Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 555 - 495: "King of Sea Monsters" Kraken
A few days later.
The naval rank promotion ceremony personally hosted by Her Majesty the Queen was both grand and uneventful.
In a time when the Kingdom relies increasingly on the navy, each Vice Admiral's promotion is no small matter.
In the navy's ranking system, a Brigadier General is somewhat akin to a Level 3 Battleship as a compromise plan in the battle line sequence, while the significance of a Major General is already equivalent to the main force of a Level 3 Battleship in the battle line.
Outsiders may not understand, but those within the Kingdom's power structure are well aware.
As a result, many big figures currently in the Royal Capital personally came to attend the ceremony, eager to see the "Navy Supernova" who had only been heard of but not seen in recent years.
Even though Aiven is somewhat too young, ask anyone about the normal thirteen-year-old admissions for the Royal Navy Academy with its five-year curriculum, and they'll tell you that at eighteen, a graduate would just be setting foot on a warship, starting the grind from a Candidate Sub-Lieutenant.
However, formidable strength and indisputable accomplishments left the most stubborn traditionalists without a single flaw to pick.
Coupled with the influence of Crown Prince Liweina and the spreading legend of the "Nation Destroyer" in Royal Capital Bekele that hailed Aiven as the hero who personally slew the King of Dahomey (a misconception, for he only killed the Queen), guests with slightly lower status dared not speak loudly before him.
The banquet rewarding those who distinguished themselves in the "Battle of Benin" was halfway through, and Queen Isabella had already departed under the escort of her ladies-in-waiting and Guardian Knights.
With his shoulder rank insignia having changed from Brigadier General to Major General, Aiven, holding a wine glass, handled the attendees with ease.
"Congratulations, congratulations, General Galliot!"
Some were simply looking to expand their network and connect with a rising star in the navy.
"Hello, General! I am Pais, the president of Claudius Pharmaceutical Guild, I wonder if the general has a moment?
We are very interested in the new drug 'Penicillin' you've provided for the Alliance Army. If you plan to promote it to the civilian sector, believe me, Claudius is your best choice."
Some people saw the massive business opportunity in Aiven.
"General, I am the niece of Earl Hogan, the Minister of Finance, may I have the honor of dancing with you?"
Clearly, some were openly eyeing the Major General himself.
But all were tactfully "dismissed" by Olivia, who accompanied Aiven to the banquet, having been well-prepared. Although not a traditional lady in the conventional sense, Olivia, coming from a great noble family, was far more at ease in such settings than Aiven.
"..."
Even though not everyone likes the Golden Lion,
but during Aiven's peak, anyone who dared to provoke must either be foolish or ignorant. Yet among this crowd in the Royal Capital, there were great nobles, big merchants, idealists, and ambitious ones... but not fools or ignorants.
While the atmosphere was quite harmonious, this indirectly expanded Aiven's connections on the political stage of the Royal Capital significantly. Although he did not plan to pursue a path as a civil officer, one never knows when connections might come in handy.
For example, in a conversation with several officials from the Kingdom's diplomatic department, he learned.
Although not officially announced yet,
The truce between Tulip and Hilus was eventually officially signed before Philip II's wedding and his emperor coronation ceremony, maintaining the current established situation on the Southern Continent in exchange for the return of detained personnel and some goods.
They also shared a rumored piece of gossip with Aiven.
"Regarding the coronation of the Holy Rosar Empire's Emperor, it seems Philip II has gained some support from 'Eternal Flame' clergy."
"Is this true? Did the most radical clerics on the continent take the wrong medicine?"
The official providing the rumor shrugged:
"The outside world doesn't know the specifics, but there's definitely a good show to watch in Hilus next month. They've sent an advance diplomatic notice, inviting Tulip to attend the ceremony. We'll know more once the Minister of Foreign Affairs returns."
The crowd interjected enthusiastically, carefree about stirring trouble:
"Whether it ends in the church splitting or a royal and church feud, it's all good."
"Hahaha, indeed, indeed."
Even outsiders know the matter is far from over, but this resounding victory nonetheless showed the entire civilized world the power of Tulip. Even Alliance merchants could tangibly sense the subtle changes in the attitudes of their trade partners.
These diplomatic personnel felt it even more keenly.
It also served as one of the direct indications of Tulip's improved international status.
Currently, it remains to be seen whether Philip II will take any new actions after his wedding scheduled for late February or how the national destiny of the world's leading power will steer during that globally significant and monumental wedding.
...
In the core district of the Royal Capital, a luxurious villa originally a royal property had just changed hands.
Bestowed by the Queen, this place had become the new home of Aiven and Olivia in the Royal Capital.
Although the villa is far less grand than Orange Leaf Castle, it is ingeniously crafted with care by skilled royal artisans, exquisitely elegant and ingeniously designed. Marble sculptures, fountains, exquisitely manicured gardens, and royal furniture... It's already a collection of artwork in itself.
Perhaps rural minor nobles would be willing to trade their ancestral lands for this.
Although the two haven't lived here long, the place has undergone significant changes, with all sorts of peculiar plants sprawled orderly across every corner.
In each room, Hanging Wind Chimes replaced whale oil lamps; for home defense, Giant Transformation Vine and Wizard Flytrap; emitting hypnotizing but not strongly harmful gas, Brot Flower... along with three to five raptors with preliminary enlightenment of wisdom, recording everything they see.
