Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 383 - 70: Setting Sail, Embarking on the Journey
"It’s her. Her name is Valentino di Saluzzo, and she’s considered the most outstanding genius Assassin in Saluzzo in the past hundred years."
"How does she compare to you?"
Chelina pondered for a moment and shook her head, "If it’s one-on-one, I might win, but if we’re both aiming to assassinate a target, her chance of success and escape is far superior to mine."
Losa seemed thoughtful.
Indeed.
Although Chelina’s profession is a branch of the Assassin—a template of the profession of Executioner, her three Talents, and the one Skill she currently possesses, do not involve Body Technique, which makes her somewhat inferior compared to legitimate Assassins.
Chelina’s ghostly speed is purely due to her extreme Agility.
"Will she face punishment from the family for helping you?"
"Yes."
Chelina showed a complex expression. She knew the outcome of future events; because of Valentino’s "wanton behavior," the Saluzzo Family later replaced the Basilicata Family and became the new thorn in the Yakxi Family’s side, constantly suffering marginalization.
This also made it impossible for her to secure the position of successor, forced to abdicate and let others take over. It’s said that, if it weren’t for Valentino’s strong Talent making her the second most powerful in the Saluzzo Family after the Clan Leader, some elders would have considered exiling her.
Chelina didn’t blame the Saluzzo Family. In Italy, every Wolf Race family is like this; for the family’s interest, they can sacrifice many people, even themselves, let alone an outsider like her.
"Sir, what about Furin and the other two ladies?"
"I don’t know. The three of them haven’t shown up yet."
Losa frowned. Among these three, even Furinjira, who is dim-witted, should be able to sense his scent through Blood Magic bonds. If they weren’t delayed by something, they likely aren’t present in the city of Saluzzo.
Hans added, "On the way, I also didn’t detect the scent of the three ladies."
Kurs nodded, "Me neither."
Losa touched the Double-headed Eagle Badge on his neck and then released it. To use this thing for communication, it must connect to the center controlled by Anna for retransmission, which is useless in this other world.
"It seems they’re really not here."
"Chelina, where is the Wolf Race Expedition Army now? Have they started gathering?"
Chelina nodded slightly with some concern, "Not only have they gathered, but they’re setting sail for the New Continent from Pisa Port this afternoon. If we rush there now... we might be able to board one of their ocean-going ships."
Piedmont is located in Northwest Italy, close to the territory of France. It’s not far from Pisa Port in Tuscany Region, but it’s not exactly nearby either.
"Time is tight."
Losa frowned.
The distance to their destination is vast, and time is limited, which essentially stops them from employing ’outside tricks,’ like sending Jeanne back to France to lead her Holy Knight Order against the Wolf Race, or having Furinjira and Kurs return to the Blood Royal Court to call for countless Blood Race reinforcements.
Originally, such things weren’t impossible, as Chelina’s crossing was to replace her past self in this timeline, avoiding the coexistence of a past Jeanne and a present Jeanne.
"Can’t we find another ship?"
"They’re traveling on a Steam Ironclad Ship, the Yakexi. It’s a fast Ironclad Ship ordered from the England Navy, using hybrid power. If we take an ordinary steam ship..."
By the time they reach the battlefield, they’d be collecting remains of Chelina’s clansmen.
Losa understood Chelina’s implied meaning and spoke, "Then let’s not delay any longer. Hopefully, the three of them can catch up—if not, the four of us alone will face the Wolf Race Expedition Army and give it a try."
There are only three chances to record the battle; even if the first attempt fails, at least understanding the Expedition Army’s capabilities would accumulate experience for the next try.
"Just the four of us?"
Hans felt overwhelmed.
He thought even dealing with one Centurion was challenging enough, not to mention one Losa defeated previously when he couldn’t even handle it.
And for merely chasing Chelina, the Yakxi Family sent six Centurions, proving that such battle power is hardly significant compared to the whole Wolf Race.
"It’s indeed very challenging."
Kurs also showed a worried expression.
If he were in peak condition, he might have a chance, but now he could only manage an ordinary Centurion, with little chance against stronger foes unless relying on Body Technique for evasion.
"For this battle, you and Miss Jeanne are the absolute main forces; missing her would be a significant hassle."
"Yes, indeed. Especially since Jeanne is the only one among us with mastery."
Losa was somewhat helpless.
Jeanne could use the Holy Spear consistently, unlike him who could only borrow it briefly, significantly affecting endurance.
"Also, I’m hardly any absolute main force; the ’Dark Lord’s’ pressure only weakens Dark Creatures stronger than me by a minimum of ten percent and those similar to me by thirty percent."
Though remarkable, Losa knew it was still far from being a trump card that could change the overall battle.
"In any case, let’s head to Pisa Port first."
Losa’s soggy boots left deep footprints on the ash-covered ground.
A long time after they left, someone cautiously opened a window, and witnessing the devastated streets left them with shock in their eyes—was there a Fire Dragon rampaging here?
...
Pisa Port.
At the dock, a young porter casually answered the questions of a dusty group, "You were a bit late. The Yakexi just left the port a while ago. It’s a big ship and so fast."
Losa looked far into the distance and, sure enough, he could vaguely see thick smoke billowing from a chimney on the horizon, likely the Yakexi.
Hans was deflated; they rushed, barely resting, no time to change into dry clothes, yet still missed it.
"Sir, what should we do now?"
Chelina’s tone rarely showed a hint of urgency.
Losa didn’t rush to speak, nor did he show special emotion; he just silently watched the sea as if searching for a dark presence lurking under the horizon.
Kurs smiled and said, "Sir is waiting for Captain Hog, who is a smart character. Although you haven’t met him, you must have heard of his reputation."
Chelina, who was under Losa’s command for a short time, hadn’t met Captain Hog but knew about him.
"Don’t hurry. Look there!"
Losa suddenly spoke.
At this moment, it was as if the theme song of Caribbean pirates played.
On the horizon, a black sail caught the Mediterranean wind and billowed, bearing a striking white skull. The sailors, glowing with a eerie green light, vigorously worked on the deck.
Captain Hog, wearing a three-cornered captain’s hat, arms crossed, stood atop the foremast, laughing heartily.
"Woohoo, the Pirate Emperor of the Mediterranean, Catastrophe of the Ocean Hog is back!"
The dock erupted into chaos.
"Damn it, Heavenly Father above, that is the legendary ’Ocean Disaster’ and those Ghost Sailors."
"The Ghost Ship is here, everybody run!"
A rapid ringing of the brass bell sounded from the lighthouse.
People frantically scattered and fled.
Although Pisa Port is an important Wolf Race territory, the scariest aspect of Ocean Disaster is the terrifying beast Captain Hog keeps, a deceased yet undying North Sea Giant.
It’s said that the Barbaria Pirate King Hayreddin once challenged him for the title of Mediterranean Pirate King.
But the result was the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and Hayreddin’s fleet that pillaged Christians all over the Mediterranean vanished into thin air.
