Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 210

Chapter 210: Goddess Of Victory!
Deep within the Palace of Santos, through shadowed corridors veiled in secrecy, Princess Ariel led Ryan towards a daunting metal door, its surface etched with intricate, arcane symbols.

“Mr. Purple Wind,” Ariel began, her voice steady despite her lingering pallor, “this is the royal treasury. Per your agreement with Milanla, you may take whatever you desire, without restriction.”

The princess, recently revived and still frail, insisted on escorting Ryan herself not merely to honor her friend’s promise but to acknowledge the hero who had saved the Kingdom of Santos. Without his valor, even the divine might of the “Holy Libra” would not have sufficed to overthrow the Libra Pope in the sacred duel.

Following a series of complex security checks, the heavy metal portal groaned open.

Ryan presented the flaming earrings, a gift from the Fire Witch Milanla, to Princess Ariel. She accepted them quietly, her fingers trembling slightly as she held a tangible reminder of her dearest friend, her gaze growing distant with memories.

As Ryan stepped into the treasury, a spiritual lamp flickered to life, revealing rows of shelves laden with artifacts and relics. The abundance of treasures was overwhelming, but a singular gleam caught his eye, drawing him inexorably towards the back of the vault.

There, set apart on a dedicated pedestal, was the treasure Milanla had spoken of, the national treasure of the Saint Tos royal family, a high-level rare object, distinguished even among such rarities.

Curiosity piqued, Ryan leaned closer to read the description on the accompanying panel:

[Goddess of Victory (Damaged)]: A marvel of craftsmanship designed to emulate the power of a divine artifact. This wonder ship can alter its size at will, though it demands caution, the transformation cannot occur if living beings are aboard. Despite the wear it has endured, its splendor remains, albeit diminished. The details of its capabilities, though now reduced, outlined a legacy of both majesty and mystery.

As Ryan stood before the holographic display of the artifact, the high-level rare item [Goddess of Victory (damaged)] shimmered faintly, its description unfolding in intricate detail before him. His eyes widened incrementally as he digested the extent of its capabilities, albeit significantly hindered by damage.

“Let’s see,” he muttered to himself, skimming through the specifications. “A total length of seventy meters and a beam of sixteen when fully deployed, not to mention a cruising speed of fifty knots. That’s about 92.6 kilometers per hour, powered by a high compression spiritual drive immune to wind influences and capable of autonomous recovery.”

Despite its impressive framework, the Goddess of Victory was currently a shadow of its former glory. With its basic attributes reduced by a staggering 95% due to damage, the once-mighty vessel could barely outpace the most modest of pirate ships.

Yet, it was the special effects listed under the artifact’s properties that truly captured Ryan’s imagination:

1. [Storm Walker]: In the embrace of a storm, its sailing speed could surge by an additional 30%.

2. [Sea Charge]: By doubling the energy consumption, the ship’s velocity could increase by another 30%.

3. [Desperate Assault]: With a hefty expenditure of fifty energy units, the ship could momentarily double its speed, akin to a high-speed train, for a thrilling three minutes.

4. [High-level Toughness]: The hull, fortified beyond ordinary standards, could resist substantial damage and even self-repair by drawing on its stored energy reserves.

“These enhancements are nothing short of amazing,” Ryan remarked, his voice a blend of awe and regret. “If only they were accessible…”

His musings were interrupted by the melodic voice of Princess Ariel, who approached with a demeanor of graceful apology. “I’m sorry you have to see her like this,” she said, her gaze lingering sadly on the display. “The Goddess of Victory suffered greatly during a voyage through the Ash Sea. Despite efforts from numerous esteemed artisans along the ‘Artisan Path,’ her wounds remain beyond our current means to mend.”

Ryan nodded, absorbing her words while his mind raced with possibilities. To any other observer, the damaged vessel was little more than an artifact to be archived and forgotten. However, for Ryan, who possessed the unique [Unnamed Ship Sculpture], the scenario presented an intriguing challenge.

“Damaged she may be,” he thought, “but to the right hands, a beacon of potential still shines within her.”

The [Attachment] function embedded within the [Unnamed Ship Sculpture] was nothing short of miraculous, allowing mundane materials like wood and stone to be transformed into fully functional vessels. Ryan mused over the potential of applying this to the [Goddess of Victory], a ship already crafted with intricate expertise. He hadn’t tested this theory yet, but confidence surged through him 98% sure that he could reverse the ship’s fortunes with a simple application of [Attachment].

Yet, in the presence of Princess Ariel, whose eyes reflected a mix of hope and resignation, Ryan kept his excitement subdued. The moment he secured the [Goddess of Victory], he also gathered around a hundred lesser artifacts, along with an assortment of monsters and magical plant materials from the royal treasury.

