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 45
Chapter 45: Venture Capital
At the entrance of the Golden Palm Trading Company, Merchant Mishaal's gaze followed Byron and his entourage as they departed, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. "Just a few days ago," he reflected, "this pirate gentleman was merely the warehouse manager of the 'Man-Eater'. Now, he's ascended to the role of captain. The fate of the former captain is crystal clear. This pirate is far from ordinary. Even without a title, I wouldn't be surprised to see his name on a first-level wanted poster one day. My instincts suggest he's a promising venture capital project, worthy of our company's special fund support."
Within the framework of the 'Silver Law,' an individual's supernatural profession is not only their societal role but also an integral part of the human world's functioning. Advancement is contingent upon adherence to professional norms and responsibilities. To progress, one must be a 'model worker' for life.
Consider pirates, for example. Even if the sea wearies them, they must continue to sail unless they are content with stagnation or a decline in rank. Few are those like the ancestors of the Lancaster family, who forged new professions from piracy and established kingdoms on land. The significance of 'choosing the right profession' cannot be overstated.
Gold Sequence supernatural individuals are no exception. Their 'Golden Eye' ability grants them the power of appraisal, akin to the navigation log's might but less potent. Through engagement with treasures and the completion of appraisal, collection, and trade, they augment their strength. Appraising inanimate objects is the simplest task, followed by living goods such as horses and hunting dogs, with appraising people being the most formidable challenge. This explains the high-return scenarios of 'holding onto a rare commodity.'
Despite their abilities being a product of the 'Silver Law,' it is not always apparent who is a supernatural individual. Mishaal encountered this difficulty with Byron. "I cannot discern his profession. Last time, I perceived a faint spiritual radiance, but now, there is nothing. My appraisal is futile against him."
He pondered Byron's demeanor. "A craftsman from the High Tower Sequence? A prophet? A historian? A naturalist? With the maxim 'Use knowledge to dispel ignorance'? No, a supernatural individual from the High Tower Sequence would not turn to piracy easily."
A first-tier supernatural individual merely excels in their field compared to ordinary people, who can achieve similar feats with experience and training. Distinguishing them is nearly impossible.
Mishaal's efforts to appraise Byron were in vain. His 'Venture Capital Assessment Report' remained unfinished. "We shall meet again," he thought. "Until then, let us monitor him. Should he show promise, we will invest."
Money often speaks louder than truth. In this world, investments shape numerous aspects, not just the church, but also commercial groups, pirates, overseas companies, nobles, and small countries. The web of investments is vast and potent.
An attendant approached Mishaal. "Mr. Mishaal," he whispered, "that guest was incredibly wealthy. He bestowed a precious potion upon the 'raw material.' Indeed, all the guests today were generous. A third of the new slaves were sold before noon."
Mishaal nodded thoughtfully at the attendant's words. "Indeed, Captain 'Woodpecker's' resolute demeanor was also somewhat unusual. I sense that the overall direction of Iron Anchor Bay has been somewhat askew of late. It's normal for the population to swell as the parliamentary elections draw near. However, some pirates are indiscriminately clearing the market without regard for cost, recruiting soldiers, and purchasing materials to enhance their strength. Even for the sake of competing in the combat segment of the marshal's selection, it seems a bit excessive. This month, the crown changed hands, and soon after, the Iron Anchor Bay parliament, which shares the same origin, also exhibited signs of unrest."
His eyes circled, and his mind swiftly processed the information he had observed with a detached coolness. Then, he issued a decisive command, "Spread the word, we will not sell the remaining items at the planned higher prices. We will clear them out at past prices and aim to completely deplete our stock by the end of October. All the local banks are operated by us Remits. This time, do not retain their deposit slips; convert them all into gold and silver for me! Captain James and his 'Rainbow Trout' were due to return with some of the valuable goods we acquired this month. Send the two most beautiful female slaves from the shop to him and request that he extend his stay. The parliamentary elections are scheduled for mid-November, at the latest, he should stay until early November, and we will all depart with him, the 'Treasure Guardian'!"
Some have calculated that nearly 45% of the 'Charles Rich List' in Iron Anchor Bay consists of Remits. The majority of them have managed to avoid becoming part of the one-fifth that vanishes each year, clearly possessing their own exceptional foresight for crises. In a world brimming with supernatural power, besides being "money-minded," their keen sense for wealth and crises allows this group to etch the art of "adapting to the wind" into their very bones. At the slightest hint of disturbance, they are ready to flee on the spot.
The attendant was about to obey and leave when he was suddenly stopped by Mishaal. "First, catch up with the captain from earlier and give him my business card, inviting him to our upcoming clearance sale."
"The profits I didn't earn enough from the last transaction, I can always earn back in the next one! In this world, no one can take advantage of me, Mishaal, forever. That's my way of doing business!" He smiled, and his signature gold tooth shone brightly in the sunlight.
***
On the other side, Byron, who had been handed a business card along the way, had already brought Bruch and the dozen or so slaves he had bought back to the Rosemary Inn, which offered relatively better conditions. He arranged the best room for his Oath Knight. He also paid a high price to hire a second-tier professional from the Hospital Sequence, a 'Crow Doctor,' to clean Bruch's wounds, set his broken bones, and accelerate his healing. But that was all he could do.
Despite trying everything, he still couldn't wake Bruch up. Under the 'Silver Law' system, all humans share knowledge and experiences, greatly improving the efficiency of knowledge and experience accumulation, rather than creating knowledge that has never existed in the world out of thin air. Additionally, various 'Forbidden Knowledge' have a strong affinity for human flesh and instinctual negative desires. Under the deliberate suppression of the church, this also invisibly added many obstacles to the development of medicine.
To be honest, humans' level of research into the soul and the spiritual world is still far above their research into material bodies. Even the core ability obtained by this 'Crow Doctor' at the second-tier professional level is just 'Stimulate Vitality.' It can help external wounds heal quickly but will also correspondingly shorten the lifespan of cells.
Byron watched as the pain between Bruch's eyebrows finally eased a bit, but his mood didn't relax much. "The only two bottles of 'Blue Blood Spring,' along with a 'Crow Doctor,' can only keep Bruch alive. Initiating the 'Ritual: Blood Grail' must be put on the agenda immediately."
Bruch's family, as the most loyal stewards, has served the Lancasters for three generations, far more loyal and reliable than anyone else. Bruch is only a year older than Byron, but he is a true genius who awakened independently at the age of sixteen. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become Byron's Oath Knight. Loyalty, potential, and the top education he received are enough to make him Byron's right-hand man and the perfect first mate to soar with.
Besides, Byron couldn't forget the prompt from the 'Navigation Log': "The great flood of this world has never receded, you must firmly secure your 'anchor'!" And Oath Knight Bruch is already one of the few anchors Byron has left in this world.
However, Byron's expression also stiffened slightly. Initiating the ritual means that the unknown side effects he has resisted for so long are finally coming.