Chapter 48: ~Finding the enemy.~ (2/2)

A chilling wind is blowing here, so I cast elemental protection on myself and step closer to the railing. By relaxing my mind and infusing mana into the orb, I get a vision of the enemy fleet. They are sailing in a tight formation towards Sarn.

I spend a few minutes to investigate each ship in detail. Then I decide on the vessel which is most likely the leading ship. It's the most colourful and has more and bigger flags than the others. A small phantom spell should be the easiest way to accomplish my task of talking to the commander of the enemy fleet. And it's unlikely that their passive barriers will be activated by a weak spell like that.

So concentration! Imagine the proper magical circle. Incantation!

***

A look around confirms my new location. Hah! Looks like it worked properly. I am on a ship on the ocean and multiple long-eared seamen are gawking at me. Having someone appear out of nowhere was probably not the best thing for their sanity.

I poke my finger into the eye of the closest seaman. He doesn't even blink as my finger passes right through his eye and into his brain. Yep! The spell is working properly. I created an ethereal body which I can operate like my own. It's similar to being a ghost.

After pulling my hand back, the seaman faints and pure chaos erupts all around me.

”Ruun!” ”A Ghost!” ”AAAA!”

Everyone is trying to get away from the monster. Weaklings …

The guy isn't even hurt. He fainted on his own! And someone like that is in the military.

Another look around confirms that the deck around me is void of people. They formed a proper line of defence against me with their weapons ready. I walk towards them and an arrow passes right through me.

“I want to speak to the one who commands this fleet.”

An elderly guy with pointy ears passes through their ranks. “That would be me. How dare you to infiltrate our vessel with a spell like that!”

I bow a little. “Sorry that we can't shake hands, so a little bow must suffice. I am just here to ask why you are sailing towards my city. Thirty battle ships look a little … threatening.”

“Ah. So you are Ascathon. They told me that you know quite a few tricks when it comes to magic. We are on our way to stop you from undermining the foundations of this world. And in case you don't listen to words alone, we brought the power to force you.”

The elderly guy stands a little straighter while proclaiming this to me.

“Those words sadden me. What became of the good relationship with your people? Didn't I help you several times? And where is Fingulf? I want to speak to the Sky General!” I look at the faces behind the elderly man in search of my special friend.

“Fingulf isn't the Sky General any more. There was an assassination attempt on him and he got poisoned. I am the new Sky General and I follow the orders of our government.” The elderly guy looks straight into my face.

The Sky General! Assassinated!? “I hope that's a bad joke! Fingulf held my marriage. That's how close we are. Tell me what happened.”

The elderly guy purses his lips. “It was one of his aides. We don't know why, nor who was behind it. Fingulf is barely alive, but he is bedridden and it doesn't look like he will ever be himself again. The doctors said that he wont be able to move his body ever again. The poison destroyed some important nerves.”

Grah! What the hell? I look down at the deck while thinking. Was that unknown force at fault? Did they take Fingulf out of the equation to insert this elderly guy into his position? He talks like he is absolutely loyal to the government. So Fingulf wasn't loyal? Or was he just not easy enough to control?

“I see that you knew Fingulf better than most. So how about stopping your childish actions and visiting him at his sick bed? We could escort you there.”

I look up. “That's something I cannot do. As the lord of Sarn, I have responsibilities to my subjects. Standing down and giving up everything which they accomplished isn't right.”

“So we have to solve this with force? That's sad. We will try to kill as few innocent civilians as possible.” The elderly guy shakes his head.

This guy wants to joke with me? “I hope you won't be burdened with the moral decision to attack civilians. In return I will give you a chance. Turn this fleet around right now and I won't sink your ships. There isn't anything I could do to help a ship in distress. So if it would come to it, you will be on your own.” I keep eye contact with the elderly person

But the guy just snorts. “I hoped that you wouldn't give in. That way I can improve my status with the council of elders.”

I close my eyes and drop my head. “It's sad that many people will die today. But I guess there is no other choice. Your fleet can always turn around if you want to give up. I wont chase you.”

A mental command cuts the connection with my phantom and I open my eyes. A fast look around confirms that I am on the chilly deck of the Resurrection again. The globe is still in my hands.

The news of Fingulf's unfortunate fate is disturbing. Maybe I will go and take a look at him when I have dealt with the current crisis.

Back inside the bridge, I place the globe at its place on the desk. “The negotiations failed … I guess it's time to decide on how to attack them.”

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