Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 532 - 1 Guard of Honor_1

Chapter 532: Chapter 1 Guard of Honor_1

Azure Sea, blue sky.

"Whoo~~~" The sound of the distant horn echoed as a large ship made its way through the waves, moving slowly through the anchorage towards the port. Thousands of white seagulls flew along with the giant ship, occasionally perching on the masts to rest, curiously watching the bustling sailors below. This was a near-sea cargo ship, sailing along the narrow channel between the continental shelf and the navigation hazard line.

In the Yarran World, sea transport always struggled to be the primary mode of transportation. The narrow navigation channel around the Yarran Continent was littered with reefs, both seen and unseen. Only the most experienced captains dared to navigate through the channel. However, in order not to waste the potential of sea transport, people tried their best to utilize the navigable channels and built a series of ports and roads near the reef areas, thus dividing the shipping line into several sections. Each section was taken care of by different ships. Although this method was somewhat cumbersome, it still saved some labor and resources as compared to land transport. Therefore, this method was often chosen for large-scale transport.

However, this method was not without its flaws. To connect the east and west ends of the continent, one had to choose one of the two routes, north or south. The northern route, while fewer in dark reef areas and requiring fewer ship changes, also posed its own challenges. Once past the northernmost port of the Falar Empire, one would enter the Elemental Highlands of the Kingdom of Mages. From this point onwards, the terrain became sharply inclined, with unscalable cliffs making it impossible to construct a supply port. Past the Kingdom of Mages, one would enter the dreaded Perpetual Icefield. Strangely, in the Yarran World, although the temperatures get hotter as one goes north, the strangest of phenomena occurs at the northernmost peninsula where the Perpetual Icefield is located. Vein of energy beneath the ground create freezing temperatures, rendering the region perpetually blanketed in snow, with an ice layer so thick and temperatures so low that no life can survive. It was merely wishful thinking to perceive constructing a supply port in such conditions.

Moving past the Ever Frozen peninsula, the route veered eastward, leading directly into the area of the Forest of Death. It was deemed the graveyard of the demigods. The entirety of its land was fraught with danger, and the hope of building a port was feasible only if the deity returned. Despite the long and arduous journey around the Yarran Continent, the northern sailing route remained a popular choice for haulage as it was peppered with lesser dangerous reefs, allowing for smoother navigation. The only respite came when fast-approaching the Forest of Death, where the terrain was leveled slightly, ideal for the construction of supplementary and transition ports, marking the end of the long and unfed journey along the northern sailing line.

Despite the daunting stretch of the northern route, it prevails as a favorable choice over the southern route, which yields excruciating difficulties. Relatively, the southern sailing line seemed entirely normal, with acceptable aquatic and supply conditions. Nonetheless, it inevitably swerved around the southernmost end of the continent dominated by the Magical Beast Forest, present on a large peninsula. As we move towards the south, the temperature drops, with the southernmost tip of the peninsula recording temperatures below minus twenty degrees. The conditions persist even in summer with temperatures scarcely rising above freezing point. Although the seawater bizarrely remained unfrozen, the sailors were subjected to severe suffering. Frequent sightings of disabled sailors who have lost their ears or few fingers, victims of this very route, were common.

However, the cargo ship in sight was somewhat special. With experienced veteran sailors as captains, these giant cargo ships disregarded the limitations of the north and south sailing lines. The captains were well-tuned to the naval route, being able to steer the ship through a complete course with their eyes shut. They were extremely familiar with the reef areas along the route, able to skillfully steer the vessel away from dangerous reef sectors. They could even manoeuvre into the navigation hazard zone for a short trip, bypassing the reefs before safely returning to the navigation path. Of course, unless driven to desperation, nobody would foolishly attempt such a feat.

The cargo ship, loaded to the brim, embarked from Vili City, a trading port city located on the borders of the Mountain Country Kulan and the Sea Kingdom of Casa. After a long eight-month journey, rounding half of the Yarran Continent, they were finally nearing their destination - the City of Freedom port, one of the largest ports and a key transfer station for both sea and land routes.

"Whoo~~~", the horn sounded again. The elongated sound alerted the port workers that the ship was nearing the port, while also warning smaller boats nearby to steer clear to avoid any collision.

