I, the prince in distress, send money

Chapter 541 Misunderstanding?

Arrogance is a flaw unique to long-lived species, and it is unavoidable.

The reason is simple: the longer you live and the more you see, the more you inevitably form a deep-rooted perception... that we are the center of the world, the embodiment of civilization and elegance, while other life forms are merely fleeting passersby in the long river of time.

This arrogance is most evident in elves, especially high elves.

They possess near-eternal life, exquisite magical skills, and a long-standing cultural heritage.

In their eyes, the civilizations of humans, dwarves, and other short-lived species are like fireflies on a summer night—brief and faint.

To the elves, their rise and fall of dynasties and technological innovations were nothing more than a repetition of childish and inefficient cycles.

It is already quite remarkable that Elunor is aware of this, but being aware of it does not mean that he can make significant changes or corrections.

His current attempt to contact the Bagnians' second revenge fleet is also a form of arrogance.

I can stop the war all by myself.

This is a deeper kind of arrogance, hidden beneath reason and goodwill.

As the "Whisper of the Morning Breeze" led two escort ships, sailing like three silver leaves across the boundless azure, Eluneor stood at the bow, her heart filled not only with a sense of crisis, but also with an almost instinctive certainty belonging to the high elves.

Intercepting the Bagnians' second vengeance fleet ahead of schedule would not be difficult for Elunor.

First of all, although the Blue Dome Sea is vast, it is not entirely unknown to the elves.

Centuries of maritime history and long-term trade with human fleets such as the Maconians have given the elves considerable knowledge of the main sea routes and trade winds leading to the continent without magic.

Elunor also has experienced half-elf navigators under his command, who can read the subtle changes in ocean currents and celestial phenomena.

Secondly, the magic of the elves played a crucial role at this moment. Druids could communicate with birds of the sea, such as seagulls, and even hire flocks of birds with fish to serve as scouts in the sky.

Why didn't the elves do this when the first vengeful fleet from Bagnia attacked?

First of all, the elves had no idea that enemies would come from the land without magic.

Secondly, to do this, a fleet would need to roam the doldrums for extended periods, and the fleet would need to be staffed with at least five experienced druids who would be unable to set foot on land for most of the year.

Maintaining such a large-scale, long-term magical reconnaissance requires enormous resources, not only in terms of magical materials but also in the continuous depletion of the caster's mental energy.

In peacetime, investing such precious magical power in a supposedly "harmless" open ocean for an extended period would be a difficult proposal to pass for the Elven Council, which is adept at calculating costs and benefits.

Even now, it cannot be passed.

The formation of this diplomatic fleet consisting of three ships was only possible because of the wealth, connections, and family background that Elunor had accumulated over his long life.

It was the fifth day since Elunor's mission fleet left the Blue Flame Islands.

On the mast lookout tower of "Morning Breeze," an elven sailor is meditating with his eyes closed, his palms gently resting on the wooden mast engraved with intricate runes.

A faint green halo flowed between his palm and the mast. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked up sharply. Above him, an albatross was circling low and calling out loudly. This made a hint of joy flash in the druid's emerald eyes.

The druid immediately stood up and shouted loudly at Elunor, who was meditating cross-legged under the mast.

"My lord, the flock of gray albatrosses has sent back a message that they have spotted a fleet of ships of unimaginable size about half a day's voyage to the west-northwest. The sails stretch endlessly, like a moving forest on the sea."

That must be the target we're looking for..."

Upon hearing this, Elunor looked up and gazed northwest.

"found it."

He murmured to himself, his tone revealing little joy, but rather a deeper gravity.

Such high efficiency proves the elves' superb skills.

However, confirming the sheer size and exact location of the enemy fleet also meant that the attempt at peace was about to face a real test.

"Adjust course and meet them head-on."

Elunor gave the order, his voice clear and steady.

"Raise the envoy's flag and the emblem of the Blue Flame Kingdom. All personnel, prepare to engage the enemy, but without my order, no attack is permitted."

Three elven ships gracefully traced an arc on the sea, their bows breaking through the white spray, resolutely sailing towards that unknown, dark cloud carrying the flames of vengeance.

Elunor straightened his silver-embroidered robes, took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze, and knew that he was about to face a group of enemies from a completely different world, driven by hatred.

How much weight do the elegance and magic of elves carry in the face of the opponent's pure power based on steel and fire?

