CHAPTER 278: CHAPTER 276: COMING IN DROVES

However.

After the elder finished speaking, the scribe sitting behind him, who was also the chairman’s assistant, paused slightly in his recording, as if something had come to mind. He leaned forward slightly and asked softly:

"Your Excellency, what about the Mafia Clan?"

The assistant knew that mentioning that name at this time might displease His Excellency the chairman.

But in this special period, the Mafia Clan, a large black faction force nurtured by the "Netherlands Bank Group," could not be ignored.

For bankers, the biggest taboo is all forms of uncertainty.

Especially since the new head of the clan, the "Madman" Danfo Mafia, took over, their black enterprise has slowly started to extend beyond the Tyrone Kingdom, gradually exhibiting a kind of superficial unity with the Bank Group’s higher-ups.

Even though the Mafia Clan’s base has always been in Golden Lion City, constantly monitored by the extraordinary people of the Bank Group, the so-called family defense forces are utterly trivial to the Bank Group, which harbors Great Knights.

However, such a force cannot be left unchecked.

The elder glanced back at his assistant and, even though the name "Mafia," which had been giving him headaches, was the last thing he wanted to hear for some time, he was not angry. His assistant was merely doing his duty.

Moreover, as a senior leader who led the "Netherlands Bank Group" through countless campaigns, Mr. Chairman’s decisions were never swayed by emotions.

"Do not make decisions while in a poor emotional state" was clearly written in the Bank Group’s motto, right beside "Not even the gods can browse the Netherlands’ ledger."

Though he was not overly satisfied with the new head of the Mafia Clan after the power transition, he had already made up his mind on how to handle it.

Since the "knife" in hand had dulled, it merely needed sharpening. If, after sharpening, it still didn’t satisfy him, it meant the "knife" was indeed beyond salvage—the best course of action would be to recast a new one.

For the "Netherlands Bank Group" holding unimaginable resources, this was just a trivial matter.

Hmm, to avoid misunderstandings with the kingdom, let’s postpone sharpening the knife until this state of emergency is over.

"Send someone to warn that ’Madman’ to honestly stay put in the Mafia Clan’s mansion during this time.

If he dare causes trouble against the wind again, even if I can spare him, the ten-plus Official Knights of the alliance’s United Mobile Forces might not."

"At your command, Your Excellency; I will take care of it!"

...

After "Vinya" departed, Aiven’s life returned to tranquility, although having once been bitten by a snake, he dared not venture alone through Water City for the time being.

During this period, he stayed obediently on the "Storm Horn," making the final preparations for the breakthrough to become an Official Wizard.

During a seafaring patrol mission, he successfully crafted an [Underwater Breathing Talisman] using materials from a low-grade oceanic demonized creature he accidentally captured.

Then, from Solomon, an Official Wizard adept in "Summoning Art," he managed to acquire two "Purgatory Ferocious Rats" over two meters in size, using their incisors to craft a [Flame Resistance Talisman].

Thus, he completed the crafting of three kinds of talismans, exceeding the preliminary requirements for the "Wild Talisman."

In "Activated Plants," the seeds of three basic species—[Giant Transformation Vine], [Black Thorn], and [Laughing Spores]—have been cultivated, and the corresponding casting ability obtained.

The prerequisites for advancing in the "Vitalist School" mainly required the corresponding knowledge and practical actions, rather than demanding of the kind of talismans made and the enchanted seeds cultivated.

Therefore, Aiven wouldn’t demand so-called "perfection."

The only obstacle left was the last major hurdle in "Magic Potion," the [Spirit Communication Potion]. As long as he successfully brewed a bottle, he could begin preparing for the promotion ceremony.

However, before that, he still needed to procure enough primary material for the potion—"Evil Spirit Dust."

On the Old Continent, the Church’s influence was even deeper at the grassroots level than royal power.

Even in places absent tax officers, the priesthood of the Goddess was definitely present, even if only guarding a simple "Holy Altar" built from piled stones.

The priesthood of the Goddess was the biggest nemesis of such existences as evil spirits. After their purification, not even a trace of "Evil Spirit Dust" would remain for Aiven.

Thus, like the method of buying Holy Water, getting "Evil Spirit Dust" from the Church was unfeasible.

As a relatively obscure material, unless for special purposes, even Wizards who often dealt with all sorts of oddities didn’t wish to get involved with dangerous entities like evil spirits.

Neither the "Violet Eye" warehouse nor Solomon had any in stock, at least.

Even for typical witchcraft experiments or rituals requiring similar spiritual materials, white crystal powder was more useful than Dust of Evil Spirits, and much more stable!

Therefore, the issue of materials required Aiven to resolve independently.

It was akin to being just one small division short of reaching the strongest king tier in a ranked game—he’d have to play through even if it took all his effort!

Under such circumstances, Aiven couldn’t help but feel a sort of itch, longing to finish this task quickly and hurry to pursue ghostly events, securing the "Dust of Evil Spirits" as soon as possible.

Additionally, after previously witnessing the mythic form of "Kurutena," there was a price Aiven paid for restraining his loss of control.

The "Adventurer’s Blood" in his body seemed further activated, occasionally causing daring thoughts to arise within him, pushing him to desperately implement them.

If not for "Data Visualization" constantly monitoring his mind, who knew how much big trouble he might have unconsciously caused.

