Chapter 141: Setting Sail
With a deep, melodious blast of the steam whistle, the fishing boat slowly departed from the dock. It navigated through a narrow channel heading east toward the Atlantic. Behind Liang En and his friends lay the gradually receding St. John's.
The city lacked towering skyscrapers; instead, it comprised colorful small buildings, not surpassing four stories. Their facades looked as though a group of children had recently painted them, a splash of vibrant hues.
According to their taxi driver from the airport to the port, the deliberate choice of bright colors on these buildings aimed to help fishermen easily spot their hometowns when returning from sea voyages.
Within the bustling bridge, Captain Lubson deftly relayed instructions through the intercom to every post on the ship. The smooth navigation of the vessel spoke volumes about the experienced crew.
As Liang En and Fan Meng ascended the stairs onto the bridge, Captain Lubson greeted them warmly, handing each an observation telescope.
"Are the six locations I gave you convenient for the ship to pass?" Liang En inquired, aiming the telescope towards Sable Island Lighthouse, North America's easternmost point, near the mouth of the sea.
These six locations were marked by Liang En based on his recollections and a series of gathered data, representing the most probable spots considering ocean currents and the surrounding environment.
"Fret not, reaching these locations shouldn't pose much difficulty in getting closer to our destination. Except for one spot on the west coast of an island due to tricky undercurrents, the other five are relatively accessible," explained Captain Lubson, studying the nautical chart.
"As our target sites are all on this island, we'll circumnavigate clockwise, visiting these six suspicious locations," Liang En proposed.
After over an hour at sea, they reached the first destination, an islet not far from the starting point. Accompanied by a sailor, they used a pre-prepared inflatable dinghy to reach the island.
However, after a brief search, Liang En realized the island lacked freshwater, making it unsuitable for colonization. Disheartened, they returned using the inflatable dinghy.
"Don't be disheartened," Fan Meng comforted Liang En on their way back. "This place is just too remote; we can't gather enough information here sometimes. Sometimes, a visit is the only way to know the specifics."
"Rest assured, I'm not that easily discouraged," Liang En chuckled, shaking his head. "I was just pondering how many issues might have been overlooked in the information we collected earlier."
"Considering the scarcity of clues we had before setting off, there are bound to be numerous questions during assessment. I just never imagined we'd make such basic errors," Liang En mused upon returning to the ship.
Afterward, as the ship continued northward, Captain Lubson found time amidst the experienced crew's navigation to chat with Liang En and his friends.
"I'm curious why you chose such a northern location for the search," Captain Lubson voiced an inner curiosity.
"Did others previously explore this ancient Viking colony called Vinland?" Liang En looked puzzled after Captain Lubson's inquiry.
"Of course, many have. The epics were carved on ancient stones and have remained there, attracting numerous seekers," Captain Lubson explained.
"Some were scholars or merchants who heard about it, while others seemed mysterious. However, judging by their lapel pins, some appeared to be Freemasons."
"Freemasons? Them again!" Liang En instinctively furrowed his brow, recalling the Masons who had damaged his solar cave.
"It's quite normal; many Masons are mystics, seeking places connected to legends like those in the epics," Captain Lubson shared his insight.
"For instance, some European Masons have been hunting for locations similar to Atlantis, Troy, or even Avalon, believing that such places hold supernatural power."
"There are Masonic groups established solely to seek these legendary existences. But apart from a few historical sites, there's no record of anyone finding anything related to supernatural powers."
Liang En nodded in agreement, understanding that despite his own powers in this field, such phenomena didn't exist in this world. Yet, considering the millions in the US believing the Earth is flat, he understood the allure of chasing such unscientific legends.
"In fact, this very ship we're on was once rented to search for the Viking North American settlement we're seeking now, but they returned empty-handed."
"May I ask where those people explored back then?" Liang En, excited upon hearing about another expedition with the same objective, inquired further.
"They went to Massachusetts in the US, as the New York Masons believed the epics specifically mentioned grapes growing locally, along with extensive descriptions of their wine-making process."
"In the Americas, Massachusetts' coastline is where grapes were cultivated further north. So, those searchers mostly opted for that area."
"That's why I was surprised when I heard about your plan to search for these things on Newfoundland Island. It's too far north, even for that warmer era, for grape cultivation," Captain Lubson explained.
"You make a valid point, but I have a unique idea about this place." Liang En retrieved his phone, displaying a picture.
