207. Make way, sheep of the Temple of the Gods.
Spring is creeping and sliding in. Fernandez stood at the bow of the deck, gazing at the distant port. Merlin Port. At his request to set sail for the departure point, Queen Leia readily raised the anchor.
“Thank you.”
“What for? I’m almost sad the journey is so short.”
Leia smiled slyly. The voyage north was rough and perilous, but now that they had secured Malerun’s Flagship, the Phaeirn Royal Family had regained its title as the strongest naval power in the northern seas.
The small ships scattered like grains of rice around the capital ship were no less formidable than the galleys of any kingdom, and the civilian ships they escorted were now being used as supply and trade vessels.
The Phaeirn Royal Family was rapidly amassing wealth through relay trade and privateer operations across the northern seas, much like they had during their occupation of the City of the Awakened Dragon. And all of them had willingly given up a season’s voyage for the sake of one person’s journey.
It was truly a state-level reception. It had been a week since they left the grand celebrations in the north and headed south. As they sailed further south, the weather quickly cleared and warmed.
By now, the Sernerd Barony would be in the midst of its spring harvest. It had been two years since he last left the barony, and he couldn’t help but wonder what it was like now.
-Nostalgic, are we?
‘What, like an old man?’
-Now you’re denying your age too?
‘I’m twenty.’
-Sure you are.
Faijashi interjected into Fernandez’s thoughts with a short grumble. Anyway, it was spring. At least they hadn’t spent an entire season in the bitter cold, which was something to be grateful for. He didn’t know, but for Kirhas, who was from a warmer region, it must have been quite the ordeal.
“I hope we’re not too late.”
“We sent a courier ahead on a fast ship. We can’t be late.”
“The Inquisition Office is quicker than you think, Queen Leia.”
Before crossing the Bifrost to Asgard, Fernandez had sent Zephis back south. Naturally, the situation at that time would have been reported to the office… It was impossible to think that the Inquisition Office, having heard that a saint had crossed into the gates of Hell, would have taken no action.
So Fernandez was feeling a somewhat pleasant anxiety. Beorn’s face, trying to remain expressionless while clearly panicking every time he submitted a report, was quite a sight.
“The port!!”
-Ta-da-da!
A white dress fluttered past him. It was Freya. She had spent almost her entire life in Asgard and the rest in the north. To her, the southern continent was uncharted territory.
Her eyes sparkled as she clung to the bow of the deck and shouted.
“The great Vanir, rightful heir to the throne of Vanaheim, goddess of life, spring, flowers, and all things beautiful, is coming. Civilizations of the south!”
Worship her!! Freya spread her arms and shouted. Of course, there was still a long way to go before they docked, and Malerun’s Flagship was too massive to enter the harbor, so the only ones who could respond to her cries were Fernandez and Leia.
“Send the bill to the Vaitas Church.”
“Haha. Your jokes have improved! I like it. Any plans for this summer?”
“…None, but?”
“Have you ever heard of it? There’s a beautiful island covered in gems. Just a handful would be enough for a person to live luxuriously for a year… It’s a truly magnificent place. Would you accept an invitation from the royal family?”
Leia took a step closer to him and spoke quietly. Fernandez chuckled and took a step back.
“Tempting a monk with worldly luxuries? That goes against the vow of purity.”
“You don’t seem all that pure…? Where’s the monk in a man traveling with two beauties? Ah, now it’s three. Even the nobles with their string of mistresses couldn’t match such beauties.”
“Assistants. Local assistants.”
“Of course.”
Leia laughed softly. She then turned her head without hesitation and shouted.
“Prepare to dock! Ready the disembarkation! And the gifts!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!!”
Soon, the sailors’ loud shouts accompanied the rapid descent of the speedboats chained to the ship. Fernandez spoke with a bemused expression.
“Gifts?”
“Yes, of course, gifts are necessary. Last time, we were in such a hurry we couldn’t prepare any honors.”
Leia playfully tilted her head, holding the collar of her coat.
“Allow us to show the proper respect to a nation’s benefactor. Your dignity is no different from the dignity of our entire people. We can’t just let you enter that port like a refugee.”
Leia spoke cheerfully and then walked away lightly. She waved her hat behind her back and said.
“And don’t forget my offer! That island is not only beautiful in summer but also in autumn, winter, and even this season!”
Fernandez chuckled and glanced at her before turning back to look at the port. Anyway, it was spring. The sunlight was warm, and the breeze was gentle. It was the spring of the southern port.
-Pop!
And it was a spring where the goddess of spring, overwhelmed with joy, made flowers bloom all over the deck.
* * *
-Booooom!!
Merlin Port was the Phaeirn Royal Family’s central hub for material trade, the most prosperous port, and the key trading port of the northeastern triangular trade.
Thus, the city guards of Merlin Port were strict in military discipline, and the port’s defenses were nearly perfect. The patrol ships sounded the alarm as soon as they saw the approaching Serpent King’s Flagship.
Of course, the Serpent King’s Flagship couldn’t be harmed by cannons. Whether the alarm sounded or not, they approached the port.
The massive flagship, which alone could distort the sense of distance just by appearing on the horizon, was entering the harbor. The sight of what seemed like a city wall approaching sent all the citizens near the Merlin Port harbor into a panic, scattering in all directions.
These were people who, even for city dwellers, were quite accustomed to disaster situations. Just last year, the Walker incident had devastated the entire city, and before that, there had been werewolf riots, and after that, Guimerin’s Golden Fleet had illegally occupied the harbor.
Ugh.
But being familiar with disaster didn’t mean staying calm in the face of one. Even the boldest sailors, taking hits from warning shots without a scratch, were terrified and lost morale, fleeing from the sea fortress approaching them.
“Who’s coming…?”
