Chapter 367: Chapter 348 Hatrafa Port and Puppet Potion
Northern Golden Sea.
Unnamed island, Hatrafa Port.
Waves lapped at the white sands, and tall coconut trees swayed gently in the breeze.
Snowflakes were already drifting over the battlefields in the north of the continent, but here it was still sizzling with energy.
Hatrafa is a secret private port belonging to the East Lenz Company, discovered and built not long ago.
It was urgently put into use due to the special circumstances following Aiven and their battle with the Hilus fleet.
Although located within the core sphere of influence of Hilus on the east coast of the New Continent—the Golden Sea, its location is extremely concealed.
The island, with its naturally excellent harbor, is not small in size, though mostly undisturbed forest with a complex ecosystem, yet it has sufficient fresh water to support the living of thousands with careful management.
Skirted by reefs, only a narrow channel connects the private port to the lagoon outside. If an enemy attacks, no matter the numbers, they can only enter and exit through this narrow channel.
As long as sufficient artillery is constructed on both sides of the passage, this easily defensible strategic entry can be securely held.
The other side of the island is similarly reefed.
Although due to time constraints, the initial survey team from the East Lenz Company hasn’t fully explored it, they believe there’s more than one route leading to the nearby Tasman Islands amid such complex hydrology.
The Tasman Islands are comprised of numerous islands, reefs, sandbars..., even a whole fleet hiding there would be hard to find in a short time.
Clearly, just from their initial selection for early port construction, it’s obvious it was never meant for anything good.
However, it proved convenient for Aiven and the others.
To avoid the vigilance of Hilus, they did not choose to return to "Dierben Castle" or any colony of Phaletis.
They opened the "Mist Silver Lamp" along the way, like a large sea fog, quietly arriving here from the buffer zone of the northern Sak and Tulip’s territorial waters.
Hidden smoothly.
In fact, although Hilus has established a large number of navy bases, colonies, and fortresses on both east and west lines.
Taking a firm step every two hundred years, they defended their global hegemony with the Sea Great Wall.
However, there lies an essential issue that can’t be ignored.
That is, Hilus’s population is too small!
With sparse population compared to the land, it was never possible to fully govern this vast territory of the world’s largest expanse.
Just like the ancient Huaxia’s royal authority not extending to the countryside, they only established limited point-control governance with naval bases and cities, while vast vacuum zones remained unattended.
And provided space for pirates and other forces to grow robustly.
There were even instances where pirates drove Hilus people off an island and took it over, and Hilus authorities couldn’t be bothered to intervene.
This was the third day since four warships had arrived here.
In a dry dock, although not small but still quite rudimentary, the crew hauled the heavily damaged "Storm Horn" and "Stendeburg" onto land for major repairs.
Bang! Bang! Bang!...
Nail! Nail! Nail!...
The "Storm Horn"’s poop deck was once again damaged, and the carpenters on board, already accustomed to the task, directed the sailors bustling up and down, working at full speed with materials expedited by the East Lenz Company.
A large portion of "Stendeburg"’s side hull was ripped apart by the self-detonation blast, though not below the waterline, it was more severely damaged than the "Storm Horn."
Even after emergency patching, it kept leaking on its voyage, necessitating a crew to man manual bilge pumps around the clock, ensuring it reached here.
According to the carpenters’ estimates.
The "Storm Horn" might be fixed faster, roughly in half a month, whereas the "Stendeburg" might not return to water before the "Silver War" ends.
However, as the chief commander, Aiven is in no hurry.
For when they had just reached Hatrafa Port, he had already received the next directive from Vice Admiral Gustav, the highest military official at "Dierben Castle", more accurately a "Praise Order."
The vice admiral had already requested commendation from the Kingdom Military Department on behalf of the entire crew of the "Storm Horn" and "Endeavor", particularly those who made outstanding contributions or heroic sacrifices.
In the "Praise Order".
Promote Aiven to the rank of Colonel (thereafter possessing the command authority of a small fleet), promote Milan to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (for exceptional meritorious service in turning the tide), promote Gary to the rank of Major (since the rank of Captain can no longer match his capabilities and achievements), and promote Boris to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (his contributions have long been sufficient, and this time it also gives face to Aiven)...
Other personnel are also promoted accordingly.
