Chapter 100: Rising Tide
It is already pitch black outside, but I still sat under the glow of the lamp, deep in thoughts. A pen has been in my grip for quite a long period of time, but I was unsure of how I should to start. In the end, I sigh deeply and eventually start to write.
“Dear Sir Ferdinand, it has been long since we last met. I wonder if things are still going fine in Liu Huang Mountain City… It has been 300 years since many of our inheritances and secret arts were lost in the fires of war. In present time, the Mist Royal Family Knight Order can’t even be considered third-rate. Perhaps, we have failed them as their ancestors. I have already came to an agreement with the current generation of the descendants of the Mist to provide them with some ‘mentors’ to guide those rookies.”
“After pondering over it, I decided to entrust this matter to you. Please bring along Great Sword Saint Fayde, Lucas… The young Knights have already come to a realisation. As their ancestors and imposing Heroic Spirits, please do not be overly-conscious about your identities as Undeads, just pay careful attention to the journey.”
I expended quite a bit of effort to produce this letter. After all, it is meant for an elder to read. The contents are actually quite simple, I am requesting for the Red Hunting Hounds to dispatch some mentors to the East Mist Communal Country. But, if I didn’t personally write the letter to invite them, to the old Ferdinand who felt guilt to his homeland, it is very probably he would choose to never return to those icy plains.
But, without doubt, even when he has turned into a Knight of withered bones, old Ferdinand is still the old general who is the most suited to training new troops. Other than imparting battle techniques, he is able to impart something that is even more important, such as battle experience, fighting strategies, an unyielding will and the soul of the army that is harnessed in the war flags.
“…I am looking forward to the day that the war drums echo again. The young Knights would be able to carry the burden and glory that their ancestors left behind. There is no one else for this job but you. I sincerely hope look forward to the day when you reunite with the land of ice and snow.”
The other letter is slightly simpler. I didn’t have to consider the wording and went straight to the point.
“The East Mist has already established the faith of the God of Law as their national religion. It won’t do for you all to be hiding in your shells at such a point. They need an Archbishop, a complete legislation and judiciary system, a complete Church of true God… This is an opportunity and if we were to succeed, decades and even a century of time would be saved in the spreading of the religion of Law. This is a gamble involved that is worth betting on. Putting up the banner of a true God, I don’t believe that there would be anyone who would dare to interfere with your passage to East Mist.”
Under the name of the Church of the God of Law, many of the forces in my hands can finally come to the surface. From a certain perspective, there are high stakes involved in this gamble. When I throw all my chips in, I would be sharing a common destiny with the East Mist Communal Country.
The matter of of becoming a national religion came earlier than I expected. From a certain sense, it is an opportunity as well as a challenge. If East Mist were to rise up from this point onwards, the Church of Law would also float up along with it like a boat in a river. If the East Mist were to be destroyed… Alright, we can still return back to the underground.
The two letters were firmly sealed with wax. After contemplating for a short moment, I wrote another letter to Adam whose whereabouts were unknown. There is still another letter which I really didn’t want to write but I had no choice otherwise, so I got along with it helplessly.
“Darsos, looks like you and your country is in deep trouble. If you don’t deal with it appropriately, the Auland Empire may become history. Perhaps, you may think I am just an alarmist, but this all have to do with a bunch of Fishmen…”
Indeed, I never expected that the assault I met with would pull a whole string of schemes and troubles. I must begin the story from the day when I returned nude.
———
Back then, cloaked in a mantle that I borrowed, I tried my best to ignore the mocking gazes of the women sitting opposite to me. I tried my best to turn my attention to the Seafolks who appeared mysteriously.
The Seafolks aren’t just an individual race. It is the common terminology used for Fishmen, Mermen, Shrawns, Sea Giants and intelligent underwater lifeforms. Most of them live along the long coastline of Eich Continent. These underwater lifeforms are unable to leave the water and exist through forming kingdoms and tribes.
The greater the sea pressure, the more stronger the Sea Monsters get. The weak are unable to survive in the deep sea and the living space of the Seafolks aren’t infinite.
There are quite a few Fishmen tribes sparsely populating the coastlines. However, being unable to leave the water for extended period of time made them of limited threat to the living creatures on the continent. In fact, their attacks don’t even measure up to an invasion by a neighboring country. However, due the extreme offensive nature of many Seafolks, they are hostile with the countries on the continent.
Thus, even though it would still be understandable if I meet a Red Dragon in the river, it is inconceivable for me to meet an obviously well-organised group of Seafolks there.
As the capital of Auland Empire, even if one just looks at the surface of the water, Kagersi City is definitely well-guarded. It is unbelievable for a Fishmen tribe to exist in the river.
Fishmen are living beings who can survive in both freshwater and saltwater. However, a Fishmen tribe which is powerful enough to rear Demon Sharks are definitely unable to live in the river water. After all, Demon Sharks are creatures of the ocean, they would die sooner or later in the river water.
