A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 658 Admiral Vera Highmore

[Valkyria Blackwoodʼs POV]

Once she arrived at the cafe, the woman started speaking. Cleo was the first to smile, showing everyone her sharp teeth. ʼʼWhatʼs the plan, Bosslady? Where are we going now?ʼʼ

They all nodded before Valkyria started explaining. ʼʼWe have been ordered to join the Frontier Fleet and sail toward the Unknown Continent. Once there, we will be dispatched with the Magic Knights and Marines, who will build a fort on shore to explore the land.ʼʼ

When the six women heard this, they all got excited. Serena was the next to speak: ʼʼMaster, isnʼt the Unknown Continent dangerous? I heard the jungles are as big as Pluoria, and beasts the researchers have never seen lurk there.ʼʼ

Valkyria nodded, ʼʼYes, it is, but thatʼs what comes with the job, Serena. We will pave the way for a bigger expedition, which I heard will include the White Dragon.ʼʼ

The orange-haired girl Nia commented while holding Sorayaʼs hand, ʼʼBoss. When do we set off? I want to take the girls on a date.ʼʼ

Serena and Soraya lowered their heads, causing Thora to laugh. ʼʼGreat. Weʼll be stuck in the shop with the three lovers. Can we put them on the other side of the ship, Bosslady?ʼʼ

Valkyria laughed at their reactions and responded, ʼʼWe will be assigned a room when we board the ship, but Nia is not flirting with the women. You have Serena and Soraya, which is more than enough.ʼʼ

Nia nodded with a smile, squeezed the two girlsʼ thighs, and said, ʼʼThese two are enough for me, Bosslady.ʼʼ

When her two lovers heard her, they went bright red, and Thora teased them. ʼʼI canʼt wait to get a lover, so I wonʼt be lonely anymore.ʼʼ

Soraya spoke with a grin and teasing voice. ʼʼYou can join us, Thora. Weʼve never had a dwarf before.ʼʼ

ʼʼFuck off, Sora! Donʼt you or that lewd woman come near me with your filthy hands! I will crush them if you dare!ʼʼ The dwarf woman snapped while waving a Warhammer in their faces, causing everyone to laugh.

Valkyria shook her head before interrupting the womenʼs banter. ʼʼCome, ladies. Letʼs get to the docks.ʼʼ

They all nodded and stood up before following her. As the seven women made their way through Starfall Cityʼs bustling streets, the air buzzed with the energy of a city always on the move.

Cleo, ever observant, pointed out the cityʼs various sights and sounds while Soraya rested subtly on the hilt of her sword. Nia walked alongside them, chatting with Serena, who listened with a smile, her green eyes bright with excitement.

After navigating through the labyrinth of streets, they finally arrived at the Imperial shipyard. The sight before them was awe-inspiring. Massive ships of all shapes and sizes dotted the harbor. Thora Let out a low whistle as she counted the vessels, her eyes scanning the horizon.

”Look, Bosslady,” she exclaimed, pointing towards the dock. ”Four battleships, ten cruisers, and five destroyers. And would you look at that beauty?” She added, gesturing towards a sleek research vessel nearby.

Valkyria noticed guards opening the gate to let the group through, and another took them to the Admiralʼs office. This office overlooked the Dragonʼs Tear River, which led to the Whispering Sea, which would take them north-west.

When the guard knocked, a voice full of authority replied. ʼʼCome in!ʼʼ

The door and Valkyria stepped, leaving the others outside, and when she stepped in, she was shocked. The woman sitting at the desk was the definition of beautiful; she had snow-white hair and glowing blue eyes.

She was dressed in a navy uniform that hugged her curvy body and massive boobs. Her face was a symphony of delicate grace, each feature a masterpiece in its own right. Alabaster skin, smooth as silk, glowed with a soft radiance, casting a gentle allure.

The woman scrutinized her before speaking. ʼʼAre you Valkyria Blackwood, the explorer the emperor assigned to the Frontier Fleet?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes. When do we start sailing?ʼʼ She responded.

”This evening,” the woman announced, her tone firm yet composed. ”The weather forecasts predict calmer seas, facilitating a smoother journey.”

Before Valkyria could respond, she rose gracefully to her feet, her navy uniform oozing authority and grace in equal measure. With a queenly air, she extended her hand towards Valkyria.

”I am Vera Highmore,” she introduced herself, her gaze unwavering as she met her eyes. ”I am Admiral of the Frontier Fleet.”

