Chapter 512 - 401: Heading to Baisha Port
Chapter 512: Chapter 401: Heading to Baisha Port
He gazed at Avril in his arms as a current of warmth flowed through him.
’Perhaps,’ he thought, ’the ultimate goal of everything I’ve done is to protect this hard-won peace and beauty.’
He gently placed a kiss on Avril’s forehead.
Avril’s eyelashes fluttered slightly before her eyes slowly opened.
"Good morning."
Her voice was still tinged with the laziness of someone who had just woken up.
"Good morning."
Raylo replied with a smile.
"Get ready. We’re leaving for Baisha Port today."
"Mm."
Avril stretched languidly, a sweet smile gracing her lips.
An hour later, the two were fully dressed and standing in the square of Black Stone Castle.
The Storm Griffin King, Baofeng, was already waiting for them.
Upon seeing Raylo and Avril, it let out an affectionate, low cry and nuzzled Raylo’s shoulder with its massive head.
"Alright, alright, stop being so clingy."
Raylo chuckled and patted its neck.
Three small heads peeked out from among the feathers on Baofeng’s back.
Behind the three small heads, a splash of orange was squeezed in. It was Sun, transformed into an orange cat, still catching up on sleep amidst Baofeng’s warm feathers.
He first helped Avril onto Baofeng’s broad back, then vaulted up himself.
"Ed, while I’m away, I’m leaving the domain’s affairs to you and Evan."
Raylo said to Ed, who had come to see them off.
"There can be no negligence in the preparations for the Knight tournament."
"Rest assured, my lord."
Ed said solemnly.
After settling all matters, Raylo delayed no longer.
He patted Baofeng’s neck.
"Baofeng, let’s go!"
"SKREEE!"
Baofeng let out a shrill cry, its wings snapping open to whip up a fierce gale as it soared into the sky.
The castle and the crowd on the ground rapidly shrank from view.
Avril leaned against Raylo’s chest, a blissful smile on her face as she looked down at the familiar territory that belonged to them.
High in the sky, the winds were fierce.
But an invisible Wind Element Shield formed around Baofeng, blocking out all the cold.
The two of them flew southward through the sky.
The scenery below was constantly changing.
They flew over rolling hills, boundless plains, and winding rivers.
Occasionally, they could see small villages and towns on the ground below, with smoke curling from chimneys in a scene of peace.
They also saw some less peaceful sights.
For instance, on a stretch of wilderness, a small merchant caravan was being besieged by a group of fierce bandits.
Seeing this, Avril couldn’t bear it and said,
"Should... should we go down and help them?"
Raylo shook his head.
"No need."
"Why not?"
Avril was confused.
"Look."
Raylo pointed to the rear of the caravan.
Behind the caravan, several guards in Leather Armor were protecting a magnificent carriage.
And around the carriage, faint fluctuations of Magic Power were shimmering.
"There’s a Mage in that caravan,"
Raylo said.
"And a powerful one, at that. Those bandits are just courting death."
Sure enough, no sooner had he spoken,
than the tide of the battle on the ground turned.
Streaks of Fireballs and Ice Cones flew out from the carriage, accurately smashing into the group of bandits.
The bandits’ formation instantly fell into chaos, and they suffered heavy casualties.
The remaining bandits no longer dared to fight, dropping their weapons and armor as they scattered and fled.
The small conflict ended quickly.
Avril watched this scene, lost in thought.
"In the end, this world is ruled by strength,"
she said softly.
"Yes."
Raylo sighed.
"Without strength, you can’t even control your own destiny."
They continued flying south.
「Several days later, Baisha Port.」
This port city, at the southernmost tip of the Thunder Dragon Duchy, was famous for its bustling trade and white sandy beaches.
High above, Baofeng glided smoothly. Raylo and Avril could see the boundless azure sea below, dotted with merchant ships and their white sails.
The sea breeze, carrying a hint of salt and moisture, was refreshingly invigorating.