Princess Ariel observed Ryan’s acquisitions without objection. To her, a fourth-level enchantress, these lower-tier items were trivial, fit only to arm her knights. Moreover, she was bound by a promise to her dearest friend, Purple Wind, who had once saved the Kingdom of Santos. In the grand scheme of things, these items were mere pebbles on the path of gratitude.

With a concealed grin, Ryan exited the treasury. The haul was specifically for enhancing the [Nameless Ship Sculpture], and the list Freni had prepared guided his selection, focusing on ingredients critical for crafting advanced level potions.

Ryan was cautious not to overstep, steering clear of the more valuable potions and mid-tier wonders. The Kingdom of Santos was fragile, still reeling from recent calamities, and he was mindful not to strain its resources further, even if his moral compass occasionally allowed for some latitude.

Leaving the slightly dazed Princess behind, Ryan bid her farewell gently. She had awoken to a kingdom in disarray and needed to steward its recovery. That she had found time to accompany him was a gesture he appreciated deeply.

The streets of Santos bore the scars of recent troubles as Ryan made his way through the night. The usually vibrant city was subdued, its citizens drained by the ordeal they had endured. They needed rest; the city needed rebuilding, but that would come later. For now, silence spoke of their resilience.

Ryan pondered the future as he walked, under Princess Ariel’s lead, perhaps Santos would flourish anew, freed from old theocratic chains. After all, wasn’t destruction often a prelude to creation?

His destination was the Senju Inn, a notable establishment in the city. Despite an offer from Princess Ariel to stay at the palace, Freni had opted for the inn, prioritizing convenience over luxury, an arrangement the royal treasury would cover.

As he hastened his steps, eager to explore the possibilities of the [Goddess of Victory] and the [Unnamed Ship Sculpture], his pocket vibrated with an incoming message, pulling him back from his thoughts to the pressing issues at hand.

Ryan’s eyes lit up as he felt the familiar vibration in his pocket. He quickly retrieved the source, a golden metal disc, a signature from Master Golden Hammer. Turning it over, he read the inscription that had appeared on the back: “Commission completed.”

His brow arched in surprise. The rare ring was ready? He had anticipated a longer wait, assuming that the crafting of such a specialized piece would demand more time. Yet here it was, notification of completion merely two days after he had commissioned it. This unexpected efficiency was a delightful twist.

Without hesitation, Ryan adjusted his course, heading straight for the “Golden Hammer Blacksmith Shop,” located in what was once the bustling heart of the downtown area. As he approached, he noted with a nod of understanding that the shop stood unscathed. He had always figured that even if the island itself were to sink, the Golden Hammer Blacksmith Shop would likely remain untouched.

Master Golden Hammer was not just any craftsman; his prowess was also very high, shrouded in the kind of mystery that left his true capabilities ‘unknown’ on any panel check. Rumors had it that his hammer could do more than forge metal, it could crush a whales skull.

Ryan reached the formidable-looking door of the shop and knocked softly. The response was immediate and resonant.

“Come in,” boomed a deep voice from within. Pushing the door open, Ryan stepped inside and was instantly dwarfed by the sight of the giant blacksmith sitting cross-legged on the ground. Even in such a relaxed posture, the craftsman’s immense size was imposing.

“It’s you, kid. Haven’t seen you for two days, but I can tell your strength has surged. The gear I crafted will serve you well,” Master Golden Hammer said with a wide grin, his voice echoing slightly off the workshop walls.

His words hinted at an acute awareness, a stark contrast to his stationary lifestyle; the tumultuous events outside had not escaped his notice.

“Master, I appreciate your kind words,” Ryan replied, his tone laced with genuine respect.

“Here for the ring? Catch,” the blacksmith said, tossing a small wooden box toward him. Ryan caught it smoothly, his fingers brushing over the simple, unadorned surface.

Inside the box rested a ring of dark silver, its surface alive with a subtle glow of electric blue, pulsing gently like a contained storm.

“I crafted it to complement your existing armaments. It’s designed to bolster your resistances and dampen incoming damage. Give it a look, see how it fits your needs,” Master Golden Hammer explained, watching Ryan’s reaction closely.

Ryan eagerly read the detailed description that appeared before him:

[Intermediate Rare Item·Thunder Ring·Essence]: Forged from the core materials of an [Upper] Thunder Dragon, this ring offers formidable resistance against a variety of harmful effects, particularly those of the thunder variety.

The bearer of this ring enjoys a 20% reduction in damage from all attribute energy attacks, and a whopping 40% reduction from lightning-based assaults. Effective up to a certain threshold, it diminishes in efficacy against more powerful energy levels.

[This item possesses a trace of spiritual essence. Upon integration, it will enhance the repair capabilities of the [Nameless Ship Sculpture].]

Ryan’s eyes reflected the electric blue of the ring as he considered the vast potential it held, not just for battle but for his greater journey ahead.