The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 494: Volume 11: Misty Cage and Smoke Lock, - 6: Navigator

Chapter 494: Volume 11: Misty Cage and Smoke Lock, Chapter 6: Navigator

"Giganthia Temple?" Komer paused, the tone of the other person suggesting that this temple was quite famous, but it seemed he had never heard of its reputation, had he?

Seeing the puzzled look on Komer’s face, the Bearded Man assumed Komer was not familiar with the situation in the South, glanced swiftly around, then lowered his voice slightly to explain, "The conditions on the Continent in the South and the North are somewhat different, especially near the Mediterranean region where the races and religious beliefs differ greatly from the North. Shark people are the rulers of the waters, but they do not form a unified power. Instead, they are divided into many tribes that reside in the Mediterranean, with some islands as their key strongholds. As long as you do not infringe upon these islands, they generally do not interfere with the grievances and feuds among the races on the Continent."

"The countries and powers close to the Southern Mediterranean are mostly multi-racial. Although mortals also comprise a considerable portion there, compared to dwarfs, the Elf Clan, and those Half-Beastmen and Half-Elves, their numbers are much higher; even the power of mortals there is very different from ours."

"Dwarfs and the Elf Clan worship their own traditional deities, while most of the mortals there worship the God of Darkness—Hades, the god of darkness. The Church of Light is not very popular there and is suppressed by the local governments. Giganthia Temple is the most important dark worship temple in Piraeus City State, the most important mortal city-state within the Corinth City-State Union. It is said to house the sacred objects of Hades, the god of darkness. Giganthia Temple stands on Kixila Island in Aegean Bay, which belongs to Piraeus..."

"After the Severo Kingdom’s dwarf fleet was stranded on Kixila Island during a storm, Giganthia Temple collapsed in the ensuing tempest. The priests of Piraeus City State concluded that the dwarfs had desecrated Giganthia Temple, causing the storm to attack the temple and bring about its ruin. Therefore, they demanded that the Severo Kingdom hand over the perpetrators who had desecrated the God of Darkness. It seems there were also important figures from within the Severo Kingdom among that fleet, and as a result, the two parties have been at loggerheads, their conflict intensifying and now threatening the security of the entire Aegean Bay."

It was clear that Captain Portalan was very knowledgeable about the entire Mediterranean situation, and not just superficially so. He even had a grasp of these disputes between nations—secrets not known to the average person.

This only indicated that this person must have some background in the Mediterranean; however, it was a bit perplexing why he would deign to serve as a captain on such a passenger ship.

"Oh, a temple’s collapse due to a natural disaster has led to hostility between two countries? Isn’t that a bit exaggerated? Perhaps my wording isn’t quite right, but such matters are indeed puzzling. It seems incredible that two countries in the same region would come into conflict or even war over this issue. Captain Portalan, what do you think?" Komer shrugged, indicating his inability to understand how such an event could occur.

"No, it’s not entirely for that reason. If it were just for that, it would not have escalated to this extent. Although the relationship between mortals and dwarfs isn’t that close, it’s also not as bad as some in the North imagine. However, the relationship between the Piraeus City State and the Severo Kingdom was already strained. But within the Corinth City-State Union, there are two Elven cities that, while part of the Union, have always maintained a very close relationship with the Severo Kingdom. It has been these two cities mediating between the two sides for years that has kept the Aegean Bay peaceful, but it seems that this time the Elven city-states couldn’t spare much effort to intervene in the matter due to other reasons, which led to the deterioration of the situation."

From this conversation, Komer could sense that the Bearded Captain was quite familiar with the situation within the Corinth City-State Union, which further intrigued him.

The Corinth City-State Union is made up of city-states and republics along the coasts of three of the most important bays of the Southern Mediterranean: Aegean Bay, Saronikos Bay, and Corinthia Bay. These city-republics are mostly based on craftsmanship, commerce, shipbuilding, and navigation, adhering to policies that encourage trade, with their shipping and shipbuilding industries extremely developed.

As a navigator like Captain Portalan, he should easily find a lucrative position as a captain in the Southern Mediterranean, or even lead a fleet.

"Captain Portalan, forgive my audacious question, but you must be from within the Corinth City-State Union, right? May I ask if your current qualification is as a Navigator or a Great Navigator?" Perhaps harboring an inexplicable fondness for the bearded captain, who always had a touch of melancholy in his eyes, Komer couldn’t help but pry a little.