That is to say, these Fishmen moved against the direction of the delta of the sea to visit this riverside city.
This isn’t an easy feat. The riverside cities of the Auland Empire all have their own fleets, so how can they not get noticed after passing by so many cities? For these Fishmen to arrive directly at the core of the Empire? What do they hope to gain, spending so much effort and taking such a big risk coming here? It can’t be that they only want to visit this city to watch the enthronement ceremony.
My suspicions didn’t last long…
“Un? The bone spikes and bone spears made from the bones of a whale and Demon Sharks? If I recall, their fins seem to be white. Un, they should be the Fishmen of the White Whale Tribe. Since you met them underwater and were assaulted by them, it seems that they intend to purge this city.”
Right after reaching home, recalling that Siren Tracy is also one of the Seafolks and that Sirens are of high standing among the Seafolks, I sent someone to call her over in hope that she might know something. In the end, just after barely explaining the situation, the other party threw a bomb at me.
“Purge this city? Purge the capital of Auland Empire? Has their tribe gone mad?”
“They aren’t mad. In the entire North Bay of the Black Sea, the White Whale Tribe is considered an extremely powerful tribe ranked in the top 3. Those Fishmen are only their vanguards. Depending on the strength of their targets, Nagas, Sea Giants and the Sea Snakes will come. There might even be Mermaids and Sirens.”
“But, this doesn’t justify their intention to purge the city. This is equal to offending an entire Empire, aren’t they afraid of being surrounded and destroyed by the fleet?”
“Heh, you don’t understand the Seafolks at all. The Seafolks never have to worry about who they offend. Even more so, the White Whale Tribe is a well-known hunting tribe, as well as a mercenary tribe which accepts missions. After receiving enough benefits, they can just leave. After all, do you think that the races on the continent would be able to pursue them? Besides, without someone leading them, do you think that they would be able to arrive at this city?”
After pondering over it for a slight moment, I smell the scent of a scheme behind the encounter.
The fleets by the river didn’t notice them? Most probably, someone is controlling the fleet so that they would pretend that they didn’t see them. Or perhaps, these Seafolks are loaded onto a merchant boat, allowing them an unobstructed passage through the river.
As for the goal of those collaborating with them? That is even more obvious. If the country were to come under attack at the same day of the inauguration of the new Emperor, Darsos’s position would be shaken.
Tracy speaks in disdain.
“That damn fatty is also involved in the plan. Since he is so afraid of you, you can totally go ahead and question him.”
“The broken eggs noble? He is involved?”
“Un, I am the recon sent by the White Whale Tribe to connect with our allies. But, he kept harassing me, which is really annoying. So, I cast a Confounding Curse on him to cause him to do something silly subconsciously, resulting in him turning into an eunuch. However, it is weird but he seems to have recovered.”
Alright, everyone’s eyeballs fell to the floor. Right in our faces, Tracy didn’t even hesitate to reveal that she is the spy of the Seafolks. To think that dumb mission that I received back then would be related to it as well.
“However, the plan seems to have fallen through. I took advantage of the opportunity to leave the White Whale Tribe.”
“Fallen through? Isn’t this already considered a success?”
“Another group whom I was communicating with suddenly got wiped off. Their den was set on fire. Without someone to guide their path from the human’s side, it is impossible for the White Whale Tribe to come to this city from the waterways. They only look at the results and not the process. If I were to return back to the tribe after failing this mission, I will only end up as the seasoning for the afternoon tea of the tribe head.”
Grabbing my forehead, I could roughly guess what was going on.
“Oh right, the ones who I was aliasing with wore a ring with the insignia of stars and an eye.”
With all of the evidence laid out before me, I could tell what was going on by tying them all together.
Apparently, just like how Darsos was guarded against the Celestial Tower, the Celestial Tower wasn’t truly on Darsos’s side either. They colluded with the White Whale Tribe to oppose Darsos and the nobles behind him. They have placed bets on both factions.
If Darsos works with them obediently, the assault from the Seafolks probably would not happened at all. However, it seems that after all of their members were outlawed, the remnants of the Celestial Tower has decided to throw in their everything to pull Darsos down with them.
“Heh, those people actually dare to bring the White Whale Tribe here to attack the coastline. Apparently, they do not know that the Seafolks have grown at least 3 times more powerful after the awakening of that Lord. When the great waves finally come crashing, there is nothing that can stop its path. By the time the tides of the White Whales retreats, how many people would still remain standing.”
“Aylos?”
Hearing this name, Tracy stuns for a moment before nodding her head solemnly.
“The current Seafolks is no longer the same as the Seafolks of the past. Under the will of that Lord and the Queen of Storms, all Seafolks are craving for the fresh blood and soul of the lifeforms on the surface to please their masters. In the near sea, under the guidance of great existences, with each and every tribes cooperating together, I’m afraid that war cannot be avoided.”
