Extraordinary Voyage

The glowing dust floating in the bottle was indeed the "Dust of Evil Spirits" that Aiven had once desperately sought.

Only two months ago, he had coincidentally obtained a portion from the aboriginal Yucatan tribe, and now, not too long after, another batch appeared.

Even though the New Continent produces various spirit bodies, it shouldn't be this casual, right?

Moreover, from Nekado's tone, it seems this bottle of "Dust of Evil Spirits" also came from that tribe?

"Captain, I feel like we might be in trouble.

For some reason, when our people brought goods to trade with them again not long ago, they found the entire Yucatan tribe's camp deserted.

They didn't even leave us any information, only finding this in the longhouse of the tribal chief Apsuova.

Since you obtained something similar after vanquishing the Childless Evil Spirit 'Pocatello' last time, I wanted to see if you could find any clues."

Saying this, Nekado was a bit distressed. The Yucatan tribe was quite a significant source of furs for him.

Now with them leaving without a word, how could his fur trade continue?

Hearing his words, Aiven didn't immediately study the peculiarities of the "Dust of Evil Spirits" but instead lit all the Hanging Wind Chimes planted in the captain's cabin.

He stared intently at Nekado's face, which looked more haggard recently, and asked with a slight frown:

"Mr. Superintendent, have you been having trouble sleeping recently, often hearing strange noises?"

Feeling inexplicably uneasy under Aiven's gaze, Nekado wiped his face with a handkerchief and replied uncertainly:

"I think so. I've been feeling a bit of pressure on my neck lately.

It might be because I've been too tired recently, coupled with this strange event, so it's normal to not rest well.

Several company employees in my department have even collapsed from exhaustion and taken sick leave.

At least I'm healthier than they are! Haha..."

Listening to his account, Aiven was already certain of his own suspicions.

Suddenly, he snapped his fingers.

Snap—

Crackle, pop...

Nekado immediately shivered, his body crackling as if charged with electricity, even causing his hair to stand on end.

"Captain Aiven, what... what are you... doing?"

His numb tongue struggled to form words.

Ah—!

A sharp, short scream echoed in the captain's cabin before vanishing instantly.

"Some unclean things are now settled.

Here's a piece of advice: don't think about your furs anymore.

Perhaps someone more powerful than the Childless Evil Spirit 'Pocatello' visited the Yucatan tribe.

Just a hint of aura could have this effect, and pursuing it further could truly be life-threatening.

Go to the Church and ask for a clergy member of at least Dean-level to conduct a purification ritual for everyone who has been to the Yucatan tribe."

"A more terrifying... evil spirit?"

Finally understanding what Aiven had done, Nekado shivered involuntarily.

With his face even paler, he dared not mention the Yucatan tribe again.

After the ships completed material transfers.

They watched as three merchant ships and the troubled Nekado hurriedly departed.

Aiven examined the bottle of "Dust of Evil Spirits" that he had exchanged with Nekado using several "Silver Talismans," sensing the matter could be tricky.

In the fur trade, it's not only the East Lenz Company that benefits but also the shared success of Yucatan and East Lenz.

If the Yucatan tribe repelled a more powerful "evil spirit" and left at ease, they surely should have left some information.

Based on current clues, the situation of the Yucatan tribe seems grim.

However.

This news doesn't impact Aiven for the time being. He has no entanglement of interests with Yucatan and lacks the motivation to pursue the truth further.

Especially since he is currently tasked with a mission, at least until the Potosi Silver Mine's ownership is decided, or he receives orders from higher-ups, he cannot act on anything else.

The deadline for the "Silver War" is beyond anyone's control, including the major figures who decided to "start the fight."

For now, he can only silently wish Nekado finds new supplies soon, or perhaps forms his own hunting team like the Northwest Fur Company.

...

After the last loot trade.

Aiven didn't have many days to leisurely conduct his witchcraft research.

Patrolling near the supply lines, the Battleship "Storm Cape" and the Battleship "Endeavor" finally welcomed the first support fleet arriving from other Hilus colonies.

They also faced their greatest challenge yet: their first direct confrontation with the world's strongest Navy.

"All units, attention! A new target has appeared, prepare for combat!"

Seeing the formidable fleet two hundred kilometers away, after repeatedly scouting and confirming the opponent's strength, they chose not to retreat this time.

Though it wouldn't be easy, after weighing options with the officers on board, they decided they could fight!

As soldiers at the rise of their nation, they could not fear battle.

Moreover, if they could destroy or capture this fleet, even if they lost the "Silver War," a matter of immense wealth, their achievements would be undeniable!

The final command was given by Aiven, who acted as the fleet commander:

"Get him!"

The New Continent is gourd-shaped, long from north to south poles, with the narrowest part being less than 700 kilometers, called the Balboa Isthmus, composed of rainforests, mountains, inland seas, and waterways.

Yet, even amidst such complex terrain, there is no navigable route for ships, making it impossible to connect the east and west coasts.

However, most of the colonies of Hilus are located on the west coast of the continent.

Usually, they first transport gold and silver produced by Secret Dragon and New Hilus by sea to Balboa City on the Broken Star Sea side.

Then, they use mules to carry the goods through the tropical jungles of the Balboa Isthmus, transporting them to Dios Port on the Golden Sea coast for re-export back home by sea.

The goods are manageable.

