Above the mage

Chapter 418 Honorary Mage of Auckland

The wind disappeared, and the howling gale also vanished.

However, the capsized warships could not be saved.

There were nearly fifty warships when they set out, but now only twenty-seven are still safe and sound. Nearly half of the warships were destroyed in the previous battle.

These sunken ships were all warships, far superior to ordinary cargo ships in terms of labor, materials, and scale, and were incredibly expensive to build.

The loss of more than twenty ships at once would be an economic loss that would be difficult for even the city of Auckland to bear.

That's secondary.

Compared to the economic losses, the sacrifice of the mages was what truly wounded the vitality of Auckland.

Although the wind elementals did not seem to have much intention to kill the mages, nor did they pursue them when the ship capsized, the casualty rate among mages was still extremely high in such a large-scale battle.

We cannot yet obtain specific figures, but a rough estimate suggests that the casualty rate is likely between one-quarter and one-third.

Although the mage rallying call is a mandatory and unpaid call to arms, the authorities will inevitably provide appropriate compensation and relief to any mages who are injured or killed after the mission ends.

Furthermore, necessary commendations are also essential, otherwise the official reputation will be damaged in the future.

However, all of this happened after we returned to Auckland.

The surviving mages on the warship acted swiftly, first pulling the mages who had fallen into the water onto the ship.

This meant that each ship's carrying capacity exceeded its theoretical capacity by more than half, making the warships suddenly crowded.

However, it's less than 200 kilometers from Auckland, so a short squeeze isn't a big deal.

After rescuing the fallen mage, the official mage jumped into the water to search for expensive parts on the sunken warship, such as the power alchemy machine.

Gao De put the dumpling back into his capybara bag, drifted with the current, and followed the crowd onto the nearest warship.

Salty seawater dripped down the hem of her clothes.

Gao De quickly cast [Dancing Wind] to dry his clothes quickly, otherwise it would be really uncomfortable for them to be wet and sticky on his body.

Unexpectedly, just as her underwear dried, a high-ranking mage from the Thorn Crown came looking for her.

Water droplets were still dripping from the other person's sleeve, which was embroidered with silver runes.

"Are you Master Gaode?" Guided by the monks on the boat, he approached Master Gaode and asked in a low voice.

Gao De was puzzled, but he nodded nonetheless.

"Please come with me, someone summons you." After confirming Gao De's identity, the monk Gao Huan said very politely.

Since the other party was so polite, Gao De couldn't find a reason to refuse the summons, so he could only nod again.

Then Master Gao Huan extended his right hand and gently patted Gao De's shoulder.

A rich magical power flowed from his palm, instantly enveloping Gao De's entire body.

A feeling of lightness arose spontaneously, as if the whole person had turned into a feather, and even breathing had the illusion of bubbles rising.

[Flying skills].

"Come with me."

Then, the high-ranking mage rose into the air, his robes fluttering in the wind, and flew towards the Thorn Crown not far away.

His body leaned slightly forward, his legs together, his posture elegant and fluid.

Gaode tried to let go of his body and float upwards, and he actually flew up.

But the sudden feeling of weightlessness still made him feel a little uncomfortable. His body tilted backward uncontrollably, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

Gao De quickly took a deep breath, concentrated, and felt the magic flowing through his body.

Then, following the magic to manipulate the movement of the body, and imitating the posture of the high-ring mage, the body leaned slightly forward and quickly pulled the body back.

The swaying deck below rapidly shrank, and the whistling wind filled my ears.

Gao De caught up with the high-ranking mage who was waiting for him ahead. His tense body quickly relaxed, replaced by excitement.

The novelty of flying made his heart race, and looking down at the vast ocean and warships below gave him an even more peculiar feeling.

Upon reaching the airspace above the Thorn Crown, High Ring Mage pressed his arms tightly to his sides and swooped down at an extremely fast speed, his body tracing a straight trajectory in the air.

When he was still a few meters from the deck, he spread his arms, adjusted his body posture, and his descent speed slowed down dramatically. Finally, he landed steadily on the deck.

Gao De mimicked his posture and movements as he swooped down.

The scenery before his eyes rapidly moved upwards and magnified, and the intense acceleration brought a greater sense of stimulation. Finally, he landed on the deck like the High Ring Mage.

However, since it was my first time flying, I wasn't as relaxed and at ease. I didn't quite get the speed right when I landed, which caused a bit of impact and made my knees bend slightly.

