November 1487, 22 degrees south latitude, Namibian coast, Cape Cross.

The summer sea breeze in the southern hemisphere blows from the ocean in the west, carrying a moist and salty smell, and flocks to the sandy sea in the east. Flocks of seabirds soar above the clear sea and sky. The albatross spread its long wings, the red-bellied heron sang loudly, the white pelican flew into the sea, and the flamingo soared high in the sky.

The sea is shining with waves, and the dolphins surround the moored sailboats, looking curiously at them, and there are many people they have never seen before. And a few miles away, a humpback whale more than ten meters long jumped out of the water, setting off a splash several meters high. These behemoths were contented, swaying their bodies, stretching their wing-like pectoral fins, and making complex and long hums!

"tenhosaudades! . . . This is the utterance of the deep sea, like a friend gone away. He is tired of life on earth, and rests forever in the kingdom of heaven... Only me, a lonely wayfinder, is left to suffer in the world time!..."

Dias stood on the shore, looked at the wooden tombstone in front of him, and chanted in a low voice in bewilderment. He was wearing a noble captain's uniform that symbolized his rank, his hair was meticulous, and he only held the captain's hat in his hand. The weather-beaten face revealed the deep melancholy unique to the Portuguese. Then, he closed his eyes and prayed devoutly to the Lord.

At this moment, his mind wandered in the memories of Si Lian, and the hundreds of sailors and crew behind him became the insignificant background.

Bruno was wearing a captain's uniform and stood silently behind Dias with his head down. He pursed his lips and made a cross on his forehead forcefully. Unspeakable emotions surged in his heart, but he couldn't speak at all.

"Merciful Mother! Please grant me divine protection, discover the route to the east, and find the country of Elder John!..."

After a long while, Dias crossed himself and said the last prayer. Then, his expression became indifferent, and he glanced at Bruno behind him, murderous intent floating in his heart.

"Bruno, I heard that Royal Knight Diogo's dying mass, you also participated?"

"Yes! Dear royal knight, when the respected captain passed away, I stood by and prepared olive oil for him...The captain was cursed by the devil and coughed up blood for several months. When he went to heaven, he was skinny and thinner than a child Even lighter..."

Bruno was uneasy and replied respectfully. In the end, many tears came out of his eyes, both true and false, but he couldn't even tell the difference.

"Um."

Seeing the tearful Bruno, Dias was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. He turned his head and stared at the tombstone of his old friend again. The killing intent in his heart was finally suppressed and turned into a long sigh.

"Hey, that's all! I understand what you mean... You let him participate in the dying mass and handed over the flagship to him, so you chose to forgive... If that's the case, let him go back alive!  … May you rest in peace, my old friend, Diogo!"

While exploring the depths of the Congo River, there was a mutiny on Diogo's boat. Although the rebellion was finally quelled and the person in charge was hanged, the tricks in it could not be hidden from the court of Lisbon, but it could not be hidden from the equally experienced navigator. Dias is convinced that the noble knight Bruno must be guilty...

Thinking of this, Dias shook his head slightly. How many navigators who can stick to the sailing road are innocent? Whose hands have never been stained with blood? ... Even he, in Fort Elmina, killed the indigenous tribes in order to occupy the surrounding gold mines... After a moment of recollection, Dias bowed his head again and prayed in a low voice.

"Praise my Father in heaven!...The Lord has shown His grace through redemption, both in the ages and in eternity...He gave me the holy sword to cut through all evil, and gave me light to redeem my blood! ..."

Hearing Dias' chanting, Bruno quickly bowed his head, once again made a devout prayer posture, not daring to make a sound.

After following the captain for many years, he roughly figured out the rules of conduct of the kingdom's seafaring nobles. That is, even if you are ruthless, killing corpses and seas of blood, like a devil, you must have firm faith, believe in the light of your soul, and the salvation of the Lord...Don't look at the way Dias is praying now, but be kind to him. With murderous intentions, he chopped off his head without even blinking...

Bruno slandered in his heart, but he didn't dare to show it on his face. He waited patiently for Dias to finish his prayer before speaking softly.

"Dear Royal Knight! Captain Diogo's tombstone was temporarily carved out of wood. It has been a bit decayed in the past two years... Otherwise, the fleet will stop here for two days to carve a stone tablet for the captain. ?”

"Take a break for two days and carve a stone tablet..."

Hearing this, Dias pondered for a moment, obviously moved. But in the end, he shook his head.

"Forget it. The Kingdom will remember the name of Knight Diogo, and remember his piety and dedication. As for his burial place, let him rest in peace and not be disturbed by anyone! After all, this place is far away from the Kingdom... "

"Yes, yes...you are right! Praise the Virgin, may the captain rest in peace!..."

"Um."

