Chapter 183: Give a Show of Power
Johnny handed the deposit originally given to Bank to Shu Li.
Shu Li took the purse with a smile on her face.
The cooperation was reached, and the Light Team, led by their employer, stepped onto the springboard and successfully boarded the huge cargo ship.
The Graves family was a well-established and wealthy merchant family in the Dalia Empire. Their cargo ships were made of high-quality materials, rigorously constructed, and fully equipped. The crew members were all well-built, with muscular bodies, clearly strong and capable sailors.
Seeing Johnny board the ship, the crew saluted him respectfully. They were curious to see seven magicians following him.
Are they the mercenaries hired by the young master?
Why are there only weak magicians here, and not a single burly swordsman?
Furthermore, these magicians look very young, over twenty? What's their magic level? Aren't they all magic apprentices?
The bearded Captain Balf saluted Johnny first, then looked at Shu Li and the others with a critical eye and asked, "Master, are these seven magicians the mercenaries you hired?"
John said, "Yes, they are the Light Squad, a total of seven magic apprentices. They will escort the cargo ship during the next voyage."
Balf and the crew behind him were stunned.
"Master, are you kidding me?"
What can magic apprentices do? Even if they are outnumbered, it doesn't mean they can defeat the fierce pirates.
"That's right, look at how skinny they are. I can pin them down with just one finger!"
The large crewman behind the captain laughed.
"Great Wind God Wendis Inol, I am Sperian. I beg you to command the element of wind to gather around me and bring me a whirlwind that will blow away everything—"
Shu Li pointed the magic wand in his hand, and the three mocking crew members suddenly flew into the air, their bodies swept up by a small whirlwind, and rushed upwards rapidly, higher and higher.
“Ahhhhhh—”
The crew members, who looked like black bears and were blown into the sky without any warning, screamed in fear, fearing that the whirlwind would disappear in the next second and they would fall from a height of more than 20 meters and be smashed into meat patties.
Johnny and the crew were stunned. They looked up and looked worriedly at the crew members high in the sky.
He won’t be killed by the fall, right?
Shu Li knew when to stop and shook his magic wand. A small tornado brought the crew down. The wind gradually weakened and disappeared completely when it was one meter above the deck. The three crew members fell down with a "bang".
“Ouch—Ouch—”
They covered their buttocks and howled.
The other crew members rushed forward to help them up and check if they had any broken legs.
Fortunately, these crew members were thick-skinned and tough, so they didn't suffer any broken bones from the fall, they just felt the pain.
Johnny and Balf looked at Shu Li, hesitant to speak.
Shu Li's eyes curved, revealing a row of beautiful white teeth. "I'm sorry to be questioned by you, so I have no choice but to prove myself with my strength. How is it? Do you feel the pleasure of flying freely in the sky? Is it exciting? Hehehehe——"
"Hehehe——" Discio, Angel, Budno, and Amanda grinned in unison.
Although Kumandi and Ace didn't laugh out loud, the corners of their mouths couldn't help but rise.
The best way to dispel doubts is to let those who doubt you experience the power of magic for themselves.
The crew members suffered a loss and were very dissatisfied. When Balf glared at them, they all wilted.
“Pah pah pah——”
Johnny clapped and laughed, "Good! Very good! Very good!"
After witnessing the magic power of the magic apprentice, his confidence increased greatly and he felt that his three thousand gold coins were well worth it.
"Balf, Captain Sperian, let's go into the cabin and discuss our next voyage."
Before setting sail, they need to make their plans.
For example, how do magic apprentices cooperate with the crew to make the cargo ship sail more smoothly.
When the crew members saw the young master laughing heartily, they knew that this mercenary team composed of seven magic apprentices had won the young master's approval.
Thinking of the thrilling scene just now, the crew members had to admit that magic was indeed powerful. Perhaps this time they could all return to the royal city safely.
With this in mind, the crew members were full of hope for the seven magic apprentices.
Team Light followed Johnny into the bridge cabin, where there was a conference room that could accommodate more than ten people. Everyone sat around a long table, and Balf took out a map of the Itongli River.
"Since the young master trusts you, I won't say any more nonsense." Balf said, "Next, I hope you can cooperate with me and try to minimize the losses. At least-"
He paused, a look of sadness appearing on his weather-beaten face.