For a seasoned wizard of the "Vitalist School," this is a piece of cake. Selecting suitable seeds for magical growth is standard for them; unlike Wild Druids who advocate natural conformity, transforming and utilizing nature is a wizard's profession.
After joining the military, Aiven had always been drifting at sea, and even the base camp at Hatrafa Port mainly served as a military fortress. It was the first time Aiven had earnestly managed a house of his own.
Not only would he live here when he came to the Royal Capital in the future, but Uncle Gel's family, recognized for their wartime contributions, might also receive an audience with the Queen soon, and they could conveniently stay here.
"Hey, lady of the house."
"Call me that one more time."
"Lady of the house!"
"Hehehe..."
Standing at the door where the snow had not yet melted, the girl leaned against Aiven, laughing joyfully.
The brass nameplate at the door originally read "Galliot Residence". Just now, Aiven waved his hand, and the characters automatically wriggled and changed into "Galliot and Aimoer Residence", much like adding the woman's name to the property deed.
Moreover, it's boldly displayed outside, clearly announcing to all eligible girls in the Royal Capital that this high-quality bachelor is already taken.
When accompanying Aiven to the banquet before, the flock of well-bred young ladies gathering around him had already made Olivia newly cautious.
After moving into this house, quite a few noblewomen visited under various pretenses, with intentions clear to everyone.
For Olivia, Aiven's attitude mattered much more than the house itself. His practical actions were far more effective than a hundred sweet words, at least eliminating the possibility of him becoming... a Sea King.
Hand in hand, the two walked to the training field attached to the courtyard, where an Alchemy Workshop unfolded from the Toy Box was standing.
The repair work by the toy soldiers had long been completely finished, fully restoring their combat power.
The extraordinary thunder-attribute weapon, conquered in the Spirit Realm for several days, had fully formed after days of fusion with the help of the Alchemy Workshop's equipment.
Using the thunderbird talon and sharp beak left from crafting the [Thunderbird Robe] as the medium, it merged with spiritual materials existing akin to a combination of information, energy, and rules.
Ultimately forming the innate [Extraordinary Weapon: Thunder Fang].
The finished product was a heavy hand half-sword, made from a semi-transparent deep blue bone-like material, with layered thundercloud-like patterns on its surface.
Besides its highly formidable strength and excellent thunder attribute amplification, it could also summon an Elementalized Lightning Spirit "Thunderbird" from the Spirit Realm, with strength reaching Tier 3.
Its power was not inferior to "Bloody Lake Light".
Seeing Aiven hang the new weapon at his waist, Olivia adjusted his clothes with satisfaction and then asked:
"The matters in the Royal Capital are concluded, only the task of contacting the 'Tempest Church' remains. When shall we depart for the South Wind Country?"
"Haven't we already prepared the cultivation plan for the Organic Gemstones? By departing early, one of the biological hosts recorded in the 'Flesh Sacrifice' lives nearby.
I'm eager to try the Upper-Rank Wizard Biological Modulation Laboratory."
...
Black Sea "Eye of the Storm", Underwater City Herakleian.
On the sea surface, the storm roared incessantly throughout the years, yet beneath the water lay peace and tranquility.
Headquarters of the Tempest Church.
"Your Excellency Bishop, recently Lord Hawkins somehow brought back a large batch of extraordinary ship materials, and the Goddess personally transformed them into the true legendary warship 'Sea Soul'.
Our priests originally thought they had gained a strong ally and could rely on it to launch a counter-offensive against the sea monsters.
However, in several recent battles under the command of the 'Mother of Sea Monsters', Lord Hawkins has refused to let this legendary warship join the battle with the excuse that the crew is not ready. Do you see..."
Six months ago, when gifting Aiven the [Serenity Talisman], Fisher was merely a Tier 2 Bishop among the Holy Professionals, but now he had donned the bishop's robe.
This terrifying advancement speed is something other paths' extraordinaries could never dream of.
At this moment, the newly promoted bishop had a stern expression. Enlightened by the wisdom of the Goddess and seasoned by over a year in this position, Fisher was no longer the ordinary whaler he once was.
"Don't bother with him for now. The pseudo-god who usurped the divine position, at this time, can't wait to suck him dry.
Hawkins can no longer get involved with the 'Deep Sea Brotherhood'.
The 'Lawless' are ultimately different from us believers!"
After this long, Fisher had come to understand that the Black Sea Pirate King had no concept of "loyalty" at all. The core strength of the "Lawless" comes from doing as one pleases, and even the Goddess, as the source of their extraordinary power, might not restrain him.
However, as long as he inherently stood opposite the "Deep Sea Brotherhood," it was already enormous assistance to the "Tempest Church," embodying the deterrent power of a Tier 4 Peak Extraordinary.
"What about the ancient land turtle Kraken... If we do not gain external aid this time, we might be in danger."
The priest from the Tulip Tyrone Kingdom was full of worry, for apart from the "Great Vortex" Charybdis, even with the addition of Hawkins, the unrestrained "Octopus Ghost," they were at a Tier 4 Peak Extraordinary disadvantage compared to the "Deep Sea Brotherhood."
The "King of Sea Monsters," the ancient land turtle Kraken might be the final opportunity for their side.
Fisher placed his mutilated left hand, missing a small finger, on his chest, with a solemn expression:
"The difficult situation is a test of our faith in the Goddess.
I will set off soon to meet with the Tulip representatives. Island nations' desire for land is infinite, and they certainly will not be disinterested."
"Yes, Your Excellency Bishop, glory to the Goddess!"