"As far as I know, ancient Vikings didn't categorize many species as we do today. For instance, almost any berry suitable for winemaking could be termed a grape by them."
"In my research, I found Newfoundland Island teeming with various berries. Some, like cranberries, could barely be used for wine due to insufficient sugar, resulting in low-quality brews."
"So, this could correspond to the epic's description of the second batch of colonists finding very poor-quality grapes, leading to inferior taste and lower alcohol content."
"You've got a point there," Captain Lubson nodded. "So, in a place previously unconsidered for search, maybe we truly could find what we're seeking."
Unlike the elder Lubson, the younger one initially didn't seem optimistic about this scientific expedition. However, after Liang En's analysis, he acknowledged a slim chance of discovering the relic they sought.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 142: Screening
Before nightfall, Liang En and his companions had sailed more than 120 kilometers and explored two destinations. However, neither of these places turned out to be what they were seeking.
The first spot lay on an islet just a few hundred meters from Newfoundland Island. Yet, upon surveying, they discovered the islet lacked freshwater, rendering it unsuitable for sustained human habitation.
The other location, though showing signs of human activity through bone-made fishhooks and stone-crafted spearheads, appeared to be the work of indigenous locals. They found a few fire pits but no remnants of permanent structures, indicating it was merely a temporary fishing camp.
After only discovering a few pits used for fires but no traces of permanent buildings, Liang En concluded that this location was likely just a temporary fishing camp used by the indigenous people in the past.
As night fell, the fishing boat sought refuge in a harbor and anchored down. Conducting searches was only viable during daylight, and approaching the coastline at night posed significant risks.
Liang En harbored no discontent about anchoring at present. They had ample time, and resting during the night allowed for more comfortable relaxation aboard the ship.
For most modern individuals, going to bed right after nightfall wasn't typical. Therefore, Liang En and Fan Meng naturally utilized their time in the room to plan for the next day's activities.
The interior space of the boat turned out more spacious than expected because, without the need for fishing, only one-third of the crew was necessary to operate the entire vessel.
Consequently, each person aboard now enjoyed more living space. For instance, Liang En and Fan Meng comfortably occupied a cabin meant for four people, affording them ample private space for discussions.
"At our current pace, tomorrow we might only manage to explore the northernmost part of the island," Fan Meng remarked with a hint of disappointment as he peered at the map under the lamplight.
"If so, it might take five days to a week to cover the entire island. But if we find something elsewhere, that timeline might extend," he continued.
"We've planned for a maximum of two months, so a few extra days won't be an issue," Liang En didn't seem concerned about the time spent.
"And I feel the site we'll investigate tomorrow might demand more time," Liang En remarked, retrieving a photo on his tablet. "The location we'll explore is called the Old Indian Camp by the locals. There are numerous grass-covered mounds. Considering their size and dimensions, it's highly likely it's an ancient human-made site."
"In such a scenario, even if it doesn't belong to the Vikings, we might need to spend a considerable amount of time there, making our schedule quite hectic."
"Indeed," Fan Meng nodded in agreement after Liang En spoke. "Although our main goal is Viking relics, it's wise to explore other findings just to ensure we don't return empty-handed."
"That's true," Liang En concurred.
Despite legal constraints, they anticipated earning prestige rather than tangible wealth from this exploration. However, Liang En was optimistic about their findings the next day, drawing on his memories from a past life that suggested the area they would explore might hold relics.
If they did discover Viking remains, the rewards from the Count would likely be generous. This boosted Liang En's confidence.
Witnessing Liang En's confidence, Fan Meng, too, felt reassured. He believed that if a professional like Liang En acknowledged the situation, there shouldn't be significant issues overall.
Subsequently, Liang En spent time cross-referencing data before joining Fan Meng in another cabin to learn about using new equipment.
These instruments were provided by Count and included a ground-penetrating radar as the primary tool. In the face of underground human activities, modern tools considerably streamlined their efforts.
Fortunately, despite technological advancements, operating electronic devices had become more user-friendly. After learning from an onboard expert for over half an hour, Liang En mastered the radar's operation.
While the radar resembled a handheld grass trimmer in appearance, its functionality was diverse, capable of detecting various ancient relics and artifacts buried underground.
Compared to using spades or metal detectors, this ground-penetrating radar significantly increased their search efficiency for large-scale relics. It aided Liang En and his team in swiftly screening suspicious locations.
