NOVPUBHad he followed the path of an ordinary commoner, his entire life’s savings wouldn’t have amounted to such a fortune. Not to mention, he had been knighted for his achievements, finally shedding his status as a bastard and becoming a true member of the nobility!
"Fodesse! Glittering gold, you are my most beloved little treasure!... This time sailing south, I must make another two such profits, no matter what!"
"Hmm, of course!... With such a long voyage, there will always be opportunities."
The group excitedly and quietly discussed among themselves as they walked toward the southern part of the harbor, and they soon arrived at an excellent deep-water berth. More than a dozen caravels were lined up with the kingdom’s cross flags flying high on their masts.
Bruno boarded a small boat and rowed his way to the forefront, where the flagship was positioned. As he climbed aboard, he saw several well-dressed dignitaries gathered, conversing in low and serious tones. At the center of the crowd stood two distinguished royal knight captains.
Bruno carefully approached, bowing his head from afar in greeting.
"Honorable captains, Sir Bartolomeu Dias! I, Noble Knight Bruno Cao, extend my greetings to the respected royal knights!"
Upon hearing the greeting, Captain Diogo Cao turned around, revealing a solemn and resolute face. Then the solemnity in his eyes dispersed slightly, replaced by a gentle smile, and he nodded slowly.
After spending two years at sea, Diogo returned to Lisbon this April and reported his maritime experiences to Sintra Palace. The establishment of Elmina Castle had pleased the court, the discovery of the Kingdom of Congo had surprised the nobility, and the concrete intel on the Elder’s Kingdom had shaken the entire kingdom!
King Joao II immediately summoned Captain Diogo Cao and inquired in detail about everything he had witnessed on his voyage. Next was the influential Archbishop of Lisbon, Jorge da Costa. Within a mere fortnight, Diogo was bestowed with the title of Royal Knight, awarded an annuity, and granted a family crest!
"Bruno, come here."
Diogo Cao beckoned and then smiled towards the other royal knight.
"Dias, this is my kinsman, Bruno Cao. He ventured into the lands of the Demon, met the Congo Chieftain longing for the Almighty, and bravely seized the Coptic Cross from the clutches of the Demon’s Angel Envoy!"
"Oh? Such bravery! Ha, a true son of Aviz indeed!"
Dias laughed heartily, voicing his admiration. In his early thirties and in the prime of his life, he possessed an inherently stern countenance. However, his years in the Lisbon court had softened his edges and made his smile more approachable. He reached out and affectionately patted Bruno on the shoulder.
"Ha, I’ve seen you! Four months ago, you went to Braganza Palace and submitted new plant specimens to the scholars, and received a handsome reward."
Bruno, slightly embarrassed and then pleasantly surprised by the captains’ praises, bowed his head and quickly repeated his gesture of courtesy.
Dias maintained his smile and casually praised him a couple more times before turning serious.
"The venerable Archbishop meticulously examined the returned Coptic Cross and, overwhelmed with joy, sent an Envoy to the most high Pope Sixtus IV to report. The court’s messenger of good tidings has also taken the King’s letter to the Holy See in Rome. The good news has traveled ahead, and the papal decree will arrive shortly. The subsequent exploration is imminent!"
"Diogo, the King’s hasty command for your southern exploration signifies his great hope in you and also pressure from the Holy See! The iris at the Cape gazes towards the very end of the ocean, please do not disappoint the heavy trust placed in you by the King!"
Upon hearing this, Diogo Cao bowed his head resolutely and bent in reverence toward the northeast, in the direction of Braganza Palace.
"The Almighty as my witness, I, Diogo Cao, swear upon my life! This voyage south, I am determined to explore the edge of the ocean, trace the river’s source, search for signs of the Elder’s Kingdom, until the very end of my days!"
The solemn oath echoed between heaven and sea, and the flagship fell silent for a moment. Then, the priest aboard led everyone in a brief prayer, after which the dignitaries resumed their conversation.
"Dias, I’ve only just returned home and heard the powerful Ottomans are embroiled in internal strife, having halted their advance into the Balkan Peninsula... Is the mission to find the Elder’s Kingdom still so urgent?"
