Captain – Chapter 669 – Receiving Guests

This was impossible.

This was the officer’s first reaction, because he knew what the young man meant by “door.”

Over ten years ago, when he had led that massive fleet alongside His Highness, departing their homeland to come to this place, he had witnessed that maze-like door with his own eyes.

Fog everywhere, clouds everywhere.

Those illusions that took the form of familiar landscapes constantly appeared, and within that maze, no matter how one walked, it seemed like going in circles. If they hadn’t brought that mystical compass before departure, they probably would have sailed until death without finding an exit.

And that was the barrier separating the eastern world from this boundless sea region.

But even such a treacherous maze, compared to the door that blocked the western passage, still seemed so gentle, because that door was simply like a dead end.

Recalling the first expedition of the fleet after establishing roots in this sea region—that is, the westward exploration—and remembering the scene witnessed at the end, thinking of that violent thunder sea, the officer became even more certain of this assessment.

Thus he was even more shocked, because now, that dead road had actually opened for someone.

Seeing his subordinate’s astonishment, the young man called “Your Highness” waited quietly for a while. Only after he finally came to his senses did he continue describing the contents of that intelligence.

“Duke Lu has been guarding the frontier for a long time. Though advanced in years, he’s not yet to the point of dim vision. In his letter, he clearly stated that he personally witnessed those thunder clouds disperse.”

“Just like clearing skies after rain. Since then, that door seems to exist no more.”

If upon first learning that the western door had opened, the officer had thought it was specifically opened for someone—that there were sufficiently powerful ships, or people carrying strange treasures like themselves who had forced their way through the thunder sea—then now he truly learned the truth.

Afterward, he became even more speechless, unable to imagine.

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Having “guests” from the west, even if it was a startling major event, was still acceptable.

Or rather, it had limited impact on the situation here.

But if it was truly as His Highness said, that the thunder sea was no more and the gate from this sea region to the western world was completely open from now on, then the situation would become much more complex.

It would be countless times more troublesome.

No one knew whether the newcomers were enemies or friends.

Would they be warships and cannons seeking territorial expansion, fearless ones venturing north into the fog toward that nameless island, or perhaps those people were simply…

Supporters and sharp blades of that prince with a different surname, just like that skeletal giant ship.

Then their troubles would be great indeed.

However, within a moment’s thought, the officer considered another possibility. After carefully choosing his words, he cautiously asked: “Then Your Highness, is your intention for this journey… to negotiate with the west?”

He had another unspoken implication: if successful, would you leave this wasteland?

Leave this accursed place where they had struggled bitterly for over ten years, losing numerous warships and countless soldiers, to go to the legendary western world and seek a place of peace.

With the bargaining chips in their hands, presumably obtaining a fief from that ancient empire called “Auran,” along with wealth and glory, wouldn’t be difficult.

It was just that, given the young man’s status and pride, he might find this matter somewhat hard to accept.

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Faced with his confidant’s probing and suggestion, the young man fell into silence, not responding for a long time.

He naturally knew that the scenario in this questioning was very likely the wish of the person before him, and those followers whose spirits had been worn down by over ten years of time, wind, and rain. Moreover, this wish wasn’t actually difficult to realize.

There were naturally risks, but not great ones.

Because from the dynasty’s most secret texts, he had read about conversations his father the emperor had with that prince of different surname regarding the western world.

According to that foreign person, many people in that sea region actually disliked him, and even former companions wished he would leave forever.

Never to return.

For those two existences, this wasn’t any great matter, just some reminiscences and sighs. There was no reason to speak falsely, so it wasn’t difficult to deduce that the western world, at least most people within it, wouldn’t support him.

Then the hope for successful negotiations would be great.

But still…

“Alin, you and I grew up together. You couldn’t possibly not understand my intentions.”

Hearing the young man’s quiet words after his long silence, feeling the natural-born composure and dignity in his gaze, the officer startled, then lowered his head and replied “Yes.”

Indeed, if His Highness were willing to lower his head a little, there wouldn’t have been this desperate expedition.

He was someone who intended to become an emperor.

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Perhaps recalling old times, remembering those subordinates, brothers, and close friends who had come along but were no longer present, the young man rarely sighed and continued discussing business: “Since the door is open, guests have naturally come from the west.”

“It’s just that since Duke Lu’s letter arrived until recent days, our people only made discoveries. According to intelligence, that ‘vanguard’ consists of only two ships.”

“One is unremarkable, but the other is more magnificent than the dynasty’s largest ship, and scouts have seen strange beasts as large as small mountains coiled upon it.”

Whether for war or peace, this was extremely important information, so the officer listened very carefully. Only after hearing the intelligence department’s general assessment of the two ships’ personnel and military configurations did he nod to show understanding, then turn to inquire.

“Your Highness, you mean our objective for this journey is to first make contact with this ‘vanguard,’ test their intentions, then make further plans?”

“Correct.”

The young man nodded lightly, then added: “According to the intelligence department’s estimation of those two ships’ route, their destination is undoubtedly in the northern fog.”

Intelligence from that direction said the western “guests,” since entering this sea, had been proceeding with clear purpose toward the northeast.

It was only a matter of time before they plunged headlong into that fog.

If so, what they sought was naturally there as well, though it was unknown whether they came for the ghost ship or the solitary island whose location they still couldn’t determine.

“From this perspective, those ‘guests’ very likely share the same objective as us.”

“If that’s truly the case, there might be opportunity for cooperation.”

Hearing this, the officer fully understood the young man’s intentions, but also knew he hadn’t said everything, because there was still probability of facing another scenario.

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That was if the newcomers had come to rescue that prince.

If that was the possibility, then upon meeting, all they could do was fight.

No wonder he wanted to commit the entire fleet.

The officer thought silently, his mood becoming increasingly heavy.

This Highness was the reason he and many soldiers similar to himself were here, the meaning of the fleet’s existence. If he went to sea…

All remaining warships naturally had to accompany him.

In other words, the young man should already be prepared to use this journey to conclude his decade-plus, even lifetime aspirations, even if that conclusion might not be perfect.

But thinking about it, any existence capable of breaking through the thunder sea and wanting to rescue that prince would definitely not be ordinary. Even if only two ships came, they would surely be difficult to handle.

Add to that the ship of the dead lurking in the shadows, and they really might not return from this journey.

Though knowing it was probably useless, thinking of that possibility, thinking of His Highness being overwhelmed by bones and flesh, the officer still pressed his lips together and knelt down.

His knees struck the ground with a clear “crack,” the sound extremely crisp and determined.

It also showed the resolve of the one offering counsel.

“Your Highness, please reconsider.”