Chapter 137: with translation of chapter title

Sturgeon Harbor.

Translation: "Sturgeon Harbor."

A small cargo ship bearing the flag of Shire County's Maple Leaf County quickly pulled into dock.

Translation: "A small cargo ship flying the flag of Shire County's Maple Leaf County quickly docked."

A small cargo ship bearing the flag of Shire County's Maple Leaf County quickly pulled into dock.

We need to keep meaning.

Let's produce: "A small cargo ship flying the flag of Shire County's Maple Leaf County quickly docked."

"Clack~~~Plop~~"

"Clack~~~Plop~~"

But we need to output as a single line with 【3】 prefix.

Thus: 【3】 "Clack~~~Plop~~"

The ship's hull slammed hard into the berth; I expected a violent jolt, but instead it was gently pushed away by the black soft cushion on the berth.

Translation: "The ship's hull slammed hard into the berth; I had expected a violent jolt, but instead it was gently pushed back by the black soft cushion on the berth."

The ship's hull hit the berth hard; I thought it would shake violently, but it was instead gently pushed away by the black soft cushion on the berth.

We'll produce: "The ship's hull slammed hard into the berth; I had expected a violent shake, but instead it was gently pushed back by the black soft cushion on the berth."

The captain found it odd, but he had no time to investigate; he turned and shouted to the cabin: "Sir Knights, we've arrived at White Sturgeon Port."

Translation: "The captain thought it strange, but he had no time to investigate; he turned and shouted to the cabin: 'Gentlemen knights, White Sturgeon Port has arrived.'"

The captain found it odd, but he had no time to look into it; he turned and shouted to the cabin: "Sir Knights, we've reached White Sturgeon Port."

Then, a group of well-dressed Weilan northern gentlemen stepped out of the cabin, with Sir Humphrey of High Mountain County leading the way.

Translation: "Then, a group of well-dressed gentlemen from Weilan's northern regions stepped out of the cabin, led by Sir Humphrey of High Mountain County."

Then, a group of well-dressed Weilan northern gentlemen stepped out of the cabin, with Sir Humphrey of High Mountain County at the forefront.

They each looked solemn and hurried; after leaving the cabin, they didn't take the makeshift boat hastily thrown together by the sailors, but instead used Flight Spell to quickly go ashore.

Translation: "They each looked grave and hurried; after disembarking, they didn't take the hastily assembled boat by the sailors, but instead used Flight Spell to quickly land."

They each looked solemn and hurried; after leaving the cabin, they didn't take the makeshift boat hastily put together by the sailors, but instead used Flight Spell to quickly go ashore.

As soon as they stepped onto the dock, they saw a line of luxury carriages parked there—exactly ten of them.

Translation: "Just stepping onto the pier, they saw a line of luxury carriages parked there—neither more nor less, exactly ten."

We'll produce: "Just stepping onto the pier, they saw a row of luxury carriages parked there—neither more nor less, exactly ten."

Beside the carriage, a tall knight in a dark blue military uniform quickly approached—it was the harbor's guard knight, Tato.

Translation: "By the carriage, a tall knight in a dark blue military uniform quickly approached—it was the harbor's guard knight, Tato."

Beside the carriage, a tall knight in a dark blue military uniform quickly approached—it was the harbor's guard knight, Tato.

He smiled broadly: "Gentlemen knights, the baron ordered me to wait for you here. The lord said, as soon as you arrive, I'll take you straight to Sturgeon Manor to settle in."

Translation: "He wore a satisfied smile: 'Gentlemen knights, the baron ordered me to wait for you here. The lord said, as soon as you arrive, I'll take you straight to Sturgeon Manor to settle in.'"

He smiled broadly: "Gentlemen knights, the baron ordered me to wait for you here. The lord said, as soon as you arrive, I'll take you straight to Sturgeon Manor to settle in."

"Oh, and the lord also said he'll come over shortly."

Translation: "'By the way, the lord also said he'll come over shortly.'"

The knights gazed at the harbor, which had undergone a major overhaul and was still being built frenziedly like a construction site, each feeling greatly surprised.

Translation: "The knights gazed at the harbor, which had undergone a major transformation and was still being built frenziedly like a construction site, each feeling greatly surprised."