But for the fleet to move from the west to the east coast of the New Continent, they must sail through the vast ocean around the southernmost point of Froed Cape, hugging the continent's coastline bit by bit.

The fleet dispatched from the New Hilus Vice-Kingdom in the far north, or even the slightly closer Vice-Kingdom of New Granada.

In smooth sailing conditions, it takes a full two months to round the entire southern part of the New Continent to arrive at Fort Navedad on the "Golden Sea."

This is also the closest Navy base to the Potosi Silver Mine for Hilus.

Ironically, the second closest route is from the Vice-Kingdom of La Plata, located at the southern tip of the New Continent, furthest away in terms of actual geographical distance.

Although part of this colony's territory lies on the East Coast, reinforcements sailing towards the "Golden Sea" still take about a month, with 20 more days required from the Golden Sea onwards.

Thus, a full month after starting the naval blockade, Aiven and his team finally welcomed a support fleet from the Vice-Kingdom of La Plata.

In reality, if the intelligence of the vanguard hadn't accidentally leaked, they wouldn't have had to quickly dispatch military forces.

They could have calmly set up an outpost on Potosi Island, methodically deployed their forces, and then, with the combined strength of the four Vice-Kingdoms, crushed over them in a dignified manner.

However, the unexpected exposure of Silver Island added countless variables and dragged this "Silver War" into a tense stalemate.

But it also provided Aiven and his group an opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

A group of officers in sharp Navy uniforms gathered on the quarterdeck for a battle conference.

"Is there actually a Level 3 Battleship of Hilus?

Captain! Conventional combat power is not a big issue.

But according to Hilus tradition, a 'Dean-level' (Extraordinary Tier 2) clergyman from the 'Eternal Flame' Church is usually stationed on a large warship like a Level 3 Battleship.

In crucial moments, Holy Professionals might provide various magical countermeasures; we must be cautious."

Boris, who had been fully integrated into the "Storm Horn," utilized the ship's strong intelligence capabilities, granted by Aiven's special permissions, with ease.

Upon first sighting the opponent, he immediately pointed out the potential loophole in this ambush battle based on his experience.

"Okay, understood!"

Without asking how Boris gained such experience, be it the frontline battlefield or the disguised privateer fleet, a twenty-year service on the New Continent offered countless potential conflicts.

Listening to his counsel, excitement brewed in Aiven's heart.

Gently rubbing the "oak fruit" pendant around his neck, he realized that only magic could combat magic, and it was time to verify the fruits of his research over this period.

In the distance, the Hilus Fleet's flagship, "Stendeburg."

"Captain! Why aren't we waiting to set off together with the supply fleet of Fort Navedad?

Frontline intelligence reported recently that this sea area is unstable, with many small supply convoys disappearing."

In the captain's cabin of the flagship and leading ship "Stendeburg," two officers and a clergy member in a white robe with red edges sat around the command table, looking at the nautical chart.

The clergy with wavy curls and a short beard suddenly spoke up.

"Dean Edmund, rest assured there will be no accidents.

The missing ones are insignificant supply ships and merchant vessels, and the so-called 'Sea Ghost' is merely the mischief of Sak or Atlant.

Perhaps some restless individuals are causing disturbances behind the scenes.

Nevertheless, any conspiracy or plot is meaningless before absolute power. Relying on this Level 3 Battleship 'Stendeburg,' we will crush any enemy directly."

Colonel Stanley, the Ship Captain, glanced at the actual top commander beside him, Colonel Reynolds Ban of the army, and explained lightly to the Eternal Flame's servant.

"Moreover, from what I understand, those restless countries don't station many Level 3 Battleships throughout the entire New Continent, fearing our Kingdom's displeasure that might consign their hard-earned fundamentals to the seafloor.

Unless they dispatch 'Quasi-Legendary' forces to escalate this into a national war, no one will be our opponent!"

Although his words sounded boastful, they indeed had the confidence to back it up.

Under his command are a total of four warships.

These include the nearly unrivaled Level 3 Battleship - "Stendeburg," the strongest force configuration below the quasi-legendary level in the New Continent military, and three fully armed Level 5 Cruisers.

Particularly, the "Stendeburg" is a large ship boasting 74 shipborne artillery pieces, consisting of 28 32-pounders, 30 24-pounders, and 16 9-pounders.

It has a crew of 680, a displacement of 2950 tons, and serves as a mainstay battleship in the Navy. It's the era's perfect amalgamation of firepower, speed, and cost, and a cornerstone in the battle line.

Unlike Level 4 ships, which are compromise models, Level 3 ships are genuine sea control weapons, foundational to a nation's naval might.

Moreover, due to Hilus's typical naval tactics, their warships are much wider, longer, and larger than others', providing extraordinary stability.

Like a moving fortress on the sea, during boarding battles, they hold unparelleled advantages.

For others to attack them, they must first besiege this massive sea fortress.

"Moreover, even if there really is a 'Sea Ghost', isn't there your Lordship, a 'Servant of the Eternal Flame'? I believe within your blazing flame, any evil will be cleansed!"

"That is all from God's power! The flame protects humanity. Those who stand within the light shall suffer no evil!"

Edmund crossed his hands over his chest, faithfully reciting the Eternal Flame Church's prayer.

The two officers exchanged glances and simultaneously crossed their hands, loudly chanting:

"The flame purifies our souls!"