After a pause, the Bearded Captain gave a faint, bitter smile and said, "Yes, sir, you guessed correctly. I was born in Sparta and later grew up in Oubeia. I’ve loved sailing since I was young and have lived at sea ever since. I’ve had the qualification of a Navigator for some years now. As for being a Great Navigator, ha, that qualification isn’t something you can get just with experience or seniority; it requires a substantial amount of money, which I definitely don’t have at the moment."

Oubeia and Sparta are both mortal city-states within the Corinth City-State Union, but Sparta’s situation is slightly different from other members of the Union.

Aside from a small seaside town, most of its territory inland, including the city-state of Sparta, was part of the inland. The city-state of Sparta was also a member of the Corinth City-State Union with the largest territory and population. Unlike the economy of other city-states and cities focused on industry, shipping, and trade, Sparta’s economy was primarily agricultural. The honey, honey wine, olive oil, and figs it produced were quite renowned, and the Spartan warriors were equally famous throughout the Continent.

On the Blue Continent, becoming a sailor or a captain was no easy task. From apprentice sailor to sailor, from sailor to navigator, then to navigator and great navigator—aside from the apprentice sailor position that required no official examination, recognition for each subsequent rank required not only abundant seafaring experience but also official approval from the Seafaring Guild. The assessments, especially from the level of navigator upwards, were extremely strict.

Navigators were only allowed to pilot and command medium and small vessels, while navigators could captain large ships and command ordinary fleets. However, to command large fleets or armed flotillas, one must possess the qualifications of a great navigator.

The entire Blue Continent had no more than thirty individuals who qualified as great navigators, among whom were several pirates who roamed between the great seas.

Sailors who violated the regulations of the Seafaring Guild would be sanctioned by the Guild and would be deprived of its recognition for life. There were also two Seafaring Guilds: one in Istanbul City, the largest port in the Mediterranean, a strategic fortress between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Wind Sea, and another in Seville, atop the Western Star Sea.

However, the standards for recognition by both guilds were equally stringent, and they acknowledged each other’s certifications. Sailors could not imagine finding any loophole to exploit between them.

Komer nodded silently, sensing the desolation in the man’s words. Even as a navigator, one could find a good position in the Southern Mediterranean, but it was clear that the man preferred not to dwell on the subject.

With a friendship forming, Komer felt he had won the man’s friendship, but their acquaintance had been brief, just half a day, and Komer hadn’t even shared his real name, feeling dishonest giving a false one. But revealing his true identity now seemed presumptuous. It seemed wiser to avoid the topic for now, and the man seemed to have forgotten to ask Komer’s name, or perhaps he had intentionally not inquired.

"Sparta’s honey and figs are unforgettable, not to mention the olive oil. Unfortunately, I favor the intoxicating aroma of its honey wine," Komer said, deliberately shifting the conversation away from the somewhat melancholic mood by bringing up produce from the man’s homeland.

"Oh? Sir, have you been to my home?" The Bearded Captain’s eyes lit up. Meeting someone from one’s hometown while abroad—though not quite a familiar face—it was still a relief to reminisce about home with someone in the vast expanse of the Nether Sea.

"Yes, I passed by ship but did not stay in Sparta. Two years ago, I spent a night at the Port of Piraeus. The relaxed atmosphere of the open-air coffee shops and beer houses in the square is truly unforgettable. Sparta’s honey wine may be the finest brew for me, but for seafarers like you, Captain Portalan, who toil at sea all year round, it might seem too light. Perhaps gin is more to your taste."

Komer’s nostalgic tone immediately stirred the captain’s profound memories and further endeared Komer to him. Wine has always been the liquid language of men’s exchange, and while Komer spoke of his preference for honey wine, it was clear that Captain Portalan seemed eager to mold Komer into a true seaman.

"Oh, sir, you have truly stirred my memories—what am I to do? Perhaps I can only use alcohol to dilute the nostalgia in my heart. Would you care for a drink?"

The surprise and joy in the Bearded Captain’s eyes were unabashed. Just behind the captain’s cabin was his resting cabin, and with a tilt of his head, Captain Portalan brought out a small oak barrel from there. The shiny, smooth surface of the barrel bore a blurred metal emblem, and with a gentle push from Captain Portalan, the ancient wooden stopper popped open with a "pop," and a rich aroma of alcohol immediately filled the captain’s cabin.