A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 866: What If People Find Out

[Nala, Llyniel, Leira, Sera, Ella, and Halimeʼs POV]

When the six girls stepped onto the pier from the Battleship, the surroundings shocked everyone as they took in the beauty of the port city. Before them sprawled Tigerclaw Bay-a bustling Indian-inspired fantasy city teeming with life.

Tall towers reached into the sky, and they noticed that all of them were embellished with beautiful, colorful banners representing the Ganesha imperial family, their complex designs catching the sunʼs light.

Leira quickly noticed that city walls were adorned with detailed and beautiful murals depicting legendary battles from the empireʼs long past and mythical monsters that their heroes slew encircled the sprawling metropolis.

The girls glanced around, only to see ships of various shapes and sizes decorated with beautiful colored sails showing what part of their world they came from. Merchants unloaded exotic goods from distant lands while sailors hurriedly prepared their vessels for the next voyage.

While standing there in shock, the pungent aroma of spices hit their noses, and the sound of traders haggling in a melodic blend of languages filled the air. Ella studied each street and found that it was bustling with market stalls.

Vendors sold everything from silks and jewels to spices and enchanted weapons. While standing there, the captain of the Battleship spoke up, ”My Queens. We will stay docked here as long as the city allows it. But if weʼre not here, I will leave a detachment of marines to wait for you.”

The group nodded before entering the colorful city and looked at peace; they had to dodge people who nearly bumped into them while walking. Nala was getting frustrated when a woman barged into her, and her anger made the others giggle.

Llyniel quickly commented on changing the subject, ”Tigerclaw Bay seems busy. I wonder if the whole continent is this busy.”

”Apparently, it is Lyn,” Leira answered. ”ʼOrientia is a trade hub for the other continents as they have access to gems, spices, rare monsters, and many more things that the nobles sought, which earned the empires a lot of coins.”

Afterward, urged by Seraʼs enthusiasm, they explored the city and took in all the unique views and buildings that amazed the six. Eventually, hunger led them to a nearby restaurant, where they were warmly greeted by a server who seated them at the largest table available.

Archerʼs generosity ensured they lacked for nothing, as he had spoiled each of them thoroughly. Although Ella had questioned his motives earlier, his explanation was simple: his love for each of them knew no bounds.

Following that, the girl placed a big order, which shocked the server, but he took it nonetheless. Once he was gone, Ella spoke, ”Tomorrow morning, weʼll hire a carriage with a driver before traveling north to the Green Sea Jungle. Once there, we will search for the Dark Unicorn and moss.”

”How will we find the monster? Halime questioned.

Sera was the one to answer an excited voice, ”Nala and Leira can sniff it out. Remember, they are felines and have the best noses among us, even mine.”ʼ

She giggled as Ella, Halime, and Llynielʼs eyes widened, setting off even more laughter from Sera while Nala and Leira shook their heads. ”Shut up, you silly dragon,” the half-elf said with a smile, ”things have been hectic, and it slipped our minds.”

After that, the girls started eating once the restaurant staff and enjoyed all the different dishes. Once they were done, Nala, Ella, and Llyniel went to find an inn to stay in, while Leira, Sera, and Halime went to stock up on stuff for the trip.

It took them a couple of hours to complete their tasks and find an inn to stay in, and Ella saw one of the best in Tigerclaw Bay. She rented out the biggest rooms so three girls could stay in each one as it was full.

They all settled down for the night and reviewed their plans for the journey north as they gave out all the potions they bought from a General Store. While doing that, Nalaʼs and Leiraʼs ears perked up as the lioness jumped and took out her sword, ready for anything.

The rest jumped to their feet and readied themselves, but all they heard was a knock on the door, which took them by surprise. Ella approached the door, followed by the others, and when she opened the door, the people outside surprised them.

***

[Pope Jeremiahʼs POV]

He was sitting in the main church on Verdantia, trying to figure out how to raise more funds. Jeremiah had been stressed over the last couple of weeks due to the dragon stealing enough of their wealth, affecting their war effort.

While doing that, a knock resounded, heavy thuds hit the door, causing him to shout, ”Come in!”

