A Hospital in Another World? Chapter 1002: The Governor's Report and Distant Power
Previously on A Hospital in Another World?...
Two hours later, Governor Bamonde's subordinates, aides, generals, the naval commander, and the chief of Rahabana Cathedral gathered in the conference room, filling it to capacity.
"...That's the situation."
Governor Bamonde's adjutant, Antonio Herrera, hung up a map and relayed the news brought by Captain Juan in a calm tone. Everyone in the room looked grim:
An archbishop of the eighteenth level, two sky knights of the sixteenth level, a group of high-level warriors of the thirteenth and fourteenth levels, and several bishops. Hundreds of elite core warriors and a large group of pirates.
Such a team had set off to the Eagle God’s Kingdom and had been out of contact for two or three months. Even the ships by the sea were gone, and a mage tower had been erected on the harbor shore...
As for the expedition led by Deputy Governor Alfonso and Archbishop Telamo, their situation was already clear.
What's worse is that such a force being annihilated in the Eagle God’s Kingdom would instantly shake the kingdom's control over the Storm Islands... Even in the best-case scenario, it would shift the Governor's Office's strategy from offense to defense and contraction...
"The only good thing might be that a large number of pirates died this time." In the silence, the naval commander of the Storm Islands Governor’s District, General Alonso Balva, stroked his steel-needle-like short beard and spoke dryly:
"For the short term, we don't have to worry about pirates... hahaha..."
He was met with a series of glares. Pirates, what are pirates? In essence, who fears pirates when they have guards by their side and healers in the city?Pirates still have to sneak ashore, cautiously sell the stolen goods, and disguise themselves to buy holy water at the church. They still make the big money from furs, spices, pearls, and gemstones, don’t they?
However, with an important force in the Governor's District disappearing, pirates would soon become rampant. They rarely harass cities but will rob plantations, workshops, and small merchants... very annoying...
"It's best not to have pirates." Governor Bamonde answered lightly:
"At least, the families of those who went to the Eagle God’s Kingdom should not be harassed by pirates. Otherwise, it would really be a big joke."
Everyone nodded silently. The governor's words drew a clear line: their families should not be touched. If someone above seeks accountability, there would be someone to blame. Property?
As for property, make it look good. With such a loss in military strength, occasional defenseless places are understandable...
As for being held accountable by those above?
"We should report it immediately."
Archbishop Corvo, who was appointed as the chief by Archbishop Telamo before his departure, answered firmly.
He was appointed by the Radiant Church and was responsible to the Radiant Church, cooperating with but not under the leadership of the Governor's Office—
With such a big event happening, if he didn't report it, would he wait for the church to question his loyalty? Wait for the church to recall him and hold him accountable for failing to stop Archbishop Telamo?
The worst possibility, being excommunicated?
"Reporting is definitely necessary." Governor Bamonde nodded at him, his face dark. He had gathered everyone for this purpose as well: as the governor, he must report such a significant event to the royal family. But—
"How to report? What to say?"
Everyone needed to be on the same page!
They couldn't push the blame on each other, with some blaming the deputy governor and others blaming the archbishop...
That would cause problems!
In order to unify their stance, everyone argued fiercely, slamming tables, smashing teacups, and spitting insults. They pointed fingers at each other, revealing old grudges and dark secrets...
By the time they settled on the report's content, Governor Bamonde’s five-centimeter-thick mahogany table had three missing corners, five or six indentations, and a row of small holes gouged out by fingers. Naturally, there were also scorch marks from holy light burns.
"So, it's settled." Destroying a large conference table was just a minor cost. Governor Bamonde didn’t even glance at it:
"This evening, at the time of day and night transition, according to our draft, the report will be sent simultaneously from the governor's teleportation array and the church's divine array. Then, the next question—should we investigate the situation over there?"
The conference room fell silent. The heated argument from moments ago turned into deafening silence at the governor's question.
Archbishop Corvo looked up at the sky, suddenly feeling a surge of piety, focusing on a ray of sunlight streaming through the window;
General Alonso Balva looked down, tracing patterns on the table, making it look like he was mapping out sea routes;
The head of the judicial court, Jose Truk, lowered his head slightly, suddenly interested in the holes on the mahogany table...