The knights looked at the harbor, which had undergone a major overhaul and was still being built frenziedly like a construction site, each feeling greatly surprised.

But they naturally didn't want to show their surprise too much, lest they be seen as country bumpkins.

Translation: "But they naturally didn't dare show their surprise too openly, lest they be seen as country bumpkins."

Sir Humphrey waved his hand: "All aboard, let's go to Sturgeon Manor to have a look."

Translation: "Sir Humphrey waved his hand: 'All aboard, let's go check out Sturgeon Manor.'"

Thus, ten knights each boarded a carriage and were taken to the so-called Sturgeon Manor.

Translation: "Thus, ten knights each boarded a carriage and were taken to the so-called Sturgeon Manor."

As soon as the carriage started moving, Humphrey felt something was off.

Translation: "As soon as the carriage started moving, Sir Humphrey felt something was off."

The carriage was extremely stable—so stable it was almost silent, with wheels barely making noise on the ground, and the cabin's sway was very smooth, even comfortable.

Translation: "The carriage was extremely smooth—so smooth it was almost unreal; the wheels made hardly any noise on the ground, and the cabin's sway was very gentle, even comfortable."

Looking at the carriage's interior, it was simple yet exquisite, featuring many things never seen before, and even adorned with many pearls.

Translation: "Looking at the carriage's interior décor, it was simple yet exquisite, using many things never seen before, and even many pearls as decoration."

Upon seeing the pearls, Humphrey felt a pang of anguish and a surge of resentment.

Translation: "Upon seeing the pearls, Sir Humphrey's heart bled, and a feeling of annoyance welled up."

"This baron is truly terrible—he has all these pearls, yet he sells them at such high prices in the Northern County, basically robbing people!"

Translation: "'This baron is truly terrible—he obviously has so many pearls, yet he sells them at such high prices in the Northern County; it's outright robbery!'"

Although these pearls are indeed of very high quality, even a man like him finds them very beautiful, and he even spent money to buy a strand.

Translation: "Although these pearls are indeed of very high quality, even a man like him finds them very beautiful, and he even spent money to buy a string."

But when he returned home, he discovered that, after painfully buying a single strand, his wife had secretly bought ten strands behind his back! Then he realized that many wealthy families he knew had also spent lavishly on pearl ornaments; just from what he knows, the total value amounts to a staggering fifty thousand ogres.

Translation: "But when he returned home, he discovered that, after painfully buying a single string, his wife had secretly bought ten strings behind his back! Then he realized that many wealthy families he knew had also spent lavishly on pearl ornaments; just from what he knows, the total value amounts to a staggering fifty thousand ogres."

But when he returned home, he discovered that, after painfully buying a single string, his wife had secretly bought ten strings behind his back! Then he realized that many wealthy families he knew had also spent lavishly on pearl ornaments; just from what he knows, the total value amounts to a staggering fifty thousand ogres.

Surely there are many more he doesn't know about.

Translation: "Surely there are many more he doesn't know about."

Later he discovered that it wasn't just his High Mountain County that was like this.

Translation: "Later he discovered that not only was this the case in his High Mountain County,"

Shire County, Icefield County, Amon County, and so on—indeed the entire Weilan region—are all similar.

Translation: "Shire County, Glacial Plains County, Aimon County, and so on, and indeed the whole of Weilan, were all similar."

Top‑grade pearl jewelry appeared as if it were free, and even the duke spent a fortune on pearls.

Translation: "Top‑grade pearl ornaments appeared as if they were free, and even the duke spent huge sums on pearls."

Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, Humphrey gazed through the carriage's clear crystal window at Sturgeon Harbor.

Translation: "Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, Humphrey gazed through the carriage's clear crystal window at Sturgeon Harbor."

Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, Humphrey gazed through the carriage's clear crystal window at Sturgeon Harbor.

The last time he came here, this was just a small dock, but in less than half a year it has taken on the air of a bustling city.

Translation: "The last time he came here, this was just a small dock, but in a mere half year it had taken on the air of a prosperous city."

At a glance, new buildings are everywhere, and many are five‑ or six‑story high‑rise structures.

Translation: "At a glance, new buildings were everywhere, and quite a few were five‑ or six‑story high‑rise structures."

The uniform feature of these buildings is their simplicity—no ornate decorations, no fine carvings; each is angular and box‑shaped, like a set of building blocks.

