I Have a Dice Left by a God

Chapter 676 - 268: Ancient Dragon Transformation

The island’s twilight has its own charm; Simmons’ group, weary from travel, hurried to the Earth Mother Goddess’s Great Cathedral on the island. The sea breeze carried a pervasive humid heat, making the skin feel sticky, unclear whether it was sweat or moisture. The Main God is permitted to have a church here, but its scale is limited.Simmons stood on the stone steps of the Earth Mother Goddess’s church, gazing up at this typical Moncalleta-style building. Its towering spire and intricate Church Court reliefs gracefully displayed the great miracles of the Earth Mother Goddess and the proud strength of Moncalleta to the world.

Simmons’ entourage drew the attention of the surrounding indigenous Parthuru people. A group of daring children approached them, while adults watched their every move coldly from afar, whether child or adult, their wrists wrapped with a section engraved with a glyph in beast teeth or wood.

Those children, as dark as coal lumps, had boldly started talking to the servants Simmons brought, not sure if deliberately or out of curiosity. At Lancer’s suggestion, some servants handed out candies, the coal lumps uttering strange excited cries. However, the candy wasn’t free; the servants subtly extracted information from the children chatting eagerly.

Click! At this moment, the church’s doors slowly opened, and the familiar fragrance of holy oil wafted from inside, instantly relaxing everyone’s spirit.

Grand High Priest Martin emerged from the church accompanied by a group of Divine Servants. He wore a spotless white grand high priest robe, his blonde hair meticulously combed back, an emerald-encrusted Earth Mother Goddess’s holy emblem on his chest, radiating a sense of mystery and authority.

Simmons’ composed expression immediately melted away as he stepped forward and gave the grand high priest a standard junior knights’ greeting, saying, "Uncle Martin, it’s been so long!"

Grand High Priest’s solemn face that represented the Earth Mother Goddess’s authority broke into a kind smile once Simmons spoke. He stepped forward, clasped Simmons’ arm, gave him a warm and respectful elder’s embrace, then patted Simmons’ shoulder while appraising him with a glance, chuckling, "Hehe, not seen for years, good, very good, I’ve heard a little about your matters. Come in first, we’ll talk after dinner."

They arrived at the church’s backyard, and the dining hall prepared a lavish dinner, primarily seafood, but also a little chicken, as on a sea voyage, seafood is mostly eaten. Now being able to eat a bite of grilled chicken topped with thick sauce was such a joy. Most appetizing was the blended fruit syrup, though not much, Simmons had one bite, his eyes lit up; this flavor was somewhat akin to a gourmet’s cuisine, but obviously not.

"I once rescued a gourmet, this special sugar apple sauce has some energy-replenishing spices. No matter how tiring today is, a night’s sleep will restore you entirely," Grand High Priest Martin said with a slight smile, his mood was very good seeing Simmons.

After dinner, Martin arranged everyone’s accommodation, then led Simmons to the church’s grand chapel.

Here was a baptistery made of white marble, its bottom paved with transparent pebbles, the water taking on a sacred silver hue, under firelight shimmering with a mist like thin gauze.

Martin waved to several maids tidying up the hall, who immediately filed out.

Martin took Simmons to the baptistery’s edge; the dual sanctified protection of the church and baptistery enveloped their conversation, creating an absolutely confidential temporary venue for conversation.

"Speak up, besides the Wish Book, does the new King have other instructions? Also, is there anything you need, don’t be shy, feel free to ask." Martin said, vigorously patting Simmons’ shoulder.

Back in the day, during Old George’s prestige, the George Family-led and united major nobles governed the Moncalleta Golden Fleet, the truth on the Moselle Golden Route. It was also at that time that Martin, just dispatched to Five Claw Island as Church Court staffer, became a close confidant and friend of Simmons’ father, and this relationship didn’t break despite the later suppression on the George Family. Even when the George Family seemed most dangerous in those years, Martin had his only son marry one of Simmons’ cousins to strengthen their ties.