The Queen of Storms is the Guardian God of the Seafolks, as well as a member of the Malevolent Chaos Gods. It seems that prompted by the Ancient Water Elemental God and the calling of the Sacred War, after countless years of resentments accrued from the conflicts with the surface lifeforms, the Seafolks have rid themselves of their neutrality and started to side towards the Chaos Faction.
If the attacks were to really begin, no, judging from the circumstances, a raid from the White Whale Tribe would surely happen, it would immediately exceed the scale of which the nobles have expected and turn from a skirmish into a country-scale war.
“Different from them, I have quite a few friends in the human world. Those fellow probably never trusted me from the start. Perhaps, even the Count might have other objectives approaching me.”
“Then, why didn’t you reveal it earlier?”
“I have already committed treason by escaping, so I dare not return back to the sea. My source of information has been long cut. Now, I can’t ascertain the occurrence of an invasion, so how do you expect me to speak of it? Also, to whom should I speak these to? The reason why I can tell you all of these directly now is because the vanguards have already been spotted. Afterwards, it is up to you humans to settle it, it has nothing to do with me anymore. I am but an individual, there’s not much that I can do. Even more so, I am of a foreign race, neither sides would place their trust in me. Sitting on the fence would only cause me to offend both sides simultaneously. I am unable to interfere in this matter and I also do not intend to interfere in this matter.”
After finishing her piece, the Siren’s face relaxes. On the other hand, the listeners feel helpless. She could rest easy now but the ball has been passed on to other people’s hands.
At that moment, we discussed over it for a long period of time but we weren’t able to come to a conclusion, whether it is on the authenticity of the words of the Siren or a contingency plan directed against an invasion occurring.
Yes, she may seem very honest by taking the initiative to reveal a series of secrets, but we still held doubts about the reliability of her words.
Regardless of whether it is in the legends or in reality, Sirens are deceitful beings. By taking the initiative to explain the whole situation, it makes others even more doubtful and aware of the possibility of a trap lying beneath her words. Furthermore, somehow, I feel a slight dissonance in her words, as though she has left out something really important.
Night fell and my spies has just returned.
“Is there any news?”
The black cat jumps onto the window ledge. Her original body has been in a state of pseudo-sleep by the table but in reality, she has sent out four clone spies who could slip through any cracks, sneaking and keeping surveillances on the dwelling of the Siren and the riverside.
“Yes, the Siren is indeed untrustworthy. At the very least, she isn’t as uncaring as she described herself to be. She sent her own seals out to keep a watch on the Fishmen Tribe by the river while she herself has headed to a Thief Guild and Mercenary Guild to request a mission. She seems to be looking for something.”
“Something?”
“Un, it seems to be a tribute of some kind. I heard that it is related to the Sea God.”
“Related to the Sea God? Then, it is natural for her to seek it as a Siren. Aren’t there any other news? What about the situation in the river?”
“The Fishmen are starting to construct their base in the river. It seems that they are really the front scouts sent in advance to prepare for the insertion of the army.”
I nod my head in response to her words. Even though I have received the intelligence I wanted, I was still unable to make out the situation.
“We still do not possess sufficient intelligence. Our understanding of this country and the Seafolks is too lacking…”
“Cough, Roland, I have some guesses on the matter, do you want to hear them?”
“Unlimited supply of dried fish and milk until you are satisfied… Alright, I am only joking, I know that you aren’t a cat. Don’t bite me, get straight to the point.”
Seeming to appreciate the look of mine when I am plagued with a migraine, the gleeful kitty jumps from the window ledge and struts proudly to and fro, her tail pointing up to the sky.
“My foolish disciple, it is all actually quite simple. Interest and benefits. The Seafolks aren’t some charity organisation. To risk so much to invade the capital of a country, the only explanation is that there is some incentive for them to get involved. Besides, the Water Elemental God isn’t the Guardian God of the Seafolks and yet they are cooperating together. The Water Elementals are almost like one family with the Fishmen already. Without sufficient interests involved to serve as a fusing reagent, how could this be possible?”
“You mean… Darn it! They are really playing it big.”
Through the illustrations of the kitten, a Water Elemental falls apart in the middle of the sky, turning into rainfall while in the rain, a bunch of Fishmen represented by wooden figures were advancing.
“With the help of the Water Elemental God Aylos, the Seafolks are coming to shore?”
“It is feasible in theory. That kind of benefits are sufficient to make the Seafolks fall into frenzy. Perhaps, the Auland Empire is really in deep trouble this time.”
“It is the common terminology used for Fishmen, Mermen, Shrawns, Sea Giants and intelligent underwater lifeforms.”
TL: Shrawns = Shrimp + men, the word is formed by combining Shrimps + Prawn… Unless you all prepare Shrimpmen