Amidst the chaos, some felt confusion rather than fear. First, the administrative nobles of Merlin Port, located in the safest area.
“The patrol boats reported it’s the royal fleet of Guimerin.”
At this moment, intelligence groups from various royal families and factions scattered across the northern sea cities were reacting similarly.
“Guimerin? Brother, Brother Alento!! Bring the report, the report! Where was Brother Fernandez’s first mission area?”
“…It was the Guimerin Royal Family.”
“Ah, please. Tell me they’re not bringing the entire royal fleet to dock illegally at a secular kingdom’s port now…”
“Should we summon Brother Zephis?”
“No. Please, take me to Lord Vaitas.”
Some Inquisition Officers, hoping for a funeral rite, were also reacting. No, actually, the Inquisition Officers were as scared as the other citizens, not from a threat to their lives but from something closer to shame.
-BOOM!!
When the sudden cannon fire began to echo across Merlin Port, and news spread that it was a celebratory salute from the Elven King’s fleet.
“Prepare… the funeral rites.”
“Macto Supe Raudo.”
Some Inquisition Officers, trying to escort Fernandez out to the Inquisition Office before contacting other intelligence groups, requested their own funeral rites.
* * *
Clear skies, warm spring. Four people were near the harbor on a speedboat full of blooming flowers.
Kirhas, buoyed by the spring breeze, Abel, relaxed after a long mission, Freya, just excited, and Fernandez, feeling playful for the first time in a while as he prepared to report on the mission’s progress.
The four weren’t too concerned about the underwater intelligence operations at the port or the citizens shocked by the sudden salute. Nor did they care much about the guards rushing toward the speedboat.
Honestly, they didn’t need to worry. Illegal docking was a serious port misdemeanor, but it was just a fine. No one would dare fine an Inquisition Officer of the Vaitas Church for a minor offense.
‘This is why high-ranking officials have it easy.’
-What a mess.
‘Of course, I’m in a good mood. No problems for a while now. Let’s take it easy and look for the Archangel.’
-Any expected locations?
‘Well, I should visit the High Council of Aseas first. In my past life, they were enemies, and I only saw ruins, but during their peak, wasn’t it a great magic tower? I’ve always wanted to visit.’
Fernandez spoke unusually cheerfully. They had taken down two Great Demons. In the short history of civilized society, such a major event had never happened.
And they had also saved two Archangels. The unified North was stabilizing quickly, and with the influence of Pimblefest fading, the weather would gradually return to normal. For centuries, the Northerners would be self-sufficient on the Northern Continent.
Thus, one of the two greatest events in pre-apocalypse civilization had concluded. With the Black Erik dead and the Archangels ruling the North, corruption wouldn’t spread. Sending a few Inquisition Officers occasionally would suffice, and this had already been coordinated with Aeren.
Another thing. Karadskar’s northern invasion wouldn’t happen for at least thirty years. So, at this moment, the clock ticking toward civilization’s end had definitely been pushed back.
It was thrilling. Feeling clear feedback while chasing a goal. Fernandez stepped onto the port of Merlin Port, basking in the warm sunlight.
“Halt!”
Even as the guards’ shouts reached him, his mind was as calm as Freya’s flower garden.
“No, you halt.”
Even as knights suddenly appeared in the distance. Well, that could happen. The Phaeirn Knights might come. Fernandez reached into his pocket to show his identification.
“Lord Albert Sernerd, correct?”
“You’ve got the wrong person.”
Fernandez instinctively replied, quickly thinking. That name was a phonetic symbol used in the Dane Kingdom…?
Fernandez looked somewhat awkwardly at the approaching forces. A green banner fluttering with a crest… the royal family’s crest… with King Vicente’s seal…
‘Hmm… what’s going on?’
Only then did Fernandez’s mind start to cool down. At least three different groups were acting like they knew him. This was not a good situation.
And the worst…
“Brother!!!”
“Eek!”
“Ugh!”
-BOOM!!
A rough voice echoing through the sky! With a loud crash, Demonica jumped down from somewhere, shattering the road tiles!
“Brother! Praise the Lord’s holiness! Oh, brother!”
-Wham!
Demonica, Fabiano, shouted roughly as he ran over and tightly hugged Fernandez. Fernandez quickly assessed the situation the moment he appeared.
‘Ah, damn it. Brother Beorn…’
-At least three groups seem to have requested support.
In a way, it made sense. Zephis had announced the Great Demon’s resurrection at least half a month ago, and the Inquisition Office wouldn’t just sit still after hearing that.
Fabiano held Fernandez tightly and whispered quietly.
“Couldn’t you have come a bit more quietly…?”
“There were unavoidable circumstances. Was the Monastery Head very angry?”
“I’m just glad. We’re all glad. It’s not your fault, so don’t worry.”
“Who’s in Merlin Port?”
“Brother Zephis is here. Inquisition Officers are stationed at every port entangled in the northern sea routes. To ‘secretly’ escort you.”
“And the other factions?”
“The Order of the Light, the Relief Knights, the Phaeirn Royal Intelligence, the Dane Inner Circle, the Empire’s Iron Side, and so on. Every group under the Papacy’s influence was waiting for you.”
“Haha.”
“Brother Zephis had a message for you. ‘Since it’s already noisy, go all out. Come out as shamelessly as possible.'”
“I like that.”
Fernandez laughed dryly and pushed Fabiano away. He recalled two years ago and cleared his throat.
-Ah, you’re not going to do that, are you? That was embarrassing enough last time.
‘If it’s hard once, it’s not hard twice.’
-Usually, people learn shame after one time.
‘It’s a small sacrifice for the greater good. As our lives have always been.’
Fernandez steeled himself for a moment and then shouted roughly.
“I am Inquisition Officer Archangelo! Make way, sheep of the Temple of the Gods!!”
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