bookandnovel Chapter 1158 - 1091: You Are Not Allowed to Pass
Chapter 1158 - 1091: You Are Not Allowed to Pass
The bow of the ship broke through the sea, dispersing the red algae like startled blood snakes.Beneath the surface, there were countless glowing jellyfish.
These semi-transparent creatures emitted a scarlet glow, chewing on the red algae with large bites.
As the waves gently swayed, they dyed the waters of the Moonlit Bay a strange crimson hue.
Since it did not fly any high-ranking clan's flag, the spice ship from the Holy Alliance had to remain at anchorage in the offshore area, waiting.
Above, layers of gray smoke clouds filled the sky, with sea fog rising, carrying a foul stench.
The spice ship lay quietly in this sea, its hull gently rising and falling with the waves.
The flag on the mast hung limply, also weighed down by the oppressive, gloomy weather.
The tax collectors would come over in small boats, board the ship to inspect the goods, and stamp them to set the duties.
Goods that have been stamped can only be taxed by more advanced clans; otherwise, it's an affront to the one who stamped it.
Danio hasn't just been idly sitting by during this time; he did do some homework.
However, his understanding ended there; what stamp represented what, how to reduce the stamped duties, how to pass the cargo inspection, all of this was beyond his comprehension.
At this moment, he could only silently pray in his heart that the tax collectors wouldn't cause any trouble, allowing him to complete the process smoothly.
Holding the railing, he watched as a small black boat shuttled quickly between the ships in the distance.
The speed was quick, and the efficiency of the tax collectors was quite good, quickly arranging a boat.
"Strange, it was clear just a moment ago, why did it become overcast as soon as we got here?" Esuan mumbled to himself, holding the railing and staring at the lead-gray sky.
The sea breeze carried a salty, fishy smell upon his face, colder and drearier than the winds of the Chain of Vanzure, making him tighten his collar involuntarily.
He picked up the brass telescope and aimed it toward the distant coastline.
In the narrow circular view, there first appeared a ring of mountains.
Closer, there was a hazy mist, but within the mist stood the silhouettes of gothic buildings.
Pointed arches and slender columns, tall towers, faintly visible through the mist.
As for the source of the smoke, it was dozens of towering chimneys, continuously spewing gray-black smoke.
The smoke gathered in the sky like a massive curtain, completely blocking out the sunlight.
Remarkably, the sea breeze couldn't disperse this cloud curtain.
"What about those chimneys?" Esuan put down the telescope, frowning, "They don't look like ordinary factory chimneys, Danio, you must know what this is about!"
Danio leaned on the ship's railing, coughed, with a meaningful smile at the corner of his mouth, "How could you casually comment on her homeland in front of others?"
Standing on the deck as well, Paolina's wings fluttered slightly as she smiled and explained, "Vampires are naturally averse to sunlight, not only feeling uncomfortable but also unable to cast spells.
If exposed to intense light for too long, it could even scorch their flesh."
Stepping forward, she raised her hand to point at the chimneys, "So, the cities of the Blood and Flesh Royal Court are mostly built in foggy, light-shielded places — deep valleys, lakesides, or like this fog-laden coastal fortress.
These chimneys are actually special undead magic, specifically designed to burn bones and wood to create smoke that shields against sunlight."
"I see," Esuan suddenly understood, but quickly frowned again, "But the Royal Court's territory is so vast, there must be places where complete light avoidance isn't possible, right? What about those areas?"
"Either entrusted to daylight agents," Paolina recalled her grandfather's bedtime stories, "In simple terms, they are tax collectors, mostly humans or those who aren't afraid of sunlight.
They help manage the territory, collect taxes, and keep a portion as remuneration.
Or entrusted to ogre warlords, those creatures can operate under sunlight.
As long as they are given sufficient benefits, they'll guard the territory well."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "There are also remote and impoverished areas, which they simply ignore, letting local tribes fend for themselves.
Of course, the most important trade routes are exceptions — those places will have underground or mountain fortresses built, with dedicated guards to ensure smooth trade routes."
"Oh—" Esuan dragged out his tone, finally grasping the connections.
He turned towards Danio, realizing that he was also nodding, with the same newly enlightened expression on his face.
Esuan couldn't help but admire Danio in his heart; he's quite supportive!
Surely, the culture and geography of the Royal Court were mandatory courses at the Claden Business School; how could he possibly not know them?
Right at that moment, two small boats rowed over from the shore, with two tax collectors in black woolen garb standing at the bow.
They wore tricorn hats, leather armor, with longswords on their waists, their expressions even gloomier than the overcast sky.
The small boats approached the spice ship, and one of the tax collectors grabbed hold of the rope ladder, deftly climbing up.
The people on board immediately fell silent, all eyes collectively focused on Danio.
Esuan nudged his arm gently, "It's up to you."
Paolina also stepped aside, clearly intending to let him handle everything.
Danio took a deep breath, steeled himself, and stepped forward.
"Whose ship is this?"
He put on the most natural smile he could manage, using every bit of his knowledge of the Baroque language, "Good day, esteemed gentlemen, I am a traveling merchant from the Empire. You've worked hard. May I ask what guidance you might offer?"
To his surprise, one of the tax collectors understood the Imperial language, looking at him disdainfully, "Are you a minstrel? I understand the Imperial tongue!"
"That's great, we are free merchants, bringing spices here for trade."
The tax collector nodded, "Then you are not allowed to enter the port."
Danio was prepared for this, and took a cloth bag from a box behind him, handing it over.
But the tax collector merely glanced at it and stepped back half a step, making it clear he intended to refuse.
Danio's heart sank, and he hurried to add, "Can you at least tell me why we're not allowed entry? These are spices, genuine Black Snake Bay pepper."
"Spices?" The tax collector's eyes lit up, his foot, which had been poised on the rope ladder, was withdrawn.
He took the bag, weighing it in his hand, and opened it to sniff, his stern expression softening slightly, "It's not that we're deliberately making things difficult; there's been significant upheaval in the Royal Court.
The Tedis clan from the North staged a coup, and now the Northern rebels are in fierce conflict with the Royal army."
He lowered his voice, leaning in a little, "Now, there's strict screening in the city, they're afraid of spies sneaking in. Unless vouched for by a local firm, no one is allowed entry."
Danio's heart sank further, and he asked, "What about the merchant guild of Windmill Sea Commerce in the city? They should be able to vouch for us."
The tax collector scoffed, shrugging, "That lot was expelled by the Royal order for selling military intelligence not long ago.
Now you can't even find a trace of them; who knows where they've gone."
"This..." Esuan couldn't help but step forward, his tone urgent but still trying to maintain composure, "Sir, do you know where they might have gone? We have very important business to discuss with them."
The tax collector weighed the spice bag in his hand again, glanced at the distant coastline, and finally relented, "I'll give you a direction.
Head south. There's no war down there, and the port regulations are more lax. Perhaps you might find who you're looking for there."