“Although we have captured quite a few Avar, their shipping routes are all established under the premise of being escorted by dragons, making it difficult to guide you.”
Lind’s impression of Rosalind was actually quite good; he didn’t dislike someone like her who held a simple sense of justice. Although he couldn’t fully trust what the Gray Robe said, at least this little princess was genuinely making an effort to resist the Avar, even having the courage to embark on a route where death was almost certain.
“You coming here is purely due to the fickle winds of the ocean, but it doesn’t mean you can return safely, do you understand?”
After Lind finished his warning, Rosalind said, “But Your Majesty, I have already persuaded a dragon to help us escort, and now on M Continent, the Avar have already been completely defeated. I think I should return and bring this news to my Father King.”
“A dragon?”
Hearing this, Lind finally put down the report in his hand and asked, “Which one?”
“Regas, a blue dragon representing wisdom. He is very interested in the Solun Continent.”
Upon hearing this name, Lind had some impression; he was Margaret’s brother, whose affairs were a bit off-topic, unlike ordinary dragons that liked gold coins, Regas particularly enjoyed tinkering with human weapons.
“It’s still too dangerous.”
Lind still chose to refuse. After all, as long as Rosalind was alive, there was hope; there was no need to let her take risks. They could wait for the truly advanced ships to come out before sending Rosalind back, remotely controlling the situation in the Solun Continent.
“Your Majesty!”
Rosalind knelt on one knee, her eyes determined as she spoke like someone wanting to join the Goddess Church, “The people of Castile are still in dire straits, the entire kingdom is begging for your mercy. Please show great compassion.”
Originally, Rosalind was somewhat oblivious, after all, she was essentially still a child at heart. However, the most urgent news brought back by the captured Avar began to spread among the officials. Although the Gray Robe was hiding the internal situation of Castile from Rosalind, she still learned some news through those officials, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Originally, Rosalind had come to M Continent to seek reinforcements. Those rumors reminded her of her mission, and she looked for an opportunity to meet Lind, hoping to return to the Solun Continent.
Seeing how dedicated Rosalind was, even prepared to take action just waiting for Lind’s approval, Lind hesitated slightly and said, “Alright, since you can persuade the dragon, I will provide you with a ship separately. You can set off along with those merchants who are preparing to set sail. Let Regas escort those merchants as well.”
Upon receiving Lind’s approval, Rosalind immediately excitedly said, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!”
It was clear that this little princess was too early to be happy; Lind continued, “But the situation in the Solun Continent is chaotic now. Although I approved for those merchants to have weapons, to be honest…”
Lind looked at Rosalind: “Do you have weapons prepared? I can provide some imperial weapons, even stronger defensive items than those merchants, along with some defensive enchantments, but do you have the money to buy them?”
Hearing this rather direct and blunt question, Rosalind showed a troubled expression and hesitated, saying, “I… I’ll find a way!”
Looking at the hesitant foreign princess, Lind shook his head and said, “You didn’t discuss this matter at all with the Gray Robe, did you?”
When her thoughts were exposed, Rosalind awkwardly nodded, “The National Master won’t agree to let me go back; he wants to go back himself.”
Lind didn’t intend to deceive the child and said, “I will persuade the Gray Robe to let you return, but I still need to talk to him about the important matters.”
After the Gray Robe heard the news, he quickly arrived at Lind’s office. Seeing Rosalind sitting on the couch, awkwardly fiddling with her fingers, the Gray Robe was slightly angry, but this anger eventually turned into a long sigh.
“To His Supreme Majesty the Emperor, the National Master of Castile sends respectful greetings.”
The Gray Robe bowed, while Lind pushed a document across the table.
A large ship capable of crossing the sea is not cheap. The original ships from Castile, after repairs, could still barely be used, but even if the Gray Robe wanted to save money, he probably wouldn’t dare let Rosalind and himself take the same ship. However, the merchant ships of the captured Avar could be modified and sold cheaply to someone from Castile.
Those merchants had been preparing their ships long before setting sail. All these ships were invested by Lind and could be considered semi-official. Letting one go would not be inexpensive, let alone the fully armed weapons and enchantments on board. Even the Avar ships had been modified, and the prices of the cannons and enchantments were not low.
Given the current resources the Gray Robe had, it seemed that even paying off the debt to Lind wouldn’t come close to covering it, not to mention the favor owed to Lind.
So in the end, the Gray Robe decided to go all in, agreeing to accept Lind’s full sponsorship, helping Rosalind ascend to power and become the queen of Castile.
The Gray Robe understood that this sponsorship was not without cost. The great Emperor would one day come to collect the interest on these sponsorships, which were not merely written on paper. However, the Gray Robe believed that as long as the princess could ascend to the throne and Castile could unite, they could repay this part of the interest.
Because Castile had an absolute advantage over those small countries that had been swallowed by the empire, it was located overseas.
The great Emperor was benevolent, and the empire also sought face; as long as Rosalind’s Castile was loyal enough to the empire, the empire would not dispatch its terrifying army.
In the end, the Gray Robe signed his name on the agreement and waved for Rosalind to come over. Rosalind didn’t carefully examine the contents of the agreement but skimmed through it, seeing that the great Emperor was willing to help her ascend to Castile, and then dazedly signed her name.
The price for fate’s gift had already been marked in the dark. The Gray Robe was not unaware, but at least from the Gray Robe’s perspective at this moment, the price was still within an acceptable range.
The fleet heading to the Solun Continent was quickly prepared to set sail. In human form, Regas was curiously looking around the harbor, and the blue dragon, symbolizing wisdom, looked rather unwise at that moment. Margaret helplessly lowered her head to cover her face, as if not recognizing her brother.
Originally, the dragons opposed Regas going out to escort, but there was nothing to be done; the profits from maritime trade were too great, and since Regas volunteered, Margaret had no choice but to agree.
The personnel of the fleet had changed from the initial configuration. In addition to those originally technical sailors and the guiding Avar, there were many adventurers from M Continent, soldiers from the empire, bards, and church priests and sisters.
Lind didn’t like those adventurers, so they had to seek alternative routes. However, going to sea was a very good choice. As long as they set sail, this emperor would also commend those adventurers, praising this as the true spirit of adventure, so many adventurers chose to go to sea.
The number of soldiers and bards was not large; they were either there to protect Rosalind or, say, to protect and monitor her both. But for the Gray Robe, these soldiers and bards were much more reliable than the envoy group from Castile he brought along.
Not all the church priests and sisters were there to preach; more were there to ensure safety at sea, prevent diseases, and see if they could establish contact with the goddess on the Solun Continent, as well as experiment with some divine arts. Leading the charge was Bernice from Lantern Dream, a representative of technical nuns.
Hearing that among those soldiers and the female guards beside Rosalind, there were also members of the Lars Knights and the Sisterhood, the Gray Robe didn’t dare to ask and even hoped those rumors were true.
Looking at this magnificent trans-ocean vessel, the Gray Robe sighed heavily. In his view, with the current number of this fleet and the weapons and enchantments on the ships, they could completely traverse the fickle seas. The trained merchants and adventurers were far superior to what Castile labeled as regular troops, yet that emperor from the empire remained dissatisfied, still building trans-ocean ships, and it was said he intended to turn the trans-ocean ships into armored ironclad ships like armored trains.
With a resounding horn, the fleet slowly set sail. Rosalind stood at the bow of the ship, the sea breeze fluttering her hair, her eyes filled with determination and anticipation.
I wonder what the situation in Castile is like now. How are Father King and my brothers?
The little princess stepped onto the road back home with a glimmer of hope.