Back then, many matters for Martin as a grand high priest were beyond reach, while his capacity was limited. Luckily, the George Family now gets the new king’s favor, returning to the marine center, in line with the George Family’s core interests.

"His Majesty likely wants to solidify the throne, but if benefits suffice, there’s great possibility of restoring the Golden Fleet of over a decade ago. However, His Majesty should unlikely let the George Family take the lead again..."

"The George Family’s naval return at the beginning should just manage the intelligence network, which is also the George Family’s primary duty in Hedan..."

"Currently, we need to replenish Holy Water, also, Uncle Martin, I need your help in expanding existing intelligence, reorganizing a larger, quicker responsive intelligence network."

Simmons said a lot, Grand High Priest Martin simply smiled, continually nodding for him to continue, until Simmons stated his needs, withdrawing his elder’s affection.

"Thirty vials of Holy Water can be provided daily, for rebuilding the intelligence net, you can first go chat with your cousin Avril. She’s managing relationships on all sides now, though don’t expect too much; these ten years after someone rose, interests redistributed, we have some ties across marine aspects, but absolutely not much. However, Avril isn’t on the island now; you can see her the soonest in two days."

Simmons nodded; his cousin Avril is a career-type strong woman, only returned to Hedan once after marrying Martin’s son. She not only successfully maintained the George Family’s network on the Golden Route but also runs a powerful privately armed merchant fleet. George Family’s women seem very active.

"Intelligence network matters aren’t urgent; we still wait for the King’s further decree. I have a personal matter regarding the Song of Hell’s news from the Shadow Sea; does Uncle Martin have any information?"

Martin’s smile instantly disappeared, turning serious; whoever is involved with Song of Hell never ends well.

Simmons quickly explained, "I privily want to find someone related somewhat to Song of Hell’s Dragon Mother. Overall, it’s not a bad matter." He dared not tell Martin about him riding a dragon.

Martin stared at Simmons’ face again and again with a peculiar expression, pausing before slowly saying, "Song of Hell is very secretive; however, the Dragon Mother you’re searching for is somewhat active these days. Five days ago, a cargo ship heading to Chalet Island was attacked by unknown sea monsters when Dragon Mother happened to be on board. She dealt with the sea monster, according to Ancient Dragon tribe’s situation, she’s likely entering a transformation phase, that’s the mythical shape unique to the Ancient Dragon tribe, it’s somewhat different from other paths."

Simmons almost jumped up; what came was effortless—transformation? Dragon Mother is becoming a dragon? Truly formidable!

"Chalet Island? That spice island? She goes there for transformation?"

Martin shook his head, "Not known; only the Ancient Dragon tribe knows how the transformation happens. It could be she’s after Wish Book intelligence. Recently, an intelligence reported a priest’s notes of a native on Chalet Island recorded Wish Book’s secrets, though the secret’s value isn’t high, we have early records. It’s about the Wish Crystal; before the Wish Book appears, Wish Crystals will arise anytime. To find the Wish Book, you must first find Wish Crystals; they have guiding ability."

How fortunate to be with insiders, straight acquiring such precious data; seems Uncle Martin explores Five Claw Island deeply.

Simmons nodded again, yet couldn’t help but ask one more: "Uncle Martin, regarding Chalet Island, besides the Wish Book, is there a connection to Ancient Dragon?"

Martin smiled, slapped his head, "You see, almost forgot, speaking of it, seems there’s truly a legend relating to Ancient Dragon. Hundreds of years ago on charts, Chalet Island was merely a reef. An underwater volcanic eruption turned Chalet from reef into the current medium island. Legend has it the volcanic eruption connects to the Ancient Dragon. You know, the mainland’s Ancient Dragon tribe’s relics nearly obliterated in divine epochs, but some remain at sea."

Simmons’ mouth curled uncontrollably; finally found it...