Chapter 165: Arrival at Horn Bay


    Horn Bay, a ce brimming with opportunities and wealth.


    This area is known for the most developed shippingnes in the known world, where hundreds of massive cargo shipse and go daily on some busy routes.


    These cargo ships are uniformly oared sailboats, with their hulls filled with a variety of goods. Hundreds of oarsmen, seated on either side of the cargo hold, sweat profusely as they pull the long oar handles in sync with chants or drum beats, providing the power for the vessels voyage. Only when the wind picks up and the rtively small square sail on the mast provides a bit of power are they allowed a brief respite.


    Most of the oarsmen are ves purchased by the shipowners, shackled to their seats, unable to leave. The reasons for their envement vary: some due to unpayable debts, some born into very, others captured in wars.


    Once locked to the oar seats, their tragic fate for life is almost sealed. Many ves, even in their old age with white hair, continue to be chained, living a life of darkness under the threat of the overseers whip.


    Thend near Horn Baycks substantial ins and is dotted with hills. The fragmentednd never birthed arge nation, but rather a patchwork of city-states along the coast.


    Due to geographical reasons, the area is unsuitable for agriculture, so the inhabitants chosemerce for sustenance.


    Each city-state heavily favors trade, encouragingmerce where merchants y a significant role in national politics. The ruling nobility often also hold the status of major merchants.


    Some closely allied city-states have even formed alliances, abolishing tariffs among themselves and imposing uniform taxes on non-member states. Some alliances even share foreign policies, speaking and acting as one. The Horn Bay Alliance is among the most influential of these.


    Proximity to the sea naturally makes shipping the preferred means for trade. Relying on this, generations of Horn Bay merchants gradually expanded their trade to the outside world, selling furs from the north to the south, grains from the south to the north, and spices from the east to the west, trading whatever was profitable.


    Such thrivingmerce brought immense wealth, making the standard of living here arguably the highest in the world. Even the poor here live better than the poor in other countries.


    The economic prosperity andfortable life led people to pursue more in spiritual and cultural realms. Thisnd has seen many historically renowned writers, artists, and thinkers. This was why Paul Grayman tasked Queller Foster to bring him some popr works, hoping some of these authors would make their mark in history.


    The Southern Ship finally arrived in the waters of Horn Bay after more than half a months voyage.


    The journey southward was smooth, encountering no pirates or simr troubles. However, when they reached the southernmost tip of the kingdoms coastline, a sailor fell ill. Captain Quik had no choice but to order the Hope to shore, allowing the sick sailor to recuperate onnd and leaving some money for his return to the Northwest Bay viand.


    Untreated illnesses on board could lead to a serious outbreak.


    Ah, Captain Quik, I finally understand why all the ships here use oars, Allen remarked. Entering the waters of Horn Bay, the Southern Ship was like entering a doldrums zone, moving as slowly as a turtle onnd.


    I bet the people on the other ships think we are fools,mented another trainee, shrugging his shoulders.


    Captain Quik encouraged them, Humph! Thats only in this ce. In other waters, our Hope would leave them far behind in speed and distance. By the way, have you learned to use thepass and sextant?


    The trainees puffed out their chests proudly, We learned that long ago, Captain!


    Oh? Then let me test you thoroughly!


    Whether these greenhorn trainees or the captain, a veteran of many years at sea, this was their first voyage so far, facing unfamiliar waters and environments.


    The officers on board meticulously recorded information about currents, weather, temperature, etc., along the way. These valuable hydrographic data would guide subsequent ships, helping them to choose the best routes.


    Captain Quiks logbook was already thick with detailed records of his observations and experiences.


    This voyage was also an excellent training opportunity for the naval trainees on board the Southern Ship, a chance not afforded to trainees on other warships.


    Ladi, watching the trainees undergoing Captain Quiks assessment, felt deeply moved.


    When they were first rescued from the piratesir by the navy, these youngsters eyes were filled with confusion and fear for the future.


    Now, they had fully transformed into little sailors of the sea, adept at climbing masts, knowledgeable in the full process of sail handling, and even skilled in usingpasses and sextants, possessing the professional skills of a navigator.


    Mr. Derrick!


    Suddenly, someone called out her name from behind.


    Turning around, Ladi saw it was a representative of the merchants. Speaking of the few merchant representatives on board, they had indeed suffered greatly. Soon after leaving Port Fran, they began to feel seasick, unable to eat. Captain Quik had suggested sending them back when the Hope was not too far out, but these men insisted on continuing, teeth clenched.


    Their perseverance was admirable, although driven by the pursuit ofmercial interests  the pursuit of money.


    As for Ladi, having experienced a rather lengthy adventurers career, she was ustomed to various environments and didnt find anything particrly ufortable on this journey.


    If there was anything that made her ufortable, it was the inability to bathe at will. The long sea journey was indeed inconvenient for a woman.


    The merchant representative asked, Is it true, Mr. Derrick, that you hail from Horn Bay?


    Ladi nodded slightly. Yes.


    As they drew closer to Horn Bay, her sense of homing grew stronger. Recently, she often found herself standing on the deck, gazing into the distance, hoping to seend appear on the horizon.


    May I disturb you for a moment?


    In this age of limited knowledge, ordinary people always held schrs in high regard. Since Ladi was disguised as a man, she seldom spoke freely, afraid of revealing her true identity. This gave everyone on board the impression that she was aloof and proud.


    Not at all, what can I do for you?


    Ladi smiled slightly, causing the merchant representative to be momentarily dazed.


    The merchant, pleasantly surprised that the schr was so approachable, was briefly confused by his own reaction to a man


    So, do you think our goods will sell well in the south? Will people buy them?


