"Respected Lord Joao! The perilous Cipangu Sea Area, located between 10 to 30 degrees north latitude, is estimated to be over seven thousand kilometers from the Azores Islands, our starting point. To its east are the 'Caribbean Islands' occupied by barbarians. These barbarians paddle small boats and barely cover their bodies, possessing no metal weapons. Yet, they are incredibly fierce, actively launching attacks against us with a certain poison arrow! This terrifying poison arrow paralyzes and kills with just a scratch on the skin, like Medusa's gaze, with no antidote to be found..."

"And in the western part of the Cipangu Sea Area, the northern part is the Bahamas Islands, said to be peaceful but with unknown details, while in the middle lies the most dangerous Cipangu Cuba Main Island, and the second most dangerous Haiti Island! A powerful native kingdom, with ties to the East, is governing these Cuban and Haitian islands with deep hostility towards us!"

"Holy Mother watch over us! Their evil 'Great Prophet', like the High Priest of the Crescent Moon Sect, has launched a 'Holy War' against us. It is highly probable that they can somehow foreknow our arrival through some mysterious and wicked witchcraft... cough! Yes, Nuno Chief, it is indeed a rumor that may not be true... yes! In the light of the Almighty, all the Demon's wickedness has nowhere to hide!..."

In the palace of Sintra, a large board was set up. The Cipangu Sea Chart brought back by Bruno was clipped onto it, presented to the King and his trusted advisors. Bruno himself held a thin stick, occasionally pointing to positions on the sea chart, like a lecturer at a naval academy.

Of course, he was much luckier than Columbus. Everyone present, whether it was King Joao, Nuno Chief, or any other trusted advisors could understand the sea chart, possessing adequate navigation knowledge. Sometimes, he just needed to say a few words, and the King could fully grasp the meaning. Yet, this was also his misfortune; he had to be cautious and could not make evident errors — because the King truly understood...

"By the Almighty's witness! This native kingdom might have hundreds of thousands of people, and thousands or tens of thousands of troops? Hmm, approximately a quarter size of the Moorish Kingdom? ... Their army possesses bronze weapons and armor, and is excessively fierce and barbaric. They also have small cannons and have captured light sailing ships from the Castilians. According to Columbus's crew, they also have Viking-style oar-sailed longships, though we haven't encountered them this time..."

"Due to the 'Holy War' initiated by the native prophet, the native armies are deeply hostile toward us, making friendly communication extremely difficult... Two years ago, Columbus's fleet was ambushed by the native navy on the Cuban Main Island, with only one ship eventually escaping... And during our ambush, it occurred around Haiti Island when the natives cleverly issued a trade request, delaying our fleet's docking time..."

"Yes! Yes! As the Exploration Captain, I indeed made mistakes! However, the natives claimed to have definite information from the East... While always remembering my mission, and hoping to gather more intel, I fell into the natives' trap... Likewise, Captain Silvira voluntarily kept watch from afar but failed to issue a warning prior, falling victim to the natives' sneak attack... Yes, yes! What the Chief says is true! Captain Silvira was incredibly brave and has sacrificed himself for the Lord! May the Almighty bless his courageous spirit!..."

"Ah? You're asking about Scholar Martin? After arriving in the Cipangu Sea Area, he went ashore to investigate geographical astronomy, only to unfortunately fall victim to the demon's curse... Ah, I misspoke, it's plague, plague! Mere days later, he suffered from sudden illness, returning to the embrace of the Almighty... Alas! What a pity! What a shame for Scholar Martin, with sincere devotion, boarded our exploration fleet voluntarily in pursuit of exploring new routes and seeking truth, offering all sorts of help... Hmm?..."

Bruno sorrowfully lamented for quite a while, appearing guilty both in demeanor and tone. Yet, when he cautiously lifted his gaze, neither the King nor Nuno Chief questioned the death of Shenluo Noble Martin. Furthermore, Nuno Chief even smiled at him and nodded, instructing.

"Good, continue speaking! Tell us more about your discovery of the New Continent!..."

"Not... good?..."

Bruno blinked, a chill running through his heart, reflecting thoughtfully. He quickly stowed away his expression of sorrow, replacing it with a smile full of loyal excitement.

"May the Almighty bless! After encountering the native ambush, we were left with only one ship and had to head southeast... That new continent, full of jungle, lies between 8 degrees north latitude and 5 degrees south latitude, with at least five thousand kilometers of coastline... Yes! Five thousand kilometers long, I'm certain!... And we also saw two large rivers, the widest even reaching 80 kilometers!..."

