Kael continued to wander the bustling docks, searching like a headless fly among various recruitment stalls for a fleet that suited his aspirations.
Just then, a group of flamboyantly dressed Trolls caught his attention.
They spoke loudly, their banners depicted abstract storms and waves, and their slogans were highly inflammatory:
"Tired of rules and constraints? Crave true freedom and the treasures of the sea?"
"Join the'Seabreeze Explorers,' and wealth will surge towards you like waves!"
"We only recruit bold and meticulous partners to venture into unknown waters and reap unimaginable rewards!"
Kael's heart stirred with excitement at the slogans of "freedom" and "wealth," and he envisioned a future of unrestrained adventure.
Filled with passion, he immediately signed up.
However, when he took his registration form to the Kingdom's scribe to register—the Kingdom needed to know where its sponsors' money was being spent.
The scribe merely looked up at him, then glanced at the mission document in his hand, which bore a "Missionary" stamp, and sighed helplessly, quickly whispering to him:
"Big fellow, look carefully before you choose. Do you really not understand what they do?"
"If you follow them, who will you show your missionary task to?"
"Are you going to preach to pirates and bandits, and convert them to lay down their weapons?"
The scribe subtly pointed with his pen to the recruiters who were boasting about their "generous spoils."
Kael was instantly choked, his face flushing with heat.
He finally understood the subtext of the other party's words, quickly said his thanks, and slipped away awkwardly from the curious and playful gazes of that group.
After this ordeal, Kael became much more cautious when choosing his target.
He observed several other fleets; some had overly dangerous destinations, while others explicitly stated they did not welcome apprentice priests who were "of no practical use."
Finally, his gaze settled on a seemingly well-disciplined fleet.
Most of the members of this fleet were Dragonkin, and three flags fluttered simultaneously on the mast: the Drakkari Kingdom, the Dragonborn Empire, and the Dragon God Church flag with a black background and golden flames, making it appear much more official.
The recruitment notice stated their destination—a newly discovered, resource-rich large island (Kul Tiras) off the western coast of the Eastern Kingdoms continent.
The goal was to establish a stable colonial stronghold on the island, attempt to make contact and trade with the emerging human civilizations on the Eastern Kingdoms continent, and at the same time—seek opportunities to spread the faith of the Dragon God.
It offered both the practical benefits of colonial expansion and a missionary option that fit his "mission requirements," and the destination was a foreign continent Kael had never set foot on!
Kael's heart stirred with excitement once again—this was it!
He mustered his courage and went to make contact.
The fleet's Person in charge was a steady Dragonkin veteran who, after confirming Kael's qualifications and funds, welcomed him to join.
Next, Kael began to recruit personnel using his generous startup funds, following the recommended configuration in the Drakkari Kingdom's pioneering manual.
He carefully screened applicants and eventually assembled a team of about fifty people.
The core consisted of ten priests and ten Holy Warriors, who were the backbone of the missionary effort;
Five logistics personnel responsible for setting up camp, cooking, and maintaining weapons;
And twenty-five adventurers with various specialties, such as Warriors, Hunters, and Rogues.
It is especially worth mentioning that he also successfully persuaded several "Dragon Society" Druids, who were traveling abroad, to join the team.
They were very interested in overseas plants and ecology and were willing to exchange guidance on agricultural production for the colony for their boat tickets.
At this point, all preparations were complete.
After another half month of waiting, Kael and his team members, with anticipation and a touch of unease, boarded the long-distance sailing ship named the "Dragon's Claw."
With sails full of wind from Howling Fjord, the ship slowly departed from Zuovok port, breaking through the waves towards the Forbidden Sea, towards the continent in the east.
—Dividing Line—Meanwhile, in Dekonor's Glimmering Dream, Nefarian was gloomily tapping the ground with the tip of his tail.
With his father's return, troubles followed.
That old madman, Malygos, used to come every now and then, beating around the bush to ask, 'How is my brother doing lately?' 'Is he doing well?' —acting all concerned.
And what happened?
When they actually met, he hid behind and didn't utter a peep, and even secretly sold him out!
If it weren't for Malygos's persistent pestering, how could Nefarian have possibly sold his father's information to him? It was bad enough that the Blue Dragon King was fine, but the old man, who had just ascended to godhood and stabilized his realm, came over and lectured Nefarian.
As for how he was lectured—Nefarian refused to recall.
In any case, as "compensation," or rather, "to atone for his sins," he was assigned a task.
As Nefarian was feeling depressed, he saw the four Dragon Aspectss who had not yet left Dekonor—Malygos, Alexstrasza, Ysera, and Nozdormu—land before him.
The two brothers looked calm; Malygos was a regular here, so it was normal, and Nozdormu was always like that.
The two sisters were much more excited, looking around, clearly full of curiosity about everything in the Glimmering Dream.
The Black Dragon Prince cleared his throat, drawing the attention of his uncles and aunts to himself;
"During his travels around Azeroth, my father, relying on his perception of the earth and the special method bestowed by Emberglow Dragon, successfully found a safe route to the Dragon Isles."
Alexstrasza showed a surprised expression, "How is this possible? Those are seals left by the Titans."
Malygos, however, raised his head, "—Interesting."
His tone was calm, yet it contained a hint of inquiry.
"The location of the Dragon Isles—I have calculated it countless times, but I have never been able to find it."
"If Neltharion can truly find the way home, I would very much like to know how he did it."
Nefarian rolled his eyes. You couldn't even speak when you saw my father, so how would you ask him yourself?
He continued to explain, "As is well known, since the War of the Ancients, the Titans' seals have prevented us from perceiving and returning to the Dragon Isles.
"But this route my father found cleverly bypasses the Titans' restrictions."
Nefarian's voice carried a hint of pride, after all, this was a feat his father accomplished with his own great power after breaking free from the Titans' influence.
He paused, looking at the four Dragon Kings: "I have prepared a fleet manned by mortal sailors."
"They will be responsible for navigation and sailing, escorting the Dragon Aspectss, following the sea charts drawn by my father, to return to the Dragon Isles."
This news was too shocking.
The Dragon Isles were the true origin and ancient homeland of the Dragon race; returning there was a subconscious desire of all Dragons.
The four Dragon Kings looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise, anticipation, and doubt.
Although they didn't have much trust in the newborn Neltharion, given the consistent reliability demonstrated by Emberglow Dragon, Nefarian ultimately persuaded them.
Thus, not long after Kael's "Dragon's Claw" sailed eastward, another smaller fleet quietly set sail from Zuovok.
The passengers on board were extraordinary, carrying the hope for the future of Azeroth's Dragon race, and their destination was that lost homeland of the Dragons for ten thousand years—the Dragon Isles.
—Dividing Line—Months of sea turbulence finally ended.
The "Dragon's Claw" and its accompanying ships slowly sailed into a natural harbor on the eastern coast of Kul Tiras Island.
Kael and his team members eagerly rushed onto the deck, greedily breathing the land air, fresh with the scent of soil.
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