825 Ocean (1/2)
The boundless blue ocean.
The salty sea breeze was warm.
Gentle waves arose on the ocean, above which seagulls flew past at times.
This was the Golden Sea Route that led to the East. Ever since the Great Geographical Discovery, countless ships set out for the enigmatic East along this route every day, bringing back china, spices, silk, and other specialties to exchange for money at the port.
The ocean was a cradle of dreams, containing astounding amounts of treasure.
A story of a lucky dog getting rich overnight circulated at every port, encouraging more youths to pursue their careers as voyagers. However, they did not know that other than the unparalleled treasures, there were also extreme dangers hidden in the ocean.
Other than natural disasters like storms, there were giant sea monsters, other creatures dwelling in the sea, and even some indescribable beings that could readily capsize ships in a rage.
Of course, the prevailing danger on a sea route was still pirates.
They pursued wealth and loved rum and ladies. After plundering a large fortune, they would squander all of it at pirate ports and then hunt for more.
To men living on the sea, they had been born there and would eventually die there. This was their destiny.
Nevertheless, it was not enjoyable to be a pirate. In comparison to the merchants, they also faced the ocean's dangers and might even be besieged by the royal navies.
In the Western Continent, Ettoman was the country with the strongest naval power. Reaping the most benefits from overseas business, it resented pirate activities and legislated against them. If pirate activities were witnessed on the sea, the pirates could be executed on the spot, regardless of their identities.
The corpses of pirates suspended in the wind could be seen at the ports of Ettoman every day, before eventually being replaced by new pirate corpses.
The battle between the navies and the pirates was an eternal topic in the Great Voyage Era.
The Great Voyage Era!
After the eminent Voyager Michael discovered the sea route to the East based on the Great Geographical Discovery, countries all over the continent went crazy for it.
Countless people rushed to sail the seas and explore the New World despite the danger from cyclones, tsunamis, giant monsters, and pirates. As more continents were discovered, more ships were built with improved capacity and speed.
Wealth flowed continuously into Ettoman, making this island nation more affluent than any other country in the Western Continent.
Attracted by the gold and other treasures, many coastal countries started their maritime business successively.
It was the worst of times. The dreadful ocean devoured young lives like a ruthless beast, and the Great Geographical Discovery was full of colonization and crimes.
It was the best of times. With courage and a little luck, one could obtain wealth and anything else in the vast ocean!
…
”What a fantastic day!”
Donald was over thirty years old. His white shirt was open halfway down, revealing his hairy chest.
As an experienced sailor and voyager, he could tell the good weather today just by smelling the sea breeze.
”At this speed, I can probably arrive at the Drunk Port tomorrow evening and enjoy the turkey and the rum there…”
Donald rubbed his face. His beard was as stiff as steel needles since he had not shaved for a long time.
He was the respected navigator of this ship named 'Flame and Beauty'.
On a common merchant ship, the captain had the greatest authority, followed by the chief officer, who assisted the captain in managing things on the deck and other sundry duties.
Next was the navigator, who had to be proficient at determining their position using the sextant and the stars, as well as calculating ocean currents and sea routes. The navigator could sometimes be more important than the captain.
Below the navigator was the assault leader, followed by the second officer and the third officer.
The ocean routes were not peaceful at all now, and it was absolutely possible for them to encounter pirates. A capable assault leader and sufficient weapons were crucial for survival at that critical moment!Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
On pirate ships and navy vessels, the combatants were further classified into artillerymen, musketeers, and so on.
Other than that, there were doctors, chefs, carpenters, accountants… Together with the sailors at the bottom of the hierarchy, they completed the interpersonal relationships on a ship.
Donald owned some shares in the shipments this time.
As an expert in overseas trading, he had estimated that after the shipments were transacted, he would profit by more than 250 gold coins. That would be sufficient for him to purchase a bungalow in the Ettoman countryside with hundreds of jules of land. He could then retire and live a peaceful and affluent life.
The years of sailing and countless dangers he had been through became no big deal in comparison to the benefits.
Sigh… I've been away for so many years. How's my family doing? Perhaps little Arthur has already learned to speak?
Donald missed his wife and his son.
With that thought, he could not help glancing at something below his neck.
There was a strange metal pendant on a fine hemp string, emitting cold and hard light.
The pendant was like a tiny dagger with a peculiar shape, and Donald had bought it from a mad witch in a pirate market.
It has a special meaning, representing the master of all armaments. You've sensed its greatness, so it belongs to you…