Chapter 486 - Volume 3 (1/2)

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Ampere Seale was Aouine’s busiest harbor. From the moment the first light of dawn hits the city, until the moon’s reflection shone on the waves, the harbor was always busy. Merchants and harbor workers were ceaselessly working, which allowed the ma.s.sive harbor to be as rich as it was. It was only when the storms avoided the s.h.i.+ning Sea did this golden route calm down momentarily, allowing its citizens a short reprieve.

Archbishop Wood, wearing a white robe with red lining adorning his body, stood under the Marble Lighthouse. This man of stature had been sent over by the Holy Cathedral to become the Archbishop of the Ampere Seale parish. At the same time, he was also the spiritual leader of Aouine’s Holy Cathedral of Flames. If one managed to hold this position for fifteen years, then he would have the qualifications to become one of the cores of the Holy Cathedral, the eleven Archbishop. When that time comes, even becoming the Pope of the Holy Cathedral would be merely one step away.

Most people couldn’t understand why he would aim higher as his status and position were the dreams of many. Wood’s cheeks were sunken, the skin hanging loosely off his bones. Even though he had yet to reach 80 years of age, he seemed as if he had been weathered by the pa.s.sages of time. However, his sunken sockets held eyes that burned with youth so majestic that the citizens would part before his very presence. His lips were pursed, exuding an air of calmness about him, yet his heart contained just as much turmoil as all the other tribe members of Aouine.

“The Lion Beastmen are getting ready to attack, it must have gotten the Holy Cathedral of Earth’s support.” Wood stood on top of the hill and looked down into the harbor, where vessels big and small drifted in and out, leaving trails of foam in the azure bay. The scene before him left him breathless. “Aouine is the vanguard of the war against the Holy Cathedral of Earth, we must not allow it to drag out, which leaves us with very little time.

Icahn nodded in agreement. Both of them had been partners for many years. Despite neither of them hailing from Aouine, their loyalty towards the old king held no bounds. “Even if the Lion Beastmen have already made preparations to attack, they will still wait until next year before it gets serious, especially since this Spring’s harvest has yet to commence. The Holy Cathedral of Earth can’t make their move so easily.”

Wood glanced at his partner.

“Do you know the history of this Marble Lighthouse, Icahn?”

Icahn stared at the lighthouse beside him that was the symbol of Ampere Seale. “When King Erik founded this harbor, Ampere Seale was not the ma.s.sive trading port it is today. This lighthouse once lit the way for King Erik and his naval troops against the forces of Holy Cathedral on the sea. The Marble Lighthouse has always been the symbol of Aouine, the symbol of the defense against the forces of darkness.

“Unfortunately, tragedy befell when the lighthouse was destroyed in a fire about 50 years ago, and so did its historical value. The new lighthouse was built in place, but it can never replace the original.” Icahn understood the meaning behind his partner’s words. He admired the king and the princess because they were willing to defend their honor, but the past is in the past. Wood was reminding him to look at the situation from a fair and just perspective.

“The king is the same. No matter what he did in the past, the honor he had fought so hard to defend has been thrown away by his descendants, all that is left is a husk. Isn’t it better to be given a new meaning, just as the lighthouse had been? Only then can it regain its value.”

“I understand, Archbishop,” Icahn replied humbly.

Wood nodded his head. The Cathedral had always been a just dominion, they would not interfere with the inner workings of a country on a whim. If they did, they would lose all the authority they commanded. Wood and his a.s.sistant had worked together for many years, they both admired the opponent’s sense of honor and justice. Now that the situation was as such, he would definitely not allow his a.s.sistant to interfere with Aouine’s government and favor the princess.

Wood could not help looking towards the city. Ampere Seale was one of the largest cities in the south, the expanse of rooftops extended from the harbor to all the way to the horizon, the tallest structure was undoubtedly the temple of Holy Cathedral of Flame, shrouded in mist, causing it to flicker in and out of sight. He could not help thinking of Magadal’s warning, shaking his head to rid himself of the ominous feeling.

It’s impossible. No matter what the Holy Cathedral will not favor any parties, the Archbishop can’t be that desperate.

At that moment, the bell of the Marble Lighthouse tolled once more. The bra.s.s bell’s sound made the ground tremble, pebbles were jumping on the ground. The sound traveled tens of miles out, even half of the city could hear it clearly. The bell signified the arrival of a s.h.i.+p. Wood and Icahn raised their heads to see a s.h.i.+p with three ma.s.sive sails hanging from its masts.

“It’s the s.h.i.+p from Rubik.” Icahn immediately recognized the s.h.i.+p’s flag.

“The storm season is upon us again, the route south will no longer be accessible. This should be the last s.h.i.+p from Rubik for the month. Any later and their bones would lay at the bottom of the sea.” Wood could only sigh.

“The world is being blinded by gold. Wealth is good to have, but it will never be as valuable as life itself.” Icahn too shook his head.

This time, Archbishop Wood did not agree with him, and instead replying with a famous quote, “Without money, how can life flourish?”