Valkyria nodded in affirmation, respecting the woman standing before her. She had heard of Admiral Highmoreʼs reputation, renowned for her leadership and strategic prowess.

Admiral Highmore gestured towards the door without missing a beat, indicating her to follow, ”Come, I will show you to my vessel.”

As Valkyria stepped out of the office, she was followed closely by the other women in her group, their curiosity piqued by the sudden turn of events. Admiral Highmore led them through the bustling corridors of the shipyard.

Finally, they arrived at a massive battleship docked at the harborʼs edge. The sight was breathtaking, the ship looming tall and majestic against the backdrop of the setting sun.

Admiral Highmore proudly announced, ”This is AINʼs Avalonʼs Wrath, one of the finest battleships in the empire. It will protect the fleet on the open seas. Its mana cannons can easily penetrate Titan skin.”

Valkyria nodded, but Cleo asked, ʼʼWhatʼs the AIN?ʼʼ

ʼʼAvalonʼs Imperial Navy. Now follow me, ladies, we got some of the best rooms for you.ʼʼ Vera spoke as she walked up the gangplank, followed by everyone else.

As Valkyria stepped onto the Avalonʼs Wrath deck, her eyes widened in amazement at the bustling activity before her. Sailors and marines moved purposefully and synchronized as they prepared the ship for departure.

The air was alive with the sound of orders being shouted, ropes being pulled, and the distant clang of metal against metal. Her gaze was drawn to the massive mana cannons that dotted the deck, their imposing presence a reminder of the battleshipʼs firepower.

Each cannon gleamed in the sunlight, a testament to the empireʼs advanced technology. At her side, Admiral Vera Highmore stood tall and resolute, her expression unwavering as she surveyed the scene before them.

With a nod of acknowledgment, she led Valkyria and her companions below decks, away from the hustle and bustle of the deck. Descending into the shipʼs bowels, they navigated through narrow passageways until they arrived at the vesselʼs rear.

Here, Admiral Highmore stopped before a row of doors, indicating to Valkyria and her companions that these were their accommodations.

”These rooms are reserved for our esteemed guests,” she explained, her voice echoing softly in the confined space, ”You will find them comfortable and well-appointed for the duration of our journey.”

Valkyria nodded, ʼʼThank you, Vera. Can we explore the ship once weʼre settled?ʼʼ

The white-haired woman responded, ʼʼYes. But just be careful as we are overloaded with cargo and passengers. Now, I must tend to the ship before we depart. We shall speak again.ʼʼ

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[Vera Highmoreʼs POV]

She walked through the shipʼs corridors and was saluted by all the personnel. When she reached the bridge where her Vice Admiral Sasha Silverwood was covering, they all stood at attention until Vera waved them away when she entered.

The woman who was her second approached her and said, ʼʼAdmiral, the Marines are loading the last of the supplies while the other ships are nearly done preparing.ʼʼ

ʼʼOkay, Sasha. Order the Marines to hurry up and ensure we have everything before departing. The explorers have arrived and are settling in,ʼʼ Vera spoke as she sat in the captainʼs chair.

Sasha was just about to reply when a man spoke in a fed-up voice, ʼʼItʼs a shame weʼve been ordered to explore that Hellhole. We could be watching the Arcane Magic Tournament starting next year. I heard the white dragon is competing.ʼʼ

Vera looked at the man who had just spoken and noticed the Magic Knight commander was assigned to her when the emperor gave her this mission. She commented, ʼʼThereʼs not much we can do, Elden. We can get the Memory Stones when we return.ʼʼ

ʼʼYeah, I know, commander, but itʼs still a letdown. But I must admit Iʼm interested in this Hellhole. Rumors speak of massive beasts who prowl the jungles and hunt the treasure hunters seeking fortune.ʼʼ Elden commented.

Sasha looked at him skeptically and questioned. ʼʼHow do you know this? If all the treasure hunters were hunted down.ʼʼ

Elden sat down before explaining. ʼʼPirates and Slavers who visit the city of Sunfire Harbor speak of the horrors there. Then thereʼs the Valknir and Winterfang Empire from the Frostwood Continentʼs old colonies, which failed.ʼʼ

ʼʼA trader told me that a colony of two thousand Valknirian settlers vanished overnight, and the Winterfang military forts were wiped out, leaving three survivors who spoke of nightmare-inducing monsters that appeared from the jungles and mutated humans who screech as they charged the soldiers.ʼʼ

[Please let me know if you spot any mistakes, and I will edit them. Thank you]