Pirate Kingship-Chapter 632 - 448: The Incompetent’s Last Lifeline
"Keeper of Secrets?"
The [Puppet King], as one of the highest authorities in the Kingdom of Castile, certainly did not need the Sailboat Collector to explain what the "Treasure Ship's Lock Key" meant.
He had previously served as a Keeper of Secrets, a role sometimes required by titles with special effects, and no one knew the risks better than he did.
Though the Kingdom of Castile was strong, its dominance was not beyond question; it wasn't yet capable of crushing all its pursuers with the power of one family alone.
The key reason for their standing was their unwavering support for the Saints of the Church Traditionalists.
Not only were they devout in their beliefs, supporting the Church with a large amount of Mind Wish Power, but beyond gold and silver, they had also offered countless overseas specialties to the Church. This had formed a solid community of interests over decades.
Otherwise, the "Right to Protect"—the authority to wield both sword and Cross—would never have fallen into their hands.
One of the alliance's most critical support points was the various treasures brought back by the Treasure Fleet.
Many powers were more than willing to acquire a large fortune while simultaneously creating a deep rift between Castilia and the Church.
Even archenemies could temporarily unite for this goal.
Thus, even though there had been few successes over the decades, attacks on the Keepers of Secrets were an annual occurrence.
Although most were carried out by desperados who didn't even know their employers, the forces behind the scenes were relentless, hoping that one day an attack might just succeed.
Identifying the targets wasn't difficult at all; the three Keepers of Secrets bore the entire presence of the great fleet, shining more brightly than campfires in the night sky.
At that moment, [Puppet King] Louis merely raised an eyebrow slightly. He didn't directly answer the Sailboat Collector's implicit question of whether he would agree, but instead posed one of his own, "Tell me, among the goods shipped from Havana this time, what exactly is that item His Majesty must secure, even if it requires the highest level of protection? It's not some inert object, is it?"
Louis was the younger brother of Enrique IV, the current King of Castile, known as the [Incompetent]. Nobody understood his older brother better than he did.
If it were merely for gold, Spices, or other valuable goods, His Majesty would never have personally overseen the matter, let alone specifically requested that Louis, a Fifth-order Legend, serve as a Keeper of Secrets.
He could have easily used the services of the Lighthouse Union or, more recently, the up-and-coming Financial Street's small item transport service.
Since they were making such a big deal about it, it most likely involved a person of extreme importance who wasn't conducive to special transportation methods—a living person!
"This..."
The Sailboat Collector had never imagined that he would give everything away with just one sentence.
But considering Prince Louis's status in the eyes of Enrique IV, and the absolute secrecy of this operation, Louis would sooner or later find out anyway. Why should he, the Sailboat Collector, be the one to bear bad news?
He glanced at the many beauties surrounding the Puppet King in the communication projection.
The Puppet King waved his hand, and all the women, understanding the cue, gracefully exited the room.
Only then did the Sailboat Collector lower his voice and say, "Your Highness, it is said that His Majesty's King's Left Hand's Guardsmen captured a female Totem God with the Law-Breaking Stone in the Southern Continent.
"She's not only a Fourth Order Mythical Creature but also possesses... the Authority over fertility!
"The Guardsmen have now severed all contact with the outside world and entered a state of silence, using the most powerful anti-divination Sacred Relics.
"To maintain secrecy, they will not engage with anyone for the entire mission. They will even sneak aboard one of the cargo ships in the Treasure Fleet, and their task will only end when they personally see His Majesty.
"His Majesty has chosen himself, me, and you, Your Highness, as the Keepers of Secrets. Three Fifth Order experts can guarantee the operation is foolproof."
Upon hearing this, the [Puppet King]'s eyes suddenly flashed, and he involuntarily sat up straighter. Clearly, this news was of no small significance to him.
"An Authority concerning fertility? It is indeed that! Has His Majesty finally resorted to forbidden knowledge?"
Enrique IV had gone through all this trouble, not for gold or jewels, but solely for a Totem God.
Is that strange?
Others might find it strange, but [Puppet King] Louis didn't find it strange in the least.
Don't forget, the collective subconscious of the Kingdom of Castile bestowed upon Enrique IV the Kingly Title of [Incompetent]!
The title [Incompetent] wasn't about his inability to govern the nation, but rather... his impotence in *that* regard.
Enrique IV was already 47 years old. Having married four Queens in succession, he still only had one daughter, Juana, to this day, underscoring the thinness of his bloodline.
In Silver Era 1440, at the age of fifteen, he married his cousin, Princess Blanca of Navarre.
Thirteen years later, in Silver Era 1453, he suddenly demanded a divorce from his cousin.
A court lady, upon inspecting the Queen's body, was shocked to discover that after 13 years of marriage, Blanca was still a virgin!
The Pope declared their divorce, citing 'the interference of Black Witches with Enrique's marital relations' as the reason.
Two years later, in 1455, Enrique IV married his second wife, Queen Joanna.
After another prolonged six years of marriage, finally in Silver Era 1462, ten years ago, they had their only daughter, Princess Juana.
The concerns of various social strata within the kingdom about the King's twenty-year childlessness finally eased somewhat.
The following year brought another piece of good news—Queen Joanna gave birth to twin boys. Having both sons and daughters was, of course, a joyous occasion.
Everyone thought it was His Majesty's piety that had moved the Creator to bestow such a blessing upon him.