During this time, the presence of "Data Visualization" was even more pronounced than in previous years, with a large [Mental State Shift] prompt emerging every now and then.

The explicit "Adventurer’s Blood" didn’t turn one into a foolish brute unknowing of contemplation, but it ignored underlying potential risks, prompting Aiven to choose the most aggressive, high-yielding option among many.

From a researcher’s perspective, he suspected this inexplicable impulse might be due to abnormalities in the nervous system and abnormal hormone secretion within the body.

Although there was no serious consequence for now, Aiven was impatient to become an Official Wizard and use the "Vitalist School’s" research on biological bodies to suppress this negative state to a certain extent.

Setting sail—returning to port—studying, these days had passed without any ripples.

During this time, Milan also performed several divinations for the safety of key frontline crew members on the "Storm Horn."

In the beginning.

Milan’s divinations could still capture some information with little utility. Most were vague and unstriking danger forecasts, similar to the usual divination imagery during voyages.

But as time passed, the results of these divinations became increasingly calm and the ripples steadily faded.

Neither good nor bad, it was as calm as an ancient well. It seemed like a very normal outcome, yet it gave them a feeling of an impending storm.

If they didn’t know about the potential big moves of the "Octopus Ghost," they wouldn’t have thought much of it. But now, tracing back the results, it wasn’t hard to conclude:

A major event with a potentially broad impact is increasingly imminent, though it’s currently only possible to glimpse a fraction of it!

For this result, Milan made an analogy.

"When we visit a massive mountain range, from afar we can see a cloud-shrouded peak there, but we can’t see the details within.

But as we break through the clouds and fog and gradually approach, even when we’re right on top of it, we still can’t see the full picture of the tiniest branch of the mountain range."

....

Offshore, on a hidden island.

——

A large flock of seagulls chased and fed on the water surface nearby, weaving in and out among the docked sailboats on the island without fear of people, even boldly snatching lunch from the hands of the crew.

"Annie, look! I just got all the information on the Navy’s New Star from the local boss."

A tall and athletic beautiful figure stepped onto the sailboat docked at the pier and said triumphantly.

"Especially the Intel on the ’Navy New Star,’ Lieutenant Colonel Aiven, which many intel dealers and various forces in the nearby waters are watching. Not difficult to obtain.

However, he’s not in Phaletis right now; he’s gone abroad on a mission.

Accurate intelligence reveals that not long ago, the Alliance summoned the first batch of ’Navy New Stars’ to head to the Tyrone Kingdom for defense, responding to possible follow-up attacks from Pirate King Harkins."

Jasmine Stella holding a sheet of paper, found Anita practicing with her long sword, and reported in a low voice her findings from ashore.

Riding the Trident Ocean Current, despite many dangers along the way, the "Golden Horn Deer" reached the Black Sea’s eastern coast faster than expected.

To operate in coastal waters, they had changed the sails of the "Golden Horn Deer" before arriving at the "Tulip Alliance." It now looked like a sleek fast merchant ship.

Currently, they were temporarily resting in a private port opened by smugglers at the far sea border of Phaletis.

Jasmine easily gathered information about Aiven ashore using the connections left by the old captain.

Whoo—

Upon hearing Jasmine’s words, Anita let out a deep breath of white air and slowly lowered the Dragon-slaying Sword she held with both hands.

She didn’t get excited over receiving news of her brother; instead, her slender brows raised slightly, sensing something off in the information.

"Is this the careful, deep, and dangerous Pirate King I remember?

How could it be that before any action began, the location of the action was already known to everyone? Even third-rate information peddlers know.

Although it could be a result of accidental intelligence leaks, I don’t believe this great pirate, who’s occupied the Black Sea throne for decades, wouldn’t have considered this point!"

In fact, Anita’s doubts were justified; the intelligence regarding the "Leiden River Valley" was mainly spread intentionally by the Alliance side.

The reason was simple too.

This operation might be a "secret" mission for the Pirate King, but the more widely the information spreads, the more eyes will be on the "Leiden River Valley."

No matter what the Pirate King wanted to do, his follow-up actions inevitably become more challenging!

Clearly, the Alliance high command intended to make the Pirate King hesitate and retreat.

Upon hearing this intel, Anita also raised her eyebrows slightly; her first reaction upon hearing Aiven’s whereabouts was that the situation couldn’t be that simple.

Having once encountered the Pirate King in "Sunken Ship Bay," she remembered him as a deceitful and sinister character who concealed malice with laughter; anyone underestimating him would suffer the consequences.

Even though she was now a Tier 3 Great Knight, she never dared to arrogantly consider herself on equal footing with such a figure.

Realizing the unusual nature of Aiven’s mission, Anita solemnly said:

"There must be some insider details about the ’Leiden River Valley’ matter unknown to outsiders.

I don’t care what ’Octopus Ghost’ intends, but if it involves Aiven, my Dragon-slaying Sword shall let him feel its edge!

Jasmine, let’s set out immediately and take the Yirming Current to the fastest speed!"

After the Trident Ocean Current reaches the East Coast, one branch turns southward as the Canary Ocean Current, heading directly towards the Treasure Sea brushing past the Ilya Kingdom; another continues northward as the Yirming Current into the Northern Islands, while the smallest Tessaga Ocean Current retraces back into the Northern New Continent.

From the current position of the "Golden Horn Deer" heading towards the Tyrone Kingdom, they could still catch a ride on the Yirming Current.