CHAPTER 4: How to Secure a Fleet (and Get a Back Rub)
Lady Priscilla took the rum I offered, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and plopped down onto the sofa I'd indicated. She crossed her thick, trouser-clad legs without a hint of noble delicacy, every bit the seasoned sea captain. Her clothes were still the same as those for sailing on the sea, practical but failing spectacularly at concealing her phenomenal figure. The jacket and shirt were strained to their absolute limits, restraining a bosom that seemed to have its own gravitational pull. She wore a coat with a fox fur collar on the outside, and her plump legs were covered with tight trousers that showcased every powerful curve. She wore thick, sturdy boots on her feet. She was a walking contradiction: the raw charm of a lady and a lady, mixed with the capable and refreshing style of a strong woman who could probably snap a man in half.
This beautiful rich woman didn't know how many nobles wanted to lick her toes, even if it was her foot washing water, but unfortunately no one succeeded, and they were all turned away. It was a testament to her charm, displaying the beauty of a plump mature woman vividly.
She took a healthy swig of the rum directly from the tankard. "So," she said, her voice a low purr. "What is it, little prince?"
I leaned in, dropping the "pious prince" act for the "ambitious nephew" routine. "My father has allowed me to act with Uther and the others," I said, my voice serious. "Those orcs are very powerful, auntie. But they are also... interesting. It is rumored that they come from another world, a world unknown to us. That means they carry weapons and treasures unknown to us".
I let that sink in. She was a merchant to her core.
"I will chop off their heads," I continued, "and present their treasures to my dear aunt".
I said it with a straight face, but internally, I was desperate. I was very poor and needed money. I couldn't build a power base, I couldn't woo elves, I couldn't do anything without my own cash flow. If I could master the way to make money by myself, it would be a sure win for me, and I could develop my own strength and become an important pillar of my subordinate army!
"And," I added, lowering my voice conspiratorially, "I also need your financial support. Aunt, guess what revelation I got from the holy light just now?"
Speaking of treasures, the lady lord, who is a businesswoman, was no longer sleepy. Her eyes sharpened, the playful fog of the rum clearing instantly. She drank the rest of her glass happily. "My little prince is thoughtful," she said, her tone shifting to business. "War is not a joke. You have to pay more attention to your own safety. As for the treasure, it's nothing. Your safe life is the greatest treasure for me. Just tell me what you want and I will do it for you!"
I don't know how many nobles want to get a share of her business. It's a year's income for them. It can be seen how much profit the trade makes! But maritime trade is very risky and not everyone can get involved. Lady Priscilla, who has only 1 child of her own, really treats me as her own son. This nephew is very sweet and polite, and very close to her. If I wasn't the only son, she might have thought about adopting me.
"I want two frigates for me to command," I said, getting straight to the point. "Equipped with enough artillery".
I knew very well how lethal thermal weapons were in battles between mortals. The fleet of Kul Tiras relied on artillery and crossbows to deal with various sea beasts. Personal magic and martial arts were not of much use on the sea, unless they were heroic.
Priscilla didn't even blink. "No problem," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I will dispatch five frigates to you for command. But you have to return them after the war is over!"
Five. She just gave me five. My heart hammered against my ribs. The lady said it with a smile, her plump figure and mature, knowing smile making my heart beat faster for an entirely different reason.
"Thank you, auntie," I managed to say, my voice a little thicker than I intended. "Come to my room tonight. I will tell you some secrets then".
I stood up abruptly. Way too abruptly.
"I-I have to see someone. I'll see you tonight!" I said, and then I practically ran away in a panic. If I didn't run, my erection would be seen. Smooth, Arthas. Real smooth.
Behind me, I heard her laugh, a deep, heroic laugh that followed me out of the hall. "Haha, what an interesting little guy". Of course, she saw my erection. At nineteen, I wasn't exactly subtle. It looked quite big. At the same time, she was a little proud. She was still very attractive!
Later that night, I was back in my private rooms. I took a feather pen and wrote some notes on a piece of white paper. South Sea Shore, Hinterland, Red Dragon, Dwarf, Troll, etc., these are all key nodes in the Second Orc War. My timeline was already messed up, with me being nineteen instead of ten, but the major beats were probably still in play. Since I am familiar with the plot, I must get enough benefits before the plot deviates from the development. If you want to get benefits from the plot, it will inevitably lead to a deviation in the direction of the plot. This is destined, so how to get a lot of benefits is the key.
I felt a surge of restless energy. Halfway through writing, I picked up a long sword and a shield and started practicing in the private courtyard attached to my room. I was killing time and also improving my proficiency in skills.
Paladins have three talents: Retribution specialization is for output, Holy specialization is for nurse assistance, and the remaining protection specialization is for tank meat shield. I chose the protection specialization because I was afraid of death. Plain and simple. If I died once, I would have nothing, so I chose the protection specialization. When the tank is extreme, it can make the opponent feel sick. If he can't kill him, he will be exhausted.
My new System UI lit up, showing my starter kit.
> Devotion: Create a five-square-meter holy light ground. When you stand on the dedicated ground, you will recover 1% of your life per second and reduce the damage you receive by 5%. Enemies standing on the dedicated ground will suffer 10% additional damage. (Not advanced)
> Avenger's Shield: Use holy light to copy your shield and throw it out. It can bounce three times when hitting the enemy, causing 150% attack damage. (Not advanced)
> Hammer of Judgment: Throw out a holy light hammer to hit a single target, causing 200% attack damage and generating a little holy energy. (Not advanced)1
> Parry: When equipped with a shield, you can block enemy attacks and withstand 60% of the damage of the 2attack. (Not advanced)
> Shield of Justice: Consume three points of holy energy to slam enemies within three meters in front, causing 150% attack damage. (Not advanced)
> Holy Order of Glory: Consume lightning holy energy to heal you or your allies, the value is equivalent to 20% of your maximum life. (Not advanced)
>
There are only six skills at the beginning, which can be said to have treatment, protection and output. I didn't know what other paladins were like, but at least my paladin was similar to the one in the game. It wasn't extremely damaging, but it was definitely very tanky. Looking at the skills on the panel that required levels to unlock, I had a little expectation for the future.
After practicing for an hour, I discovered the difference between reality and the game. The skills in the game have a cooldown time, but in reality there is no such thing. As long as the physical strength can keep up, you can use them unlimitedly. The holy light energy has a certain effect on physical recovery, so after sweating for an hour, I was actually full of energy.
I went back to my room and had a maid draw a bath. After returning to the room and taking a bath with the help of the maid, I dismissed her and soaked in the steaming water, squinting my eyes and thinking about how to get the most benefit in this war.
Suddenly, two small hands reached out from behind, touching my chest muscles and kneading my shoulders.
My eyes snapped open. The technique was very skillful and powerful, not the soft, hesitant feeling of the maid. Definitely not the maid. These hands knew exactly what they were doing.
I turned my head and looked back. My heart nearly stopped. It turned out to be my aunt, Lady Ashvane!
"Aunt!" I yelped, suddenly very aware that I was naked in a bathtub.
"Naughty boy, what's so surprising, it's not like I haven't seen it before," she slurred, her pretty face extremely rosy. There was a strong smell of alcohol when she spoke. I don't know how many bottles of wine she drank!
While speaking, her jade hands were still kneading my shoulders, completing the maid's work!
Oh, this is... this is not standard royal protocol. Not that I'm complaining...