Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength
Chapter 417 - 414: The Creaking of the Ship’s Hull

Chapter 417: Chapter 414: The Creaking of the Ship’s Hull

Before departure, the number of people on the ship finally reached fourteen.

Though they hadn’t reached the level where every member was a tome possessor, excluding Ronald and Philis, there were still a full five people who boarded the ship with books, including an ace investigator from the Investigative Bureau.

These individuals matched the descriptions from the summons order perfectly, all of them living near the port area and absolutely possessing the ability to fight.

Looking around the long table at the twelve people, Claudia examined them with a serious gaze, then satisfyingly clapped her hands.

Clap, clap—

"Very well, everyone here has chosen to lend their strength during this special period, demonstrating remarkable responsibility as amicable members of society. I, on behalf of the empire and the royal family, would like to thank you all for your response. So now, I would like to make a final confirmation before we set off. Do any of you have questions?"

"..."

The area around the long table fell into silence, no one speaking up, and so Claudia continued:

"Then, please make sure you are prepared. There are no ordinary people aboard this ship, and when facing our target, there is no need to show mercy to anyone."

"We depart now."

As her words trailed off, Claudia pointed twice into thin air by her side with one hand.

A faint magical presence emanated from the young girl, and at a place not visible to the ’passengers’, Klein, the one in charge of stabilizing the ship and navigation, received the message and immediately activated his spell to take complete control of the ship.

Standing inside the cabin, Ronald and the others could briefly feel the vibrations from the ship starting, but then this sensation quickly vanished completely, making it hard to tell that the ship was moving while standing on it.

Ronald and Philis exchanged a glance, silently understanding each other.

It was one thing to quell the typhoon’s influence on the ship. Now, even controlling navigation was handled by a dedicated Caster, making Grid’s ruler’s attitude plain to see.

It was at this moment, Claudia waved her hands and spoke again:

"Everyone, we will arrive at our destination before dawn. If needed, you may find a room on the ship to rest. However, even if you are resting, I suggest you stay dressed as we may encounter an enemy attack at any moment."

The group exchanged looks, and soon an elderly man was the first to head deeper into the cabin, murmuring as he went, "At my age, it’s probably best to rest first."

The old man’s departure seemed to sound a horn.

It wasn’t clear if everyone truly needed to rest, but in an orderly fashion, one by one, they left the area and ventured into the interior of the ship. In just over a quarter of an hour, only a man in deep contemplation, Claudia, the investigator, and the duo of Ronald and Philis remained.

First glancing at the still man, Claudia then turned her head with a smile towards Ronald.

"Ronald, it’s been a while since we last met, isn’t it? Won’t you introduce this lady to me?"

Seeing Ronald questioned by Her Highness the Princess, Philis conducted herself with considerable composure, remaining silent and standing behind Ronald, clearly indicating that it was Ronald’s role to answer.

"She is Philis, currently my apprentice and in the process of learning."

Ronald promptly made the introduction, going straight to the point about Philis’s capability given they were about to face the enemy.

"However, even though she is still an apprentice, Philis too is a powerful tome possessor, particularly adept in matters of combat."

Hearing Ronald’s introduction, Claudia stood from her seat and took two steps in front of Philis:

"Philis, I’m pleased to meet you!"

"As you can see, I am Claudia, the temporary commander for this operation. And I have also fought side by side with your teacher, Ronald, as dear comrades. If you need anything, feel free to ask me."

"I’m also very happy—"

Compared to Claudia’s enthusiasm, Heloise’s reaction was much more subtle. With a naive smile like that of an ordinary girl, she simply nodded her head in greeting to Heloise.

"I will make sure not to disappoint Mr. Ronald in taking part in such an operation."

"That’ll do."

In response to the gesture from Heloise, Claudia did not directly express her likes or dislikes. After nodding back with an equally polite smile, the princess drew closer to Ronald again and whispered,

"Ronald, the person we’re up against this time is definitely formidable, so you’d better be careful."

Ronald couldn’t help but think of the times he had fought alongside Claudia, and a wistful expression naturally appeared on his face, "About that... I think the outcome this time won’t be any different from the last."

"..."

"Then I’ll look forward to it."

Claudia seemed to hear something in Ronald’s confident reply.

After pondering for a few seconds, she no longer continued the conversation. Summoning the ace investigator standing by the long table, the two braved the wind and rain to walk onto the deck of the battleship, seemingly with more work to handle.

Meanwhile, Ronald and Heloise, who remained in the cabin, exchanged a glance before heading deeper into the cabin as well.

The timing of the operation tonight was indeed rushed.

But the preparations on the ship were exceptionally well done.

Having walked several meters further into the cabin, Ronald and Heloise saw the room Sprins had prepared for them in advance. The clean cabin contained not only neatly arranged folding beds, but even the table had some rather nice food on it.

"Ronald, what do you think?"

Heloise walked into the room with ease, grabbing a beer and smoked meat sandwich to start her meal, while simultaneously gesturing an invitation to Ronald,

"With Her Majesty the Queen’s usual way of doing things, the enemy we’re facing is definitely strong, and this might even be a test for that princess we just met!"

Ronald sat next to Heloise.

Taking the food from the girl’s hand, he then expressed his thoughts with a subtle tone.

"What thoughts could there be about this operation?"

"Just like you said, we enforcers are probably just ’pawns’ for Claudia to prove her own abilities, and making some unnecessary moves isn’t a good choice."

"That’s true, but pawns can have their own thoughts, and these rulers all have their strange habits," Heloise muttered her thoughts while not letting go of the food in her hand, "But speaking of which, Ronald, you seem to really get along well with her. She’s a princess, after all; haven’t you been tempted?"

"Do you want me to win her over for you?"

Hearing Heloise’s seemingly indifferent words, Ronald immediately jolted, shaking his head in refusal right away,

"Win her over? Spare me, please..."

And so, they kept chatting back and forth as time gradually passed.

Ka—

Just then, a loud sound like the bending of steel rang in Ronald and Heloise’s ears.

What followed was a sudden violent shaking of the ship’s hull!