Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Chapter 73: The Wind Rises! (1/2)
Chapter 75: Chapter 73: The Wind Rises!
Byrne analyzed the situation briefly and immediately said to the old priest and the town chief:
“They must be hiding underneath one of the boats, attempting to outlast us in patience. We had better find a way to flush those two out of the water.”
Alchemical explosives won’t work, not to mention the consequences of destroying all the boats in the harbor.
The more direct reason is that those things won’t explode underwater.
After some thought, he said, “I need you all to be honest about your abilities and follow my command to see if we can find a way.”
However, each person’s expression turned difficult.
In fact, not many were willing to reveal their specific extraordinary abilities. While bloodline and natural talents were somewhat difficult to hide, the specific types of spells, spellcasting techniques, and battle skills each possessed were different trump cards.
Seeing everyone’s expressions, Byrne knew his authority wasn’t sufficient, and didn’t insist on his request.
The old priest ordered the guards to spread out around the perimeter, to move back, and not to get too close to the water’s edge.
Byrne watched the scene unfolding calmly, not understanding the specific reason.
The old priest narrowed his eyes, calmly explaining, “We can’t get too close in case the enemy suddenly jumps out of the water and charges into our ranks. Firing at close range could easily lead to friendly fire.”
So that was it. Byrne quickly understood the reason behind such command.
Flintlocks are powerful, but their biggest issue is the slow speed of reloading and lack of accuracy with the bullets once fired.
Simply put, armies of various countries are more adept at “firing squads” rather than skirmish tactics, which are hardly practiced. If an extraordinary exponent rushes into the ranks, the formation can easily become scattered.
Therefore, it’s imperative to maintain as much distance as possible. For mortal troops armed with flintlocks, the distance between the two sides undoubtedly equates to their “lifeline.”
The old priest saw Byrne’s contemplative gaze and knew the young man had grasped the underlying principle.
The young man from the Fischer family was smart. He considered that Byrne might have significant development in the future, but it’s a pity that the family worships the Lord of Salvation.
The relationship between the Tempest Church and the Salvation Church could definitely not be considered good, with increasing friction between them. It had been over a decade since a priest from the Salvation Church had set foot on the East Coast, yet there were still many followers of salvation passed down from generation to generation in the region.
He believed the most important reason was that the bishop of the East Coast diocese wasn’t at all focused on proselytizing.
Irene summoned a few of her family’s most loyal guards, took out some papers marked with a ring, and commanded them to stealthily distribute them around the outskirts of the pier, making sure others didn’t notice.
Her proclaimed identity was that of a healing type extraordinary exponent, a follower of the Salvation Church. If the abilities of the Secret Ear Technique were exposed, it would be hard to explain, although she could claim they were due to a mysterious rare artifact when the time came.
The family guards obeyed and went around posting the papers on the periphery, while Irene closed her eyes and listened quietly to the surroundings with the Secret Ear Technique.
She was on guard for the transmutation-class Bloodline Knight, whose whereabouts were still unknown!
The two in the water were in their death throes, but the real threat was the evil cultist from the Sea God Cult, a transmutation-class powerhouse with far more devastating and mobile force than the beginning level.
“Will you show up, or will you choose to abandon your brothers and sisters and leave?”
Irene closed her eyes and listened intently, focusing on the sounds from all directions.
Her senses had become sharper since becoming an extraordinary exponent. When she closed her eyes, the scent of the sea breeze in her nostrils felt even more real and clear.
At that moment, she was like someone walking alone on the dark sea, filled with unease in her heart.
However, the girl could never hear the voice she longed for yet somewhat feared to hear, the formidable enemy at the transmutation level had still not arrived.
He might have truly abandoned his family, choosing to leave Nasir alone.
“Huh…”
Irene heard it, and everyone else did too, the sound of the sea wind at the pier suddenly became crystal clear.
The wind had picked up.
Suddenly, the wind on the sea surface began to rise, everyone felt the gusting wind, and soon the wind at the pier grew stronger and stronger. That was undoubtedly not the extraordinary power of any man or god but the magical and irresistible force of nature itself!
“Not good!”
Both Byrne and the old priest realized something bad was happening, and their expressions changed drastically in an instant!
Byrne immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, “This is bad, the wind is picking up! Everyone be alert! Be careful the torches might go out!”
Just as Byrne finished yelling and the pier became increasingly windy, Irene suddenly heard an extremely faint sound of footsteps coming from the outskirts!