The rising sun cast its first rays across the water, painting the waves in hues of amber and gold.
At the bow of the flagship "Tidewind Isle's Glory," the young knight stood before Count Monford Velaryon, facing forward into the fierce sea wind that tasted of salt and promise.
The undulating outline where the sea met the sky was clearly visible in the morning light—Arbor Island, famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms for its fine wines.
"Your Grace," Monford Velaryon said, addressing the "artificial body" before him with deep respect.
"The Redwyne fleet has sent a signal, inviting us to dock at the outer harbor not far from here, saving us the time of sailing into Redwyne Harbor within Redwine Bay. What do you think..."
Monford Velaryon gazed at the artificial body with barely concealed wonder.
Although he had been informed of the "artificial body's" capabilities, he still could not hide the intense surprise in his heart when witnessing such a magical scene for the first time.
Just a quarter of an hour ago, the artificial body was merely a stiff doll, devoid of life.
But now, he could detect no falsehood in its movements.
The artificial body's physique was flexible and strong, its face delicate and lifelike, its silver hair meticulously detailed—completely like a living being with a soul, a true human created out of thin air.
To transform from an inanimate object into life was so shocking, like the descent of a god from the heavens themselves.
Joffrey, in disguise, looked around. The Redwyne fleet's two hundred warships were "escorting" them on either side a few hundred yards away, with Lord Paxter Redwyne's flagship "Arbor Queen" among them.
A grand welcome, or wary surveillance? Probably both.
Joffrey looked ahead again. The bustling outer harbor was slowly approaching, and the shadows of ships along the way were becoming more numerous, growing larger with each passing moment.
Large sailing ships for trade, rowing boats, flat-bottomed vessels for transporting wine, and whaling ships either setting out to sea or returning—hundreds and thousands of ships of all sizes crisscrossing, forming a prosperous harbor scene that could not help but elicit admiration.
However, dock at the outer harbor?
Joffrey did not intend to accept this so-called "invitation."
As everyone knew...
Although the outer harbor was the largest port on Arbor Island, providing ample docking, rest, and trading locations for merchant ships arriving from distant Free Cities and beyond,
The Redwyne family's most important port was Redwyne Harbor in Redwine Bay.
Redwine—the meaning of which was so simple and clear.
As descendants of Garth Greenhand's son Gilbert of the Vines, the Redwyne family, known for their winemaking, clearly had a special fondness for grapes and red wine.
Their coat of arms depicted grapes, the island's largest river was named the "Redwine River," the harbor at the river's mouth was "Redwyne Harbor," and the bay facing the harbor was also called "Redwine Bay."
And these places lived up to their names in every respect.
The Redwine River flowed from south to north into the sea, irrigating half of Arbor Island's land along the way, nourishing countless vineyards that produced the sweetest grapes in all the realm.
Redwyne Harbor was the Redwyne fleet's main base, with many ships and fishermen working and living there, their livelihoods depending on Lord Paxter's generosity and protection.
Redwine Bay's geographical location was even more advantageous, surrounded on three sides by Arbor Island, with another small isle standing sentinel in the center of the northern approach—truly a fortress guarded on all four sides.
The Redwyne fleet stationed there gained great advantage from this natural fortification.
By simply sending ships to guard the smaller isle and the waterways on both sides, the fleet within the bay could be guaranteed safety, allowing them to calmly respond to any unfavorable situation.
For the powerful Redwyne fleet, facing the enemy head-on and guarding the gate to their home base was by no means difficult.
Redwine Bay thus became a kind of solid fortress, impregnable to all but the most determined attackers.
In this situation...
The Redwyne family's obsession and desire to monopolize Redwine Bay was naturally not difficult to understand.
They certainly did not want outsiders to invade their home base.
The question was, was the king to whom the Redwynes swore allegiance an outsider? Was he someone they could refuse with impunity?
Joffrey voiced his question to the fleet commander beside him, "Haven't Horas and Hobber already sent the 'Arbor Queen'? Does Lord Paxter still dare to keep you out?"
