CHAPTER 187: THE ARRIVAL OF TWO WARSHIPS

The next day...

"Have the two ships arrived yet?" Nolan asked casually, glancing at Rafine, who sat on the couch across from him.

"They have," Rafine replied with a slow nod. "I came to take you to see them."

"Good!" Nolan’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Then let’s head to Redhoven Harbor."

Rafine smiled and accepted without protest. The two quickly rose and left Nolan’s room.

***

Redhoven Harbor was the largest port in the eastern region, supplying eighty-five percent of its marine products and serving as a docking point for sixty percent of merchants from other kingdoms and empires.

It was no surprise—Redhoven was conveniently close to neighboring territories, allowing ships to save both fuel and logistics.

However, ever since a sea monster began guarding the waters of Nereus, roughly five kilometers from the harbor, merchants had grown wary of docking there. As a result, trade between the Great Velmora Empire and other powers had slowed significantly.

Now, Nolan, Elina, Luvistar, Rafine, and one thousand five hundred troops were assembled near Redhoven Harbor.

Their presence drew many curious gazes, but guards from Viscount Hermes’ family kept the crowd at bay.

"Are these the two warships? They’re enormous," Elina said, gazing upward in admiration.

The ships were both majestic and luxurious, painted white with golden patterns along their sides.

Each was estimated to be fifty to sixty meters long. Gold-colored sails billowed high above, lending them an even more striking appearance.

But the most intimidating feature was the array of twenty silver cannons mounted on each side—each nearly two meters long, capable of shattering a city wall with a single shot.

Thus, if all forty cannons were fired at once, one could easily imagine the terrifying destructive power they would unleash.

"Yes, both are warships," Rafine replied softly, though her eyes carried a trace of sadness. "To be honest, we had five ships, but two were destroyed, and one is still under repair. If not for that, we could have deployed all five at once."

The sea monster was fearsome—strong enough to overpower the soldiers aboard the two warships, sink them, and kill everyone on board.

Had she and her father known things would end that way, they would never have deployed the ships so recklessly.

Fortunately, they salvaged the wreckage, but repairing it would be nearly impossible.

"It’s alright," Luvistar said gently. "The loss of those ships is proof of how powerful the sea monster is. The soldiers who died are heroes. So don’t blame yourself, Young Lady Rafine."

Elina nodded in agreement. "General Luvistar is right. The Austin family made the correct decision, but that monster was far stronger than you expected. It’s not your fault—or your family’s."

Rafine smiled faintly and murmured, "Thank you."

Beside Elina, Nolan remained silent. If anyone asked whether he considered the loss of the Austin family’s two warships a grave mistake, his answer would be a definite yes.

The Austin family had existed since the founding of the Great Velmora Empire—a testament to their strength in maintaining a firm position despite the reigns of many emperors.

Yet, those who should have acted wisely made a fatal mistake. Instead of analyzing the situation and proceeding with caution, they charged straight at the sea monster.

The result: two warships lost and hundreds of soldiers dead.

To be fair, their actions were understandable. The new generation of warships they owned was the result of decades of research, so it was natural for them to have the confidence to deploy both against the monster—even if the attempt ultimately failed.

"Report, General Luvistar!" a soldier’s voice suddenly called from behind them.

The four turned and looked at the soldier with curiosity.

"What is it?" Luvistar asked calmly.

The soldier straightened his back before speaking. "Two people have arrived to see Young Lady Rafine and Her Highness Elina. They claim to be representatives of the Blue Moon Trading House."

At that, Luvistar, Elina, and Rafine showed slight surprise.

Turning to Rafine, Luvistar asked, "Young Lady Rafine, could they be the ones sent to deliver the Magmoral and Lucite?"

Rafine recalled the two clauses she had read yesterday and gave a small nod.

"Yes, General. It seems they really are the representatives delivering the two items," Rafine replied with a faint smile. "Let’s go meet them."

Elina, Nolan, and Luvistar stayed silent, simply nodding in agreement. The four quickly followed the soldier to where the two representatives awaited.

***

In a small house about twenty meters from Redhoven’s port, a man and a woman sat on wooden chairs, seemingly waiting for something.

The man was notable for his bald head and slightly rounded stomach. He wore a red formal robe adorned with a golden badge on his right breast.

At a glance, it was clear he was no ordinary man but someone of considerable status.

Beside him, the woman was shrouded in a black cloak that covered her from head to toe. A veil hid her face entirely, and on the front of that veil was a star symbol—one that exuded an unsettling, almost intimidating presence.

The man’s forehead glistened with cold sweat. He didn’t dare cast the woman a second glance.

Just as the tense silence stretched on, the wooden door swung open, and Elina, Nolan, Luvistar, and Rafine stepped inside.

The man exhaled in relief, quickly wiping his sweat. Wearing a professional smile, he rose and bowed respectfully. "Forgive the intrusion, Young Lady Rafine, Prince Nolan, Princess Elina, and General Luvistar. My name is Valdar, and I have come to deliver the Magmoral and Lucite as ordered by Branch Chief Theo."

Rafine stepped forward with a polite smile. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Valdar. I truly appreciate your presence."

She moved to the chair opposite him and sat down. Elina took the seat beside her, while Nolan and Luvistar remained standing behind them.

"So, could you sign this document first, Young Lady Rafine?" Valdar asked politely, pulling two sheets of paper from his bag.

Rafine accepted them without hesitation. As always, she carefully reviewed the contents before signing.

Once finished, she returned the documents to Valdar.

"Where are the Magmoral and Lucite, Mr. Valdar?" she asked.

Placing the papers back in his bag, Valdar replied, "They’re in the back warehouse—one hundred tons each. I’m certain it will be more than enough for the attack."

It wasn’t only Rafine who was caught off guard; Luvistar and Elina also looked equally stunned.

"One hundred tons...?"