Chapter 60

In the evening, the carriage hired by Da Fei arrived at the station of the Holy Mother Convent on the outskirts of the city. From afar, they could see a grand and imposing architectural complex surrounded by high walls in the midst of the forest. The clear and resonant singing of hymns could be heard from a distance.

Caterina was entranced, exclaiming, "It's so sacred and solemn!"

Da Fei sighed, "I think it looks more like a prison."

The two, dressed in formal attire, approached the main gate, where an old nun, bent and wearing a black robe and black headscarf, stopped them.

She said sternly, "Stop, this is not a place for you to enter without permission."

Looking at her witch-like, fleshy face and the broom that seemed capable of flying, Da Fei's heart skipped a beat — "Emperor, do you still remember Xia Yuhe by the Daming Lake?"

Da Fei, dazed, came to his senses, "I'm here to find someone named—"

The old nun interrupted directly, "Go back. The nuns who come here have dedicated their entire lives to the divine and have no connection with the secular world!"

Da Fei persisted, "I have a relic from her father! I need to give it to—"

The old nun, impatient, waved her hand, and a white light flashed under their feet. The scene changed, and the two found themselves back at the station where they had waited for the carriage.

For a moment, the two were stunned, staring at each other. What the heck, a cleaning nun at the level of Auntie Rong! What a terrifying existence! And she didn't even give players a chance to argue. It seems the tavern owner was right; this place really isn't for ordinary people. Force your way in? Sneak in? Ha ha...

Da Fei could only sigh, "Let's go back. I'll take you to the most luxurious hotel."

Caterina chuckled, "Okay, Captain!"

It seems the information in this diary is not simple. Could this information just be a boring plot point, like the gambling debts recorded in the artillery captain's diary, with no practical significance? No, no, no, impossible! This is a living person! Even if the artillery captain was bored, he still recorded information about the Leviathan, didn't he?

But the current situation is clearly beyond my control. What to do? Should I really give the deputy hero slot to that bearded guy? Damn! If it comes to that, I'll just have to endure it. No matter the outcome, as soon as the mission is over, I'll kick him out without any explanation.

As for the next step, right, I had already planned to find Makar as soon as we landed. I'll go find Makar tomorrow morning. This risk must be taken. If I can successfully trick him into giving me the Phantom Ballista, this underground sea expedition will be much more powerful. And he is the greatest navigator of this century, right? I wonder if he can give me, a new navigator, some guidance?

The two returned to the city and checked into a hotel. Da Fei logged out to eat, drink, and use the bathroom. When he logged back in, a new day had begun in the game.

Find Makar.

As the largest port of the Lionheart Empire, St. Paul's Port could not lack a residence or office of the world's greatest navigator, Makar.

The guard at the gate stopped Da Fei, "Stop, this is not a place for you to enter!"

It's not like Auntie Rong who doesn't even let you finish speaking. A mere guard can't stop me. Da Fei took out Makar's dark skill book, "I am a student of Duke Makar, and I have the right to see the Duke!"

Sure enough, the guard, upon seeing the book, changed his expression and immediately called back, "Butler, someone is here to see the Duke!"

Ha ha ha! I knew it. Players who complete the trial should normally use this book as a stepping stone, so how could they not be allowed to see the Duke?

A butler in a tailcoat and a curly wig appeared, "You are?"

Da Fei proudly waved the skill book, "I am the Duke's student. I have an important item from the Duke, and I request an audience with him."

The butler asked skeptically, "A student? Where did you get this?"

Da Fei told the truth, "I found it on the St. Anthony, which the Duke once explored. It contains important insights from the Duke, and I must return it to him."

The butler nodded, "Please follow me."

Sure enough, it worked! They passed through several halls and a teleportation array, and the scene changed. Da Fei found himself in a magnificent and solemn circular library hall. Various magical light particles swirled and flowed in the multi-story library, highlighting the owner's boundless magic.

The butler said solemnly, "The Duke is very busy and rarely receives guests. Get straight to the point."

Da Fei hurriedly replied, "Oh, I understand."

"Please wait."

After the butler left, Da Fei became nervous. I have an epic quest to oppose him. Who knows what will happen when we meet. In any case, I won't talk about anything related to the artillery captain. I don't know, I haven't seen, hmm.

Soon, a white-bearded old man appeared, wearing a red robe with golden edges, holding a golden staff with a gemstone, and surrounded by colorful magic orbs. The golden hero aura under his feet showed that he was a cleric hero!