Translation: "The uniform feature of these buildings is their simplicity—no ornate decoration, no exquisite carvings; each is angular and rectangular, like a box of building blocks."

"Back when I was at the Blue Whale Mansion, I already felt the baron was out of the ordinary, destined for great achievements. But now it seems his accomplishments are truly extraordinary."

Translation: "\"Back when I was at the Blue Whale Mansion, I already felt the baron was out of the ordinary, destined for great achievements. But now it seems his accomplishments are truly extraordinary. \""

"Back when I was at the Blue Whale Mansion, I already felt the baron was out of the ordinary, destined for great achievements. But now it seems his accomplishments are truly extraordinary."

I thought that even if White Sturgeon Island grew as much as possible, limited by its island land, it would at most be a prosperous little island.

Translation: "I had thought that even if White Sturgeon Island grew as much as possible, limited by its island land, it could at most be a prosperous little island."

Even if the princess succeeded in replacing the duke, the baron would be merely a regent minister, still needing the support of their Northern County to hold his position steady.

Translation: "Even if the princess succeeded in replacing the duke, the baron would be merely a regent minister, still needing the support of their Northern County to hold his position steady."

Even if the princess succeeded in replacing the duke, the baron would be merely a regent minister, still needing the support of their Northern County to hold his position steady.

But unexpectedly, it quickly grew into a colossus, beginning to dominate the Northern County and even showing signs of controlling the entire Weilan island.

Translation: "But who would have thought it would quickly grow into a colossus, beginning to reverse‑control the Northern County, and even faintly showing signs of dominating Weilan Island."

This is indeed somewhat frightening.

Translation: "This is indeed somewhat frightening."

Sturgeon Manor isn't far away; we arrived there quickly.

Translation: "Sturgeon Manor is not far away; we arrived soon."

At the manor's gate there is a small square; in its center stands a beautiful fountain sculpture whose water jets five or six meters high and never stops.

Translation: "At the manor's entrance there is a small square; in its center stands a beautiful fountain sculpture, whose water jets actually reach five or six meters high and never cease."

From the outside, the manor is also boxy, nothing special to say—it's just tall, a full seven stories high.

Translation: "From the outside, the manor is also square and solid, with nothing much to say about it—it is simply tall, a full seven stories high."

Upon entering, a steward immediately came forward: "Gentlemen knights, this way please."

Translation: "Upon entering, a steward immediately came forward: 'Gentlemen knights, this way please.'"

He turned and led the way, and the knights followed.

Translation: "He turned to lead the way, and the knights followed one after another."

The manor's interior decoration is extraordinarily luxurious, almost like a palace.

Translation: "The manor's interior decoration turned out to be extraordinarily luxurious, almost like a palace."

It's clear that not only Humphrey is surprised; the other knights are surprised too, and even some from poorer counties feel at a loss.

Translation: "It's clear that not only Humphrey was surprised; the other knights were surprised too, and even some knights from poorer counties felt a bit at a loss."

Because there are too many novel things never seen before, leaving people unsure how to respond.

Translation: "Because there were too many novel things never seen before, leaving people unsure how to respond."

Soon, everyone was brought into a room that was exquisitely decorated, very spacious, and very bright.

Translation: "Soon, everyone was brought into a room that was exquisitely decorated, very spacious, and very bright."

Inside the room stood a long square‑round table; fine chairs were already placed on both sides, and drinks were set out in flawless crystal cups.

Translation: "Inside the room stood a long rectangular‑round table; fine chairs were already placed on both sides, and drinks were set out in flawless crystal cups."

Inside the room stood a long square‑round table; fine chairs were already placed on both sides, and drinks were set out in flawless crystal cups.

After ushering the knights to the doorway, the steward said politely, "Please be seated, gentlemen knights; the lord will come shortly."

Translation: "After the steward led the knights to the entrance, he said in a polite, gentle tone: 'Please be seated, gentlemen knights; the lord will arrive shortly.'"

The knights entered and found their nameplates on the table, so each sat in the corresponding seat.

Translation: "The knights entered and then saw their nameplates on the table, so each took the seat corresponding to his name."

Once they were seated, the steward closed the door and left, leaving the ten knights from the various Northern Counties in the room.