    The merchant representative asked tentatively, his and the others biggest concern being a wasted journey.


    For them, originating from the Northwest Bay, Horn Bay was undoubtedly wealthy and prosperous. They worried about being seen as country bumpkins from the north, their goodsughed off as worthless trinkets, and being ridiculed for traveling so far to sell junk.


    Ladi, sensing his concern, reassured him with a smile:


    Mr. Representative, rest assured, the items authorized by Count Grayman for your production should be very popr in Horn Bay.


    As far as I know, the Count has already established a cooperative rtionship with the Foster family of the Horn Bay Alliance. They arrange caravans to Lakeheart Town for goods every month, and even the southern wars of the kingdom havent hindered them a bit. The Foster family wouldnt be somitted if it werent for significant profits.


    The representative was a bit surprised. The Foster family?


    He knew, having done his homework before the trip, that they were a prominent family in the south.


    So, the lord has quietly connected with the Foster family, leaving us out of the loop


    The representative sounded a bit resentful and wistful.


    Uh


    Ladi looked embarrassed, suddenly realizing that both Paul and her own territorys merchants were suppliers, technically inpetition, albeit not prominently due to the current demand outstripping supply.


    She had inadvertently revealed his business secret and hoped the Count wouldnt me her.


    Realizing his words might have been abrupt, and seeing that this schr seemed to have a close rtionship with Count Grayman, the representative quickly changed the subject.


    Speaking of which, Captain Quik reallymands great authority on this ship.


    Ladi agreed wholeheartedly. Yes, before boarding, Commander Austin cautioned me that the captain is the lord of a ship, and no one should challenge his authority.


    We received the same warning. It seems true now, as all the officers and soldiers are very obedient to him.


    Indeed, even thergest and sturdiest ship seems like a tiny floating leaf in the ocean. The crew needs a brave and decisive backbone, a psychological support. In the face of great storms and danger, even a wrong decision is better than indecision and dispute.


    You make a good point.


    Suddenly, a loud shout came from the mast. Land in sight!


    Immediately, everyone on the deck looked towards the lookout, who was excitedly pointing eastward and shouting.


    People crowded on one side of the deck, following the lookouts direction. Soon, those with telescopes also began to shout excitedly.


    Land, it is indeednd!


    Oh! Those are buildings! Thats a port! Were lucky to havee directly to a port!


    The news ofnd sighting quickly spread throughout the ship, and everyone rushed to the deck, looking into the distance and cheering.


    After everyone had their moment of excitement, Captain Quik yelled, Get back to your posts! Do you think theres no work to be done just because were nearingnd? Back to work, all of you!


    The sailors dispersed, resuming their work but with faces lit up with excitement, eagerly discussing what exotic sights and experiences awaited them in this foreignnd thousands of miles from home.


    Whats expensive there? Hows the food?


    And most importantly, what do the girls look like?


    Then Captain Quik ordered the helmsman to adjust the course and head straight for the discovered port.


    The coastal city of Horn Bay, Asta, weed an unusual ship to its port today.


    The ship had no oars, just a thick and tall mast on the deck, with an exceptionallyrge sail.


    It seemed the sail provided the power for the ship to slowly enter the port. But in Horn Bay, where sailing relied on oars, what were the builders of this wind-reliant ship thinking?


    The port officials immediately took a boat to approach this strange vessel, signaling amon sea gesture  they intended to board for inspection.


    The Southern Ship responded, agreeing to let them board.


    Astas officials and soldiers climbed aboard the Southern Ship using a ropedder. One official introduced himself, holding a metal badge:


    Im the affairs officer from the Port Entry and Exit Office. Where are you from? This ship doesnt seem to have appeared in our records before.


    However, he spoke in the local Horn Baynguage, leaving most people on the ship bewildered.


    Fortunately, Ladi, a native of Horn Bay, quickly stepped forward to greet the port officer, seeing everyones confusion.


    Hello, this must be the port of Asta.


    Yes, sir. The officer was impressed by the young man with green hair.


    This ship is called the Southern Ship, from the Northwest Bay of the Kingdom of Ordo. Its purpose is to establish a trade route from the kingdoms northwest to Horn Bay. The people aboard are from Ordo and they dont understand yournguage.


    I see, are you their trantor? You sound like youre from around Horn Bay too.


    Yes, sir.


    The officer smiled, weing those who came to do business. However, he thought it strange they brought only one trantor. He hoped they wouldnt be too disadvantaged in dealings.


    Weary from your long journey, pleasee ashore to register.


    Ladi quickly tranted in Ordonguage to Captain Quik. This is the officer in charge of the port. He says you need to register at the dock.


    Then she asked, puzzled, Captain Quik, gentlemen representatives, doesnt anyone among you speak Horn Baynguage?


    Quik seemed clueless. Horn Baynguage? Whats that? Do people in the world speaknguages others cant understand?


    The merchant representatives were equally clueless.


    People from the Northwest Bay had never left the Kingdom of Ordo, and most had not even left the Bay. In their understanding, there was no concept of foreignnguages; they assumed everyone in the world spoke the samenguage, albeit with different ents.


    This


    Ladi covered her face with her hand, looking defeated. If she hadnt been on this ship, even entering the port might have taken half a day.


    This wasnt entirely Pauls fault. He subconsciously thought, like in many fantasy settings, that everyone in the world spoke the samenguage. His interactions with foreign people, like the Lichman Adventure Team and the Foster family, who all spoke fluent Ordo, only reinforced this belief. So, he never considered thenguage barrier.


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