Once they became familiar with the new equipment, they returned to their quarters. At that moment, three shadows flew in through an open window.
"Caw, caw!" It was the three ravens that Liang En had painstakingly trained to serve as reliable aerial scouts.
"Bringing your ravens along was an excellent idea," Fan Meng remarked upon seeing Liang En feeding the freshly thawed meat strips to the birds.
"Why do you say that?" Liang En asked, petting one of the rather plump-looking birds, turning to face Fan Meng.
"I researched extensively about the wildlife on this island. Part of it mentioned the presence of American black bears," Fan Meng explained, displaying information on his phone. "With the intelligence of your ravens, they should provide ample warning from a distance, preventing us from encountering danger from wild animals."
In their wilderness exploration, threats from wildlife were significant. Unlike mainland China or the UK, Canada boasted vast untamed territories teeming with various wild creatures.
Encountering rabbits or squirrels wouldn't pose a problem, but the island housed some formidable animals like wild boars, elks, and even black bears.
These creatures shared a common trait—toughness. Even with firearms, dealing with them wasn't guaranteed. It was hard to take down these animals in one shot during chaos, and when wounded, their rage made them even more dangerous.
So, if the trio of ravens could form a scouting network, they could at least provide early warnings against these perilous wild animals.
"Don't worry, they'll serve as excellent sentinels," Liang En assured, scratching the head of one of the ravens that had sidled up to him.
"Since they obediently follow my orders to search and retrieve items from the rooftop, they'll easily observe nearby creatures and alert us," he added.
The night passed without incident, and as the day broke, the ship sailed out of the small harbor, veering left towards their northern destination, guided by the rising sun above the horizon.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 143: Exploration and Discovery
Near the coast of Newfoundland, bathed in the rising orange glow of the sun, a fishing boat's bow parted the deep blue sea, creating white waves on either side of its hull.
As the vessel neared its destination, inside the cockpit, Lubson glanced at the screen displaying their speed, hesitating momentarily before deciding against speeding up for safety's sake.
Although a shorter journey was preferable, safety outweighed speed, especially considering the vessel's proximity to the coastline. Any unexpected underwater currents at high speeds could be perilous.
Given the experienced crew, the next few hours of the journey remained quite pleasant. Finally, around 4 PM, they arrived not far from their destination.
"Having this boat makes traveling much more convenient," remarked Fan Meng, tapping the railing as he looked at the GPS navigation indicating their proximity to the destination. "When do you think we could have a boat like this?"
"It might take quite a while," Liang En pondered.
"For us, if we want a boat, it needs to be capable of international travel and underwater salvage. Otherwise, it wouldn't be as practical as other modes of transportation."
"Even a basic boat like that costs millions, not to mention the yearly maintenance, easily exceeding a million pounds. So, it's beyond our means in the short term."
"Even if we could afford it, maintaining it would be a challenge," Liang En shrugged. "These private vessels are money pits, akin to ancient castles. Without substantial capital, they're unmanageable."
"Moreover, underwater salvage costs millions to tens of millions each time, and there's no guarantee of finding what we're looking for. So, let's not consider that until our worth hits billions."
"Gentlemen, look east!" As Liang En and Fan Meng discussed the boat, a voice suddenly came from the cockpit.
"Oh my!" Hearing Lubson, Liang En immediately turned eastward, witnessing a colossal tail breach the surface, splashing water upon impact.
Soon after, two more immense shapes emerged from the depths, emitting a call and spouting water into the air like raindrops on the sea's surface.
The waters around Newfoundland are known for whale activity. However, these animals rarely come so close to the shore due to their colossal size and aversion to human activity.
Although unsure why these whales appeared in this area, their presence signaled a positive omen for Liang En and his companions.
Therefore, as they lowered the rubber dinghy, both Liang En, preparing to land, and the crew remaining on the ship, displayed excitement.
"I think this place might truly hold the legendary Wolfland," exclaimed Lubson as the dinghy touched the water again. He stood at the ship's rail.
"Among those of us constantly at sea, encountering whales is an incredibly lucky sign. So today might just be the day we fulfill our wishes."
Soon, the dinghy carried Liang En and his team ashore. As the crew unloaded supplies, Liang En and his companions headed straight for a few rectangular-looking mounds.
In this desolate terrain, these mounds were the only vantage points offering a view of the surroundings.