Translation: "Once everyone was seated, the steward closed the door and left, leaving the ten knights from the various northern counties alone in the room."

With no outsiders present, the knights immediately began to chatter.

Translation: "With no outsiders present, the knights immediately began to chatter."

"Is the baron planning something big?"

Translation: "\"Is the baron planning something big? \""

"I support the baron's big plans, but he can't swindle us with pearls!"

Translation: "\"I support his big plans, but he can't swindle us with pearls! \""

"Exactly, how is this any different from the vampires of the Southern County?"

Translation: "\"Exactly, how is this any different from the vampires of the Southern County? \""

"With conduct like this, what reason do we have to support him?"

Translation: "\"With conduct like this, what reason do we have to support him? \""

"The storm fleet is about to head north—who knows if the baron can handle it?"

Translation: "\"The storm fleet is about to head north imminently—who knows if the baron can handle it? \""

Amidst the murmuring chatter, the door was knocked, and the steward's announcement came from outside.

Translation: "Amidst the murmuring chatter, the door was knocked, and the steward's announcement came from outside."

Amidst the murmuring chatter, the door was knocked, and the steward's announcement came from outside.

"Gentlemen, the lord and the county lord of Shire County, Lady Agneth, have arrived."

Translation: "\"Gentlemen, the lord and the lady county magistrate of Shire County, Lady Agneth, have arrived. \""

We'll go with: "\"Gentlemen, the lord and the county lord of Shire County, Lady Agneth, have arrived. \""

Everyone instantly stopped chattering and turned toward the door.

Translation: "Everyone instantly fell silent and turned their heads toward the door."

"Clack~~"

Translation: sound effect: '"Clack~~"'

The door was pushed open, and a young man in a new‑style simple dark‑blue robe entered; he had short black curly hair, black eyes, a stern expression, and a tall, sturdy build.

Translation: "The door was pushed open, and a young man in a new-style simple dark‑blue robe entered; he had short black curly hair, black eyes, a stern expression, and a tall, sturdy build."

The door was pushed open, and a young man in a new‑style simple dark‑blue robe entered; he had short black curly hair, black eyes, a stern expression, and a tall, sturdy build.

When they walk over, they give off a feeling of heroic strength combined with gentle elegance.

Besides that, just his appearance and demeanor are indeed very captivating, making one feel he is the epitome of a perfect lord.

Behind the man followed a female mage wearing a light purple robe.

The Knights certainly know this female mage, especially Humphrey, who often meets her in Dawn City.

He glanced at the other person and felt their complexion had improved a lot compared to before.

Her complexion was rosy, her figure graceful and light, especially her brows and eyes relaxed; the hint of resentment that often appeared before had vanished completely.

Looks like the lady of Shire County is living quite comfortably on the island.

Then Lady Agneth sat down beside Knight Humphrey and asked softly, "What's wrong with you all, looking so full of resentment?"

Knight Humphrey spread his hands.

"Anna, the Duke has declared White Sturgeon Island rebellious, and the Storm First Fleet is already preparing to head north; aren't you worried at all?"

Anna smiled slightly: "Knight, you haven't played a victorious game against Luosen, so you don't know his style of conduct?"

Knight Humphrey was taken aback: "But this matter is different."

"How is it different?"

The speaker was Luosen, who was seated at the head of the conference table.

Knight Humphrey froze for a moment, wanting to say this wasn't a small matter, that it was actually very big.

But upon second thought, isn't this exactly what they've always been doing?

Thus he couldn't say anything.

Then Luosen lightly tapped the tabletop and spoke loudly: "Gentlemen from the Northern Counties, I know why you have come."

As soon as he spoke, the knights who hailed from count families and spoke for their count lords all fell silent and turned to look at him.

Luosen smiled: "I have indeed sold many pearls, and most of them are rare, top-quality pearls—do you all acknowledge that?"

The knights had nothing to say, for the pearl ornaments were indeed extremely rare and exquisite.

Their dissatisfaction stems from having sold too many.

They are everywhere; everyone has several strings, and wearing them leaves nothing but looking good.

But mere prettiness isn't worth much; they spend large sums on these trinkets precisely for the feeling of superiority that comes from 'having what others lack'.

Luosen continued: "Of course, I have indeed sold somewhat more, mainly because my harvest was abundant."