When the door opened, a cold breeze rushed in, causing Jeremiah to shiver as he looked up to see a robed figure he was familiar with. This caused him to jump up, ”Youʼre not meant to come here! What if the people find out?”

”Does it matter, human Pope? We gave you many gifts to strengthen your empires and fight against the White Dragon,” the being said. ”You must invade his kingdom now. The time is right, and that devil is on his deathbed.”ʼ

”What about the vicious girls he surrounded himself with?” Jeremiah questioned while thinking about what was being said.

”Scattered on three different continents or hiding in the Underrealm,” the being informed him. ”I will give you 10,000 soldiers from my army to aid your forces in the invasion.”

Jeremiah nodded, ”What do you want in return for all this help youʼve given me and the empire? Weʼre giving you slaves and promised you can have the White Dragonʼs wives.”

”We want the boy alive or at most his corpse,” the being revealed. ”You must hand him over once Draconia is conquered.”

ʼDamn these heretics! But it must be done,ʼ he thought before nodding.

The being was pleased and spoke, ”Itʼs a shame that the boy will die. We had many weapons to test on him, but no matter, this is the best outcome.”

”Like the last one? He managed to beat that thanks to the Death Witch, who now has become one of his women,” Jeremiah questioned with a knowing smirk.

”Take that smile off your face, human, or I will turn my armies on your precious continent once the White Dragon is out of the way,” the being said with a chuckle.

Jeremiahʼs smirk vanished before he spoke: ”I will send a scouting fleet to test their defenses while the main invasion force travels Southwest.”

”Good, if thatʼs your plan, I will give you an additional weapon or two that will come in handy during the sea part of the invasion,” the being said before vanishing and leaving the Pope on

his own.

He shook his head and called for his aid, ”Aiden!”

A young man rushed into the room only to shiver as Jeremiah spoke, ”Order the navy to send a scout group to Draconia and inform the Templars and Chuch Knights will be the vanguard as the Novgorod army the emperor assigned to me will be the main force.”

Following that, a week passed by, and the scouts were close to Draconia as they sailed across the calm sea. Thanks to a Mana Crystal set up on all the ships, Jeremiah and his wife Natalia

could see what was happening.

Jeremiah was confused when Natalia asked to join him, but once Natalia did, she never spoke to him again and watched the screen made from mana show a group of ten ships approaching a large island in the distance.

The coastline of Draconia was now visible, a dark silhouette against the horizon. ”Everything seems to be proceeding smoothly,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

As the fleet neared the island, the sky began to darken unexpectedly. Jeremiah frowned, leaning closer to the screen. ”Is there a storm brewing?” he wondered aloud. Natalia shook her head, her eyes narrowing in concern. ”I donʼt think thatʼs a storm...”

Suddenly, Jeremiahʼs breath caught in his throat as he realized what was happening. The darkening sky was not due to clouds but thousands of shimmering, ominous objects

descending rapidly toward the fleet.

”Mana shells!” he gasped.

Before he could utter another word, the first mana shells struck. The screen erupted in explosions as the shells rained down on the scouting fleet. Bright flashes of light and plumes of smoke filled the air as ship after ship was obliterated in the onslaught. Jeremiah watched in horror as the meticulously planned scouting mission was decimated within moments. Ships splintered and sank, sailors were thrown into the turbulent sea, and the once calm waters turned into a chaotic, fiery graveyard.

ʼOh god! The main fleet will have to use that strange magic, but that means the sailors will be affected by the corruption; maybe we can kill the survivors to stop it spreading?ʼ the Pope thought. Days later, the main fleet arrived in the area and entered Draconiaʼs cannon range, and it happened again, but this time, the green mana shields blocked the shells, causing explosions

to ring out.

The Church of Lightʼs navy surged forward, only to encounter a dozen Draconian battleships that immediately opened fire. Suddenly, a colossal Sea Leviathan emerged, ramming one of their ships before decimating the rest, clearing a path for them.

Amidst the chaos, the sea monster was attacked as something struck from below, causing the

sea to erupt.