I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means

By the seashore of Ward City, a somewhat warm sea breeze brought a slightly moist sensation.

During the time Lis crossed the Corea Hills, winter in Dillon Kingdom was almost over. Ward City, being located by the sea, naturally had a slightly higher temperature than the Corea Hills.

Most of the snow within the city had already begun to melt under the warm sunshine, leaving a somewhat damp feeling.

Aside from the main thoroughfare of Ward City, which was made of bluestone slabs, the other roads were dirt tracks that had become muddy under the pressure of carriages. The pedestrians passing by no longer bothered to avoid the mud, as their shoes were already dirty.

The location of Ward City was at the upper right corner of the Fanor Continent, adjacent to the Luo Ya Sea, with the Endless Ocean to the east and the Treasure Pearl Sea to the south.

Duke Ward had established Ward City and its port here because it was a rare non-freezing harbor, which was quite crucial for Dillon Kingdom, where the climate was cold for half of the year.

Lis walked on the main thoroughfare of Ward City, heading towards the Mercenary Guild.

Pedestrians on the street were numerous, including operatives from large Guilds and itinerant merchants, and there were also quite a few people dressed as mercenaries.

This was because many caravans had hired mercenaries to travel across half of Dillon Kingdom to get here, and those mercenaries did not leave after arriving.

After all, it was not easy to get here, and as an emerging location in Dillon Kingdom, Ward City also had numerous opportunities waiting for these mercenaries.

The most numerous tasks commissioned to mercenaries were [Escort Merchant Ships].

Merchant ships departing from Ward City generally traded materials with ports in the Boditch Kingdom.

Faring to other countries on more distant routes had not yet been developed; currently, only this route was relatively safe.

But even so, this route did not mean there were no dangers.

The Extraordinary Magical Beasts in the ocean were no fewer than on land and even posed a higher threat.

If a merchant ship was damaged by those Extraordinary Magical Beasts, even an Extraordinary Professional would find it hard to survive in the ocean far from land, not to mention ordinary people.

Therefore, the most urgent issue for the major powers in Ward City was to explore the technology and techniques of long voyages. To ensure that they could bring back valuable sea route information, they spared no expense in hiring mercenaries for long voyages.

Beyond the generous pay, the opportunity to travel to other countries was more enticing for the mercenaries of Dillon Kingdom.

After all, navigating through the Luoxue Mountain in the southern part of the kingdom was quite challenging; it might be better to try reaching the Boditch Kingdom by sea.

The emergence of Ward City had brought a unique vitality to Dillon Kingdom.

And a new hope!

Lis walked on the bustling streets of Ward City, which were brimming with life.

Ward City was not very large; half of the area consisted of docks and related facilities.

And the Mercenary Guild was also situated on the western streets of the city.

It was evident that Ward City's mercenary guild was converted from a warehouse, looking quite ordinary from the outside.

However, when Lis pushed the door and entered, unlike the slight cold outside, inside it was bustling with warmth.

Countless mercenaries from Dillon Kingdom converged here; almost all the tables were occupied by mercenaries, who were toasting and drinking merrily.

Unlike what Lis saw in the Mercenary Guild of Ice Peak City, where preserved meats dominated the tables, here they were replaced with fresh sashimi.

Many mercenaries looked tentative, cautiously tasting the somewhat exotic food.

Many others no longer cared; they laughed loudly at the newcomers for their timidity, chewing on the fresh sashimi as if they had forgotten their own initial fears.

...

"I heard several Guild merchant ships have already returned, bringing back quite a few goods from the Boditch Kingdom." Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire

"Sigh~ those are some good items, and can you believe it, they're more than half cheaper than the goods brought in from Feis Kingdom!"

"Damn Feis Kingdom, those merchants deserve to have their brains chewed out by Little Inferior Demons."

"Selling this stuff in Ice Peak City, wouldn't that make a fortune!"

"Profitable yes, but also dangerous. I've heard about many merchant ships unfamiliar with seaways capsizing, hitting reefs, getting attacked by Magic Beasts—few survive!"

"Hey! Charles, didn't you go to the Boditch Kingdom with Ward Commerce? Tell us about it."

"Exactly, I'm also setting off with Blue Frost Commerce in a few days, Charles, share some experience; let everyone gain some insight."

Amidst the conversation, many people turned their gaze towards a middle-aged man at one side of the tavern, whose leather armor revealed bulging muscles and whose hands carried the calluses of an experienced and strong mercenary.

Charles looked around at the expectant eyes of the gathering mercenaries, his gaze carrying a hint of pride.

He didn't speak but instead poured the last bit of barley wine into his mouth, gently setting the glass on the table.

Some perceptive mercenaries immediately understood, shouting loudly to the servants:

"Bring our respected Charles a Cold Barley Wine and a seafood platter, fast!"

Charles nodded, a look of 'that's more like it' crossing his face.

For him, an exceptionally outstanding mercenary, it wasn't really about the cost of a drink, but the respect he demanded.

Otherwise, what's the point if you can't show off when you are constantly on the edge of life and death?

Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Charles slowly began to speak:

"Actually, many things you'll understand once you experience them yourself, but I'll mention the most important ones."