"At least send the young master back to the royal city safely."
Johnny patted his shoulder. "Don't be so pessimistic, Balf! We have to believe in Captain Sperian and his teammates."
Shu Li said seriously, "Since we have the courage to accept the mission, we have the ability to ensure everyone's safety."
Ace looked down at the map, scanning it from top to bottom. He pointed a slender finger at a section of the river and asked Balf with a smile, "Is this the pirates' lair?"
Balf was slightly surprised and blurted out, "You know?"
If you are not someone who often travels by water, you will not be able to understand this map at all. However, this handsome young blond magic apprentice in front of him was able to spot the pirates' lair at a glance.
Ace said modestly, "I didn't know that before, but I found out after looking at the map."
He casually pointed out a few points of analysis.
Rivers under the jurisdiction of the lord are marked with green lines, while areas with bandits or no one under their jurisdiction are marked with red lines.
Although the map looks confusing at first glance with all kinds of lines intersecting chaotically, it becomes clear once you find the pattern.
After hearing his explanation, Balf gave him a thumbs-up in admiration. "Now I believe you're truly capable of protecting the cargo ship."
Discio raised his chin slightly: "It already exists."
Shu Li looked at Ace with admiration. As expected of Team Light's brain trust, he was always able to see things clearly, quickly pinpointing the key points and explaining a complex map with a few words.
Another think tank member, Kumandi, took out a notebook and pen from his backpack and took notes seriously, writing down the key points mentioned by Ace one by one.
Seeing this, the little goblins followed suit and took out their notebooks and pens.
Amanda scratched the back of her head. As a dragon who loved to fly, she felt it was useless to remember all this, but since everyone else had memorized it, she might as well... remember it too!
My brother said that when we go out to gain experience, we must not lag behind and must keep up with the little goblins.
So, in the conference room, Ace explained the map in an orderly manner, and the goblins and dragons took notes while listening, leaving Johnny and Balf confused.
I always feel that this mercenary team is weird.
After Ace finished his explanation, he smiled and asked Balf, "Captain, do you have anything else to add?"
Balf shook his head: "No."
He had said everything he wanted to say, and even analyzed thoroughly the issues he hadn't thought of. What else did he need to add?
"Since there is no additional information, let's discuss how to use magic to speed up the cargo ship!" Shu Li closed the notebook.
"Use magic to speed up the cargo ship?" Balf was stunned and looked at Johnny in confusion.
Johnny said excitedly, "Balf, you don't know? Magicians can add auxiliary magic to cargo ships, such as wind acceleration and light illumination."
Balf asked in surprise, "Is it enchanted like a ship?"
To ensure safety and prevent attacks from sea beasts, high-level magicians are assigned to ships to enchant the hulls for defense. The rivers are safe and there are basically no monsters, so magicians are rarely assigned to ships.
From what the magic apprentice said, he wants to increase the magical defense of cargo ships like sea ships?
Shu Li nodded: "Yes."
There's no rule against enchanting riverboats.
Balf rubbed his hands together, his spirits rising. "Then tell me, how do you add magic?"
Half an hour later, everyone left the conference cabin after finishing their discussion.
"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle--" Budno and Amanda covered their stomachs that made the noise and looked at Shu Li aggrievedly.
Shu Li coughed lightly and asked, "Johnny, how are we going to solve our dinner problem?"
It was already dark, and all the cargo at the dock had been loaded onto the ship. As long as the captain gave the order, they could set off immediately.
However, Johnny was now full of confidence and in no hurry to leave. Hearing Shu Li's question, he waved his hand and said proudly, "Let's go to the best restaurant in the city. I'll treat you to a big meal!"
"Yeah!" Budno and Amanda cheered.
You have a free meal, don’t be too happy!
As a wealthy second-generation, Johnny was very generous and went to the best restaurant. He asked for a large private room and ordered a large table of delicious food.
Roasted rabbit, braised beef, roasted lamb leg, boiled fish, freshly ground milk soup...
At Shu Li's request, a large amount of vegetables, fruits, wheat cakes and toast were ordered.
Johnny originally wanted to ask the waiter to serve beer, but everyone present except him said they didn't drink, so he had to give up.
The meal was very enjoyable.
Amanda had a voracious appetite and ate so much meat that Johnny glanced suspiciously at his flat belly.
