Chapter 1315: Chapter 1315

"The ocean from late spring to early autumn is like a gentle lakeside maiden. She has a calm and shy smile, silently extending an invitation. She will allow you to embrace her, letting you brazenly reach out your claws and explore the beautiful coast... But if you miss the time, as autumn comes to an end..."

"The gentle lakeside maiden will, without warning, suddenly transform into the ruthless ice and snow witch (Windego)! She will shoot piercing cold winds and ice arrows, freezing you and your ship into ice blocks. Then, she will use her thunderbolt-wielding claws to tear you apart, bit by bit, and devour you completely!..."

Miki the Sage looked serious, recounting the inherited poetry of the Cedar Shaman, and also relaying his warning.

"So, explorers heading north, seize the time! Because now is the best and last chance. If we delay further, we’ll have to wait another year!..."

"Ah? Gentle lakeside maiden, ruthless ice and snow witch?"

Exploration Captain Zuwaro furrowed his brow, suddenly having a bad premonition. The entire journey north, sailing along the Western Sea Coast, though slow, had been quite calm. Could it be that this is not the true nature of this coastline?

"Miki, explain more clearly! We need to fully prepare for our exploration, what exactly does this Mivok people’s inherited poetry mean?"

"With the Chief Divine as witness! Simply put, the climate of the Western Sea Coast is completely different from, even opposite to, that of the Kingdom."

Miki the Sage stroked his chin, his eyes focused with contemplation, along with a spark of wisdom.

"From April to October here is warm and dry, ideal for sailing. Like these last two months, there’s been little rainfall, no storms, nor tempests! Therefore, when we traveled north, the journey was smooth and calm, without encountering a single heavy storm..."

"But after October, the climate becomes cold with frequent rain, and storms appear abruptly! The cold North howls its way to the warm sea, bringing endless rainstorms! And terrifying storms accompanied by thunderbolts,

can last for over half a month straight, with temperatures plummeting overnight. Navigating at that time will encounter not only gale winds, sea waves, thunderstorms, and fog but even floating ice from the North!..."

"Thus, if we want to reach the major northern sea port, we must set off quickly and settle down before October! The fleet’s timing is very tight, which is why I agreed to so many cooperative transactions..."

"Chief Divine! Dry and rainless in summer, cold and rainy with thunderbolts in winter? And the mild climate only lasts until October?..."

Exploration Captain Zuwaro paused for a moment, then urgently stomped in concern.

"It’s already mid-July, and we’re still slowly constructing West Mountain Port! Unacceptable, if it’s really , before October, we must at least reach the Grand Bay foretold by Your Majesty!"

"Yes! That’s what I was thinking as well!"

Miki the Sage nodded, solemnly suggesting.

"Cedar Shaman invited us to repair the ships at the North Bay Tribe, but I temporarily did not agree. Later I’m taking three longships, to make a trip to North Bay Tribe, bringing their craftsmen and lumber. Then, we’ll repair the longships outside the camp at West Mountain Port!"

"They will send a group of hunters and tribespeople to this camp to help, also further engaging with us. By the way, there are three Shaman apprentices who will stay in the camp to teach us local herb lore, while also learning the Kingdom’s language. They also want to learn mathematics... Have Preaching Priest Jia Shu take them, using ’Book of Ama Colley’ as the teaching material, to see if we can convert these successors of tribal traditions!..."

"First-level Preaching Priest Jia Shu? Do you mean leaving him here, no longer continuing north? Hmm, indeed..."

Upon hearing this, the Exploration Captain pondered for a while, expressing agreement. As the Kingdom Fleet had journeyed north from Reagan Town, to ensure dual leadership, only First-level Preaching Priests were brought.

Priest Jia Shu was the most knowledgeable and highest-ranked among these first-level priests. Because he was one of the grandsons of the Kingdom’s Chief Minister, Sage Jatili, named symbolically with ’Book’ for knowledge. Sage Jatili personally sent his grandson on the treacherous voyage, nine lives at stake, a promise to the King and a demonstration of support for the northern exploration. However, these two cannot truly use the Chief’s grandson at the forefront of exploration, risking his life endlessly...

"Alright! Then let Jia Shu stay here and together with Warrior Leader Stonefirm, oversee West Mountain Port! The fleet’s main force will head north, leaving two ships for them..." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novelFirｅ.net

"Zuwaro, continue northward exploration, there’s no need for so many ships nor to bring too many people!"

Miki the Sage shook his head. He had talked with the Cedar Shaman for many days, not solely being probed, but also gathering much intelligence regarding the northern tribes and their survival situation.

"Further north along the coast, the tribes are mostly of hundreds in scale, with hunting and fishing as major food sources, so there’s very little preserved food! This time going north, we can only take six ships, three hundred men... thus, even if we are trapped by ice storms at a tribe, we can manage to endure. And based on Cedar Shaman’s suggestion, it’s best to have fewer than two hundred in size..."

"Chief Divine bearing witness! Six ships heading north, four ships staying... meaning leaving two hundred and fifty people in West Mountain Port to pioneer..."

The Exploration Captain Zuwaro thought deeply, recalling Your Majesty’s prophecy about the challenging Far North land and the edict to learn from local tribes, ultimately deciding to follow Cedar Shaman’s advice. However, before the fleet’s main force departed, there was still one important task to complete to ensure West Mountain Port’s safety!

"Miki! Go to the North Bay Tribe again, and raise a request with Cedar Shaman! A request for an ally, please ensure they agree!"

"The fleet has just arrived, prepared some gemstones and cloth as gifts, and wishes to trade weapons for food... Invite the tribe leaders within two hundred miles to come here! And after giving gifts, we’ll continue north, exploring the icy Far North land!..."

Distant thoughts like late-July Golden Bay sunshine penetrating the clear sea surface. Memories of the past few months, like illuminated sea waters, flashed clearly in Zuwaro’s mind. He turned around, looking at the impressive lineup of ten longships and the rising smoke from the ships. Of them, six will sail northward, and the remaining three will visit surrounding tribes, trading for more food and fur. As for the last one, it will deliver news of the Golden Bay area’s construction to Three Hills Port, over a thousand miles south.

The deafening cannon shots echoed like thunderbolts across the distant mountains. On the further coastal shore, Mivok leaders wearing feather crowns, all showing astonishment, trembling hands and feet, some even prostrating in prayer. Among the crouched crowd, only one strong as a bear, an old Shaman stood upright, staring intently at the thunderous ’Copper Beast’ on the longship, filled with disbelief and shock.

"Hahaha! Even the old fox, widely experienced, is shocked and loses composure when facing the unprecedented ’Divine Thunderbolt’, doubting the Heavenly Divine!"

Exploration Captain Zuwaro laughed heartily, contentedly patting Miki’s shoulder. At this moment, the Cedar Shaman on the shore undoubtedly harbors countless questions, but to know the answers, he must wait until Miki returns once more.

"Haha! Let that cunning old fellow endure a good few months of torment!"

Exploration Captain Zuwaro turned his head briskly, looking at the majestic West Mountain right before him and the narrow harbor being traversed. The truly vast and boundless sea lies ahead of the fleet, awaiting the exploration of Divine Revelation!

"Chief Divine bless us! Fleet full speed northward, seeking the prophesied Grand Bay!"

"Praise Your Majesty! We are getting closer to the Western New Continent, thousands of miles away!"