888 Alliance (1/2)
”In the name of the Dream and Armament Master! Dispel evil!”
Donald immediately prostrated and prayed for this act of grace.
Sizzle!
The strange imprint on his back appeared to come to life. The lines turned blood red, and the eye in the middle blinked.
Bloop! Bloop!
Countless bubbles appeared, and Donald felt like a massive hole opened up on his back, seeming like a faucet connected to the ocean.
A large amount of liquid came out.
Fang Yuan's faint voice came from the emblem. ”Be firm in your conviction! When lost, do not listen to the voices coming from the deep sea. I shall bless, my believer.”
Rumble!
Space trembled violently.
It felt as though two giant creatures met face to face and started fighting fiercely in close quarters.
Donald screamed miserably and almost fainted.
When he finally regained his senses, the first thing he did was to look at the imprint on his back.
At this time, it looked nothing like it used to.
The thin layer of seawater on the ground, as well as a dead black carp, let Donald understand that everything that happened earlier was definitely not an illusion.
”Thank you, my Lord! You have rescued me once again!”
Understanding the cause and effect, Donald immediately started praying even more sincerely than ever before.
”Mr. Donald!”
Anxious knocking echoed from a door.
”What's going on? Didn't I instruct that no one is to bother me?”
Donald furrowed his brows but still went to open the door.
”My apologies! Mister, a messenger from Duke Ham insists on meeting you immediately… You… This…”
Evidently, the scene in the room shocked the butler.
”Nothing… I was merely conducting a small experiment. Also, if whatever you see here spreads, you will have to look for a new job tomorrow.”
Donald tidied up his clothes. ”Bring me to the guest!”
”No problem!”
The butler quivered a little as he stood much straighter than usual.
”Respectable Mr. Donald!”
The messenger from Duke Ham was a servant who often served the duke. The moment he spotted Donald, he acted as though he saw his liberator. ”The duke wants to see you immediately!”
”I understand. Looks like something happened… something incredible!”
Donald took his coat from his butler and then got into a carriage.
Duke Ham's manor.
This noble old man was currently no longer as carefree as before. Instead, he was staring at the battle report in his hands like a statue.
”Your Excellency Duke?” Donald called out.
”Ah, Donald, you're here.” Duke Ham rubbed his brows, his voice seeming devastated. ”I'm taking the first ship that leaves tomorrow. I will be going to Cecil, and you have to come as well. I want you to be my personal adviser!”
”Diplomatic mission?” Donald frowned. ”Did… something go wrong with the battle?”
”How do you know?” Duke Ham subconsciously hid the battle report and stared at Donald with his eagle-like eyes.
”Because there isn't another incident that can make Ettoman express goodwill to the second most powerful ocean country, Cecil… Moreover, it feels like almost every major incident in the kingdom recently has something to do with the ocean. If my guess is right, you should have just received the battle report, right? Did Admiral Philip suffer a disastrous defeat?” Donald replied calmly.
”No! It's much worse!” Duke Ham closed his eyes painfully. ”The Invincible Steel Fleet… no longer exists!”
”…” Donald responded solemnly, ”This is truly sorrowful and unfortunate news!”
”Indeed… When the naval minister received the news, he instantly passed out. Over forty ironclads sank… This is truly the greatest loss we have ever suffered. Of course, there's also the thousands of young men serving Ettoman's navy and the families we need to console…” Duke Ham replied, full of heartache.
”What was the exact cause? Was it due to some kind of act of a god?” Donald quickly inquired.
”No! This is a completely upright defeat. Admiral Philip led our navy and lost in a direct confrontation against Pirate King Roche. This is a humiliation for everyone in Ettoman!” Duke Ham clenched his teeth.
”It seems like… we will soon lose all our colonies, as well as other interests…” Donald said. ”Therefore, we need an alliance, and Cecil is undoubtedly the most suitable ally since they are the only country with the possibility of catching up to us in terms of naval power. But how many benefits and colonies is our kingdom willing to give up to them?”