Chapter 295: Peace Harbor and the Bachelor of Arts

Powered by elemental forces and traveling at speeds far beyond those of ships of this era, the magic ship covered a route that would normally take wind-powered ships nearly a month in just under three days. Along the way, Donald encountered the fleet led by the crown prince—a fleet slightly smaller than the magic ship but composed of three large vessels. Though the ocean formed a single route, the chances of encountering the other party were slim; it seemed truly a coincidence!

Thanks to its concealment barrier, extreme speed, and silence, the magic ship passed by the other ships from several miles away without anyone noticing. By now, Donald and his group had arrived, while the crown prince and his men were likely only halfway there, with at least another ten days needed to reach Gardley’s largest port.

As the magic ship slowly entered the harbor ahead, Second Prince Durian, standing on the deck, felt as if he were in a dream. “This is Gardley’s territory and waters. Who are on those ships ahead? Identify yourselves immediately!”

Even before approaching the harbor within ten miles, two small warships, one-third the size of the magic ship, came closer. Perhaps intimidated by the magic ship’s appearance, the crew members on both ships were nervous, with catapults and crossbows ready for attack at the slightest sign of threat. Clearly part of Gardley’s navy, they were tasked with protecting the harbor. Durian quickly ordered his men to speak to them and reveal their identity.

Only after hearing the message from the magic ship did the Gardley naval guards feel somewhat reassured. After sending someone to verify the letters of credentials and seals presented by the magic ship, confirming their identity, one of the ships returned to the harbor to report. The magic ship, guided by another Gardley small destroyer, slowly entered the designated docking area for larger vessels.

Soon, the crew disembarked, and local Gardley officials and nobles came to greet them. Since Durian represented the Kingdom of Celt, despite the tight schedule and desire to avoid unnecessary delays, it was still polite to greet the Gardley authorities. Half a day would likely be wasted in such formalities.

Of course, Donald didn’t need to worry about these matters; the second prince and his group would handle them. He took the opportunity to leave the group and, along with a few young people, wandered the streets of this bustling port city to experience its local culture.

In the eastern part of the continent lies Gardere, with its largest seaport and Peace Port—the most important maritime transit point between the central and northern regions of the continent. Even most goods from the Southern Sorlon Commercial Alliance are transported via Peace Port, carried north along the coastline to Gardere. As a result, Peace Port has a highly developed commerce, even more bustling than Port Leyton, and it is the most prosperous human city Donald has seen since arriving in this world. Although the royal capital of C Kosovo is not comparable to Peace Port in terms of size or prosperity, it is far less busy and lively.

“Teacher, look at those two people—they’re dressed so strangely. I can sense power around them. But it’s different from the mages in our territory. Are they also mages?”

Merlin, who was traveling far away for the first time, even leaving the North County for the first time, was very excited. Though he was already in his early twenties, children from poor families in this world remained very simple, with a childlike innocence. Merlin, in particular, had never even traveled far within the North County, let alone to this foreign land, so he was naturally very curious about the outside world. When he saw two people dressed in strange robes holding books, he asked questions like a child taken out to see the world by his parents.

Donald shook his head at Merlin’s mention of those two and smiled. “Those aren’t mages; they’re priests who worship gods. But your intuition is good—priests, as religious figures, can also be considered a type of spellcaster. Their magical powers come from the blessings of the gods they worship, obtained through devout prayer. It’s not wrong to say they use divine power like mages.”

Merlin had not only never traveled far but had also seen few priests. After becoming a mage, he had stayed in Dalaran, studying under his teacher and several elders, and had not encountered any priests or other religious figures again. So when he saw those two oddly dressed priests, he couldn’t determine their identities.

“But borrowed power must be returned someday. Can’t they cultivate their own power like normal mages?” Merlin was puzzled. The others who accompanied them were all young people. Aside from Freyge, who had some knowledge due to his family’s background, Eric and Eli also came from commoner families. Although their father, William, had worked in the Mage Association for many years, he wasn’t a mage himself and didn’t have a deep understanding of these matters.

Donald explained with a smile, also explaining it to Eric and Eli.

“Silly boy, do you think everyone in this world is as lucky as you, with a talent for magic, and can still be discovered by a teacher and taken as an apprentice after turning twenty? I’ve told you before about the scarcity of mages. Although there are quite a few mages in our territory, that already accounts for nearly half of the total in the entire North County. Some territories, including their apprentices, may not even have a hundred mages. That’s why many people choose to convert to the True Gods and gain power from them!”
“What you said about giving and receiving is true. The gods grant power to their believers, who in turn offer their faith, but they are restricted by the True Gods’ will. It’s like trading part of one’s freedom for power in this life. Whether it’s better or worse depends on each person’s choice.”
“After each priest dies, their soul does not perish but returns to the realm of the True Gods, where it is reborn. However, this reborn being is no longer purely human but a life assimilated by the True Gods’ will. Everything is governed by the True Gods’ will, and they can dedicate everything to the gods.”
“For mages who value freedom and seek the truth of time, believing in the True Gods means abandoning their own selves and choosing the path of the gods. That’s why few mages choose to believe in the True Gods. Those two you see are likely priests of the God of Knowledge. They are usually learned scholars, keepers of historical records, often called erudites, and are highly respected. Moreover, the God of Knowledge is a deity of the neutral faction, always staying above the conflicts among the gods. His followers are rare ones who are not viewed with hostility by either the forces of justice or evil, and can stand with either side!”
Although Donald had never seen the followers of the God of Knowledge in person, he had read about them in books. So, upon seeing their attire and the thick notebooks they always carried, he easily guessed their identities.
Merlin and the others finally understood and felt great admiration for Donald’s erudition as their teacher and lord.
Donald didn’t speak loudly, nor was he whispering, so his words, filled with praise, were naturally heard by the two erudites.
Immediately, the two gave Donald and the others friendly smiles, to which Donald responded from afar.