"We’re almost there,"
Raylo said, pointing to the white coastline stretching into the sea in the distance.
Avril gazed at the white city glistening under the sun, a nostalgic look on her face.
"Yeah, it feels like I haven’t been back in so long."
Baofeng let out a low cry and began to slowly descend.
The closer they got to Baisha Port, the more they could feel the city’s vitality.
The wide harbor was filled with ships from all over the Continent. Huge cranes were lifting crate after crate of cargo from the ships and loading them onto carriages waiting on the docks.
The docks bustled with people—sailors, merchants, Mercenaries, a mix of various accents and skin tones.
Baofeng’s appearance immediately caught the attention of the crowd on the ground.
"Look! It’s a Griffin!"
"What a huge Griffin! It’s the Storm Griffin King!"
"There are people on the Griffin’s back! Which big shot has arrived?"
Gasps and murmurs erupted from the crowd.
Raylo ignored the commotion below, guiding Baofeng straight toward the castle in the city center—a structure built of white megaliths, like a pearl by the sea.
Baofeng landed slowly in the huge square in front of the castle and folded its wings.
Castle guards who were already waiting immediately stepped forward to take charge of their mount.
A middle-aged man who looked like a butler, his hair combed immaculately, hurried over and gave Raylo and Avril a flawless noble’s bow.
"Count Raylo, Miss Avril, welcome back to Baisha Port."
The butler’s voice was respectful and proper.
"The Marquis has been waiting in the castle for a long time."
Raylo nodded and helped Avril down from Baofeng’s back.
He sized up the familiar castle before him.
Unlike his own Black Stone Castle, which was militaristic, solid, and imposing, Marquis Orlando’s castle was more like a finely sculpted work of art.
White walls, elegant archways, and exquisite reliefs of various marine creatures carved into the walls gave it a romantic, oceanic atmosphere.
"Let’s go, Father must be getting anxious."
Avril pulled Raylo’s hand, her face alight with the joy of returning home.
The two followed the butler through a spacious courtyard and into the castle.
The interior of the castle was even more magnificent.
The floors were covered with expensive carpets from the Eastern Kingdom, the walls were hung with oil paintings by famous artists, and the corridors were lined with all sorts of exquisite sculptures and antiques.
Every detail showcased the staggering wealth and refined taste of the Orlando Family.
Raylo couldn’t help but marvel internally. ’My father-in-law really knows how to live.’
They arrived at a huge drawing room.
The doors to the drawing room were pushed open. A tall, scholarly-looking middle-aged man with a meticulously trimmed beard stood with his back to them at the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the sea.
He wore a well-tailored, sky-blue set of casual noble attire and exuded an air of authority that came from years in a high position.
It was the master of Baisha Port, Avril’s father, Marquis Orlando.
"Father!"
Hearing them arrive, Marquis Orlando turned around, an indulgent smile on his face.
He patted Avril’s hand, then turned his gaze to Raylo.
"Raylo, you’ve come."
His voice was gentle.
"Marquis."
Raylo stepped forward and gave a standard bow for a junior.
"Sit, don’t just stand there."
Marquis Orlando gestured to the nearby sofa.
After the three sat down, a maid immediately served steaming hot black tea.
His gaze fell upon Raylo.
The achievements of the young man before him, accomplished in less than a year, had already exceeded everyone’s imagination.
Clearing out the Black Stone Mountain Range, leading an expedition to the Jade Swamp, subjugating the Hill Giants, and now, even helping the Duchy’s Guardian Giant Dragon advance to the legendary Catastrophe Level.
Any one of these deeds would be enough for an ordinary noble to boast about for a lifetime.
And he had done it all by himself.
Marquis Orlando’s feelings were complicated.
On one hand, he was happy and proud that his daughter had found such an outstanding husband.
On the other hand, he was also a little worried.
Raylo’s growth was too fast, so fast that even he, a long-established Marquis, felt immense pressure.