Chapter 263 - 244: Return with Full Load
The massive dragon bone that emerged from the sea was tied up with floating barrels, and the Flame Lord, along with the salvaging ships, began the return journey, towing the enormous dragon bone.
The bow of the Flame Lord was completely smashed and had lost its icebreaking ability, so the medium-sized fleet took on the task of icebreaking and patrolling. Fortunately, they were retracing their original route, and it was the ice-melting season, so the pressure to break ice was minimal. The greatest pressure came from the sea monsters, which was Da Fei’s biggest concern.
Watching the large unidentified creatures occasionally popping up during the journey, Bato said in a deep voice, "This season is the rare feeding season in the Arctic, and sea monsters will seize the time to feed and replenish energy. It’s unlikely they would risk challenging the strong, so there’s no need to worry too much. But even if they do come—"
Da Fei chuckled, "Of course, we’d drive them back!"
Bato chuckled as well, "Of course, we could also choose to abandon the dragon bone and come back next year to salvage it. It would definitely be easier to salvage next year."
Da Fei was slightly taken aback, then praised, "The General truly knows when to advance and when to retreat!"
Bato laughed heartily, "After all, I am responsible for the army!"
Indeed, this was a reliable dwarf. In many fantasy movies, dwarves are portrayed as brave but foolish, beer-loving, and greedy, entertaining the audience with their antics. However, a greedy race would have to be shrewd; how could they be foolish?
At this moment, Alicia laughed and said, "I am hoping for a sea monster to test my new magic!"
Da Fei was surprised, "Another new magic? So quickly?"
Alicia pointed to the whaling ship dragging the Leviathan behind and said proudly, "That’s right, this time it’s about transforming into the Leviathan. No need to imagine; there’s a ready-made specimen model, making it much easier!" After speaking, Alicia took out a book of Arcane Magic Skills, "I just leveled up, and I want to learn the God-level Arcane sub-skill, Materialization. Captain, you don’t mind, do you?"
Da Fei exclaimed with joy, "Great! You go ahead and learn it!"
Alicia snapped the textbook, a flash of golden light!
—System Prompt: Your Vice Hero Alicia spent one Skill Point to learn the God-level Arcane Magic sub-skill, Materialization.
—Materialization: The images replicated by the Illusion Army magic have a certain degree of substance, possessing damage capability and durability. The skill effect is related to the caster’s Magic Power.
Da Fei’s brow twitched! This was the God-level Arcane sub-skill, Materialization! It makes illusions no longer disappear with a single touch. Legends say if the Magic Power is high enough, the illusion will have exactly the same damage and blood defense as the original! This essentially doubles the army’s number! Of course, even if it doesn’t fully replicate, as long as it doesn’t disappear with a single touch, the tactical value of illusions increases qualitatively.
Alicia laughed, "Though Materialization is somewhat flashy, it does have great room for improvement. Anyway, my goal is to be able to summon a Leviathan illusion with decent attack and defense capabilities anytime. I even have a name ready for it, Summon Leviathan, a spell more suitable for naval battles than Summon Phoenix!"
Da Fei nodded excitedly, "No problem! Keep it up, good work!" Brother’s favorite is a hero who develops themselves! Catherine Serbia, you’ve got to work hard too! Wahahaha!
Alicia then said to Bato with a smile, "General, I have a bold request. Could we make this Leviathan into a specimen? After all, it’s not easy to come across one."
Bato laughed heartily, "Of course! This is the heroic achievement of our Fire Dragon Island, and we will preserve and freeze it as a specimen, make it into a statue, and let everyone who comes to Fire Dragon Island know our accomplishments!"
For a moment, everyone laughed heartily together.
...
The fleet sailed toward the sun on the southern horizon. Perhaps it was really as the General said; the sea monsters were all busy searching for food. Maybe the sea monsters wouldn’t challenge such a large fleet, but in any case, there were no sea monsters actively seeking trouble along the way. It saved quite a bit of effort.
The fleet made it safely out of the Arctic Circle. The feeling of the extreme cold’s negative status disappearing was truly wonderful.
One day later, the volcanic smoke of Fire Dragon Island appeared before them. The fleet erupted in cheers of victory once more!
Bato excitedly shook Da Fei’s hand again, "Friend! Thank you so much! We couldn’t have completed this great mission without your help! To date, no kingdom has obtained such a massive dragon skeleton! Our Fire Dragon Island lacks resources and has limited Gold Coins to truly express our gratitude, so we’re offering our precious stored minerals and friendship as thanks, hoping you will graciously accept!"
—System Prompt: You completed the task "Salvage Ice Ocean Dragon Bone," gaining Experience +3,000,000, 2,000 units of Fire Dragon Island mineral specialty trade volume, your reputation in the Dwarf Kingdom increases by 10,000, and your reputation on Fire Dragon Island becomes respected.
Da Fei’s eyebrows jumped, 2,000 units of specialty goods! Just then, a flash of golden light appeared overhead, as the long-awaited level-up finally arrived!
—System Prompt: Congratulations! You have reached Level 34!
—System Prompt: Congratulations! Your Vice Heroine, Katelina, has reached Level 33!
—System Prompt: Congratulations! Your Vice Hero Serbia has reached Level 33!
Paying off debts with minerals, that’s what a brother likes the most! Brother was worried about coming with a full cargo and returning with a light one, suffering a big loss! Da Fei laughed heartily, "Thank you for your generosity, General!"
Bato said with a smile, "Also, when we bring the dragon bone back, we will replace your ship’s mast with the Dragon Bone Mast at the first opportunity. It may take three or four days, so please be patient!"