Dias nodded, looking at the respectful and pious Bruno, he was a little more pleasing to the eye.

Last summer, the kingdom's southward exploration fleet returned, bringing back news of the death of the navigator Diogo, and a chart of the coast of Africa extending to 20 degrees south latitude.

After Pope Sixtus IV went to heaven, his nephew Julius della Rovere, after a struggle, still firmly controlled the power of the Holy See and emptied the new Pope Innocent VIII. The various policies of the Holy See still continue the tradition of the previous Pope, and the search for the East John Presbyterian State is always urgent. valley

King João is ambitious and eager to open up new sea routes. The output of the Elmina gold mine greatly improved Portugal's finances. The discovery of the Kingdom of Congo also gave more encouragement to the kingdom. In October last year, King João summoned the highly trusted descendant of the royal family, Royal Knight Dias, appointed him as the head of the expedition fleet, and issued an order to continue exploring south to find the eastern sea route.

After nearly a year of preparation, Dias set off from Lisbon in August this year, leading three ocean-going expedition ships to search for the unknown border of the southern continent. Drawing on the experience of the rebellion in Diogo's fleet, he chose two caravelles and a square-sail supply ship.

The flagship caravel, the "San Cristovan", which he personally commanded, carried the largest number of sailors. His brother Pero Dias was in charge of the square-sailed supply ship loaded with food and water. One of the two brothers controls the sailors, the other controls the food and water, echoing each other, and minimizing the risk of crew rebellion. As for the last caravel...

Dias turned around and glanced at Bruno lightly.

The royal family's favorite candidate was actually the noble knight João Infante. But unexpectedly, the royal adviser and scholar Martin Beheim, who returned from overseas, praised Bruno, a noble knight, and strongly recommended it to the royal family. And Joao Infante's temper was indeed a little irritable... After careful consideration, Dias finally handed over this risky opportunity to the experienced Bruno with killing intent.

"Bruno, you are now a glorious captain of the kingdom! I don't care what you were like before. From today onwards, you must serve the Lord devoutly and faithfully serve the kingdom!...Remember, the Lord, through redemption, will be and eternity, show His grace...do it well, and grace will come upon the earth!"

"...Yes, yes! Dear Royal Knight, I will serve the Lord devoutly, practice His words, experience His way...and dedicate my life to the Kingdom! In this voyage, I will listen to you of!"

Bruno immediately fell to his knees, raised his left hand, and wept bitterly. He heard the forgiveness in Dias's words, and the worries of many days were swept away immediately, and even joy welled up in his heart. The royal knight in front of him is a big man who has royal blood and is deeply trusted by the king. Just get on this thigh...

"Well. Get up!"

With a calm expression, Dias ordered in a deep voice. Then, he glanced at the sailors and crew who were waiting with their heads bowed, and shouted sharply.

"Boss-navigator Perrault d'Arenquer!"

"Yes! Captain."

A capable senior crew member with a sharp machete came out from the sailors to salute.

"Report latitude!"

"yes!"

Navigator Perot reached out and took out a book from his arms. He unfolded it for a few glances, and then reported loudly.

"Captain, according to the Southern Cross constellation last night, we were between 20-22 degrees south latitude!"

"very good!"

Dias nodded with a serious expression, looked at the people around him, and announced loudly.

"The purpose of this voyage is to go around the border of the southern continent, go to the east, and look for the powerful kingdom of John Presbyterian! The respected royal knight Diogo has dedicated his life to extend the border of the kingdom's nautical exploration from the equator We have reached 20 degrees south latitude! And the exploration of our voyage will really start from here, and will extend to 40 degrees south latitude!..."

"40 degrees south latitude?!"

Hearing this, Bruno's heart trembled. Many sailors also showed fear, raising their heads and wanting to speak.

Dias gazed like an eagle~lightnovelpub.net~with an undisguised killing intent, he coldly swept over everyone. The sailors immediately fell silent, not daring to complain.

"Very good! The Lord has witnessed that you all agree with my words! Since there is no objection, then, now board the boat for me and set sail to the south!... Blessed Mother!"

"Holy Mother Blessing!"

The sailors responded in a low voice, quickly divided into three teams, and went to the three ships. Soon, the anchor was retracted, the sails were hoisted, the flag of the Kingdom of Portugal was flying high, and the caravel slowly accelerated.

On the vast South Atlantic Ocean, in the long Namibian sandy sea, a group of whales play and seabirds sing. This uninhabited sea is so clear at this moment. Between the sea and the sky, there are only three exploring small sailboats, sailing hard to the unknown south against the Benguela cold current!

In front of them is the endlessly extending southern continent and the mysterious sea area that has never been known. And behind them, a lonely promontory, a decaying tombstone, and a buried herald of the kingdom.

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