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 26
Chapter 26: The Storm Signet Ring
The accounts Byron had fabricated were, of course, a sham!
Having climbed to a pivotal position, Byron was not only adept at creating false accounts but also had a comprehensive understanding of the ship's repair costs and the amount of compensation due.
He also held the keys to the warehouse and had personally inspected Salman's captain's quarters, fully aware of the wealth the Maneater and Salman actually possessed.
Not a single copper coin could escape his grasp.
It must be said that the Gold Sequence, while appearing glamorous on the surface, often conceals a dire financial situation.
Controlling both income and expenditure, he held on tightly! After satisfying the needs for repairs, concocting a plausible financial shortfall was all too simple. Perhaps many pirates weren't overly concerned about whether the ship could be repaired in time, but they were more anxious than anyone else about whether their allocated funds were insufficient.
Don't speak to me of ideals when I'm short on money; my ideal is having plenty of money.
When Byron seized this opportunity to firmly grasp human nature, The invincible second-tier 'Gourmet' Salman fell into his calculations without surprise.
After repeatedly counting his assets, Salman had no choice but to remove the ten rings he wore to conceal his gout stones and retrieve a few more items from the captain's quarters. He urged Byron to quickly go ashore and exchange them for the missing compensation.
At this critical moment, the elite crew members who had drunk the 'Transformation Blood' and were beginning to transform into secondary ghouls absolutely could not have any issues. As long as they waited a few more days, the money distributed would still be his.
"Those previous chefs weren't up to par. But this one, he will definitely be brewed into the highest quality 'Transformation Blood' by the 'Bloody Mary's Culinary Recipe'. When used for the ritual, it will not only cure my 'curse' and allow me to complete my transformation, but also yield an additional guard of ghouls. I might even be qualified to attend the Iron Anchor Bay captains' council and compete with those big pirates!"
While 'Blood Eye' Salman was lost in his fantasies, Byron had already politely declined offers from others to accompany him and set foot on the land of Iron Anchor Bay with the loyal cook's assistant 'Eight Fingers.'
The moment they were out of sight of the others, he couldn't contain his excitement. He placed the gold ring, unremarkable except for its large face, on the index finger of his left hand.
A flash of deep blue spiritual light vanished in an instant. In his heart, he silently recited the Maxim of the Lancasters, which was also the 'Judgement Inscription' of this peculiar ring: "I am the vanguard!"
The interior of the gold ring illuminated with a circle of cyan-blue runic characters, and as the light flowed, its appearance transformed dramatically.
Especially the gold face of the ring, which now displayed the shape of a seal.
The main image was a storm dragon encircled by thorny roses, with a circle of letters around it—I am the vanguard!
'First-tier Artifact · Storm Signet Ring:
Represents the position of the Grand Master of the Storm Knight Order and the succession of the Lancastrian family's royal power.
Abilities:
When worn by a Lancaster who has taken the oath of the Lighthouse, Judiciary, or High Tower sequences, it automatically connects to the Silver Law and receives its protection.
Effect: Innately noble, a king is not to be spied upon.
Immune to prophecy-type abilities, immune to curses, and blocks 'spiritual vision' spying.
If one possesses the right of succession to the throne, they automatically gain legal authority second only to the king. No other Jurists, jailers, disciplinary knights may pass judgment, except for the king!'
Artifacts (sacred relics) of third, second, and first tiers correspond to the low, middle, and high sequences of extraordinary individuals.
It is said that there is also a zero tier above, which even Byron has never seen in person.
This first-tier 'Storm Signet Ring,' although lacking in offensive power, has no side effects and has granted him a very high mystical blessing.
With a thought, the Signet Ring transformed into a circle of cyan-blue tattoos and concealed itself, not hindering his use of weapons.
The stronger the artifact, the higher the requirements for the user.
If he had completed his spiritual ascension earlier, there would have been no accident of it being taken away by someone else.
Looking at this treasure, Byron's heart also felt much more settled.
"Today, I've retrieved the Signet Ring. As long as I find an opportunity to hold the promotion ritual, I won't have to worry about being tracked by prophecy spells anymore. The upper limit of 'Cognitive Correction' can also be greatly increased, giving me the capital to attack or defend as needed. I can arrange my future plans with ease."
Becoming an extraordinary individual requires three prerequisites: spiritual ascension, prerequisite knowledge, and an initiation ritual.
Byron had long since completed his spiritual ascension. What remained was simply the choice of which sequence to embark on the 'Stairway of Glory'.
Storm fencing (Fisher Chop Swordsmanship, Silver Cross Swordsmanship, Military Swordsmanship) could allow him to take the oath as a 'Storm Knight,' 'Pirate,' 'Paladin,' or 'Fortress Guardian.'
