Ch.166Chapter 166 – The Journey to the Eastern Continent Begins Again

The entity that had been creating storms while staying in the sea between the Archipelago Alliance and the Liu Empire was damaged by the fierce attack of the warriors led by Kalos from the Archipelago Alliance, and I used my ability to deliver the final blow that caused it to vanish.

When the creature disappeared, the black storm clouds that had been gathering in the sky completely vanished, revealing a clear sky over the sea.

“Good work, everyone.”

Upon returning to the ship, I was greeted by Amina.

“All readings in the surrounding waters are returning to normal. We can depart for the Liu Empire right away if needed.”

Amina used magic to display a hologram showing the condition of the sea around us.

[All abnormal storms resolved]

[Wind speed and direction returned to normal]

[No thunderstorms currently forming]

[Travel restrictions in this sea area lifted]

[Atmospheric mana ratio: 1000]

[Ocean mana collection rate: 0.5%]

I could clearly see with my own eyes that all readings had returned to normal, just as she said.

“Does this mean the operation was successful?”

“Yes, we can call it a success. Thank you for your hard work.”

At Amina’s announcement of the operation’s success, Kalos and his warriors let out a collective cheer.

All that remained was to return to the port, board our ship, and head toward the Liu Empire.

The battleship we were on returned to its original position.

“Now that the battleship is docked, everyone move quickly to complete maintenance and get some rest!”

“Go get a hammer and some paint brushes! We need to remove some rust here.”

As soon as the battleship docked, technicians from the Archipelago Alliance boarded to inspect the vessel.

Leaving the technicians behind, I followed Amina to the Maritime Office.

“Administrator Kang is waiting in front of the Maritime Office.”

“I didn’t expect it would take three days, but I’m glad the problem is resolved.”

The reason it took three days was because it took one day to get there, another day to carry out the operation, and one more day to return.

Even so, the ship we boarded could move quickly because it used its own power source rather than wind, making it relatively less affected by the storms.

That’s why we completed a journey in three days that would normally take over a week on a regular vessel.

“Count Severio! I’m glad you’re safe!”

When I arrived at the Maritime Office by carriage, Administrator Kang and Seon Yu-hwa were waiting for me in front.

“Did everything go well?”

“Thanks to your concern, nothing went wrong.”

“Now that I’ve safely handed over Count Severio, my role ends here. I hope your journey to the Liu Empire will be peaceful and without incident.”

With Amina’s final greeting, I boarded the carriage prepared by the Liu Empire.

Through the carriage window, I could see Amina waving goodbye.

I waved back at her and then closed the window.

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

After the storm blocking the voyage to the Liu Empire disappeared, sailing resumed.

Having restocked supplies at the largest island of the Archipelago Alliance, the ship I boarded proceeded straight toward the Liu Empire without any stops.

“Administrator Kang, how much longer until we reach the Liu Empire?”

“With the wind consistently blowing toward the Liu Empire and the current also flowing in that direction, we should arrive in 15 days at the earliest, or within 20 days at the latest.”

Twenty days at the latest. Compared to the potential delay of over two months had the problem not been resolved, this seems quite reasonable.

“By the way, the sea is considerably calmer compared to last year.”

“Isn’t that simply because the storm has disappeared?”

“Haha, not at all. The winter sea is incredibly violent beyond what you might imagine. There’s a reason we prohibit fishing vessels from sailing during winter except for coastal fishing.”

From Administrator Kang’s words, it seemed that the winter sea was indeed quite fierce.

It must be serious if even fishermen who depend on daily catches for their livelihood are prohibited from sailing except for coastal fishing.

“I think your ability is truly remarkable, Count.”

“You think so?”

“This is the first time this year I’ve seen the violent winter sea so calm. Anyone who knows the sea would understand. It’s unimaginable for the winter sea to be this peaceful.”

What I could gather from the administrator’s words was that the winter sea is quite rough even without storms.