Finally, the port tax supervisor, Antonio Morva, stood up to relieve the noblemen's worries.
As a man born in the Storm Islands of the Brolin people, he had worked hard to get to his current position and didn’t want to lose it due to any changes.
Naturally, to maintain his position, he had to do things the noblemen were unwilling to do or pretended they never did:
"May the Radiant Lord bless, the team led by the deputy governor and archbishop must have many survivors. They just can't return because their ships were seized— I think we should send someone, at least a merchant ship, to bring them back."
The atmosphere in the conference room became lively again. Governor Bamonde slightly turned his head, glanced at him, and remained silent. Just this gesture greatly encouraged Morva. He touched his woolly curls and continued speaking:
"Of course, these merchant ships can also gather information about the Eagle God’s Kingdom. With such a big event, the kingdom and church will surely hold us accountable. Then, we can tell them: we've done our best, and we've achieved the following results..."
"You deal with merchant ships the most, so you handle this." Governor Bamonde interrupted. Supervisor Morva immediately bowed:
"Yes!—But, to get accurate information, it’s best to hire a strong person to take a look inside. I can't handle that..."
"We'll discuss that later.—Meeting adjourned!"
The conference room doors opened, and the nobles filed out, returning to their respective duties and schemes. Governor Bamonde was left alone in the devastated conference room, frowning in thought:
How to investigate the Eagle God’s Kingdom?
—Or, find a powerful but naïve expert who could be tricked into exploring the Eagle God’s Kingdom?
****
Tupac Amaru was desperately fleeing through the jungle.
He was not a warrior of the Eagle God’s Kingdom, nor any nearby city-state's warrior. In fact, he came from much farther south of the Eagle God’s Kingdom—
Climbing high ridges, walking through dense jungles, overlooking the vast ocean, and gazing at snowy peaks. From south to north, the terrain rose and fell, the weather grew hotter then cooler...
And he, from a small warrior capable of subduing a lynx, had become a formidable fighter able to topple a stone crocodile barehanded and cut down a mountain eagle with a blade.
Tupac even thought that upon returning home, he could possibly take on those giant pythons lurking in the water pools, entwining tree trunks.
However, such strength was shattered a month ago. The fiery explosions from the sky, the thunderous roars, and endless golden light...
Killed his leader, the father of the girl he loved, the wiry, muscular old warrior;
Injured the girl's brother, the warrior who had hunted a crocodile for his coming-of-age ceremony and had a crocodile head tattooed on his back, the bright-smiling man who was soon captured;
Every warrior in the tribe who went to battle was either killed or captured...
In desperation, Tupac dove into a foul swamp, holding a reed to stay submerged for a day and night, luckily avoiding capture. However, he dared not return:
Return for what?
To tell the girl he loved that her father was dead, her brother captured, and the entire tribe's men were gone, with only him escaping?
He must save them!
He had to save them!
Tupac gritted his teeth, smeared mud all over his body and face, and stealthily followed the convoy of captives. The robed figures had left, and the flying warriors didn't easily notice his trail...
Dodging and hiding, traveling by night, Tupac followed them to the highlands. However, from the captives being taken into the pyramid, to the live sacrifices in the square, and then to groups of captives being led out of the pyramid and taken to a distant mountain hollow...
Tupac never found a chance. He didn't even dare approach the hollow. Getting closer gave him a chilling sensation that made his skin crawl.
Tupac continued to hide. By day, he hid in caves, bushes, and mud, trying to stay hidden; by night, apart from occasionally stealing food, he sought information. Finally, he heard something that chilled him to the bone:
Those taken into the hollow would never be released!
They would be kept inside, dissected inch by inch, cut piece by piece. They would be bitten by poisonous insects and snakes, fed various poisons, and tortured by numerous spells...
He must save them.
He had to save them.
Unable to rely on his own strength, he resolved to find someone stronger, the strongest person he could find!
Tupac, with gritted teeth, looked up at the stars to navigate, sniffed the mountain breeze
, and began running toward his homeland:
There, in the humid jungle, under the giant trees that blocked the sky, by the deep pools where giant pythons rested, roamed a powerful forest guardian:
Strong and kind. He had learned combat skills from her, and she always helped children in danger...
Find her!
Find her!
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