Ignoring his slightly numb legs, Gao De was still immersed in excitement.

The feeling of taking a vehicle into the sky is completely different from flying naked. It sends your adrenaline soaring, making for an incredibly enjoyable experience. You'll become addicted after just one try.

Unfortunately, [Flight] is a third-level spell.

He is currently only a first-ring mage, and there is still a long way to go before he can fly on his own.

After landing on the deck of the Thorncrown, Gao De hadn't even had a chance to properly examine the layout of this Auckland behemoth warship when the high-ring mage leading the way had already led him inside.

Passing through the mid-deck, still reeking of gunfire, descend the spiraling staircase.

After passing through several more arched hatches, the ship's deck beneath your feet transforms into polished black walnut wood, and the air is filled with the mixed scents of ink and beeswax.

Finally, the two stopped in front of an oak door.

The monk who was guiding the way raised his hand and touched the door knocker.

"Come in."

A voice that sounded somewhat familiar to Gaode immediately came from inside.

Before he could think it through, the monk who was guiding him opened the door for him and gestured for him to enter.

Gao De subconsciously stepped inside, but the guiding monk did not follow him in. Instead, he closed the door again.

The space inside the room is quite large, with an oval oak conference table in the center, inlaid with a movable sand table.

Above the sand table was a blue mist of light, and the shadows of miniature warships swayed within it.

Gao De glanced at it and came up with the number 27, which matched exactly the number of warships that the fleet currently had.

Two people were sitting in the seats in front of the conference table.

Both of them are well-acquainted with Gaode.

It was Earl Roland, who issued the call to arms for the mages, and Theodore, the chief mage of Auckland.

"That azure spirit that entered the wind network, is it your phantom spirit?" Count Roland, long accustomed to his high position and possessing an extraordinary demeanor, spoke with an extremely kind expression as he saw Gao De enter, using an exceptionally gentle voice.

Gao De, who had just been welcomed aboard the Thorn Crown, was somewhat confused and unsure of the situation when he discovered that the two people who had summoned him were the two highest-ranking people in Auckland City. He could only nod.

The excuse given by the phantom spirit was spoken by him personally, and cannot be denied.

Although I don't quite understand their intentions, surely they wouldn't go so far as to abandon me after I've served my purpose?

Seeing Gao De nod, Count Roland and Mage Theodore exchanged a glance, and then nodded in perfect unison.

"The fact that the Wind Network crisis was resolved without serious incident is truly thanks to your Phantom Spirit," Count Roland continued.

This statement is not at all polite.

If it weren't for the appearance of Storm Soul, the final victor would undoubtedly have been the Wind Dragon.

Count Roland felt a lingering fear upon thinking about it.

Faced with Count Roland's solemn attitude, Gao De was momentarily at a loss for words.

Could it be that I'm really the main character? Even at the very first moment, this inappropriate thought crossed his mind.

Not only others, but he himself never expected that the outcome of such a war would not only be related to him, a first-level mage, but also to him in a very significant way.

While Gao De remained silent, Count Roland's eyes revealed a knowing look. He paused, then said softly, "Master Gao De, both Master Theodore and I know you must be feeling terrible right now."

Gaode still hadn't quite grasped the situation: "We've won this big battle, what could possibly make me feel bad?"

"The Phantom Spirit is undoubtedly extremely important to a mage, but now it has been annihilated along with the wind elemental dragon in the torrent of energy. This must be a huge blow to you."

Meanwhile, Earl Roland continued, "But rest assured, your phantom spirit sacrificed itself for the sake of Auckland City, and we will remember that."

"You are the biggest contributor to Auckland's safe passage through the storm this time. We will never let a hero bleed and weep, and let you feel disheartened."

"We will give you the greatest compensation and gratitude. After preliminary discussions with Venerable Theodore, we plan to bestow upon you the title of Honorary Venerable of Auckland upon our return to Auckland. With this title, you will enjoy the most prestigious treatment in the Auckland region."

Furthermore, Theodore and I will jointly report your contributions in this mission to the Sea Sentinels, and apply for as many military merits as possible for you within the Sea Sentinels.”

Now Gaode finally understood completely.

It turned out that Count Roland and the mage Theodore mistakenly believed that the Soul of Storms had perished in the final burst of energy.

It's no wonder that Gaode Maps is slow to respond.

If the Soul of Storms is truly a phantom, then being caught in the torrent of energy would be certain death.

