Do you have a problem with necromancers?

Chapter 80 Heroic-Level Archery Skills (5k)

"Your Majesty the Empress."

"After receiving your letter, I was extremely anxious and wished I could sprout wings and fly to the capital to await your command."

“After returning to the River Bend Province, I did not rest and relax. As you know, I have always been thinking about how I can better serve you and offer the loyalty of the Fahrenheit to the Royal Family.”

“The loyalty of the weak is worthless, which is why I have recently been vying for the position of heir within the clan. It is not because I am greedy for power and profit, but because although I have many brothers, I cannot find a second one who is loyal to the royal family. They are all only thinking about how to rule the border and enjoy themselves. I must not let the glory of the Fahre people be ruined in their hands.”

"Thanks to your appreciation and promotion, my father now also has his eye on me, but he has yet to make a final decision. I long to continue serving you in the capital so that my father can realize as soon as possible that I am the most suitable person to inherit the Fahre family."

"You are loyal."

"Rain Fahre".

In the royal garden of the Grand Palace, Queen Margarita finished reading the letter that Rein had sent via raven, and then handed it to the Emperor with a smile.

Emperor Nilocas took the letter, and as he read it, he remarked with emotion:

“This Fahel is truly a loyal man. Nowadays, the border marquises are all echoes of the Grand Duke of the colonial provinces, and some even refuse to come to the capital to receive royal investiture for fear of displeasing the Grand Duke. In comparison, Rein Fahel’s loyalty is truly commendable.”

“In that case, I will immediately arrange a court position for him,” Margarita said with a smile.

“No.” Nilocas raised his hand to stop her. “As he said in his letter, he is currently vying for the position of heir in the family. In the case of border marquises and nobles, the heir is decided entirely by the marquis himself. If we rashly summon him to the capital, it would be tantamount to depriving him of the opportunity to win his father’s approval, and the future marquisate will inevitably fall into the hands of his brothers.”

“Hmm…” Margarina also pondered, “So, we should let him continue to stay in the Fahre family.”

“The number of court positions a nobleman’s son without any title can hold is limited,” Nilocas said in a deep voice. “As he said, the loyalty of a weak and powerless person is worthless.”

“I understand,” Margarita smiled gently. “I will write to him as soon as possible so that he doesn’t have to rush to the capital.”

————————————————————

After reading the Queen's reply, Elrina remained silent for a moment, then finally couldn't help but complain:

"Are these imperial families all fools? Can't they even see through such a simple scheme?"

“Then you really overestimate them,” Renn said indifferently.

In gaming forums, a persistent and popular topic is whether the design team's characterization of the emperor and empress of the empire is "overly intellectually deficient."

Many players insist that after the rainforest peninsula was completely destroyed, the Empire should have realized the great threat of the White Walkers, so why would they still be fighting amongst themselves and vying for power there?

This bizarre strategy of "pacifying the internal before resisting the external" is something no normal person could come up with. It's the design team "deliberately demoting the intelligence of NPC faction leaders in order to write that so-called bullshit epic plot."

In a thread that had been debated for over 7,000 posts, the usually elusive moderator of the gaming section suddenly popped up and uttered a widely circulated quote:

"They didn't gain power because they had enough cunning. The only reason they were in those positions was because their fathers had sat in those chairs."

If the moderator used this statement to allude to reality, many people would likely strongly object; but since it refers to the game world, it's perfectly acceptable—because a world resembling the Western Middle Ages, ruled by feudal aristocrats, would inevitably seem incredibly corrupt and backward to modern people, and its rulers would certainly be mostly incompetent. Where would so many wise and virtuous philosopher-kings come from?

There may be intelligent people among the nobility, but it is unlikely that all nobles are intelligent. After all, noble blood does not guarantee that intelligence will be inherited, which is an unavoidable flaw in all systems of hereditary bloodline.

