Pirate Kingship-Chapter 683 - 467: The Spearman’s Luck has been E since Ancient Times, as is the Chest

The Castilia Great Fleet appearing in the First Circulation Zone at this point in time could undoubtedly be only the Treasure Fleet that had just set out from its homeland a dozen or so days ago.

The countless massive white sails formed a continuous stretch to the horizon, resembling large clusters of white clouds floating on the water's surface when viewed from afar.

The scale of this ocean voyage was unprecedented, with over one hundred ships combined, including all the main cargo ships and escorting warships.

Most of them were large Garens, extremely bulky with a displacement close to 1,000 tons, barely under the critical line of a Third-Rate Battleship.

This was also the limit for ocean voyage configurations. Any larger, and they would impose harsh living conditions on sailors, similar to warships. Their Self-sustaining Ability would drop significantly to less than half a month, causing them to lose their long-distance capabilities.

The Treasure Fleet usually traveled regularly between the Castilia homeland and its overseas colonies. It transported goods from the Old Continent to the colonies and brought back colonial products—especially gold, silver, Spices, gemstones, tobacco, white sugar, and so on—to the motherland.

Besides the main cargo ships and escorting warships of the Treasure Fleet, some cargo ships belonging to Great Nobles and great merchants would also follow, enjoying the protection of the Treasure Fleet.

The Royal Family could levy a fifth of their cargo as a security fee.

At the end of this fleet, on a Fourth-level Nominal Battleship bearing the crest of Princess Isabella and the odd skull of a warhorse—which was also the Wonder Battleship [Hard-to-Come-by-Swift-Steeds]—could be found.

The strikingly impressive female captain was holding on to the railing of the ship's stern gallery, chatting with a burly middle-aged knight in a highly courteous manner,

"Knight Isaac, Her Royal Highness the Princess has granted me full authority. I will fully cooperate with you and the Impoverished Knights Order on the auditing of colonial assets.

"Her Royal Highness must have told you how important this loan business is to our Princess's faction.

"Even the transportation of overseas materials is secondary this time; the main purpose is still to provide cover and work with you to audit assets and evaluate loan limits.

"So, I must remind you once again, when in the colonies, try not to make contact with any outsiders and absolutely do not divulge Her Royal Highness the Princess's financial situation."

Upon hearing her words, the middle-aged knight thumped his chest mightily,

"Captain Jeanne, our Impoverished Knights Order has been handling savings, loans, and remittance services for Pilgrims heading to the Holy City since the beginning of the Western Expeditions by the nations of the Church. Rest assured about our professional conduct and credibility.

"Even if it costs me my life, I will definitely not disclose any private information of clients."

The roughly thirty-year-old red-haired female captain wore a clearly modified Navy uniform. Her legs were shapely and long, and her backside pushed the otherwise ordinary white naval trousers into a rounded, pert curve.

Her bust size was especially prominent, straining the uniform taut; anyone standing before her would probably worry that the brass buttons might suddenly pop open and hit them in the face.

Even the Mithril Dragon Lady Catherine only had a D-cup, but this lady had at least an incredibly exaggerated E-cup.

In contrast, the middle-aged knight opposite her was far too plain, with an ordinary face, physique, and attire.

The one exceptional feature was the Order of Knights' medal he wore on his chest.

The main motif of the medal depicted two knights riding together on the same horse, each wielding a shield adorned with a red cross and raising their lances to charge at the enemy.

This was indeed the famous Impoverished Knights Order from the Old Continent.

It was named the "Impoverished Knights of the Saint Heir and Solomon's Temple," or simply the "Impoverished Knights Order," because it was initially founded by two knights on the ruins of Solomon's Temple.

Why "impoverished"?

Although most knights were nobles with hereditary titles and lands, many had fallen on hard times after numerous generations. Their lands were often sold or mortgaged, leaving them impoverished, possessing little beyond their knightly status and Extraordinary Knowledge.

The two founders who created the order couldn't even afford a horse and had to share one, which is the origin of the Impoverished Knights Order's emblem.

However, although many people felt the medal's design represented the knights' camaraderie on the battlefield, to many outsiders, the style seemed rather... odd (or, as some might say, a bit "gay").

Of course, many years after its establishment, "impoverished" had long since become a thing of the past.

With the backing of the Church and being the first to develop banking services, they had become one of the critical pillars of the Gold Sequence. Anyone might be poor, but not the banks.

And ever since the birth of the Impoverished Knights Order, it has maintained a sterling reputation, having never defaulted.

They were committed to ensuring absolute freedom in banking transactions. Even during combat with the Star Moon Empire, the silver possessed by the Empire's nobles could still flow freely from the Order's bank vaults.

This focus on contracts and Order above all else has brought tremendous success to the Impoverished Knights Order's banking business. They are truly a paragon of the banking industry!

In the Dark Millennium, even many Kings had to borrow from them to wage wars.

And this time, Princess Isabella, who was vying for the Castilia throne, had a clear aim. It was not only for the accumulated wealth in the colonies but also to use her assets as leverage to sway the most formidable financial powers!

As for why she would take out such a large loan from the Order of Knights all at once?