63. The Colossus of the Sea

“We’re going to have some fun along the way. Let’s hope there are no unexpected surprises from the other side!” Mofei said with a smile.

Eileen and Vivian both stared wide-eyed at Mofei, hearing the excitement in his voice. Clearly, this journey was bound to be lively.

“Wow, what a beautiful sea!” Standing barefoot on the sand, Eileen ran along the beach, laughing. Watching her, Mofei and Vivian felt an inexplicable emotion in their hearts—a sense of indulgence and affection. Vivian, after all, was not like Eileen, who brimmed with childlike spirit. In both age and experience, Vivian was far more mature. She could never do what Eileen did so freely.

What lies beyond the sea? Is there something unknown waiting for me there? Gazing at the boundless ocean, and at the faint, distant sails on the horizon that seemed to be homebound, Mofei’s thoughts drifted far, far away.

“Brother, this place is so much fun! I want to come back again!” At some point, Eileen had returned to Mofei and Vivian’s side. She shook Mofei’s hand, pleading coquettishly.

“All right. If you want to come, we’ll come as often as you like.”

“Brother, you’re the best!”

“I have the feeling this mission isn’t as simple as it seems. No matter where we go, you both must stay by my side. Do you understand?” Ever since they arrived in this coastal city, Mofei had felt uneasy, though he couldn’t say why.

“Have you both mastered the spells I taught you?” Mofei worried that if danger struck, he might not be able to protect them, and they would need the ability to defend themselves.

“Don’t worry! We’ve learned all the spells you taught us—we haven’t been lazy on the way here! If danger comes, we can take care of ourselves,” Vivian said, looking at Mofei’s shoulder.

“Wow, brother, look! That’s our great ship!” Eileen suddenly shouted. Mofei looked up and saw three gigantic, fully armed warships slowly appearing before the crowd. At the top of their masts flew the flags and battle standards of the Empire of Death.

It was just as Mofei had hoped; he had come here both to show Eileen and Vivian the sea and to see if any ships of the Empire of Death were at the harbor. He had arrived early, but the ships returned just before dusk.

“Brother, can we go up and take a look?” Eileen knew Mofei didn’t want to reveal his identity. Though she longed to board, she looked at him with pleading eyes.

Mofei could never refuse that look from Eileen, and this time was no exception.

Taking both girls by the hand, the three made their way to the pier where the great ship was docking. Along the way, people from the Doma Empire walked and laughed, pointing at the massive warships with excitement, as though they were their own, pride swelling in their hearts.

Mofei found it strange. Why did they look so pleased? These weren’t their empire’s ships!

He didn’t know that ever since he had chosen not to annex the Doma Empire but instead formed a strategic alliance, the Emperor of Doma had announced this alliance to the entire empire.

The people of Doma certainly understood the terrifying military might of the City of Death. Their empire had given up very little in return for such a powerful ally. When the City of Death became the Empire of Death, the alliance remained unchanged. They also knew what price the Jinshi Empire had paid for the Empire of Death’s favor.

Now, the whole nation regarded the Empire of Death as their own. Seeing its military strength grow daily, they felt their own nation was under its protection and need not fear any threat. They did not worry about being swallowed by the Empire of Death. On this continent, no force now dared challenge them.

The great ships docked, and three dwarves and more than a dozen berserkers disembarked. They were likely here to replenish water and food, judging by the handcarts they pulled.

Mofei, with both girls, pushed through the crowd to the front.

“Brother, can we stay the night on the ship?” Eileen, brimming with excitement, gazed at the great ship, her mind full of dreams.

“If Eileen wants to sleep on the ship, then we’ll sleep on the ship.”

“You’re the best, brother! When can we go up?”

She was unsure if now was the right time, with so many people about.

“Let’s go. It’s fine. I’ll just tell them not to salute.” Mofei led them past the crowd straight toward the ship.

The berserkers guarding the pier, about to stop them, recognized their emperor and empress approaching. And wasn’t the elf with them Princess Eileen, forever leading children around the imperial city?

As they saw the berserkers move to kneel, Mofei quickly gestured for them not to, smiling at them as he boarded the warship with the two girls.

The people of Doma on the pier were stunned. The three were clearly not from their empire. Could they be from the Empire of Death? When they approached the berserker guards, the warriors had even tried to salute them.

Mofei led the girls into the ship’s hold—what a vast space! The main hall alone could accommodate two hundred fully armed warriors. Even Mofei was startled. That old fellow, Elder Orff, had certainly spared no expense!

“Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, and Princess!” Mofei was lost in thought when suddenly a group of people knelt behind him.

“I’ve said before—our people only kneel to their parents and the heavens and earth. For everything else, kneeling isn’t required, not even for me. Haven’t you all heard?” Mofei was somewhat displeased.

“Yes, Your Majesty, we’re just… so happy!” replied a dwarf leading the group.

“You’re the captain of this ship, aren’t you?” Mofei asked.

“Yes, my lord!”

“Just call me Lord of the City. That’s what I’ve always been called, and I’m not used to the new title.”

He was still the same as before, the captain thought. No wonder the elders had said they needn’t be formal around the emperor. Still, he replied respectfully.

“Yes, Lord of the City. But now that we’re a nation, when outsiders are present, we’ll address you as ‘Your Majesty,’ and when we’re among ourselves, as ‘Lord of the City.’”

“That’s fine. Things in the palace are so stifling. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have taken the throne—should have made your elder try it for a change,” Mofei said with a wry smile.

His words made everyone laugh. They saw again the lord they remembered: a little lazy, yet wise, always casual until it mattered, then more serious than anyone else.

“Relax—just be as you were in the City of Death. Ignore the imperial types; they’re so dull. I want to spend a few days with you all. If you’re too formal, I’ll just leave.”

“Rest assured, Lord of the City, we’ve never thought of you as an outsider,” said the dwarf captain.

“One more thing, Captain: can this ship take another twenty people?” Mofei wanted to see if there was room for the Gale Mercenary Corps. The hold was large, but he didn’t know if they would be loading cargo later.

“Of course! Boss, we could fit another two or three hundred if needed,” one berserker chimed in.

“Boss?” Mofei laughed heartily. “If Cain hears you call me that, he’ll thrash you—he’s your real boss, and he said so himself.”

The group burst out laughing.

“Remember, I’m now a member of the Gale Mercenary Corps. If anyone asks, just say I’m with Headmaster Mars. You all respect that old fellow, right? So give me some face too, will you?”

Having given his instructions, Mofei took Vivian and Eileen up to the deck. As the sun set in brilliant colors over the sea, the three of them held each other in silence. No one on the warship disturbed them.

When night finally fell, Mofei sent a berserker to the inn where Simon and the others were staying, to tell them he would be on the ship. He also told them to keep their departure by sea secret until the journey was decided, and that he would wait for them on board.

Still unable to fathom Mofei, and thinking of the mission Mofei had mentioned days before, Captain Simon drifted off into a confused sleep.