“Emperor Nilocas,” Besalia said slowly, crossing one leg in her chair. “My grandfather and father were both recognized as powerful emperors. In comparison, his abilities seem rather mediocre.”

“Living in the shadow of our ancestors,” Aurora echoed in a singing voice, “their eagerness to prove themselves only highlights their mediocrity.”

“Let’s not talk about those two idiots anymore.” Renn Fahre, who was extremely loyal to the royal family, stopped everyone from continuing to slander and criticize the royal family in private. “Let’s talk about the fleet.”

He took the nautical chart that Diamond had drawn from memory from the bookshelf and spread it out on the desk.

As you can see, the Fahr family territory is located at the southernmost tip of the Fertile Lands in the River Bend Province. Further south lies the endless Serpent Mountain Range, where only uncivilized primitive tribes are willing to live deep in the mountains, spending their lives among venomous snakes, insects, and wild beasts.

The eastern coastline of the Serpent Mountain Range is extremely winding, with numerous bays and islands, naturally providing an excellent hiding place for pirate fleets.

If Diamond hadn't provided the map, that area would have had dozens of bays and over two thousand islands; you could have sailed around and searched for them yourself!

“The Red Sails Pirates’ fleet is right here.” Ryan pointed to a spot on the coastline. “Behind this mountain is a huge cave, big enough for many pirate ships to hide in.”

"In other words, if we can manage to seal this cave, we can trap the Red Sail Pirates' fleet inside, and not a single one of them will be able to escape!" Dia immediately understood and said.

“That’s right.” Ryan drew a circle on the map. “The terrain around here is extremely complex. We are not familiar with the ocean currents, wind direction, and the distribution of reefs. Once the pirate fleet escapes from the cave, it will be almost impossible to catch up with them.”

“The Red Sail Pirates couldn’t possibly be unaware of this,” Ellina suddenly said. “They would surely scatter many small boats to patrol and guard the waters near the cave. If any unfamiliar ships approached, they would immediately notify the fleet inside the cave to evacuate.”

“The sea is too open and lacks sufficient cover, isn’t it?” Aurora suddenly said. “I suggest we take a boat to the nearby coast, then abandon the boat and swim across.”

Everyone stared at her, dumbfounded. Swim across? Do you want to hear what you're saying?
“Based on the map scale, it’s about ten miles or so,” Aurora asked, puzzled. “Can’t you swim across?”

“Let’s use this as a last resort,” Bersalia said helplessly. “There must be a better way.”

Aurora still couldn't understand why everyone was so resistant to physical swimming. In the endurance training of the Wood Elf Rangers, cross-country running, horseback riding, and swimming were all compulsory subjects, and traveling thirty or forty miles by physical speed was commonplace and easy.

She wasn't familiar with Raine and Dia, but she knew that with Bersalia and Ellina's strength, they could easily swim across the mainland coast to the island.

Ellina didn't want to explain to Aurora that "we're not your rangers, we don't like to suffer without effort," so she simply said:

"While open terrain lacks cover, it has another advantage: it allows long-range shooters to perform better."

"Once the ships arrive nearby, launch a small, flat-bottomed boat under cover of night. This small boat is not large and can only carry a limited number of people, so it will not alert the pirate sentry ships. Approach them and, before they notice anything amiss, use arrows to kill the sailors on board, thus rendering the sentry ships unable to sound the alarm."

Renn was very satisfied with the plan and immediately approved its adoption—he was looking forward to Aurora fully demonstrating her heroic archery skills through this scheme.

"Assuming we bypass all the sentry boats this way, how will we then block the cave entrance?" Dia asked. "Won't we be able to block the cave with just small boats?"

No one answered; they just looked at her meaningfully.

----------------

Raine summoned several lizardman sailors with experience in sailing, and together with Dia and the others, they set sail south from Salt Island.

The family fleet cannot be involved in this matter, otherwise the ownership of the captured pirate ships will be unclear. In fact, knowing his adoptive father's character well, if there is even the slightest possibility of him getting involved, he will shamelessly try to take a few ships.