However, the winter sea before my eyes, with its moderate waves, seemed somewhat distant from true tranquility.

‘Well, he’s probably traveled the sea more than I have, so he would know better than me about this.’

“This ship is heading to Honggung, a port city with the largest trading harbor in the Liu Empire.”

Hmm? Hong Kong? Does this world have a Hong Kong too?

“Hong Kong?”

“Not Hong Kong, but Honggung. In the common language of the Western Continent, it means ‘Red Bow.'”

“Red Bow…”

Just from the name, it sounds like there might be some legend associated with Honggung.

“About 50 years ago, a massive monster bird lived where Honggung stands today. That monster bird was a man-eating creature designated for extermination by imperial decree.”

Oh, I knew there would be a story behind it.

“However, the imperial warriors found it difficult to defeat the extremely agile monster bird. At that time, most wore heavy armor which protected them from the monster’s attacks, but they were too slow to actually catch it.”

I took a sip of the tea that Seon Yu-hwa had brought me while listening to Administrator Kang’s story.

“Meanwhile, the monster bird continued to attack the surrounding areas, causing casualties, and that’s when a hero appeared.”

“And that person was?”

“The hero who made today’s Honggung possible—a man called ‘Bow Devil’ Baek Dan-hyeop.”

Upon hearing the name Bow Devil Baek Dan-hyeop, I recalled another name.

‘Baek Yu-wol.’

She was one of the other 6-star heroines in Erasto Chronicle and the disciple and daughter of Bow Devil Baek Dan-hyeop.

I never imagined that the port I was heading to would be the place where Bow Devil Baek Dan-hyeop had slain the monster bird.

“Master Baek Dan-hyeop slowly drove the monster to its death with his unprecedented nimble footwork and almost supernatural archery skills, finally succeeding in hunting the creature by piercing its heart. The title given to him then was Honggung, the Red Bow. It’s said that when he used his secret technique to end the monster’s life, the bow he was holding glowed red.”

I should have realized it from the name Honggung.

Red Bow. That must be Baek Yu-wol’s exclusive weapon, “Phoenix Feather.”

One of the divine weapons created by the Phoenix, one of the Four Guardians of the Eastern Continent—Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise—to eliminate chaos in the world.

In the game, it had an overpowered stat that dealt 250% additional damage to “avian” type monsters.

That’s why when a raid boss was of the “avian” type, including Baek Yu-wol equipped with Phoenix Feather in your party was essential for achieving high scores.

“I think I’ve heard of this.”

“Haha, is that so? The fame of Bow Devil is truly remarkable if it’s known even in the Western Continent.”

Actually, I didn’t hear about it; I read it in Baek Yu-wol’s background story.

I only learned about Baek Dan-hyeop from what you just told me.

“Anyway, afterward, the imperial court built a trading port there to commemorate his achievements and named it Honggung.”

“Didn’t the imperial court try to check his influence?”

“Check his influence? Master Baek Dan-hyeop is the head of the famous Han Dong-baek family.”

Ah, so he was the head of the Han Dong-baek family? One of the great families with the right to elect the emperor?

Then it makes sense that the imperial court would name a place to commemorate his achievements.

How could they not honor the name of the head of a family that can elect the emperor?

If they didn’t, the emperor might suddenly fall ill and die, with a new emperor taking the throne.

It’s intimidating, but I have no intention of making enemies of the sixteen great families.

Wouldn’t it be killing two birds with one stone if I build friendships with both the emperor and the sixteen great families to get help in the war against the demon cult?

I spent about two weeks on the ship like this.

“Land! I see land!”

At the lookout’s announcement of spotting land, I went up to the deck.

As I reached the deck, I could see land gradually appearing on the horizon in the distance.

That place is the Eastern Continent.

The land I’ve introduced as my homeland in this world, and the place where I need to find new allies.

I wonder what kind of people are waiting for me there?