The sails of the ship had been lowered. Propelled only by the force of the water currents, the ship cruised past the mooring area. Over a hundred sailors crowded the deck, their eyes filled with the anticipation of setting foot on land after what seemed like ages. The captain was a good man and would never exploit his loyal crew who accompanied him through life and death. Therefore, every sailor’s pocket jingled with coins, ready to be splurged on the shores of this land of freedom: sharp liquor, voluptuous women, jingling gold coins - only these tantalizing thrills could excite these sailors. During such times, no one cared about spending money. Even if all the gold was spent, who could guarantee how many of them would ever return to set foot on land after their next voyage?

"Look, dolphins!" cried a sailor excitedly on the cargo ship. "Look! A school of dolphins! They’re a symbol of good luck. It seems our next voyage will be smooth and safe."

Just as the sailor had exclaimed, less than 200 meters ahead of the ship, a large group of dolphins leaped, following the setting sun and emitting cheerful and soothing cries. The splashing water, against the backdrop of the fiery sunset, painted a breathtaking scene.

"Something’s not right. Why are there so many?" The experienced first mate initially didn’t join the sailors in their excitement. But now, even he couldn’t resist walking to the side of the ship and exclaiming in surprise, "There must’ve been at least a thousand that have jumped over, has anyone ever seen a school of dolphins this large?"

"First mate, what’s that... what’s that on the surface? Those things that just popped out of the water, are they sharks?" A sailor suddenly became panicked and shouted back at the first mate, "There are so many."

"You’ve never even seen a shark?" The first mate scorned at the sailor, before turning around and being shocked himself. Countless shark dorsal fins emerged from the waters around the cargo ship, encircling it neatly in the center, resembling an army waiting for inspection. Judging by the size of the dorsal fins, the first mate could infer based on his experience that these sharks were much larger than ordinary ones, likely to be marine magical beasts. Facing hundreds or even thousands of these giant sharks, the ship, despite its impressive size, would likely struggle to defend against an onslaught and could be quickly shattered by these sharks.

"Stop the ship and drop the anchor," the first mate commanded anxdiety. "Boatswain, report to the captain, we might be in serious trouble."

"Why are you panicking? Does panicking solve the problem?" Footsteps echoed and a vigorous elderly man with a white beard, who appeared to be in his sixties, walked slowly from the cabin. The old man brushed past the sailors, looked casually at the sea and then withdrew his gaze. He ordered the sailors, "Don’t panic, there’s no danger. Everyone, go back to your posts. Stop crowding around here. This is just the Guard of Honor from the Deep Sea Storm Temple."

"Guard of Honor?" The first mate felt his world turned upside down and asked in surprise, "With this size? Captain, look, there are still fins popping up on the outskirts, aren’t there thousands of sharks? And, if it’s the Guard of Honor, why would they surround us? Are you sure there’s no problem?"

"Hold steady." The old man stroked his thick, white sideburns, glared at the first mate, "Aren’t you my son? Show some courage as a man of the sea. These guards stopped us near the port, they surely mean no harm. If they did, couldn’t they attack us at any point during the journey? Moreover, have you ever heard of the sea race attacking humans over the years? Do you doubt they are the Guard of Honor? Do you think a group of magical beasts could spontaneously form such orderly formations? Use your brain, don’t let the alcohol ruin it. I’m still relying on you to take over my duties in a few years."

"Understood." The first mate, rebuked by the old captain, blushed and said apologetically, "Father, I know I was wrong."

"Since they stopped us, let’s wait." The old captain, looking at the numerous dorsal fins below, said calmly, "Perhaps the sea race has a favor to ask."

However, at the next moment, the old captain’s expression also changed, not out of fear, but out of surprise. About thirty to forty meters in front of the cargo ship, the water suddenly parted, revealing two merfolk riding atop giant sharks. The old captain, who had spent years at sea, understood that these were royals of the deep sea. Most sailors wouldn’t have a chance to see them in their entire lives. He never expected to see two at once here. But the surprises didn’t end there, more sharks rose to the surface, carrying several six-armed nagas alongside the merfolk. Surprisingly, there were also five humans. Most surprisingly, the merfolk seemed especially warm towards these humans, even swimming to where they were and holding their hands as if they didn’t want to let go.

For a moment, the old captain also couldn’t help but question his eyesight. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote and grant monthly tickets on qidian.com. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)