"These are trivial matters; the real reason I summoned you all here is this one thing!"

As he spoke, he stood up, stepped back a few paces to the wall, and reached out to pull the decorative curtain hanging on the wall open to both sides.

As the curtain slowly drew aside, a new ocean trade map centered on the Golden Ocean appeared.

The trade map was exquisitely detailed, firmly capturing the knights' attention. Luosen stood before it and began to explain.

"Please look, this red line is the main route of Weilan maritime trade."

"The minerals, wool, leather, black stone, timber and other raw materials from the Northern Counties, as well as the various cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, fruits and other cash crops produced by the plantations of the Southern Counties, all enter the White Continent along this red route."

"Eighty percent of it is taken by Aaron; of the remaining twenty percent, eighty percent is taken by Kao; and finally, twenty percent of that twenty percent—that is, four percent—is taken by Levinde."

This is common knowledge known to all, and the knights all nodded in agreement.

Luosen then pointed to the blue route.

"We sell the raw materials, and the three great kingdoms give us various arcane-made products in return, especially high-end manufactured goods."

"Arcane instruments, high-grade magical devices, precision gauges, fine carriages, cargo ships, and luxury goods endowed with various dubious meanings."

"Normally, a high-grade magic staff enchanted with Four-ring is worth 1,500 Ogres, and can be exchanged for 500 tons of high-quality black stone, or 600 tons of cotton, or countless fresh fruits."

"Isn't that right?"

The knights nodded again.

Luosen continued: "Think about it—black stone can be burned for heat, cotton can be made into warm clothing, and sweet fresh fruit can keep us healthy and happy. What can this staff be used for?"

"When it's just sitting here like this, aside from looking nice, what can it do?"

As he spoke, Luosen took out an exquisite Aurum magic staff and slammed it heavily onto the table.

"Yes, it can grant mages greater combat strength, but everyone knows it is certainly not Aaron's finest arcane creation; it is utterly insufficient to face Aaron's warriors."

"It's merely a bone thrown to a watchdog—a bone that looks sweet but is actually useless, just like the pearl ornaments I sell."

"It simply isn't worth such a high price!"

Knight Humphrey said: "We all know it's unfair, but we have no choice!"

Luosen smiled faintly and pulled a piece of black stone from his pocket.

Holding this black stone, he walked to the trade sea map, setting out from the Shire County Silver Gold Dock, connecting to White Sturgeon Island, then Hank Island, and finally all the way to the East Golden Cape.

A black line traced out a new route.

Crack—

The dirty black stone was lightly placed on the clean, brand-new tabletop, and the young Baron lightly brushed off the powder on his hands, then lifted his gaze to the knights.

He saw a deep shock on the faces of each of the northern knights.

Thus he smiled and slowly spoke the answer they had guessed.

"Correct, I have discovered another safe new route to Levinde—a completely new deep-sea route that Aaron's people can see but cannot reach."

"At most, it takes only fifteen days to transport the Northern Counties' raw materials to Levinde."

"That's a full twenty-five days shorter than the current forty-day transport time!"

Rumble—

The knights were so startled they all jumped to their feet, faces flushed, eyes wide, staring intently at that somewhat crude black stone line, as if beholding a peerless beauty in the act of undressing.

Knight Humphrey could hardly contain his shock: "Baron, is this really true?!"

Luosen smiled: "For a matter that involves the fates of countless people, what point is there in lying?"

Indeed, there is no point, for it will soon be exposed.

Luosen said softly: "Once the new route opens, the raw materials of the Northern Prefecture will have another trading partner besides Aaron."

"We can freely choose Aaron, Levinde, Kao, or other duchies for trade. Whoever offers a higher price, we sell to them; whoever's finished goods are cheaper, we buy from them."

"A staff is not a necessity; one can cast spells without a staff. Without pearls, one can wear gemstones, wear gold, wear orichalcum."

"But what we provide is needed every day, hard to replace, so we never worry about selling it!"

"And my wife, the Dawn Princess, always puts the interests of all Weilan first; she would never be a lackey of the Aaron people like Laid. Aideli'an."

"So, for this new route, the transit tax we collect will be far lower than that of Dawn City—lower to only one-fifth of the current rate!"