It's not good for an elderly person's mental health to have to embarrass themselves by begging for a boat, so it's better not to let them know.

On the deck, Aurora was silently leaning against the ship's railing, gazing at the white line where the sea met the sky in the distance, when she suddenly heard Besalia's voice beside her:
“I spent most of my life on the red soil plateau. The ocean was actually a very unfamiliar environment to me.”

"My only voyage was to visit the High Elf Kingdom on the Gem Islands, and I died at sea... Damn it, is this ocean cursing me?"

Berthalia punched the gunwale hard and said with a laugh and a curse.

Aurora listened quietly until Berthalia also looked towards the horizon, then softly responded:
"I have no regrets. If I had to say something, it would be that I died too early and couldn't join forces with you to fight the White Walkers."

“What about Quen?” Berthalia asked tentatively. “If the White Walkers hadn’t arrived so quickly, you were supposed to have a marriage ceremony with him.” “The Hand of Nature and the Eye of Nature marry, it’s our tradition,” Aurora said softly. “But that doesn’t mean I have any feelings for him, so I don’t have any regrets.”

After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke frankly:
"In fact, I feel a sense of relief."

“You don’t like Quinn.” Berthalia observed her expression.

“Hmm.” Aurora stretched her hand to brush her hair, which was ruffled by the sea breeze. “But I don’t dislike him either… unlike you.”

“I didn’t kill Quinn,” Berthalia said, “although I do hate him.”

“Yes, I believe you.” Aurora paused for a moment before saying, “If you were the one who did it, he would most likely die from some kind of sudden illness, and even Eileen wouldn’t suspect anything.”

Berthalia smiled slightly.

“So.” Aurora turned around and stared into Bersalia’s crimson eyes.

Are you planning to target Renn?

“The Caged Bird’s power is absolute,” Berthalia replied, seemingly ignoring the question. “Under the Caged Bird’s control, I have no way to harm him, just as a person cannot lift themselves by their own hair.”

“But you’re definitely plotting how to break free from the caged bird’s control,” Aurora said seriously. “Don’t deny it, because even if you do, I won’t believe you.”

“You are not the kind of person who would willingly let others control your life and death. You will definitely do everything in your power to break free from the shackles on your soul, no matter what means you use.”

“Since you’re so sure, there’s no need to ask me again,” Bersalia said with a smile. “Is this some kind of blatant test?”

“I just want to remind you,” Aurora said in a deep voice, “Don’t disrupt his plans before Raine takes care of the White Walkers.”

"The White Walkers are a scourge on this world; they will kill us all, leaving none behind."

"Who do you think I am?" Berthalia asked, feigning surprise. "To escape the caged bird's clutches, I plotted to kill Raine, and then our souls returned to the River Styx, and the world was destroyed by the White Walkers for losing our savior... What good did that do me?"

“I just can’t tell if you’re lying,” Aurora said candidly. “If this offended you, I apologize.”

"Never mind," Bersalia waved her hand dismissively, "Aren't we almost there?"

"We're almost there." Renn appeared behind the two with a blank expression. "Get ready."

"When did you appear?" Bersalia asked in surprise.

"Just when you said 'the effectiveness of the Caged Bird is absolute,'" Renn chuckled slightly, "you still have some self-awareness."

“Those who lack self-awareness and the ability to assess situations will not survive in the Radiant Sun Royal Court,” Bersalia shrugged indifferently.

The sky quickly darkened completely, and apart from the moonlight and starlight, there was no other light source to illuminate the surrounding sea.

Rein, Dia, Ellina, Bersalia, and Aurora, a group of five fully armed, boarded the small boat at the stern of the ship. The sailors then turned the winch to lower the small boat into the sea.

Ellina rowed the small boat away from the large ship, heading towards the distant islands and bays.

Aurora stood at the bow of the ship, took down her longbow, and nocked an arrow.