The role Joffrey played was only that of a knight.
The fleet's nominal leader was still Monford Velaryon.
Monford Velaryon understood His Grace's meaning. The power of the ship cannons was unmatched, and the Redwynes should be respectful and accept all conditions without question.
The powerful warships of the past were no longer worth mentioning in the same breath as these new marvels.
He looked at the "Arbor Queen," its blue sails painted with purple grapes catching the sea breeze, the huge three-masted rowing warship's oars flying through the water, full of momentum and majesty.
However, just one or two cannonballs would be enough to reduce it to floating kindling.
Monford Velaryon had no doubt about this fact, and he also knew that the Redwyne twins were equally aware. So why was it still like this?
He could only guess at Lord Paxter's motives.
"Perhaps, Your Grace, words are not enough to immediately change people's long-held beliefs. Lord Paxter is, after all, old and stubborn, which is only natural."
Monford Velaryon quietly glanced at the king's expression, unable to discern anything behind the mask of calm.
"Furthermore, the Redwyne twins have spent many days in King's Landing. Lord Paxter may feel... that they have been changed by their time there."
Lies filled the world and never dissipated, past, present, and future.
Joffrey understood all too well.
So, they were just unwilling to believe reality, even if it came from their own sons' mouths.
Of course, it was also possible that they were merely hesitating, probing the waters before committing themselves.
In any case, hearing was not believing; seeing was believing. So let him see with his own eyes just how magical reality was, and cut off all delusions from this day forward.
It was the perfect time to let magic completely show its face to the world, and no longer hide in shadow.
The more Joffrey thought about it, the more he felt that the moment was right.
Renly was about to set off in the next two days, and with these rebels taken down, the overall situation of the Seven Kingdoms would be under control.
At that time, the construction needs of magic would inevitably be even greater, and it was time to let more people witness the future and join the great cause that was destined to reshape the realm.
Starting with Arbor Island.
Looking at the many seagoing ships and sailors near the port, Joffrey sighed with satisfaction.
"Signal the Redwyne fleet with flags."
He pointed to a barren hill next to the outer harbor, "Tell them that we have a gift to present, and invite them to witness the ceremony. The location is there."
"And then, a volley from the ship cannons."
A friendly warning.
A declaration expounding the glorious future that awaited those wise enough to embrace it.
"Yes, Your Grace." Monford Velaryon immediately complied.
The "Tidewind Isle's Glory" displayed its colorful small flags, waving them in a regular crisscross pattern, delivering the message across the waters.
Reading flag signals was not difficult for any seasoned sailor.
The Redwynes on the "Arbor Queen" quickly understood the intention of the visiting Royal Fleet.
"A gift?" Lord Paxter frowned and pondered the strange message.
Horas and Hobber exchanged glances, with the same premonition in their hearts.
"Hey, is it that?" Horas connected with Hobber in the Divine Grace Light Screen, silently communicating across the invisible bridge between their minds.
Hobber sent a message in return, "That's good too. We don't have to waste our breath anymore, and get scolded by Father. Action is more useful than words."
"Arbor Island Fleet..." Horas only sent half a sentence.
After that, the two brothers looked at their old and thin father at the same time, their moods both heavy and yet strangely relieved, filled with longing, and also hidden sadness for what was to come.
The two fleets stopped at the edge of the outer harbor.
Countless ships, laborers, and merchants watched curiously from the sidelines, unaware that they were about to witness history in the making.
Woooo—
A long whistle pierced the salt-laden air.
Immediately afterward, a thunderous roar sounded from the sixty warships, and steel flew with deadly purpose.
BOOM~~~
The entire hill was shrouded in a shockwave, the vibration reaching all the way to the outer harbor's pier, startling most of the people into prostrating themselves on the ground, begging for divine forgiveness from gods who could not hear them.
In an instant.
Flashes, heat waves, loud noises, flying gravel, and earthquake-like tremors came one after another.
Like the end of the world with thunder and fire.
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