Aldred looked around the shipyard for a few hours as Tulban told some stories about war and ships.
He learned that Ceraisian fought a lot on the sea. Thousands of battles and hundreds of wars occurred and countless ships and even the motherships were sunk.
"Who is the toughest enemy on the sea?" Aldred asked.
"It's Duria, no doubt. Duria has the strongest naval force that can match ours. As a matter of fact, all of us felt threatened by their power on the sea."
"Duria… they don't use magic, right?"
"Yes. They use a sort of mysterious field called 'science'. I am not sure what that is, but it's very mysterious, and only a few magicians could comprehend it."
Aldred blinked. "O—okay. Do you think science is stronger than magic?"
"I am not sure. But I heard science gives ordinary people the power to kill Gold Rank and even Platinum Rank. Can you imagine that? Imagine millions of ordinary people instantly possessing the power to kill Gold Rank. Ceraisian has no shortage of ordinary people."
"How does science give ordinary people such power?"
"I am not so sure about that as well, but I think they created some sort of powerful weapons using science. A handheld device which I believe called 'gun' is commonly used by the citizens of Duria."
"I knew it. And they use metallic human-shaped golems to fight, right?"
"How did you know?"
"I fought one before."
"You did? Where and why did that golem attack you?"
"They are called robots, and they attacked me because they wanted to rob me. It happened when I was in Paphia."
Tulban nodded. "If it happens on Ceraisian soil, it might be a declaration for war. But I am glad you're fine. What did you do to those robots?"
"I destroyed them."
"Good. It's better to destroy them to pieces because I heard these robots are highly intelligent and so quick at adapting to any situation. The Ceraisian's navy always had a hard time against them after each fight, because every time they came back, the enemy just got smarter and smarter."
"That is indeed a scary thing." Aldred frowned. Those robots must have recorded the battle and analyzed the information to conjure a better battle plan. So the more they fought, the robots would become better and better.
Aldred and Tulban talked some more about histories before Aldred decided to leave.
"Thanks for the tour, I will check on you again occasionally."
Tulban waved his hand. "Next time bring food with you. I heard Bartrem is a fine cook."
Aldred laughed. "I will tell him that."
"Where are we going now?" Mareona asked as she clung to his arm.
"Is there anything to do in this city?" Aldred asked.
Suddenly, a group of children rushed towards him.
"Master!"
"What are you guys doing here?"
"We searched the whole city for you," Jeben said, both hands on his knee as he breathed haggardly. "We would like you to train us. The last competition is tomorrow. We want to win, Master."
"Alright, fine. Let's go to the school training field." Aldred turned around and looked at his ladies. "Do you guys want to see me train these kids?"
"Sure!"
When they arrived at the school training field, Mareona, Mary, Mira, Sophia, Rachel, Zafrina, and Kiara all had a look of concern on their faces.
In front of them, the students were currently fighting against themselves on top of the pillars with hot boiling water beneath.
They tried to push each other off the pillars, but none succeeded as they desperately didn't want to fall into the hot boiling water below.
"Is this the training?" Mareona asked with a terrified expression.
"It's a standard routine."
"But what if they fall?" Mary asked.
"Then they will fall into the boiling water."
"Is this fine? Did the parents allow you to do this?"
"The parents encouraged me to do whatever I want to their kids."
The ladies were even more shocked. What kind of parents would let their children train like this!?
But even after hours of fighting, not a single student fell. Mary noticed that all the students tried their best not to fall. No matter how many times they were pushed, they always kept their feet on the pillar.
One student was punched in the face and pushed away. His feet almost fell from the edge, but he quickly jumped and rolled forward in mid-air.
There were many such close calls and Mary was amazed by their skills.
Aldred was smiling the whole time and he was a little proud as his students improved their skills.
"Aldred," someone called.
Aldred turned around and noticed it was the headmaster who called his name. "How can I help you, Bravar?"
"The thing you gave me before. I confirmed it. It exists. So we decided to probe it a little bit, but we received harsh retaliation. I can push further, but we will be making losses that benefit the other party."
"Do you want my assistance?"
Bravar nodded. "You can coordinate with my daughter about the plan."
"Hey, Aldred," Saphira said, standing beside her father.
"I didn't notice you were here."
Saphira giggled. "It's my skill, the [Undetectable Presence]."
"Interesting. Can you do that again?"
"Once you notice me, it's impossible to do that. But, this little girl noticed me from the start." Saphira caressed Krista's head.
Aldred chuckled. "Krista has good senses. Anyway, I haven't seen you for a while."
"I have been busy due to something, I am sorry that I cannot meet you."
"No problem." Aldred smiled.
Bravar smiled. "Alright, I will take my leave now. Both of you can talk."
When Bravar left, his ladies approached him and asked.
"Aldred, what are you guys talking about?"
"The Dragon is making tunnels under Phoenix's territory."
"Tunnels?" Mary asked.
"That's correct. They sent spies and weapons through this tunnel, that's why we were followed by a lot of spies at that time."
"So what do we do now?" Mareona asked.
"I have mapped a few entrances of the tunnel," Saphira said. He grabbed Aldred's hand. "Come with me. I will show you something."