Will you really not vomit if you eat so much?
Amanda blinked guiltily.
After tasting several kinds of meat, Budno resigned himself to the fact that goblins were not suitable for eating meat.
No matter how the meat is cooked, it will have a fishy smell when you put it in your mouth, which is a painful torture to your taste buds.
He shed tears secretly and ate the fruit silently.
My wish to try all the delicious food from mainland China is about to be shattered.
Shu Li saw his sad expression and smiled inwardly. He recalled the first time he and Ilio had gone to the human world, he too had been filled with longing for all kinds of meat. In the end, reality defeated him, and he would rather gnaw on dry bread than eat meat.
However, if conditions permit, he would like to make a plate of braised pork himself to satisfy his craving.
Of course, you have to find the spices first.
I heard that the Eastern Serex Empire is rich in tea and porcelain, and may have the spices he wants. I will go there to take a look if I have the chance.
After dinner, the group returned to the dock satisfied.
On the second floor of the mercenary office, Bank leaned against the window, looking at the group of people passing by below under the street light, and sneered.
"Has Johnny lost his mind to hire seven magic apprentices of unknown origin?"
The middle-aged man sitting behind the desk reading a book said, "You've already rejected others, why do you care who he hires?"
Bank curled his lips and said, "I feel sorry for those three thousand gold coins."
The middle-aged man raised his eyebrows and asked, "What a shame? Didn't you earn two thousand gold coins?"
Someone wanted to bribe Bank, and Bank the Lion asked for five thousand gold coins, and the other party was willing to pay.
It seems like there’s a lot of infighting going on among the Graves family’s successor candidates!
Johnny didn't know that Bank, who rejected him, was laughing at him behind his back. He returned to the cargo ship and asked Maka to take the seven magic apprentices to the cabin.
The cargo ship has limited cabins. The rowing sailors live on the lower level of the cabin, while the first mate, second mate and other crew members with some positions live on the lower level of the bridge.
The captain must always pay attention to the navigation route and sleep directly in the cockpit on the upper deck of the bridge.
Johnny stayed in the best large cabin on the middle floor of the bridge building, and the remaining small cabins were distributed among the mercenary teams.
Luckily, there were eight cabins in total, and Team Light could have one each.
Shu Li was very satisfied. He tidied up his bed, put down his backpack, left the cabin, and went to the deck with his teammates.
They need to make some preparations for the cargo ship before departure.
Seven magic apprentices stood on the deck, waiting for the sailors to raise the anchor, retract the gangplank and lower the sails, and row gradually away from the dock, then they raised their magic wands and chanted spells.
"Great God of Light, Lyant Freys, I am Sperian, your faithful believer. I beg you to command the elements of light to gather around me and help me put on a solid light shield for the cargo ship."
"Great God of Light, Ryant Freys, I am Angel, your faithful believer. I beg you to command the elements of light to gather around me and bring me a ball of light to dispel the darkness!"
"Great water god Hildani Geti, I am Budno, your faithful follower. I beg you to command the water element to gather around me and help the cargo ship sail with the current."
"Great Wind God Wendis Inol, I am Estelle, your faithful believer. I beg you to command the wind element to gather around me, bringing me swift winds and ensuring smooth sailing for the cargo ship."
As the magic was released one after another, brilliant light lit up on the cargo ship, and the shield of light wrapped around the entire ship, like a transparent cover with flowing starlight.
The lighting ball rose into the air and turned into five or six small balls of light, which scattered around the boat, illuminating the river clearly.
The water flow was controlled by magic, automatically dragging the cargo ship along. The rowing sailors were surprised to find that they could effortlessly move away from the dock, pass by other ships, and soon reach the spacious river channel.
The final wind magic blew the sails and increased the speed of the cargo ship. Apart from steering the ship, the sailors basically didn't need to row.
There is such a good thing!
The sailors were extremely excited and admired the magic apprentices very much.
The people on the dock were stunned to see Graves' cargo ship shining brightly and speeding away at lightning speed.
In a remote corner, Ilio, wearing a hooded cloak, stood on the mooring pole of the dock, looking at the cargo ship going away with a helpless expression.
After a while, he jumped off the cable pole and walked back to the city.
Before encountering the pirates, he still had time to find a hotel, take a shower, have a meal, and have a good sleep.
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