At this moment, the whale was happily swimming past the side of the three-masted warship, busy showing off its immense strength and robust body to any female whales that might be wandering nearby. It paid no attention at all to the warship sailing on the sea's surface, nor to the Idar Navy soldiers on board who had been awed into silence.
Mal Cullen gazed at this massive creature they encountered on their return voyage, his heart tightening slightly.
Although they had easily crushed the pirates, the truth was that in the face of the vast ocean, the Idar Navy's strength was still far from enough.
When we return to the Idar Territory this time, I will report the existence of such a gigantic creature in the sea to the Count in full detail. I'm sure the Count will find a way to subdue it. As long as we intensify our training and not waste a single moment, then sooner or later, the people of Idar will have such a behemoth on the banquet table! For now… ignore that fellow, and make full speed toward the Idar Territory!
Mal Cullen's voice was firm as he addressed the silent soldiers.
The magic crystal bombs were indeed powerful, but this was still the first time that Mal Cullen and the Idar sailors had ever seen such a giant creature as a whale.
Therefore, out of caution and a sense of responsibility toward his men, Mal Cullen decided not to provoke this denizen of the ocean just yet.
If the Idar side won, that would be one thing but if they lost…
Wouldn't that mean throwing away the entire naval force that the Count had painstakingly built?
Although Mal Cullen favored offense, that did not mean he was reckless. In many cases, he was even more cautious than Sam Layton, who was known for his defensive approach.
Thus, Mal Cullen quickly made his choice between the distant great whale and the Pioneer, the three-masted warship beneath his feet.
Hearing his words, the soldiers' eyes began to brighten.
They had not caught every word Mal Cullen said earlier, but the phrase "on the banquet table" stuck firmly in the minds of these food loving men.
Although life as part of the Idar Navy had improved drastically compared to before, they still remembered the hardship and hunger of the past.
Just half a year ago, they could barely fill their stomachs…
Perhaps because of this formerly impoverished life, Idar sailors tended to judge sea creatures by how many people they could feed.
So when they saw such a massive whale leap from the water, after the initial awe, their first thought was how many people this giant whale could feed.
Such a fish… could probably equal dozens of cows!If they could somehow hunt down this massive creature roaming the sea, the sheer size alone promised an abundant harvest!After all, even the seaweed clinging to rocks could be turned by the Count into fragrant soup so wouldn't a whale that lived in the ocean become food enough for countless people?
In the soldiers' minds, the Count was always fair in reward and punishment. So if, just as Admiral Mal Cullen suggested, they hunted a great whale in the future… they could already see military honors and wealth beckoning to them from not far away!
Thus, when the sailors looked again at the whale drifting further into the distance… their mindset had changed.
That was moving glory and gold!
Although the whale was gradually getting farther away from the ship, the Idar sailors had already buried the impulse to hunt it deep in their hearts…
The victorious Pioneer arrived at the Idar military port three days later.
When Bruno received the news, he was in the temporary classroom of the Hanging Garden, telling the apprentice mages about the charm of mathematics…
"Idiot! Look… when you arrange this string of numbers neatly in ascending order, then simplify it further, you'll get an arithmetic sequence! Do you know the formula for the sum of an arithmetic sequence?" Bruno glared at the questioning apprentice with annoyance.
Hearing their mentor's scolding again, Light quickly nodded and sat down sheepishly.
The mentor… truly a man of wisdom!
This subject, which the mentor called elementary mathematics, seemed at first glance messy and useless the jumble of symbols dizzying, and apparently unrelated to the study of magic arrays.
However, the deeper the apprentice mages delved, the more they realized just how exquisite the contents of Elementary Mathematics were!
Although they had only studied the subject for a week, the knowledge such as the law of sines and the law of cosines was surprisingly useful for drawing magic arrays.
Because of this, they had set aside distractions and devoted themselves to studying it, to the point that the morning's task of crafting magic crystal bombs was almost left unfinished.
Mentor, I'd like to ask about Question 7 on page 35.
Seeing that Bruno had finished answering Light's doubts, Anel quickly asked his own question.
Bruno nodded, flipped to page 35 of Elementary Mathematics… and then his expression stiffened.
Because the answer to Question 7 was just one word: Skip!
Seeing the change in Bruno's face, Anel cautiously said, Mentor…
Thump!
Bruno slammed the book onto the lectern.
Such a simple problem, and you tell me you can't do it! Bruno said in irritation.
Uh…
Don't give me any nonsense. Light couldn't do the arithmetic sequence because he's stupid are you even stupider than him?
Anel quickly shook his head.
Hearing himself mentioned, Light raised his head, looked left and right, and then quickly buried his face in the desk, feeling insulted…
A simple proof problem like this, and you can't solve it? You're punished to run two extra laps every morning until you figure it out! Bruno ordered sternly.
…Okay…
In fact, he had only wanted to say that no one in the class could solve that problem…
So why was he the only unlucky one?
Just then, Lister knocked on the door and walked in.
