Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 531 - 1 Guard of Honor_1

Chapter 531: Chapter 1 Guard of Honor_1

Azure Sea, blue sky.

"Whoo~~~" the prolonged sound of the horn reverberated from afar. A large ship split through the waves, slowly traversing the anchorage, heading towards the port. Thousands of white seagulls soared alongside the massive vessel, periodically perching on the ship’s mast to rest, casting curious glances at the bustling sailors below. This was a coastal freighter, navigating the narrow path between the continental shelf and the navigation hazard line.

In the Yarran World, sea transportation has always had difficulty becoming the main channel, because this narrow route is not always smooth. Within the slender route that encircles the Yarran Continent, there are areas full of hidden and visible reefs. Only the most experienced sea captains dare to navigate through it. However, to avoid wasting the power of sea transportation, people still make the most of usable routes. They construct ports and roads near the reef areas, breaking down the route into sections, with different ships responsible for different sections. This method is somewhat cumbersome but still saves some manpower and resources compared to land transportation, making it the preferred choice for carrying large quantities of goods.

Yet, this method of transportation is not without flaws. To connect the east and west of the continent, one must choose a route either from the north or south. The northern route seems logical, as it has fewer reef areas, resulting in fewer instances of changing ships but it has its problems as well. Once past the northernmost port of the Falar Empire on this journey, the terrain starts to rise steeply as you enter the Kingdom of Mages within the Elemental Highlands. The path becomes lined with sheer cliffs making it impossible to build any supply ports. Further north from the Kingdom of the Mages lies the terrifying Perpetual Icefield. Ironically, while temperatures increase as you move north in the Yarran World, an odd region like the Perpetual Icefield exists at the very northern tip of the peninsula. Due to the extremely high altitude and the frigid energy-enveloped ley lines beneath the surface, the Perpetual Icefield is covered in accumulated snow all year round. Like its name suggests, its surface is perpetually encased in thick layers of ice, with temperatures so low that no ordinary life form could survive. The idea of establishing a supply port in this region is nothing more than a fantasy, whether considering the terrain or the temperature.

As the route turns past the Perpetual Peninsula and heads eastward, it enters the area of the Forest of Death. The Forest of Death, known as one of the Demigod’s graveyards, is laced with danger at every inch. To establish a port there would require a Deity to descend upon the world. Thus, to navigate this northern route, one must undertake a lengthy journey that almost circumnavigates half the Yarran Continent, and most crucially, without any possibility of resupply. However, there’s a silver lining. Luckily, this stretch of the route is devoid of any hidden reefs, allowing smooth sailing. It is only when you cross the Forest of Death that there’s a glimmer of hope. Toward the end of the Feather Mountain Range where it meets the sea, certain areas with more gentle terrain are perfect for constructing several symmetrical transshipment and supply ports, marking the end of the arduous resupply-less journey on the northern route.

Despite the complications along the northern route, most companies still prefer it for transporting goods. Simply because compared to the northern route, the southern route is significantly more painful. The southern route is generally suitable, with acceptable hydrological conditions and supply conditions. However, inevitably, to sail this route requires circumventing the southern tip of the continent, a massive peninsula occupied by the Magical Beast Forest. As one moves south, temperatures drop, and at the very southern tip of the peninsula, temperatures have essentially dipped below minus twenty degrees, not even raising above freezing in the summer. Although for some strange reason, the seawater doesn’t freeze at these temperatures, it’s a severe torment for sailors. Along this route, it’s common to see disabled sailors missing ears or a few fingers, all victims of this section of the route.

However, the freighter in front of us was rather special. These colossal freighters often disregard the limitations of the southern and northern routes. The captains of these cargo ships are veteran sailors who have spent years at sea and are so intimately familiar with the routes that they could navigate them with their eyes closed. They recognize all the reef areas along the routes and can easily guide the freighter through these treacherous areas. They can even momentarily steer into the navigation hazard zone based on intuition, bypass the reefs, and then safely return to the shipping lane. Of course, unless absolutely necessary, no one would be foolish enough to do so.

Presently, this freighter, laden with cargo, had set sail from Vili City, a trading port situated at the border of the Mountain Country Kulan and the Sea Kingdom of Casa. After journeying for eight months and circumnavigating half of the Yarran Continent, it was finally approaching its destination: Their destination was one of the junctions of sea and land transport—with the world’s largest port, the port of the City of Freedom.

"Whoo~~~", the horn sounded again. The protracted sound of the horn was not without purpose. Firstly, it alerted the port officials that a ship was about to dock. Secondly, it warned smaller ships in the vicinity to move out of its way to avoid catastrophic collisions.