"This place seems suitable for human habitation, aside from being a bit chilly," Liang En declared, surveying the area from atop the mound. A crystal-clear stream on his left flowed into the bay, providing ample water for hundreds of people. In front lay a bay with shallows, perfect for Viking longships to enter and dock.
The place was labeled "Lansioth's Meadow" on the map, and it lived up to its name with lush greenery and a clear stream.
"Where should we start searching from?" Pierce frowned, looking at the seemingly indistinguishable grassland, indiscernible from the surrounding wilderness.
"Let's begin our search from the riverbank, continuing to that small hill," Liang En decided after a moment of thought. Settlements usually centered around water sources, and humans tended to choose flat areas for campsites.
In his past life, Liang En had researched this place for a novel, but now he realized the area looked starkly different from the photos.
Upon reflection, he realized those pictures likely depicted reconstructed rooms, while the actual ruins might blend in with the surroundings.
Thankfully, with advancing technology, they now had ground-penetrating radar, sparing them the years it took archaeologists in his previous life to unearth sites.
"The epics mention green grass here in winter, but considering how far north this is, it's hard to imagine," Pierce expressed his confusion as they descended from the mound.
The grassland fit the epic's descriptions in terms of freshwater, berries, salmon in the sea, and wood in the forests, except for the grass.
"But this coastline has a branch of the North Atlantic Drift, plus higher temperatures a millennium ago. So, it's not surprising if this place had green grass in winter back then," Liang En remarked, gazing at the thriving grassland.
"And these Vikings weren't here for charity. They might have chosen this place due to its similarity to their homeland's grasslands, making colonization easier."
Soon, the two began using ground-penetrating radar along the riverbanks.
To their surprise, just a hundred meters along the river and about 50 meters from the shoreline, Liang En made a discovery.
The scan revealed a straight stone structure, less than a meter deep under the grass, around five to six meters from the riverbank.
Calling Pierce over, they found not just a wall but a rectangular structure enclosed by four walls.
"Let's dig a bit," Liang En ordered after discovering the first local artifact. They dug a hole over a meter deep, unveiling the stone structure below the surface.
"I believe we've found Viking relics," Liang En affirmed after inspecting what they unearthed: a wall about thirty to forty centimeters wide, with remnants of charred wood inside.
This construction method differed greatly from the indigenous people's houses in the area but resembled ancient Viking building techniques.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 144: Locking In
In ancient times, Vikings had two popular methods for building houses. In warmer climates, they used wooden planks for construction. In colder regions, they dug shallow pits and surrounded them with thick walls made of stones when building their living spaces.
They'd set wooden stakes inside these stone walls, constructing the wooden framework of the house. Finally, they'd insulate the outer layer of the wooden structure with a mix of mud and grass turf, ensuring warmth within and preventing cold winds from seeping through the gaps in the wood.
Liang En and the group stumbled upon a section of this ancient wall that closely resembled those found in Nordic regions. It strongly supported the identity of the builders of these structures.
More crucially, upon uncovering this wall and delineating its boundaries, Liang En had a mental image of five cards—silver and bronze—confirming the reality of this site.
"After finding our target here, what's our next move? Should we excavate the entire site?" Fan Meng asked Liang En, seeking direction for their upcoming tasks.
"No, certainly not. We only need to sample a few points," Liang En shook his head decisively, laying out his approach.
"Digging out this kind of site might take months or even years with just the two of us. Plus, it might damage the site due to a lack of manpower."
"More importantly, we just need to confirm this place as Vinland. So, once we confirm, we can contact the local heritage authority and hand over the main tasks to them."
Liang En held onto a fragment of memory about this place, believing they could earn recognition here in a relatively short time.
As this structure appeared to be a public building rather than a residence, Liang En swiftly navigated to the center and used "Detect (N)" at the marked spot to start the excavation.
The chosen spot was actually in a corner of the central room, not typically within the initial exploration range for archaeologists. However, Fan Meng, lacking this knowledge, saw no issue with Liang En's method.
By nightfall, they had opened up a second exploratory pit. Using metal detectors they had, they unearthed several small items buried in the soil.
After calling a rubber boat via radio to ferry the finds back to the ship, they hastily ate and, under the crew's curious gaze, began examining the discoveries in the meeting room.
"This looks like a cross," remarked the ship's mechanic as Liang En almost finished cleaning the object. "But it seems different from a regular one."
