CHAPTER 307: CHAPTER 1: THE LAST IMPERIAL CITIZEN

The sea breeze gently strokes.

A large transportation fleet is carrying more than fourteen hundred soldiers under Losa’s command, sailing on the blue sea surface.

On the wide white sails, a lifelike golden double-headed eagle is painted.

This is the transport fleet from the Eastern Empire, responsible for deploying Losa’s army to Cyprus Island.

On the ship, Latin sailors from Wallachia are mysteriously narrating some bizarre legends.

"In Wallachia, at midnight, if someone knocks on the door, never respond."

"Because once you respond, the vampire outside your door takes it as an invitation and breaks in to turn your whole family into mummies."

The farmer soldiers are listening in disbelief.

"Sir, is what he’s saying true?"

Military Judge Ned Stark’s face is tense as he nervously inquires.

This is clearly a folk tale about vampires fearing garlic and silver items.

Ordinary people, even if hiding in iron rooms, would still be easily torn apart by vampires.

The only thing they can do is close their eyes and wait for death.

But Losa won’t say it like this; he simply says: "Just like in ’Demon Hunter,’ it’s a novel setting. In reality, only Demon-Blocking Gold can restrain such ghosts."

In this world, Demon-Blocking Gold restrains all creatures with magic power. Vampires might not count as creatures, but they clearly don’t align with evil spirits or spirit bodies.

Probably due to the cycle of mutual restraining, the number of Demon-Blocking Gold isn’t small, and its price is often cheaper than the equivalent weight in gold.

Unfortunately, even at that price, ordinary civilians can’t afford to purchase a Demon-Blocking Gold weapon.

As evening sets in.

A thin mist fills the air.

This makes the captain and sailors vigilant, not to beware of reefs or whirlpools, but to be cautious of the Cyprus fleet that might appear anytime.

Losa doesn’t feel nervous.

Although this transportation fleet would surely suffer heavy losses facing enemy warships, he has the Breath of the Giant Dragon and the ability to "stir the wind," so even if he can’t defeat them, speeding up his ship temporarily to detach from the enemy is more than sufficient.

At this moment.

A black owl emerges from the fog, trailing a ripple of white at its tail.

The woodland archers beside Losa immediately raise their longbows and withdraw a gleaming Demon-Blocking Golden Arrow from their quivers, which is where most of Losa’s Demon-Blocking Gold goes.

He raises his hand: "Don’t be tense, it’s one of our own."

On the deck, the owl turns into a witch in a striking red dress with a loud bang.

Anna glances with annoyance at these sturdy woodland archers; anyone would not like things threatening their own life.

Especially self-preserving wizards.

During this period, woodland archers have had ample nutrition and undergone strict training, now able to draw a woodland longbow weighing a hundred pounds.

Their problem is they can’t sustain it.

It’s akin to many Eastern warriors who can lift a hundred-pound stone lock in an arena but can’t forge themselves a hundred-pound weapon.

Anna walks gracefully towards Losa and thoughtfully remarks: "Losa, looking at your double-headed eagle banner, I don’t think this is a coincidence."

Losa replies helplessly: "It’s really just a coincidence."

Anna snorts lightly: "If the Xinmu Empire had joined sooner, it would be more reasonable."

She looks around.

Her eyes rest on the veteran soldiers’ ship for a long time, her gaze especially fixed on the Standard Bearer’s gold eagle badge.

Among Losa and his army.

Anna sees the lost bravery of the Empire.

It’s not embedded in the bloodline.

Just like Wallachia, Transylvania, Moldova, and other places, they are Latin descendants known as Imperialia; Anna sees nothing in them.

In a daze, Anna recalls a person referred to as the last Imperial, who conquered the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa, the Visigoths in Iberia, and the Ostrogoths on the Apennine Peninsula, once recapturing half of the Empire’s territory.

Belisarius.

"Miss Anna?"

Losa softly calls.

Anna regains herself, greeting everyone without changing her expression: "Lady Prajna, I’m glad to see you again."

"Miss Furinjira, you haven’t proactively chatted with me recently."

Anna feigns a bothered look: "Is this just new faces replacing old ones?"

Anna feels a strong sense of threat from Chelina.

Making her restless.

She shows no signs, yet decisively resolves not to meet Losa lightly again.

Furinjira puckers her lips and says, "I know you’re also busy, so I figured I’d be considerate enough not to bother you all the time."

Anna is left speechless by her.

Thinking that when she was busy before, Furinjira still frequently called at inappropriate times.

"How to address this lady?"

Chelina’s voice is polite yet distant: "Just call me Chelina."

Losa speaks up: "Let’s be direct, I’m busy with military affairs, why are you here? Teaching me more spells from the magic book? Or bringing treasures?"

"No, I’m just here to see you, along with coordinating this fleet to land at the right time."

Anna’s tone is relaxed: "Your magic artifact hasn’t started being made yet; it’s a massive project that requires my full focus once this is over."

Losa nods and says, "I think you should participate in the upcoming great sea battle; with you, the naval victory can be assured."

Anna lightly snorts: "No, it’s too dangerous."

Losa is speechless.

"As a high-level magic power, an almost legendary Great Wizard, aren’t you too cautious?"

"Caution extends life; without my protection, Nishaya, that little fool, would’ve died countless times already."

This statement, however, is very much to Losa’s liking.

"Indeed."

"Besides me, which other Crusaders have responded to your call?"

"The Hospital and Templar Order’s coalition, plus some small Crusader Lords, no major figures, all gathered, totaling just over two thousand people."

Losa muses: "Looks like I still have a significant chance to take the lead?"

Anna shakes her head: "There’s hope, but it’s not substantial. After all, the fleet sent by your Crusaders is the critical power. However, there’s no guarantee they’ll clash soon; perhaps you could land under cover of night tonight, striking Cyprus Island before the enemy fleet reacts."

"Will solo advancing pose risks?"

Losa furrows his brows.

The supplies aboard are limited, and clearly unable to dock comfortably to establish a camp.

Once landed, the follow-up supplies will surely pose a problem.

With this, they could only "feed off the enemy."

That doesn’t align with Losa’s usual style, but he just hesitates briefly before making a firm decision. His capabilities are limited, and his people must come first.

Moreover, feeding off the enemy doesn’t necessarily mean plundering civilians.

Those granaries of wealthy merchants and landlords are the best targets.