His conviction remained, but now there was a greater sense of caution in the face of the unknown, and a heavier burden of responsibility on his shoulders.

……

The afternoon sunlight, slanting in the direction of the sun, poured its golden brilliance onto the boundless blue sea.

The sky was a vast and clear azure, with a few wisps of thin clouds stretched into thin threads, hanging lazily on the horizon.

Against this magnificent backdrop, the Shanghai Pirate King leaned lazily against the railing of the Steel Justice, swaying his head and enjoying the pleasant sea breeze blowing from behind.

Although the sun was quite intense at sea, it did not stop the Pirate King from turning his head to admire the sight of ships of all sizes scattered across the vast sea, their sails billowing and obscuring the sky.

"Report! The reconnaissance ship ahead has spotted three unidentified vessels, which are speeding toward our fleet!"

On the mast of the Steel Justice, the lookout player shouted down in a tone of surprise, interrupting the Shanghai Pirate King's leisurely enjoyment of the beautiful scenery.

The Shanghai Pirate King raised an eyebrow, quickly grabbed the monocular binoculars around his neck, took a few steps to the side of the ship facing the bow, and looked through the binoculars.

Between the azure sea and the horizon, three striking white dots are breaking through the waves.

As time passed and the distance between them decreased, the image in the telescope gradually became clearer.

Those were three sailboats with extremely beautiful and smooth lines. Their hulls were long, like the necks of swans, and their bodies had a warm, silvery-white wood-like luster, which was completely different from the heavy, angular armed merchant ships of the Bagnia fleet.

Their sails were not ordinary coarse cloth, but rather some kind of magical fabric woven with fine silver threads, shimmering with a soft and strange halo in the sunlight. Exquisite, lifelike elven sculptures were carved on the prows.

"Ah……"

The Shanghai Pirate King let out a cryptic chuckle.

"A ship with pointed ears? They actually dared to come up to us?"

He adjusted the focus of his telescope, fixing his gaze on the mast of the larger, clearly flagship elf ship at the head of the fleet.

A flag fluttered in the sea breeze, its background a deep blue, embroidered with a strange tree emblem that appeared to be burning, with blue flame-like patterns.

Next to the main flag hung another pure white flag with an intricate pattern of gold vines.

"Find a translator like Makon to take a look and see what this means."

The Shanghai Pirate King lowered his binoculars and shouted to the players beside him. The translator quickly came over, picked up the binoculars, looked for a while, and then reported to the Shanghai Pirate King the meaning of the three elf ships and the two flags.

"Ambassadorial flag?"

The Shanghai Pirate King stroked the rough stubble on his chin, a playful expression appearing on his dark face.

"What, do those elves think they can't beat me and want to sue for peace?"

"So, boss, what do we do?"

Some people nearby were eager to try, and he offered his suggestion.

"How about we try firing a couple of shots? I think..."

"That's a stupid suggestion. Don't you even know what it means to not kill envoys in war?"

He put down his binoculars and shouted at the messenger NPC next to him.

"Pass down the order: all ships maintain alert formation, gun ports are not allowed to be opened, but gunners are in position. However, without my order, no one is allowed to fire!"

The orders were quickly disseminated throughout the massive fleet via flag signals and messenger boats.

The previously loose formation tightened slightly, and the 150 ships, like awakened behemoths, silently watched the three audacious elven vessels that had dared to trespass into their course.

On the deck, curious, wary, and even undisguised hostile gazes were all directed at those few incongruous patches of elegant white.

With his arms crossed, the Shanghai Pirate King watched with great interest as the three elf ships came to a steady stop about 500 meters from the Steel Justice with an almost dazzling agility, their hulls barely swaying.

He could even make out a figure standing at the bow of the leading ship...

Her long, silvery-white hair swayed gently in the sea breeze. She stood tall and wore an exquisite robe adorned with silver threads. Even from this distance, one could sense an elegance that seemed completely out of place with the rugged seascape around her, and... well, in the words of One Piece, an air of "pretentiousness."

"Damn, she's pretty good-looking, like she stepped out of a CG animation."

He pursed his lips, his tone carrying a hint of rude mockery, but his eyes sharpened.

"They've got quite the airs, but I wonder what they're up to."

A plea for peace? Surrender? Or... a verbal sparring match on the battlefield?