Navigation, artillery, and firearms could allow him to take the oath as a 'Navigator,' 'Explorer,' 'Artillery Expert,' or 'Marksman.'
Law and natural history could allow him to take the oath as a 'Jurist' or 'Naturalist.'
Runic script is the foundation of the High Tower sequence, serving as general knowledge.
The elite royal education he received from a young age gave him far more choices than most under the strict extraordinary system of the 'Silver Law.'
After meeting all the prerequisites, he only needed to consider his actual needs. But Byron had planned his future profession from the moment he woke up.
"I am a pirate now and need immediate combat capabilities.
Professions like 'Navigator,' 'Explorer,' and 'Naturalist,' which are more supportive and have their pros and cons, are out of the question. Just looking at the peril we faced when fleeing from the frigate is enough to know.
The 'Jurist' of the Judiciary sequence is indeed ridiculously strong; my uncle, the Mad King, was a high-sequence Jurist.
The Signet Ring is also one of the highest-ranking rings of authority in the Judiciary sequence, and there's no need to look for another promotion medium.
But the prerequisite is that one must have the authority to enforce the law, which is only applicable internally, not externally.
Without an elite guard to protect me, choosing this profession would likely get me killed by a nameless underling outside my own system."
"Artillery experts and marksmen require too much equipment and logistical support, which is not suitable for a fugitive like me who is ready to flee at any moment.
Among the remaining professions, the easiest to take the oath for is 'Pirate,' as long as you have a copy of the 'Ten Pirate Commandments' as a medium.
The initiation media for other professions vary.
'Paladins' need a knight's sword that has been consecrated on an altar for at least seven days, and 'Fortress Guards' need an appointment order from a lord of at least baron rank.
The only thing I have at hand is the 'Storm Signet Ring.'
For others, it might still be debatable.
But for me, among the three sequences, the 'Storm Knight,' which is the higher profession of 'Pirate,' is the best choice at this stage!"
Byron remembered the initiation ritual for the 'Storm Knight' clearly.
One: Survive a storm-level natural disaster.
Scholars of the High Tower sequence divide the force of the sea winds into 17 levels, with level 11 and above being considered storm-level.
Byron had already achieved this during the night of the storm that led to the Lancasters' extinction.
Two: All knight professions require a Maxim outside of their sequence.
Most knights choose one or more virtues from the Eight Great Virtues and realize their spiritual ascension through continuous practice.
Humility, honesty, mercy, bravery, justice, sacrifice, honor, and faith.
Although the stricter the Maxim and the more restrictions, the stronger the power, 99.9% of knights cannot achieve all eight virtues.
Especially those nobles with titles, who are completely unrelated to these virtues. Most only choose one: 'Faith,' but not in a deity, rather in power, strength, or money, and they are unwavering. This is mocked by other professions as 'ambiguous justice.'
Knights with a long family heritage can also choose their family Maxim. Such as the Lancaster family Maxim: I am the vanguard!
All family members can use it, and the longer the Maxim is passed down, the stronger its power.
Three: Finally, imprint the Signet Ring's emblem on the body and achieve ascension in a blood battle centered around 'plunder.'
The stronger the target, the better the effect, and there is even a chance to directly inherit some of the opponent's abilities.
Now, everything is ready, except for an opportunity to hold the blood battle ritual. And after interpreting 'Secret: Salman's Unspeakable Secret' and obtaining the second term 'Mortal Enemy,' he already had a target.
At this moment, Eight Fingers, who had been looking around and hadn't noticed Byron's abnormality, suddenly pointed at a notice board on the dock and excitedly shouted,
"Mr. Byron, look! There's a 'Spawn of the Devil' with a 5,000-pound bounty on the wanted list, and his name is exactly the same as yours. 5,000 pounds is more expensive than the 4,300-pound bounty on captain; he must be at least a second-tier extraordinary individual, right? If only we could be that impressive!"
His words showed no fear or hatred towards the wanted criminal, only envy.
At the same time, not far behind them in the port, another pirate ship named the 'White Crystal' slowly docked at its berth. Judging by the flag hanging from the mast, it was clearly a privateering pirate ship affiliated with the Kingdom of Hastings.
Under the guard of a group of elite pirates with swords and guns, a figure in a spotless white cloak, clean to the point of being out of place in this port, hurriedly stepped onto the wooden dock. While observing a spotless silver mirror in his hand, he scanned the port and excitedly muttered,
"Where is he? Let me see where he is? Just as I passed through the Iron Anchor Bay's enchantment, my 'Mirror Demon' detected a familiar aura. That 'Spawn of the Devil' must be hiding on this island! The York family has publicly issued an excessive bounty to all privateering captains and bounty hunters. I never thought that such a fortune would fall into my hands, 'Magic Mirror' Wester."