The mechanic sensed this because the base of a usual cross had uniform ends on each of its four branches, yet this cross had a distinct expansion at its bottom.
Gradually cleaning the soil at the expanded part, Liang En revealed a monster-like head with a beak.
"What is this?" Several crew members, intrigued by the unusual design, questioned, as religious items like crosses typically followed specific conventions and wouldn't depict monster heads.
"This is a cross with pagan influences," Liang En, ready to impress, raised the cross, explaining, "and distinctly Viking in style."
"You see, Vikings initially followed Norse religion. It wasn't until the early 9th century that they gradually embraced Christianity."
"According to the epics found earlier, the Vikings who colonized Vinland were among the first-generation Christians among the Vikings. Hence, religious items might retain traces of their previous beliefs."
"Does that mean this item is valuable?" Lubson looked at the palm-sized cross in Liang En's hand. To him, this unique version might hold higher value than the standard ones.
"It depends on what value you're referring to," Liang En positioned the cross under the desk lamp's light and pointed at it.
"From an economic perspective, this isn't highly valuable. It's just a silver-plated bronze cross, crafted by a rural artisan. Selling it for 300 pounds would be great."
"Even these crosses, with remnants of pagan symbols, are often seen as lower-quality among Viking crosses. Skilled craftsmen in major cities wouldn't make these basic errors."
"However, from a historical viewpoint, this cross is significant. It bears witness to a crucial turning point for ancient Vikings."
"This transition wasn't solely religious but impacted every aspect of Viking society. For instance, some Vikings settled in Normandy, eventually conquering England—"
"Stop!" Seeing Liang En about to embark on an extensive discourse, Lubson immediately raised his hand and interjected. "So, you're saying this item has archaeological value but isn't worth much, right?"
"Yes, and I suspect there won't be many valuable items left in this area," Liang En scratched his head. "Because the Viking colonizers likely took away anything valuable when they withdrew."
"Vikings were different from us today, right?" A sailor asked eagerly. "Is there a chance we could find something here that they discarded, which is valuable now?"
"Highly unlikely. Ancient Vikings had similar values to us. They cherished gold, silver, and gemstones. Even various weapons and armor were highly prized. For instance, a good-quality Viking sword in those times could be exchanged for several cows."
"So, finding piles of gold and silver as in the movies? Not a chance," the sailor's excitement waned upon hearing Liang En's explanation.
"Exactly," Liang En nodded. "Remember, these people were pioneers, heading into the unknown. They wouldn't have carried much wealth with them."
"I'd say they might have been even poorer than regular Vikings," Fan Meng added. "The epics mention these folks as pioneers in the New World."
"In such pioneering endeavors, people usually use whatever they have at the bottom of their pockets to purchase necessary supplies. So, there likely won't be much gold or silver here."
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 145: Smooth Excavation Work
For those outside the field, valuables were largely equated with treasures like gold, silver, and jewels. So, as soon as Liang En and Fan Meng provided a reasonable analysis of the local area, most people around dispersed.
While many might find interest in the gold, silver, and beautiful art displayed in museums, facing these rust-covered clumps of earth was a different story—a lot less appealing for most.
"After everyone's cleared out, should we report to the steward?" Captain Lubson approached, asking Liang En.
"Of course," Liang En nodded. Reporting immediately upon accomplishing tasks under commission was the right course of action. He hadn't brought it up earlier because it fell under Captain Lubson's responsibilities.
"Oh, and when you inform the steward, ask him to delay reporting to the Canadian Archaeological Department by a couple of days. It'd be best to give us time for initial exploration," Liang En added.
"Understood." After Liang En spoke, Captain Lubson nodded and ascended the stairs to the bridge, contacting the steward ashore via satellite phone.
Fifteen minutes later, just as Liang En unearthed a heavily rusted nail from a clump of mud, Captain Lubson descended amidst the clatter of iron stairs.
"My father has contacted the Earl, who says he can grant you no more than three days. Beyond that might spark unnecessary clashes with the local heritage authorities," Captain Lubson conveyed.
"Three days—if we push hard and put in overtime, we might complete basic exploration with the ground-penetrating radar," Liang En nodded, watching Captain Lubson depart.
"Looks like we might need to put in some extra hours tomorrow," Liang En remarked to Fan Meng after Captain Lubson ascended. "But with luck, we should accomplish the most critical exploration."
