Chapter 339: Cheers! Victory!

"One last question: why didn't you show the map to others before? Perhaps someone would have recognized it and invested in you!"

"Or were you afraid that once others saw the map, other adventurers would beat you to it?"

Columbus hesitated for a moment, then began rummaging in his chest.

A moment later, a linen-wrapped bundle the size of a fist appeared in his hand.

The linen was opened, revealing ancient leather inside.

"Noble young master, this is the reason..."

Columbus handed the leather close to Gervas.

After taking it and examining it, Gervas was stunned, for the treasure map had maps on both its front and back.

Most importantly, the maps on the front and back had absolutely no connection to each other.

On the front map, the mark of the Glory Continent was visible, showing a landmass extending from the sea into the Glory Continent.

But the back showed a landmass extending from the ocean to a place called the Holy Continent.

"The Holy Continent?"

"Exactly, noble young master. The reason I did not bring out the treasure map is that the back might conceal something of even higher value!"

"Our continent has always had rumors that on the other side of the ocean lies an even more miraculous world."

"I thought that if I could keep this secret, then after finding the treasure of six thousand gold coins and receiving my share, I would have enough funds to buy my own ship!"

"At that time, I would sail following the treasure map, attempting to find this new world called the Holy Continent."

"If I can find it, my name, Columbus, will be forever remembered by everyone, just like the great pioneers!"

As he spoke the last words, a rare light blossomed in Columbus's eyes.

Clearly, discovering a new continent and achieving widespread fame was the supreme pursuit of this adventurer, Columbus.

However, very quickly, his expression sobered, and he said dejectedly, "Unfortunately, I encountered an accident during a previous adventure and was attacked by a rare sea beast!"

"Having lost my ship, I wanted to seek funding, but the nobles thought the investment was too large; they either refused outright or wanted to see the treasure map first!"

"But I feared they would discover the secret on the back of the map, so I refused to show them the original."

"Instead, I learned from the descendants of the Count's family and copied a version for them to see, but they had never been to the area I knew, so they didn't buy it!"

After speaking, Columbus quietly watched Gervas, his eyes holding a mix of expectation and anxiety.

"Actually! Even if you had shown this blueprint to others, most likely the vast majority would not have believed it, and might have considered the entire treasure map a forgery!"

Columbus was stunned, then his face turned green and then white; after a long while, he said, "It seems I was too self-righteous! Indeed, the continent on the other side is just a legend, and there are indeed many scams based on such legends!"

"So, the secret I feared leaking might instead make others think this is a low-quality fraud."

Columbus seemed as if his soul had been completely drained from his body.

It was not only that he believed Gervas would no longer fund him.

It was also the realization that his previous persistence was entirely a joke.

Perhaps if he had shown the entire blueprint to others beforehand, they probably would not have funded him either.

Because very few people would believe that the Holy Continent was real.

Gervas knew the other party had misunderstood, so he immediately smiled and said, "Do not misunderstand; others may not believe it, but I believe in you!"

"You... believe?" Columbus looked at Gervas in disbelief.

Gervas waved to Knight Mi Gen beside him, and Knight Mi Gen immediately presented a small wooden treasure box.

The box was opened, and one hundred gleaming gold coins blinded Columbus's eyes.

"These are one hundred gold coins; is that enough for you to purchase supplies and recruit crew?"

"As for the ship, once you have prepared your supplies and personnel, come to my territory according to the address on this note, and I will directly provide you with a single-masted ship!"

"This..." Columbus was stunned.

The other adventurer patrons around them were also stunned.

This noble young master had actually chosen to fund Columbus.

"Why?" Columbus clenched his fist, suppressing his excitement as he asked Gervas.

"No reason; my intuition simply tells me I can trust you. Perhaps this is your fate, meeting a benefactor like me!" Gervas did not explain in detail.

After all, if it were not for the System, he would not have dared to truly wager a ship and one hundred gold coins.

Of course, Gervas also believed the continent on the other shore existed.

After all, his own three-masted sailing ship was found.

Whether that was truly the Holy Continent or another continent did not matter.

What mattered was that Gervas did not mind helping him while earning sufficient profit, and at the same time having him explore the secrets of this world for himself.

"Benefactor!" Columbus had heard such a term for the first time.

But after repeating it twice carefully, the other person indeed seemed to be his benefactor.

"Alright, the matter is settled; I have other things to do. Come, let us have a drink, and I wish you success in your expedition in advance!"

Columbus raised his crystal glass with his slightly trembling hand, then clinked it against Gervas's.

"Cheers! Victory!"

Hearing this, Columbus also imitated Gervas and said, "Cheers, victory!"

Afterwards, both of them drank it all in one gulp; then Gervas stood up, had Knight Mi Gen pay for the drinks, and prepared to leave.

"Noble young master, may I ask your name?"

Seeing that Gervas was about to leave, Columbus suddenly asked in a low voice.

Although that note likely contained this information, Columbus wanted to ask it personally.

"My name is Gervas!" Gervas fulfilled his request, his voice audible only to the few people nearby.

"Gervas!!"

Columbus silently murmured Gervas's name.

At that moment, Gervas suddenly recalled something and shouted loudly to those around: "These gold coins are the adventure funds I sponsored for Columbus."

"If anyone dares to scheme, they are coveting my wealth, and whoever dares to covet my wealth, heh heh..."

Gervas did not finish, but the adventurers and drinkers around him suddenly felt a chill run down their spines.

The adventurers who had previously stared unblinkingly at the hundred gold coins immediately averted their gaze.

As stated before.

If it were a minor noble, offending them meant offending them; at worst, they would simply not come to Iron Wolf City again.

But if one offended a great noble, unless they intended never to return to the Griffin Kingdom, it was best not to do so.

"Let's go!" Seeing everyone's reaction, Gervas knew there would be no trouble.

At his command, he led the knights and cavalry out of the tavern with a clatter, looking quite magnificent.

Clomp! Clomp!

A series of hoofbeats came from outside the tavern.

As experienced adventurers, they immediately recognized at least fifty riders.

"This... whose young master is this?"

"We don't know whose, but at least he is a young master from a Hou Jue family, and moreover, either the heir or a very favored child."

"Because even among the children of great nobles, those famous enough to have fifty riders protecting them are quite rare!"

Amidst the murmurs, everyone looked at Columbus with envy.

This fellow had truly been granted the favor of the gods, chosen by such a young master of a great noble.

"My lord Columbus, congratulations! Shall we call a dancing girl to keep you company?" The servant approached eagerly at this moment, staring at the gleaming gold coins nearby and swallowing saliva uncontrollably.

"Hmph! We'll see when I return from a successful adventure!"

Columbus knew, however, that this was his only chance to turn his fortunes around, so he could not afford to be negligent.

He let out a cold snort at the servant who had previously tried to drive him away, then picked up the wooden chest filled with gold coins and headed out of the tavern.