He chuckled, "I don't remember taking any students." His voice was calm and peaceful, his smile kind and gentle, and the magical light particles in the hall formed a magnificent and splendid emblem because of his presence.

What the heck, to play a death lord to this level is a realm. The first impression he gives is definitely that of Santa Claus! No wonder the artillery captain worshipped him so much. I need to make a good first impression too. Flattery? I never blush when flattering NPCs.

Da Fei hurriedly bowed, "Please forgive my boldness. I have important matters to discuss with the Duke, so I lied about being his student. However, I have indeed been inspired and enlightened by the Duke's notes. In my heart, the Duke's wisdom is a guiding light. And from the artillery captain's diary, I have been deeply impressed by the Duke's demeanor. I will always regard the Duke as my life mentor!" Then he took out the dark skill book, the artillery captain's diary, and the soul crystal of the ghost he killed and presented them.

The butler took the items and handed them to the Duke.

The Duke was taken aback, "You retrieved these from the wrecked St. Anthony?"

Da Fei respectfully replied, "Yes."

The Duke, flipping through the book, sighed, "These must be items I accidentally left behind during that great battle. It was a journey I will never forget. Our St. Anthony endured countless hardships and witnessed countless miracles. We were about to return victorious, but we were attacked by both enemies and a storm. We were stranded on a deserted island, trapped by the enemy's curse barrier, and fought to the last moment. Under Captain Renoir's cover, I became the sole survivor and managed to wait for the rescue team. The curse barrier left by the enemy on the island made it difficult for strong people to enter, so the recovery of the St. Anthony was never completed. I never thought that after so many years, a young hero would successfully complete the task. Truly remarkable!"

Da Fei chuckled, "Your Excellency is too kind." It seems it worked?

The Duke looked up, staring into Da Fei's eyes with a kind smile, "Is this Captain Renoir's clothing?"

Da Fei's heart skipped a beat. It's too early to celebrate. This is the most critical part. Honesty is an important quality, but lying is also an important skill. In this situation, it's 99% honesty and 1% lie!

Da Fei said, "Yes, I met Captain Renoir, tormented by the curse, in the lowest deck of the ship. He asked me to help him break the curse. After completing the task, he gave me the ship and the clothing. I also successfully learned navigation from the captain's book of navigation."

Hmm, if the body of the artillery captain hadn't been found, the normal quest flow would have been like this. I wonder what you think about players breaking your barrier?

The Duke nodded and chuckled, "Renoir was an outstanding navigator. If you learned navigation from him, you are indeed his student. And since Renoir was my mentor and friend, you can also be considered my student."

— System Notification: You have achieved the title "Student of Grand Mage Makar." Your Alliance reputation +5000!

It worked! My tricky plan really succeeded! Juan's epic quest didn't affect it! Yes, the quest prompt said that as long as the diary is not revealed, the world won't change. Ha ha, ha ha ha!

Da Fei, overjoyed, performed the bow of a disciple, bowing deeply from head to knee, "Thank you, Master, for your guidance! It is a great honor to be your student!"

Makar laughed, "You are very remarkable and have great potential. However, as a teacher, I feel ashamed that I can't teach you much. But fortunately, I have a navigator's insight to give you as a gift." He waved his hand, and a shiny golden book appeared in his hand.

— System Notification: Duke Makar has gifted you the "Navigator's Advancement Insight Notebook."

— Navigator's Advancement Insight Notebook: Using this item will allow you to spend one skill point to advance your Navigator profession to "Intermediate Navigator"!

Da Fei was suddenly delighted. Indeed, he passed on a skill! Navigators must advance in this way. With a navigator, can the Phantom Ballista be far behind?

Makar shook his head and laughed, "I am just a ship's mage, focused on spell research, but I am called the greatest navigator in the world, which is a burden and an undeserved title. If you want to further advance your level, you need to visit more navigators."

Da Fei nodded repeatedly, "Master's humility is a model for us all! Actually, I came to learn about the Phantom Ballista from the artillery captain's diary." Hmm, since you're a hypocritical old man, I won't mind your pretense. I'll boldly make my request.

Makar was taken aback, then shook his head and laughed, "That was just a playful idea, completely impractical. Not only is it expensive, but once damaged in battle, it's hard to find replacement parts. It's a laughingstock, so let's not mention it. It would damage my reputation."

Da Fei was stunned on the spot. No way? Refused so easily? Could the artillery captain's diary just be for show, with no practical use? Impossible, it must be to gain his trust or something?

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