For Liang En, while the time obtained was less than anticipated, conducting foundational exploration remained feasible. It might just require using up a few more cards than expected.
"No problem. I'll work as long as needed," Fan Meng expressed no reluctance towards overtime. The job was comfortable, and the pay was good—definitely not a time to slack off.
So, at daybreak the next morning, just as the sun emerged from the eastern horizon, Fan Meng roused Liang En. They had a simple breakfast before boarding a rubber dinghy escorted by a crew member and three ravens, returning to shore.
Due to time constraints, Liang En and Fan Meng decided to initiate large-scale exploration using the ground-penetrating radar. Fortunately, they'd stumbled upon a structure, a religious building, making it easier to locate other structures by exploring outward from this central point.
However, after a morning's effort, they realized they'd wasted half their manpower—across the small river south of the religious structure, there were no other buildings.
It appeared that the Vikings might have used this sturdy religious building as a military outpost, capitalizing on the river as a barrier during conflicts with the indigenous population, as historical records indicated the dual role of early European mainland churches in defense. Moreover, legends spoke of clashes between the Vinland colony and local indigenous groups, necessitating defense.
Upon confirming this, Liang En and team redirected their efforts to the north bank of the river, focusing on a line parallel to the coastline, considering the Vikings likely arrived from the sea.
Due to shallow burial depths of underground items, narrowing down the search area significantly led them to discover relics buried beneath 70-80 meters of land within a single day.
These structures were aligned almost in a straight line, roughly parallel to the coastline. The two largest structures bookended this lineup, with a slightly larger third building situated centrally.
Over the following two days, using three "Detection (N)" cards, Liang En finally uncovered a series of important artifacts, identifying the occupants' identities and the purposes of each room.
These rooms included a church, communal residence, blacksmith shop, carpentry workshop, and a chieftain's hall. Likely due to their hurried retreat, the settlers left behind numerous items aiding in identifying the rooms' functions.
For instance, in one ruin, they found charcoal, an anvil, iron bars, and a fire-resistant subterranean structure, identifying it as a blacksmith shop.
Another room was a wooden structure built entirely above ground, with only partially charred wooden remnants remaining underground. However, tools like chisels, saws, and axes confirmed it was a woodworking workshop.
In the largest ruin, measuring about 30m long and 15m wide, they discovered stone rings used for looms and a perforated small circular stone attached to a spinning top—testament to textile work by women. This further reinforced the site as a colony, not just a Viking outpost for resource gathering.
"You're incredible!" Excitedly, on the evening of the third day returning to the ship, Fan Meng patted Liang En's shoulder. "Every dig you lead uncovers valuable finds."
"It's mostly luck," Liang En responded with a slightly awkward smile, realizing they'd expended all three cards without replenishing any.
The settlers had orderly retreats, leaving behind mostly bulky and low-value items. This meant Liang En couldn't obtain new cards from their discoveries.
However, the discoveries were precious from an archaeological perspective, offering clear evidence of room functionalities and occupants' identities, completing the Earl's commissioned task while bolstering their reputation.
Of course, these "precious" items were only considered so from an archaeological viewpoint. To the ship's crew, the semi-decayed bone fragments, rusted metal, and weathered wood scraps were no different from garbage.
So, Liang En securely packed these artifacts, rich with valuable information, in a corner of the ship's mess hall, ensuring no pilferage concerns.
"By tomorrow noon, the Canadian Newfoundland Archaeological Department will arrive," Captain Lubson informed them after dinner.
"Tomorrow? I thought they might rush over tonight," Liang En expressed surprise. "Didn't you convey the key points I organized earlier to them?"
Liang En's shock stemmed from remembering this site being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in their previous world. Hence, the lukewarm response from the Canadian Archaeological Department seemed perplexing.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 146: Unexpected Discovery
"I reckon it's mainly because Newfoundland and Labrador haven't seen many cultural relics before, so the local authorities here aren't well-prepared in this regard," Captain Lubson shrugged.
"More importantly, except for a few emergency departments, the government strictly adheres to an eight-hour work system, so even if this site is crucial, they won't work overtime," he added.
"However, I must say we're lucky; tomorrow's a workday. Otherwise, they'd only come after their rest on a workday."
"Alright, let's hope they arrive on time tomorrow noon," Liang En suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, expressing his dissatisfaction with the efficiency of the local workers to Captain Lubson.
