"Okay."
Violet crisply agreed before gracefully leaping onto the bowsprit that held three raised sails.
She bent over to gently caress the pure white ivory Figurehead—the South Wind Maiden—resting beneath it.
The Figurehead was entirely carved from the tusk of a large sea creature known as a unicorn whale, which was, in actuality, a long tooth from the whale’s mouth.
The main body depicted a slender and graceful semi-nude girl dancing in the wind, wearing only a light layer of gossar.
It was a one-to-one scale replica of a beautiful dancer performing the "Dance of the South Wind."
Though it was a rigid sculpture, the figure’s limb movents and the thin layer of fabric perfectly captivated the essence and rhythmic life force of the wind.
Just a brief glance was enough to feel the warm, gentle breeze blowing around her.
Violet, having majored in sculpture and art design at the Vinaia Art Academy, couldn’t help but be captivated by such a masterful piece of art.
She had to admit, even with her professional skills, she was still a notch below it.
A Third Order Grand Artificer cast his appraisal spell over the Figurehead and read its information, responding to Byron:
"There are updrafts even in the Doldrums, and normal transcendent abilities should be fully restored in approximately thirty minutes. Truly, equipnt fit for a Fourth-order Adventurer is always exquisite."
The Ghost Ship Black Coffin and the octopus Warship May Wind were both vanquished. Naturally, all of their riches beca the spoils of The Golden Deer.
This Figurehead, the South Wind Maiden, originated from the May Wind and was one of the most practical treasures among them.
Effects:
"First, Wind Direction Maestro. Within a certain range, it distorts and shifts the wind direction to favor a stern quarter wind that aids in sailing. The change can be up to plus or minus thirty degrees. Exceed that, and you’re left to struggle like any other sailboat—either crabbing or tacking into the wind. Even updrafts can be borrowed with ease.
Second, Windless Waves. Even in the absence of any wind, it can extract the stored wind energy, supplying a consistent Level Five wind, ideal for sailing, for five hours. If the wind power is unleashed all at once in thirty minutes, the speed of the Warship can temporarily increase to 30 knots (55 kiloters per hour), convenient for a quick escape. However, after this burst of skill, the transcendent power vanishes, requiring wind to recharge before it can be used again. For The Golden Deer, half an hour of charging can provide a range of 126 kiloters.
Third, it cos with its own ’South Wind Veil,’ which not only self-cleans to ensure that the Figurehead remains impeccable in any harsh weather but also prevents any unauthorized touch without the owner’s permission."
The third feature seed sowhat superfluous, appearing to be for the conservation of the artwork rather than of any tactical value.
However, Mr. Byron, as an experienced old Captain, knew better.
Without that third function, a lifelike figure of this size would probably be tarnished by the crew within a few days.
"Excellent, from now on our Golden Deer can navigate the Doldrums at will without the aid of any external forces."
Since the May Wind had lost its reliance on wind and sails after being polluted, the Figurehead naturally beca nothing more than an ornant for them.
Incidentally, it ended up benefiting The Golden Deer, which filled the last gap in its inability to sail in windless areas.
The original Figurehead, modified by Violet—the Avenging Angel—was consequently retired and could be fitted to another Wonder Battleship.
Of course, their spoils of war were not limited to these. Although the number isn’t very large, each item is a fine product.
The [Second-Grade Cursed Object: Desire Compass] goes without saying. While it cos with the flaw that any reward must necessarily be accompanied by risk, it remains a treasure that every Captain dreams of. It’s much more powerful than the Gold-Digging Rat that has already been transferred to the Beast Tar, the Octopus-man Little Eight. It’s also the second sea-voyage related Sacred Relic that Byron snatched from the hands of the Kingdom of Castilia, after [The First Overseas Developnt Command].
There’s still much to be sheared from the wool of this mariti hegemon.
The spoils on the [Black Coffin] are not bad either. The corpses of the Smith Brothers are of high value. The unprecedented Fourth Order Blood of Transformation will allow Byron’s next bloodline sublimation ceremony, [Blood Feast Holy Grail], to reach the most perfect state. An Undead Servant, its soul twisted together like a double helix, grants him yet another card to play at will.
Especially worth ntioning is the whale oil lamp in the hands of the Coffin Bearer Smith, burning with ghostly flas, which in reality is a pass to the Edge of the World of the Dead. Ordinary Ghost Ships are just ghost ships. Only with such a pass can one travel between reality and the Edge of the World as a "Soul Ferryman," transporting the souls of those who died at sea.
Byron himself has no use for it but plans to give this treasure to his father the first ti the old man cos to visit.
With this pass, the old man would be taking the first step on the road to becoming the "King of the Undying," and have the chance to carve out a vast empire for his son.
In addition, Jacqueline has also contacted her mother, Magnyra, regarding the spoils left by four other Wonder Battleships in the Windward Strait: The [Sea Spider] from the Grand Duchy of Curland, the [Resolution] from the Andorran Duchy, the [Sword and Shield Guardian] from the Hessian Duchy, and the [Blue Elf] from the cklenburg Duchy. They have agreed to split the spoils fifty-fifty.
Furthermore, Byron has also touched the edge of [Divine Sight]. Without a doubt, this series of gains can be described as a great harvest.
At least, after deploying [Do Not Disturb the Sleeping Dragon] once, he would not be at a loss.
"It’s a pity. The Decryption Rate has still not reached its peak, and my Heaven-sent Sacred Relic and new entries also temporarily have no leads."
Byron looked at the last page of the Sailing Logbook:
[Hidden: The Root of the Bloody Catastrophe, historical influence 38] Decryption Rate had risen from 68% to 88%, and then didn’t budge.
"This indicates that even having witnessed the birth ceremony of the Divine Son of the Slumbering God, my level of uncovering this secret is still not deep enough. With influence points of at least 38, it must cover an entire continent-level range. Perhaps I should take a look at the New Continent to the south of the Celestial Orbital Belt. The Bloody Catastrophe is only the tip of the iceberg for this level of influence, and the current condition of the New Continent may provide an answer."
Byron is in no hurry. This principle is just like how the [Behind the Red and White Rose War, historical influence 31] Decryption Rate has always stopped at 68%. Behind the Red and White Rose War, besides the White Rose York Family, there are also shadows of the Church Traditionalists and the Bloodthirsty Cult converging. Byron has not yet found the link that would allow these three parties to enter into deep cooperation, causing the Decryption Rate to stall here.
"We’ll visit the New Continent sooner or later, but now is not the ti. Although my emotions urge to depart imdiately, reason tells that it is pointless to act impulsively before a series of arrangents is completed. Additionally, [Blue Hair] Barbarossa Halding, who has been freeloading off for quite so ti, is about ready to be put to use. If I play my cards right, I might even be able to gain support from that West Coast Pirate King, [Ocean Throne] Barbarossa Hailidin."
At this mont, Violet, who was still admiring the Figurehead at the bow of the ship, suddenly turned her gaze sharp and warned aloud:
"Be on guard, there’s sothing coming from underwater."
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