The problem is that Storm Spirit is not a phantom, but merely a Wild Spirit summoned by [Wild Agility+].

But only Gaode itself knows the truth about this.

This also led to the difference in his perceptions compared to others.

"Sigh," Gao De sighed, forcing back his "pain," and said firmly and righteously, "I just did what every sea sentinel mage should do in that situation."

"The situation was urgent at the time, and I didn't have time to think much. I just wanted to do my best to help. I believe that if anyone else had the ability, they would have done the same."

"Fortunately, the special skill I awakened when I advanced to the first level gave my phantom some special abilities, which allowed me to contribute in this battle."

"Although the cost was high, I don't regret my decision. If I had to do it all over again, I would still do it."

Count Roland and the mage Theodore were both momentarily stunned by Goddard's "righteous indignation".

Something feels off, but at the same time it feels so right.

"Master Gaode truly lives up to his title of Sea Sentinel Master. Your beliefs, spirit, and moral character are truly admirable."

"Earl Roland, you flatter me," God said modestly, then hesitated for a moment before asking, "I wonder what duties this Honorary Mage of Auckland is to perform?"

Count Roland smiled slightly, "Master Gaode, there's no need to worry. Honorary mage is just a title; it won't impose any restrictions on you."

He raised his voice slightly: "But the benefits they should enjoy are numerous, including voting rights on some of Auckland's major policies, such as the port expansion plan, the implementation of urban planning, and the proposal to open up the mines."

Of course, you are not required to attend the meeting to vote. If you are unable to attend, you can delegate your vote to someone else. If you do not delegate your vote, we will assume that you abstained.

Gao De nodded slightly.

It may seem like a simple right to vote, but he understands that this power is actually quite significant.

Because under the system of the Plantagenet Dynasty, the right to vote on major city decrees was held by only a few nobles and high-ranking mages.

These policies often involve enormous interests.

Therefore, in order to win his vote, it is foreseeable that they will receive "treatment" from other nobles, including but not limited to means of courting and exchanging benefits.

These are all hidden and long-term benefits.

"Furthermore, in business matters, as an honorary mage, your merchant ships are exempt from customs duties within Auckland;

Purchasing a shop is exempt from stamp duty; our official team will prioritize providing you with the highest quality raw materials, including oak and iron ore.

"Even with your honorary mage title, you can get large, unsecured loans from our Auckland Gold Shop."

"In short, although the title of Honorary Mage is just a title and does not grant you any substantial property or noble title, you will enjoy treatment in various fields in Auckland that is basically equivalent to that of local nobles."

Furthermore, you don't need to fulfill too many duties and obligations; you only need to ensure that you do not do anything that would tarnish Auckland's reputation in your capacity as an honorary monk of Auckland.

"The Earl's favor is both exciting and daunting. This honorary mage title is so precious. Is it possible that he has bestowed upon me a first-ring mage?" Gao De had already agreed wholeheartedly in his heart, but on the surface, he still frowned slightly with "worry".

“Master Gaode, there’s no need to refuse.” Earl Roland raised his hand to interrupt Gaode’s hesitant words, the ruby ​​ring on his finger sparkling. “Your contributions in this battle to defend Auckland deserve any reward.”

"The title of Honorary Mage is awarded based on your contributions and is unrelated to your own Mage Rank."

Gao De lowered his head as if deep in thought, then slowly raised his head after a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes, "In that case, I am willing to accept this honor."

Upon hearing this, both powerful figures smiled simultaneously.

What followed was a series of meaningless pleasantries and small talk. Then, seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Gao De took his leave.

They didn't let Gao De return to his original warship; instead, they arranged a single room for him on the Thorn Crown.

Without any further complications, the fleet returned safely to the Port of Auckland.

The authorities still needed to tally up the losses and expenditures, so the recruited monks had nothing else to do and were dismissed on the spot.

After a busy day, with such intense marching and fighting, everyone was exhausted and needed a good rest, even Gaode was no exception.

So even if the disaster is not over yet, that's a matter for tomorrow. The most important thing now is to get a good night's sleep and rest.

Because Typhoon Megi had just ended, many hotels suffered losses or closed down. Gaode Maps had to search for quite a while before finding an open hotel and booking a single room.

After closing the door, Gao De's first action wasn't to wash up and rest, but to activate the [Wild Agility+] spell model.

A flash of magical energy passed by.

A figure in blue appeared in the room.

(End of this chapter)