"Holy Mother bless us! Diogo, although the fearsome Sultan Mehmed II has passed away under the punishment of the Almighty, his attempt to send armies to invade the Italian Peninsula four years ago has plunged the whole Holy See into prolonged shock and unease."
Before he died, Sultan Mehmed II left behind a barbaric law of fratricide for succession. The current turmoil in the Ottoman Empire is merely a limited struggle between two heirs; the majority of the influential Pashas have not participated. And Sultan Bayezid has already gained an absolute advantage—the internal chaos will soon end, and the Ottomans’ advance to the west will continue..."
"The kind Catholic World is perilously endangered under the threat of the Ottomans, urgently requiring our Eastern brethren who believe in the Almighty to lead their armies in support!"
Upon hearing this, Diogo’s face grew solemn. He slowly nodded, as if carrying the entire burden of the Catholic World on his shoulders.
"However, the Ottomans in the East of the Mediterranean are, after all, distant. The invasion of the Ottomans is also of great concern to Pope Sixtus in Rome and Emperor Frederick of Shenluo. Dias, my old friend, mankind should only worry about what they can handle."
Dias looked at his old friend for a moment, then advised him with a smile.
"The great Prince Henry once told my grandfather: ’Our future as Portuguese lies on the sea, we only need to consider three things!’"
Upon hearing the name of Prince Henry, the deck fell silent again, as everyone turned their attention expectantly.
"Situated at the westernmost edge of the Catholic World, we are descendants of the iris by the sea. Our first task is maritime exploration! To continue delving into the ocean, venturing into an unknown world, seeking unclaimed lands!
Our land is narrow, our people numbered; we must avoid conflicts on land at all costs. Our second task is the expansion at sea! To seize control of the islands within the seas, to occupy coastal lands, to expand our Kingdom."
At this point, Dias paused. His expression became very serious, his voice more resonant.
"The Castilians have blocked our eastern space, and they have always been greedy towards us. The last task is to be wary of Castilians! The Portuguese must preserve their independence. The mountain people of Avis, the fishermen, and the farmers must unite and always be vigilant against the Castilians!"
Upon hearing this, the Portuguese sailors aboard began to loudly agree, cursing the Castilians from one end to the other. The nobility also quietly assented.
"Dias, my friend. As an admirer of Prince Henry, I couldn’t agree more with your words. However, I still have some perplexities in my heart."
Diogo nodded profoundly. He approached Dias, speaking in a cautious voice audible only to the two of them.
"You are the steward of the royal warehouses, deeply trusted by the king... How does the king regard the Kingdom of Castile, or rather, today’s Kingdom of Spain? The idea of a Spanish-Portuguese union is nothing but a Castilian’s vain fantasy, but it seems in the Kingdom’s court, there is no shortage of voices in favor..."
At these words, Dias’s gaze flickered. He took a few steps towards the bow, with Diogo closely behind, while the others tactfully did not follow.
"Diogo, as we all know, many from the kingdom’s Great Nobility do not share the intense resentment towards the Castilians like the common folk do. They collude with the Spanish court, caring not for the future of the Portuguese but only for their own positions of power.
Luckily, by the Holy Mother’s blessing! Our respected King Joao possesses a foresight akin to a black kite, a lion’s ambitious courage, as well as the will and capability to match it! His Majesty has never wished to be subordinate to others. On the contrary, concerning the Kingdom of Spain, he harbors even greater ambitions.
His Majesty’s only legitimate heir, Prince Afonso, has been betrothed since childhood to Isabel, the eldest daughter of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, in a sacred marriage..."
Dias paused, then fell silent. Diogo’s expression changed, and he slowly nodded in understanding. He changed the subject, continuing.
"I hope everything will unfold as His Majesty has planned. The Moors in the south of the Peninsula are now reduced to the capital of Granada, and the Spaniards are about to achieve their final victory in the Reconquista. When that time comes, if there are no other significant distractions for the Spaniards, the court in Madrid will surely turn its greedy eyes toward us.
At that time, who can support us on land? The English? The French? Or perhaps the Moors across the Strait?"