However, because Aiven and the "Storm Horn" are directly under the jurisdiction of the Navy Department, it will only take effect after the department’s orders arrive.
But whether from Vice Admiral Gustav’s perspective or Aiven’s, it is clear that the department cannot possibly reject this order.
The "Praise Order" was personally delivered by Major General Demong Brand, who also had the intent to personally inspect the battle results.
After all, not to mention the current "Silver War," but even in the long-standing overt and covert struggles between the two countries,
such results of "completely annihilating an enemy fleet led by Level 3 Battleships" are exceedingly rare, let alone doing so quietly.
Every one of Hilus’s Level 3 Battleships in the New Continent is significant, each relating to Hilus’s dominance over this land.
After losing this fleet, it’s hard to say for others, but the Vice-Kingdom of La Plata which sent them will definitely go mad!
However, with dual layers of concealment in both physical and spiritual aspects, no one can detect that it was actually Phaletis who quietly struck.
Meanwhile, the captured warships are temporarily under Aiven’s command, permitted to withdraw from the battle sequence for rest. Major General Demong Brand also promised to try to quickly replenish Aiven’s lost personnel upon returning.
Finally, upon departure, he only took a few flags from the ships to show the "allies" the battle results and secure benefits!
Tap... tap... tap...
After inspecting the shipyard work, Aiven walked alone along the unpaved yellow dirt path on the island towards the planned residential area of the island.
At this time, manpower was tight on the island; every person’s labor was precious, and everyone had their work to do.
"Heave ho... heave ho..."
A line of Hilus soldiers with bared upper bodies marched past him, carrying trimmed logs in unison to construct temporary quarters for soldiers in the residential area.
Now that they had temporarily withdrawn from the battle sequence, it meant they would be stationed here for a period of time.
Affected by mountains, ocean currents, and trade winds, the climate in various regions of the Golden Sea varies slightly.
But most areas have a tropical marine climate, which is unfriendly to most soldiers who have lived in high latitude regions of the Old Continent since childhood.
Malaria, yellow fever, dysentery, edema, colds, parasitic diseases... and all sorts of strange diseases are hard to guard against.
If there isn’t a stable place to rest well, physical status, combat capacity, and immunity would rapidly decline, and they would be defeated by various diseases without even fighting!
The only astonishing point is that there was no Phaletis soldier guarding them, nor were they wearing any shackles or restraints on freedom.
These Hilus soldiers, in fact, wore expressions of enthusiasm and high morale, as if they weren’t serving Phaletis, but building a palace for their King.
"Sir, please rest assured, the soldiers’ quarters will be delivered on time!"
As they passed Aiven, the leading Captain Officer saluted him respectfully, while other log-carrying soldiers all gave respectful glances.
Aiven nodded naturally, watching them energetically run far away.
Even the crew, long accustomed to Aiven’s miraculous methods on the ship, felt a chill upon learning the truth.
They grew more in awe of their Captain.
Because it wasn’t that the Hilus soldiers had abandoned darkness for light, but they had all consumed a unique potion. Crafted by Aiven using mushrooms harvested from Marlori and Moplati, it was concocted as - [Puppet Potion].
This magic potion didn’t affect their intelligence, skills, or health status but had quietly planted an order of loyalty to Aiven within their minds, allowing all other values and views to adjust automatically around this core.
Its concealment was extremely strong, leaving no trace of mycelium nor any oddities. As long as they don’t come upon decisions conflicting with the core order, even the closest would not notice.
However, this thoroughly "evil" concoction also had its limitations, with a dose’s effect lasting at most a month. Moreover, the effect gradually diminishes and resistance may develop over time.
Another major flaw.
Even at the magic potion level, it can only control ordinary individuals, and those transformed through extraordinary means with resolute wills, such as Official Knights, are almost immune to it.
There is no easy way to use this substance to easily gather a band of loyal followers, control enemy military leadership, or allow the rulers to govern the populace.
In the spirit of utilizing waste wisely.
Since there were so many Hilus prisoners, and Major General Demong Brand hadn’t specified their handling before leaving, Aiven simply took it upon himself to turn these prisoners into part of the construction army at Hatrafa Port.
Just like... the Anuma people and Atrean people enslaved by the Hilus.