My Lord Count, Mal Cullen has returned with the Idar sailors!
He's back?! Bruno asked excitedly. Did they… win or lose?
Although Bruno outwardly appeared confident and unconcerned about this expedition, deep down he was extremely nervous.
This was, after all, the Idar Navy's first battle!Even with the boost of the magic crystal bombs, in his past life there had been a case where a major power, armed with modern ironclads and advanced weapons, had invaded an African nation only to be beaten soundly.
So Bruno's heart was tense at this moment, fearing he would hear bad news.
We won! Lister replied quickly.
Who won? Bruno asked again to be sure.
You won, my Lord! The Idar Navy won! Lister said excitedly.
Well done!
Only after hearing this definite answer from Lister did Bruno finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Prepare the horses this lord is going to the port right now to welcome our victorious soldiers home!
Yes!
You all… Bruno turned back to look at the gathered mage apprentices and said calmly, …although the reason the magic crystal bomb research succeeded was mainly due to my own guidance…
But I, Bruno, have always been a man who rewards and punishes fairly. You spent a great deal of time and effort on developing the magic crystal bomb, and I have seen all of it. Therefore… this war's victory is also partly your achievement! In that case, you'll come with me to the port to welcome them back!
Yes, Mentor! the apprentices quickly replied.
But… Anel will stay here, Bruno added with a smile, after all, you still haven't solved that one problem…
Hearing this, the once-excited Anel sat back down in disappointment.
So, after Bruno left with the other apprentices, Anel had no choice but to remain in the classroom, continuing to wrestle with that tricky proof problem.
But… it was really hard!Even after racking his brains, Anel simply couldn't think of another way to solve it.
At that moment, he felt a hand pat his shoulder. Turning around, he saw it was Lister, who had just gone to prepare Bruno's horse.
Anel, have you realized the Count's deeper intention?
What? Deeper intention? Anel asked, puzzled.
Have you forgotten what the Count said in the first lesson?
Independent… thinking? Anel said uncertainly.
Exactly! Among all the mage apprentices, you are the one the Count values most! Otherwise… why would he give detailed answers to everyone else's questions but not to yours? It's because the Count wants to cultivate your habit of independent thinking! Lister said earnestly.
"So that's how it is!" Anel suddenly understood.
So, you mustn't let down the Count's good intentions…
Don't worry! I, Anel, will never disappoint the Count! I'll work hard, study diligently, and think independently! Anel said with conviction.
That's good… I'll be going now…
Take care.
Anel responded casually, then…
When he looked again at that problem on page 35 of Elementary Mathematics, he suddenly felt full of confidence and motivation!After all… he was the one the Count valued the most!
On the road to the port
Lister finally caught up with Bruno, who had ridden far ahead, as well as the nine apprentices riding behind him each on a mule.
Yes
Although Bruno had strongly insisted that the apprentices engage in physical exercise and learn to ride horses every morning, they still couldn't give up their fondness for mules. The only change was that instead of riding mule carts, they now rode the mules directly.
Still… that counted as some progress.
Did you tell Anel everything I told you to? Bruno asked Lister.
I did! Lister quickly replied.
And what did he say?
He said he would never disappoint you, my Lord that he'll work hard, study diligently, and think independently!
Hearing this, Bruno nodded in satisfaction.
After all… if he said such words himself too often, over time the effect of his encouragement would diminish, since everyone would get used to it.
But if he hinted at it indirectly, having someone close to him like Lister deliver the message, the effect would undoubtedly be much better.
Well done! Bruno praised. You truly are one of the people I value most!
Although only a little over two weeks had passed, when Mal Cullen returned to the Idar Territory, he could feel the changes taking place there.
On the southern bank of the Idar River's mouth, countless temporary tents had been set up at some point, with crowds of commoners and serfs coming and going.
What's going on here? Mal Cullen's adjutant murmured.
Most likely… the Count is preparing to build another great project, Mal Cullen replied.
The size of the camp near the river mouth was large enough to house thousands surely such manpower would only be gathered for the construction of a wonder.
A wonder? Since it's on the coast, could it be for our navy? the adjutant asked excitedly.
After all, the Count had already built Namur Fortress for the standing army, something the navy had envied greatly.
Could be… Mal Cullen allowed himself a faint smile.
The Count is here! At that moment, some soldier shouted.
Mal Cullen looked over and saw Bruno dismounting from his horse, followed by the apprentices dismounting from their mules.
When Mal Cullen finally stood on the Idar military port dock face to face with his Count again, he dropped to one knee in excitement.
My Lord Count, I have fulfilled my mission! Mal Cullen said solemnly.
Good!
Bruno quickly stepped forward to help the admiral up, scolding with a smile, Idiot! I told you long ago whenever Idar soldiers are wearing their armor, no matter who they meet, they must not kneel on one knee. They are to give a military salute!
Yes! Mal Cullen immediately stood at attention and gave Bruno a perfect salute.