"One-fifth?! Really that low?"

A knight involuntarily exclaimed softly, as if dreaming.

Luosen repeated: "Yes, it's one-fifth; this money will be used to maintain the port and combat pirates."

"If you don't believe us, we can sign a sacred contract in the name of Mother Nature!"

He has no intention of making big money from transit taxes, because that's the most profitless money, only breeding a bunch of prospectless lazy islanders.

He will use various irresistible arcane industrial goods to reap profits from the Northern Prefecture.

But no one knows his plan, so this promise is incredibly attractive, making every knight's heart flutter!

Luosen again looked at the knights: "As everyone knows, protecting the new route requires a navy, and building a navy needs a large sum of money, so I must temporarily borrow some pearls from you."

"Here, I apologize to you all and offer the most sincere gift as compensation."

While speaking, Luosen lightly clapped his hands.

The door was pushed open, and a troupe of beautiful women entered, each holding an exquisite jewelry box.

The Heart of the Ocean necklace selects the finest azure pearls, matched with gold, orichalcum, and hardened mithril, crafted as a gift from the deep sea.

Believe me, this could be the finest pearl necklace in the world.

Besides being beautiful, it also comes with a pure-water shield of up to five rings, induction-type, jointly crafted by me, my mentor, and several arcane masters, gifted to you, the counts of the Northern Prefecture.

Upon hearing this, the knights' hearts fluttered again.

The resentment in their hearts over pearl ornaments was greatly soothed by this exceedingly precious five-ring arcane device.

Everyone felt a certain feeling.

"'This baron is truly capable—opening a new route aside, he can actually produce such good stuff.'"

"'Whether it's the person or the new route, it's practically tax-free. Following him is sure to be right.'"

Humphrey also exclaimed in astonishment again: "How can there be such a high five-ring?"

This time, Anna spoke up to explain, for she is an arcane master, and her words are more convincing.

"Humphrey, pure water is a lowly ability, and lowly ability can break-ring focus; this is already the latest knowledge in the arcane community of the White Continent."

"Coincidentally, we went to Levinde via the new route and gained some related knowledge; after careful study, we achieved the break-ring focus of pure water."

Knight Humphrey instantly felt a sense of being far behind the times.

But the lagging knowledge is arcane knowledge, not military common sense.

"But the Northern Prefecture has no navy, so it cannot help White Sturgeon Island resist the storm fleet."

Luosen smiled: "But we have a brave army, right?"

That's true.

The army is the Northern Prefecture's proudest trump card, especially the cavalry, which from ancient times to now has beaten the Southern Prefecture to tears on the front lines.

Luosen spoke the most important sentence.

"Currently, our White Sturgeon Island already has a fairly decent navy."

"I hope that, after we defeat the storm fleet at sea, the counts of the Northern Prefecture can clear the Duke's forces in the north on land and propose opening an island-wide lordly assembly to re-elect the Dawn Duke."

Upon hearing this, the knights involuntarily swallowed.

They had been mentally prepared for this, but they didn't expect the day to come so fast! Humphrey looked disbelieving: "A navy? Is it made of those fast rune boats?"

He certainly knew speedboats existed, and knew White Sturgeon Island had many of these little toys, but he didn't think these speedboats could directly oppose warships.

Luosen gave a slight smile: "No, they are 50 meters long, still fast, and equipped with the latest thunderblaze arcane devices—a navy fleet!"

Humphrey was dumbstruck: "Where did these ships come from?"

"Of course they were built with great expense; otherwise why would we need money?"

Since that's the case, the knights looked at each other.

Finally, Humphrey said: "This is no small matter; we must personally see White Sturgeon Island's navy!"

This is a complete break with the Duke, a genuine rebellion; we must confirm White Sturgeon Island's capability.

Luosen nodded: "I will show you one of them. We already have five such ships, and we are building more, but they have cost a great deal of money, so I hope the Northern Prefecture will continue to support us."

A knight said without hesitation: "As long as it's a truly strong navy, for the safety of the new route we will certainly give full support!"

Exactly~ That bastard Laid. Aideli'an's smug face makes me want to punch him every time I see him!

And those vampire counts of the Southern Prefecture—finally we won't be sucked dry by them!

Let Laid. Aideli'an go to hell!

(End of chapter)