Under the cover of night, the surrounding sea was shrouded in darkness, and even when ships appeared in the distance, it was difficult to discern their outlines.

Dia squinted, trying to focus her gaze on the farthest point, but could only see a faint light.

Suddenly, Aurora drew her bow and nocked an arrow, released her finger, and the string rang out.

"One shot, and it hits," she said. "The target is in the water."

A few minutes later, Ellina finally rowed the small boat to the light and saw an oil lamp and a fishing rod on the opposite boat, but there was no one in sight.

"You really hit him?" Dia exclaimed in surprise. "At that distance, I couldn't even see a shadow of him!"

"As expected of the Eye of Nature." Renn nodded slightly.

Very good, I acknowledge your value, Wood Elf!

"It's just that my eyesight is better," Aurora said casually, then suddenly looked into the distance and quickly drew her bow and arrow again.

One shot, two shots, three shots, four shots—the bowstring twanged four times, indicating that she had fired four arrows. However, let alone the enemy, the group hadn't even seen the outline of the ship.

Desperate, Dia activated her bloodline ability, her eyes quickly transforming into the vertical pupils of a dragon. Finally, she saw a medium-sized ship in the distance, with a pirate hanging halfway up the ship's side, an arrow stuck in his neck, blood gushing out.

"Two out of four shots hit their target," Aurora continued her report. "One of the targets fell into the water, and the other died on the deck. The changing sea breeze is affecting the sniping accuracy, so I suggest we close the distance a bit more."

“Yes, arrows are hard to replenish at sea, so it’s best to conserve them as much as possible.” Rein nodded sternly. “Are there any other pirate sentry ships around?”

"Over there, over there, and over there too." Aurora pointed in three directions in a row.

Bersalia strained to look in the direction she was being directed, but could only see a vast expanse of darkness. She couldn't help but sigh with worry.

In the pitch-black darkness, Aurora's eyes seemed to have night vision; all she did was draw her bow, nock her arrow, fire, and report. Towards the end, the others were too lazy to even row over to check, and simply urged Ellina to speed up and get to the cave where the target was on the map.

The cave is in an extremely clever and secluded location, situated on the inside of a U-shaped bay and in a depression on the mountainside. Unless the boat is sailed into the bay, the cave is completely invisible from the outside.

“Let’s stop here.” Renn gestured for Ellina to stop the boat at the cave entrance. “Aurora?”

“I am ready.” Aurora stood up, picked up her longbow, and took a deep breath.

The cave interior doesn't have a very complex structure. From the entrance, you can see all the moored ships, all with their anchors down and sails furled.

The pirates patrolled, drank, and laughed on the ship's deck, while others were thrown into the sea by their companions, emitting hoarse, piercing laughter like that of a night owl.

Aurora held her breath, took a moment to adjust her concentration, and began to shoot.

Arrows fly almost silently, without the dazzling light and shadow of magic. As long as accuracy is guaranteed, they are virtually impeccable in sniping and assassination.

All the people on the ship could hear was the continuous, rapid twang of bowstrings. In this windless cave, each sound represented the fall of an enemy, and her aim was beyond doubt.

Aurora fired more than a dozen shots in succession until her arm finally became sore and numb. So she switched the longbow to her right hand. After long and rigorous training as a ranger hero, both her hands were good at archery, and she could easily shoot with both hands.

Finally, a pirate discovered the body on the ship, and the alarm horn was suddenly sounded, echoing and booming through the cave.

Several pirate ships began to anchor, hoist their sails, and turn their hulls to aim their crossbows and catapults at the entrance, seemingly having spotted the small boat anchored there.

"Dia!" At Rein's command, Dia leaped from the small boat and transformed into a gigantic dragon in mid-air.

A torrent of scorching dragon breath swept across the water, striking the ships that were attempting to retaliate and instantly setting them ablaze.

　Ten thousand a day, that's all there is to it ^_^
　　
　
(End of this chapter)