He was very curious: what use could these long-eared people possibly be when they sent a few small boats and a few men when such a large army was pressing in?

"Have the signalman use the flag signals provided by the Makon translator to signal to the other side and ask them what they want."

The Shanghai Pirate King gave instructions to his adjutant, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

"By the way, tell the brothers to keep their eyes peeled and not give them a chance to play tricks."

The signal flags were raised, and the Elven ships, which were adjusting their course and trying to sail alongside the Revenge Fleet, quickly responded.

"Sir!"

The flag bearer on the mast bowed his head and shouted down.

"The elves are requesting to board the ship; they want to conduct diplomatic activities."

"Boarding, diplomatic activity?"

The Shanghai Pirate King suddenly became alert.

"Wait a minute, are these long-eared guys planning some kind of decapitation assassination?"

The Shanghai Pirate King hasn't forgotten that magic exists in this world, and the long-eared creatures, as elves and long-lived beings from famous fantasy works, are definitely stronger than ordinary people.

If the other side didn't send diplomats, but rather a few elven swordsmen or high-ranking mages disguised as envoys, a few people boarding the ship might actually be able to take down the entire command structure.

However, this is just speculation. The Shanghai Pirate King doesn't want to refuse the elves from boarding his ship, as doing so would make him seem cowardly.

After thinking for a moment, the Shanghai Pirate King turned to the players on his left and right and gave them instructions.

"Notify the Marines to go on deck and prepare. Also, keep the other ships away from the Steel Justice. If they notice anything amiss on board, have them open fire and sink the Steel Justice!"

The Shanghai Pirate King's orders were carried out swiftly.

Heavy footsteps echoed on the deck as squads of player marines, clad in simple breastplates and wielding muskets or spears, poured out of the cabins and formed a perimeter on both sides of the deck, ready to watch the show.

Several escorting armed merchant ships also began adjusting their sails, slowly distancing themselves from the "Iron Justice".

Only after all this did the Shanghai Pirate King have the flag bearer signal for the elf to come over.

Soon, a small boat belonging to the elves was lowered, and the Pirate King could see three elves leaping off the ship's side and landing directly on the boat. Then, they smoothly rowed towards the Steel Justice.

Oh, just three elves, and the players on the ship could see that they were only wearing thin clothes and had no weapons, so they didn't seem very hostile.

Many people were thus lowered to a lower level of vigilance, and the sailors on the Steel Justice followed procedure, first dropping anchor to bring the ship to a complete stop, and then throwing the rope ladder over the side of the ship.

The rope ladder swayed as the three elves climbed up with astonishing lightness and agility, stepping onto the worn wooden deck of the Steel Justice, which smelled of fish and gunpowder.

The leader was none other than Elunor.

When he stood firmly on the deck, it seemed for a moment that even the roar of the sea breeze and the creaking of the ship seemed to diminish.

The elf's long, silvery-white hair shimmered with an almost metallic sheen in the sunlight. His emerald eyes calmly swept over the marines on the deck who were marveling at his beauty and looking at him with greedy eyes, before finally settling on the Shanghai Pirate King, who was clearly the leader.

His refined features and elegant demeanor contrasted sharply with the rough, even somewhat slovenly, surroundings, as if a priceless work of art had been carelessly tossed into an iron foundry.

Two elven attendants followed him; one appeared to be a clerk, carrying an exquisite wooden box. The other was more muscular and had sharp eyes, clearly a guard, though neither of them carried any obvious weapons.

"Tsk, it really is CG characters coming into reality..."

The Shanghai Pirate King muttered to himself, then put on a smile that was neither friendly nor fierce, and took a few steps forward.

Macon's translation followed closely behind.

What brings you here?

The translation is a straightforward retelling.

Although the Pirate King has an Elvish translation function, he remembers that this is a diplomatic incident, and as the leader, according to international diplomatic practice, he should only be able to speak Bagnian.

Elunor nodded slightly, his movements elegant and impeccable. He spoke in clear and melodious Elvish with a strange rhythm, and the scribe beside him immediately stepped forward and translated in equally fluent but slightly rigid Bagnian.

"Greetings, Commander of the fleet. I am Elunor Morningstar, here on the orders of the Supreme Council of Mooncrown City of the Blue Flame Kingdom, and also in my own name, to speak with you and your army."

We bring a desire for peace and hope to clarify any possible misunderstandings.

(End of this chapter)