The ship’s sails had been lowered, propelled only by the power of the water current as it moved across the anchorage. Over a hundred sailors crammed on the deck, staring eagerly at the land they hadn’t tread upon in so long. The captain was a good man who truly valued his companions who had risked their lives alongside him. Thus each sailor’s purse was bulging, just waiting to be squandered once they came ashore in this land of freedom. Sharp liquor, voluptuous women, and the jingle of coins were the only temptations thrilling enough to excite these sailors. At such times, no one cared about spending money. Even if they spent all their salary, what did it matter? Who knows how many will have the chance to set foot on land again after their next departure?

"Look, dolphins." A sailor on the freighter jubilantly exclaimed, "Look, a massive pod of dolphins. This is a symbol of good fortune. It seems our next voyage will be safe and sound."

Just as the sailor exclaimed, less than two hundred meters ahead of the ship, a large pod of dolphins leaped out of the sea towards the setting sun. Their successive sharp and soothing cries and the splashes their bodies created formed a beautiful spectacle under the fiery red sunset.

"No, wait, why are there so many?" The experienced first mate initially didn’t join the sailors in the commotion, but he could not resist anymore. He walked to the ship’s side, speaking in disbelief, "There must have been at least a thousand leaping over. Has anyone ever seen a pod of dolphins this large?"

"First mate, first mate, look at the sea surface, what are those... What just popped up from under water? Are they sharks?" A sailor suddenly became panic-stricken, shouting to the first mate, "There’s so many."

"You’ve never seen a shark?" The first mate gave the sailor a contemptuous glance, then turned his head only to be shocked himself. Many shark fins appeared around the ship, surrounding it at the center. Forming circles, the fins were in extremely neat order, just like a military parade. Judging from the size of the fins, the first mate could infer the size of these sharks based on his experience. Each one was far bigger than ordinary sharks. They probably had departed from the category of ordinary beasts and became marine magical beasts. Facing hundreds, perhaps thousands, of these huge sharks, if they launched an attack, despite the large size of the ship, it probably wouldn’t withstand the onslaught and would be shattered to pieces in no time.

"Stop the ship, drop anchor," the tense first mate ordered. "Boatswain, report to the captain. We might be in big trouble."

"What are you panicking for? Panic can’t solve the problem," responded a voice. An old man in his sixties, with white hair and beard but still robust and strong, slowly emerged from the cabin. The old man pushed aside the sailors, looked casually into the sea, and then reassured the crew: "No need to freak out, there’s no danger. Everyone, return to your positions, stop crowding here. Those are just the guard of honor from the Deep Sea Storm Temple."

"Guard of honor?" The first mate felt his expectations had been overturned. He asked in surprise: "Guard of honor of such scale? Captain, look, more fins are still popping out in the periphery. Aren’t there thousands of sharks? And, why have we been surrounded if they are the guard of honor? Are you sure there is no problem?"

"Hold steady," the old man retorted while stroking his bushy greying beard, "Aren’t you my son? Show the courage of a sea man. If these guards stop us near the harbour, they surely mean no harm. If they intended to attack, they could have done so any time during our journey. Besides, have you ever heard of sea folk attacking humans unprovoked in all these years? Doubt they’re a guard of honor? Think beasts could naturally form such neat formations? Use your brain. Don’t let the alcohol ruin it. I’m counting on you to take over my position in a few years."

"Yes," replied the first mate, his face flushing with embarrassment as the old captain scolded him. Lowering his head in shame, he said, "Father, I realize my mistake."

"Since they’ve stopped us, let’s wait," the old captain, looking down at the numerous fins beneath him, calmly said, "Perhaps the sea folk need our help."

But the very next moment, the color drained from the old captain’s face. Not due to fear, but to surprise. Roughly forty meters ahead of the cargo ship, water began to part, and two merfolk riding on gigantic sharks emerged from the water. An old sailor who had spent many years at sea knew without a doubt that he was witnessing the royal family of the deep sea - a sight most sailors had no chance of seeing in their life. It was surprising to see not just one, but two merfolk simultaneously. Moreover, even more sharks surfaced from below, carrying several six-armed Naga, and surprisingly, five humans. Most intriguing of all, the merfolk seemed particularly fond of these humans, swimming up to them, holding their hands and appearing reluctant to let go.

For a moment, the old captain doubted his own eyes. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote, subscribe, and support at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read at m.qidian.com.)