King Joao turned to converse with Nuno Chief. Both having led maritime explorations for many years, were naturally well aware of the significance of the appearance of such large rivers. The meaning of such a vast coastline, comparable to the Southern Continent, was also crystal clear to them!

"Bruno, are you certain on this five thousand kilometer jungle coastline, this exceedingly expansive new continent, that there's no powerful or civilized native kingdom?"

"Yes! I am certain! Along the five thousand li journey, I've not seen a single large town, not even at the rivermouths with abundant fish catches; merely shanty hut village settlements of wild men, without metallic tools. Even the largest village has just a thousand people, equipped only with canoes..."

"The Almighty bears witness! These yellow-skinned tribes' civilization level seems even more backward than the Black-skinned Tribes of West Africa! A mere hundred soldiers of the Kingdom could easily conquer hundreds of kilometers of coastline, subjugating tens of thousands of yellow-skinned wild men!"

"And along these coastlines lie abundant fish stocks, sea beasts, a variety of feathers and pearls, unending timber supply, as well as fertile lands! Even among those easily conquerable tribes, they might possess glittering gold and silver! This vast Southern New Continent's coast is definitely easier to conquer and colonize than the West African coast, more manageable than the Cipangu Sea Area, and potentially even more prosperous!"

At this moment, Bruno was full of enthusiasm, heavily portraying the richness of the New Continent as well as the primitiveness and weakness of the natives. The perspective he chose to narrate bore no difference from those before, like Columbus, urging the King and nobles toward ambitious desires.

For only by portraying the New Continent's richness and breadth, could the exploration findings possess greater value and achieve greater merits! Moreover, furthering such prompt and encouragement could persuade the Kingdom of Portugal to further invest in the 'exploration investment' of the Atlantic New Route, enabling him, a 'pioneer of exploration', to possibly acquire more authority and continue to rise!

"Bruno, after these days of inquiry, concerning everything about this exploration of the new route, His Majesty has already understood clearly!... You may return and await notice... Should any inquiries arise, you'll be summoned again!"

"Yes! I adhere to your words, Chief..."

After the inquiry lasting two full days, Bruno finally completed the audience reporting, returning to Lisbon City. He bore a face of flushed excitement yet his back was drenched in sweat. Upon arriving at his courtyard in the city, a Moorish servant promptly delivered an invitation.

"Hmm? Whose invitation letter could be timed so accurately?... Is it from Eliyahu, head of the Venetian Company? Ha! Such a foxtrot Venetian Jew merchant involved in loan dealing and reselling can indeed smell sharply; who knows how many lookout personnel have been arranged!"

"Master, should you respond to him?"

"Respond to this sly old fox? No, ignore him! Not a word, no meetings! Until I meet Nuno Chief and receive clear instructions, I will meet no one and will say nothing!"

"Understood!"

"Go! Pour me a bottle of Madela wine! Also, assign someone to keep an eye on Nuno Chief's front door... Notify me immediately should any royal carriages return from the palace!"

"Understood!"

Reflecting upon this singular audience with the King, Bruno could not help but experience surges of emotion, his neck even breaking into goosebumps.

At this moment, he was very aware. Returning from exploring the new route and discovering the New Continent, he had indeed established a true major achievement! And could he, through this achievement, ascend another step, completely shattering the 'ceiling' above his head? ...

Three parts depend on his performance these few days, ensuring no accident or error. Three parts rely on the King's mood, whether he would focus on developing the New Continent and invest more naval forces. Lastly, four parts hinge on whether Nuno Chief, at this most critical moment, would be willing to give him that push, allowing him to ascend one more step, and lead an even grander, more rewarding maritime exploration!

"Master! The carriage, the carriage is back! Nuno Chief's four-wheeled royal carriage has returned!"

"...!"

Bruno, with reddened eyes, endured sleepless nights for an entire day and night before awaiting news from Nuno Chief. He immediately arose dressed, quickly picking up the ivory and pearls already packed with wooden boxes, ready to head to the stable for the horse. Yet two steps out, he suddenly realized, decisively commanded.

"Drive the carriage! Use that old two-wheeled carriage!"

"Take me to Nuno Chief's residence! No, halt! Wait for nightfall before going!"

"... Understood!"