CHAPTER 565: CHAPTER 330: SIR, THIS WAY (2)

"Ship! A big ship!"

Before Bali could figure out what that speck of gold light was, someone on the dock shouted.

Not only Bali was attracted by the anomaly on the sea, but many dock workers who were about to leave also stopped in their tracks. Merchants, travelers, and adventurers lingering at the harbor all saw the speck of gold light; it was no ordinary light.

Under the curious yet somewhat timid gazes of the crowd, a second and third speck of gold light appeared, dots of golden radiance floated on the sea shrouded in darkness, bringing an unprecedented brilliant glow to the night.

"Wow, it’s actually a fleet, but the timing isn’t quite right."

Bali heard someone beside him teasing with a chuckle.

He understood why; because, at this time, dock workers had basically gone home to sleep. At night, the malnourished workers suffered severe night blindness and couldn’t work under poor lighting conditions.

"That might not be a merchant ship."

For some reason, hearing his peers say such words around him, Bali felt a compulsion, and an unconsidered sentence blurted out from his mouth.

"Not a merchant ship? Then what kind of ship could it be? Could it be a warship?"

Immediately, a burst of laughter erupted around him. The New York Port was the most famous deep-water bay in the area, which created prosperity here and allowed the area to be firmly controlled by the powerful neighboring Federation. It had been ages since any pirates dared to attack here.

The tension earlier arose from fear of the unknown deep sea. According to sailors’ legends, the deep contains unspeakable horrors that even gods shy away from. If a mortal ship encounters such an existence, death is the luckiest outcome.

People living on land may dismiss such tales, but those living by the sea strongly believe these stories because there truly are great terrors in the deep sea.

History is replete with examples of thriving harbor cities being wiped out overnight. The most terrifying aspect is that even if powerful individuals investigate, they find no reason or, if a reason is found, they dare not make it public.

In short, upon discovering an anomaly from the sea and knowing it was created by another Wisdom Race, much fear in one’s heart dissipates.

"Perhaps!"

Hearing the laughter around him, Bali murmured quietly to himself.

Because he had a premonition, this entire fleet bathed in golden light might hail from the Holy Dragon Land he dreamed of, longed for tirelessly.

That benevolent and noble Holy Dragon Emperor might have heard of the suffering of creatures on the Other Shore Continent and sent his Favored to rescue them.

Well, Bali knew this thought was foolish since no matter how good and kind an existence is, they have no obligation to save them.

However, relatively speaking, Bali hoped it was the conquest fleet dispatched by the Holy Dragon Emperor from across the sea. That powerful Great Lord of the Giant Dragon was no longer satisfied with his limited lands and sought to carve out more living space for himself and his subjects and Favored.

This scenario was more realistic, though it sounded rather terrifying, yet Bali felt an increasingly strong anticipation in his heart.

If that noble Holy Dragon Emperor conquered this place, then he might not have to take his wife and children on a risky journey across the sea. Even staying in his hometown, he could work as an honorable laborer.

The thought of being ruled by an Alien Race didn’t trigger any resistance in Bali’s heart; he even wished to guide the conquerors from the Holy Dragon Land, leading them to the estates of those nobles that should have been hanged long ago and their henchmen, dragging them all out for execution.

In the fantasies of this ordinary dock worker, the fleet exuding a hazy golden light gradually approached the port. Meanwhile, the once buzzing port fell silent as the fleet became clearer, particularly as the features of the passengers aboard were seen. A deathly silence enveloped the port, starkly contrasting with the many sailing ships cutting through the waves.

"Hahaha, forty-eight days, finally fallen!"

Under the silent gaze of many, a tall humanoid creature unfurled powerful wide wings, flew up from the leading flagship, circled in the air, and then landed on the dock.

His action seemed like a signal, as one after another, powerful and terrifying beings with wings on their backs leapt from ships emitting hazy golden light, rushing to the dock even before the ships landed.

Even though the moon and starlight weren’t bright tonight, those still at the dock clearly saw the appearance of these special beings.

Because they were radiating a glow from within, the glow from their ships was also due to their presence.

Dragon-men

All passengers of these ships were Dragon-men. No one at the port, not even the most experienced adventurers or the most well-traveled merchants, expected to witness such a scene that night.

"Ugh ugh~"

As an inconspicuous dock worker, Bali was trembling all over, a combination of instinctual biological fear and excitement because a Dragon-man had just landed in front of him.

At such close range, Bali felt a palpable sense of awe and terror, face to face with a being extraordinarily tall and robust, his height barely reaching the other’s waist.

The stark difference in stature naturally translated to a disparity in strength that needed no comparison. Bali felt that with just a gesture or a stamp of their foot, he would be reduced to a puddle of muck.

Yet despite that, Bali didn’t flee or cower, instead he stubbornly lifted his head, earnestly scanning the appearance of this Dragon-man.

Atop the Dragon-man’s head, Bali saw a pair of thick dragon horns twisting back from the forehead, covered in mysterious runes, their tips sharp, gleaming coldly.

Their facial features were rugged, eyes narrow, vertical pupils burning with golden flames, cold and dignified, seeming to pierce through everything with a glance.

A pair of vast wings extended from the broad back, with a wingspan wide, its leathery membranes threaded with tough veins, shimmering with a faint golden hue.

A powerful tail swung flexibly behind them, its tip like a blade, combining with layers of golden Dragon Scales on its body, making it appear as if wearing perfectly-fitted Dragon-shaped Armor.

"Excuse me, are you from the Holy Dragon Land?"

While other dock workers were fleeing in panic at the Dragon-man’s descent, Bali, fueled by courage from an unknown source, proactively asked.

"Yes, I am a citizen of the Holy Dragon."

With an outwardly stern appearance, the Dragon-man lowered his head, somewhat surprised as he gazed at this ragged, emaciated worker before him,

"My name is Barbos Palu, what is your name?"

"My name is Bali!"

Hearing this noble and powerful being indeed responding to him, Bali felt somewhat flattered, stammering as he answered.

"Bali, you seem to be a very brave person? Are you a local resident here?"

"Yes."

"Then you must be familiar with the local environment?"

Barbos lifted his Dragon Claw to stroke his chin, deciding to give this seemingly impoverished but brave individual a chance.

"Of course."

Bali couldn’t help but puff out his chest.

"Then do you know where the highest level noble estates are?"

"I know nineteen routes to the City Lord Mansion."

Bali replied without hesitation.

"What are you waiting for then?"

"Lord Palu, please follow me."

Noah