss this."
Everyone is here for the materials. Bidding against each other only enriches that Remit merchant for no reason. There's time to purchase another attendant-level slave from other traders instead of squandering it here in a bidding war."
Byron, aware of the other party's ability to 'collude in bidding,' remained unfazed. He maintained his usual demeanor, impervious to reason:
"If that's the case, you should hurry to another place!"
The Woodpecker's face hardened, and he ventured:
"Friend, you jest. Withdraw now, and we can discuss terms. We pirates may earn money quickly, but it's not as if it's blown in by the wind. I'll give you a 100-pound handling fee—shall we end this here?"
A 100-pound fee is an astronomical sum for an average family, yet it only elicited a scornful laugh from Byron:
"Amusing. Do I appear to be in need of money?"
Seeing this man's determination to exploit him, the Woodpecker's anger flared. If they were outside, he would have sailed his 'Bug Chirp' and fired his cannons.
Here, he could only suppress his anger, which was reaching its limit:
"Is there really no room for discussion?"
Byron saw that the fire had burned enough. If he didn't relent, it might backfire, so he feigned trouble:
"We're all respectable figures. If I were to leave empty-handed, what would my men think of me? What would the slaves I just bought to supplement my crew think of me? You understand, don't you?"
The Woodpecker's eyes lit up, immediately grasping the situation. Without further thought, he seized the opportunity to back down, nodding vigorously:
"Alright, I'll give you face, and we'll be friends. First Mate, pay up and leave that half-dead, almost breathless guy to this captain."
He thrust the payment into Mishaal's hands, snatched the keys, and departed with the three supernatural individuals who had a better chance of survival. He left behind the Oath Knight, who appeared on the brink of death, for Byron.
Byron, in turn, was not polite. He tossed the money at Mishaal, grabbed the keys, and unlocked the Oath Knight's shackles, claiming him as his own.
Merchant Mishaal, now in possession of the money, paid no heed to their attitudes. Having two parties compete and drive up the price was an unexpected delight. None of the pirate captains were fools; selling the entire transaction at a premium of 300 pounds was already quite profitable.
It wasn't until they carefully placed the Oath Knight on a stretcher, carried by Eight Fingers and Guss themselves, that Byron finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Most people's temperaments tend to seek compromise and mediation. If you tell others that the room is too dark and must have a skylight, they will likely object. But if you propose to tear off the roof, they will immediately come to mediate and be willing to open a skylight.
Had Byron directly asked for a specific individual among the four, it would have aroused suspicion from the cunning slave trader Mishaal and the old pirate Woodpecker, leading to complications.
However, by starting with an outrageous demand that Woodpecker couldn't accept, any slight concession from Woodpecker would lead him to propose the 'skylight' solution himself.
This allowed Byron to achieve his goal smoothly without encountering too many obstacles.
Gazing at the Oath Knight's tragic injuries, Byron held his intact hand and whispered in a voice only he could hear:
"I'm here, it's okay now, Bruch... let's go home."
Though the real home was no longer accessible, whether it was a palace or a hut, any place with family was home.
Without a doubt, this extremely miserable Oath Knight was one of the few family members Byron had left in this world.
—Oath Knight 'Iron Wall' Bruch.
Despite the difficulty in associating the inhuman figure before him with the serious and earnest Oath Knight in his memory, who smiled with a hint of simplicity.
Byron looked back, giving a profound glance to Mishaal, who was grinning, his gold tooth gleaming, as he waved enthusiastically.
The slave trader could see the ordeal through the injuries, and Byron could see it too.
Bruch, with the title 'Iron Wall,' had clearly endured a brutal interrogation and fight, narrowly escaping with his life. Byron was immensely grateful for the first term, 'Historical Revisionist.'
"Your anchor is more stable. Objects with anchor connections to you will also be more likely to be drawn into a certain historical vortex with you, approaching various unknowns and secrets."
This might be a disaster for those with stable lives. But for them, already deeply entangled in the vortex, it wouldn't make their lives worse.
The Golden Palm Trading Company didn't play a glorious role in this, but without them, the brothers wouldn't have been able to reunite so quickly. Byron might as well consider it even.
The moment he left the merchant, he gave Bruch a bottle of 'Blue Blood Spring' to temporarily stabilize his injuries. But he also knew that conventional potions could only keep Bruch alive, not restore him to his former self.
However, the 'Forbidden Knowledge: Blood Brew' in Byron's possession was best at... harming others for personal gain!
He stared coldly at the back of Woodpecker Maltz in front of him and muttered to himself in a low voice:
"The 'Transformation Blood' brewed from ordinary people doesn't work, but that of supernatural individuals certainly will!
The York family may not be able to enter Iron Anchor Bay, but I'll settle this debt with their hunting dogs first.
I remember the York family's privateers number close to two hundred ships. No matter what you're here for, such a large... blood bank, I'll accept it without hesitation."