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“Yes, they say that they are in extraordinary times, so all ships from the empire will require strict inspections… including merchant ships like ours,” the first mate—who had disembarked from the barge and sent to communicate with the other party’s person-in-charge—nodded and replied.

Hobbs looked at the elven longships with elegant crescent-shaped hulls not far—about 500 yards away from the Whalebone.

A distance of 500 yards was a safe distance when unfamiliar ships met at sea while the other party’s intentions remained unknown. To prevent a misfire, one had to take the initiative to maintain a safe distance—to magic chanters below the Divine Realm, crossing this distance with their casting was almost impossible.

The few elven longships with the Bloodblade family’s flag strictly adhered to the unwritten rules on the sea and maintained a safe distance. However, at the same time, they blocked the path to Mist Port and kept Whalebone out of the dock. Their presence made it clear that they wouldn’t be given passage unless they were inspected.

!!

“Did they say what they wish to inspect? I’ve been doing business here for decades, and this is the first time I’ve heard of such a request. Also, have you asked why the Bloodblade family’s flag is hanging at the dock?” Hobbs pointed at the flag hanging on the dock and continued asking.

“I asked, and they only told me to mind my own business… As for why they have to board the ship for an inspection, they said that it was routine. They’re worried that the empire’s military spies are hidden on the ship considering the current situation…”

“An empire spy won’t have it written on their faces. This reason is too far-fetched.”

A deep male voice interrupted the first mate. Everyone turned their heads and saw William bringing a seemingly seasick Diana to the deck.

“So, the other party doesn’t want us to dock?” William asked without exchanging meaningless pleasantries.

“We have to undergo an inspection before we can dock. Moreover, the entire dock is under martial law… Such a situation is unprecedented,” Hobbs replied worriedly.

Then, he continued, “Moreover, martial law isn’t imposed by the local Garrison family, but by the Bloodblade family from Phoenix Fire City. The garrison forces between the seven city-states should be completely independent. Such a situation wouldn’t have happened under normal circumstances.”

It was difficult to say if this was an adjustment to deal with the empire’s military threat or if there was political turmoil in Ava State.

Or perhaps both.

Seeing William fall silent, Hobbs probed, “What should we do, Mr. Ishmael?”

“Then let’s follow their rules. There’s no need to cross them on their territory,” William came back to his senses and replied.

Then, he added, “Keep a close eye on the three sailors locked in the storeroom. When their people board the ship for inspection, remember to make things clear to them. Don’t cause any misunderstandings.”

Hobbs nodded immediately and called for the surrounding people to take action as if he was afraid that William would change his mind.

Hobbs was indeed very afraid that the other party would go back on his word.

Magic chanters, especially powerful magic chanters like the other party, were usually extremely proud and sensitive. Therefore, after Hobbs learned that the other party requested to board the ship for an inspection, he wasn’t most worried about anything else, but whether his employer would have an unnecessary conflict with the other party because he found it a provocation.

Now that he had said this, Hobbs felt much more at ease.

After the simple preparations were made, Lightning Fire released a Lightning spell into the sky. This was a signal that they had agreed to an inspection. A few seconds later, one of the elven longships sailed over, and the wooden oars on both sides of the slender hull rowed in unison. The ship stopped on Whalebone’s starboard very quickly.

Upon seeing this, the sailors on the Whalebone were about to throw down the soft ladder and let the other party climb up when the five high elves on the elven longship—who wore dark-silver scales and had blood-red daggers at their waists—jumped up four to five meters high like birds that had just flapped their wings. They crossed the roped guardrails and landed lightly on the deck, causing the sailors on the ship to exclaim.

Four of the High Elves instinctively covered each other after landing. They looked around and slowly removed their hands from their hilts after confirming that there were no threats.

After the remaining High Elf dressed as an officer landed, he walked in the direction of William, Hobbs, and the rest.

He wore a dark-gold helmet engraved with a Phoenix pattern, and a pair of pointed ears were exposed outside the Helmet. A few golden tassels floated behind the helmet as the sea breeze blew. Those were both the tail feathers that symbolized the Phoenix and his status as a commander.

The High Elves were taller and more slender than humans. This made their faces slightly sharper. Coupled with their exquisite facial features, they looked feminine and beautiful.