Fortunately, although these people strictly follow their vacation schedules, they don't indulge in tardiness or early departures during work hours.
Thus, the next day at 12:30 noon, Liang En and his friends spotted a seaplane carrying those workers rushing directly to the excavation site.
Coming off the plane was an entire archaeological team. Evidently, they realized the significance of this site from Liang En's report the day before, opting to fly here using a seaplane.
Of course, the reason they dared to fly directly was because The Count agreed to hand over the ship's equipment to the archaeologists, significantly reducing their baggage load.
After the transfer of items to the archaeologists, Liang En planned to explore the surroundings with Fan Meng, especially intending to carefully search the nearby bays.
The reason for this was that during excavation, they found a room that used a considerable amount of clearly processed wood. Considering the Vikings wouldn't have had much energy and time for constructing houses, Liang En suspected that the refurbished wood likely came from a sunken ship.
Upon further inspection, Liang En confirmed his suspicion. The samples collected contained a high amount of salt, a clear indication of wood submerged in seawater for an extended period.
This meant one or more ships had sunk nearby. Hence, after the archaeologists took over the land excavation site, Liang En and Fan Meng decided to search along the beaches using an all-terrain vehicle.
"Now it's up to you." Before setting off on the ATV, Liang En took out a piece of meat he carried, chopped it up to feed his three ravens, then released them after they had their fill.
Soon, these three ravens spread their wings, flying against the sea breeze, beginning their low-altitude search along the coastline.
This method was a game of chance. These enhanced ravens were adept at spotting shiny objects, so Liang En hoped they'd find something in the clear seawater.
Honestly, the ravens were only effective in open areas like the beach or desert. Their enhanced abilities were limited to their physical bodies, unable to see through obstacles below.
Quickly, several ravens found some items and repeatedly dived, marking those spots. Sadly, what Liang En and Fan Meng often found at those shiny spots were just pieces of garbage.
"Another glass shard." Liang En sighed as he pocketed a sea-worn, rounded glass fragment. Clearly, these shiny scraps attracted the ravens, but they weren't what Liang En sought.
Although these ravens could follow commands and had enhanced intelligence, they were still not humans. Their inherent instinct drove them to collect anything shiny they found.
Facing this situation, Liang En could only rely on luck, hoping his ravens would spot something from the water. After all, for humans, switching to raven vision to search for small items wasn't practical.
Luckily, even if they didn't find anything immediately, the scenery around them was worth the effort. Especially seeing scattered icebergs not far away and occasional whales surfacing added value to their search.
"What do you think they found this time?" Watching the ravens circling and flying around a reef about forty to fifty meters from the shore, Fan Meng asked Liang En with a grin.
"Who knows?" Liang En chuckled, then glanced at the reef surrounded by seawater.
Unlike the earlier spots discovered on the shore, to explore near this reef, they needed to use a boat. Fortunately, the sailors had left an inflatable powerboat for them.
"Can you handle this?" Onboard, Liang En asked Fan Meng, who was starting the engine. "It's simple, but still requires some training."
"Don't worry. I had training in handling these small boats during my military service. Though not as proficient as those sailors, I'm half a professional," Fan Meng replied confidently.
Given that the French established foreign legions to minimize their casualties, their training was thorough. Those who emerged from there had commendable military skills.
Especially considering Fan Meng had served in the French Foreign Legion's 2nd Parachute Regiment, specializing in amphibious warfare, maneuvering the rubber boat in this calm bay was relatively simple for him.
Soon, the two reached near the reef on the rubber boat. To avoid damaging the propeller, they shut off the engine and paddled slowly towards the adjacent side of the reef.
This particular reef was treacherous for sailors because even during low tide, it barely surfaced, not more than 20 cm above water. If the tide rose, it could entirely submerge.
"Gold!" As soon as Liang En and Fan Meng stepped onto this five to six square meter reef, Fan Meng suddenly pointed to a spot just a meter or two away from them.
Following Fan Meng's direction, Liang En noticed something sparkling in a crack, resembling gold.
However, Liang En remained calmer than Fan Meng. Earlier, they found two similar sparkling items on the shore, which turned out to be gold-colored plastic ornaments used for Christmas trees.
But when Liang En took a picture and reached into the crack to extract what seemed like a palm-sized box, he realized this find was not plastic but indeed gold.
"This time, we've found a treasure." Feeling the metal box with his hand, Fan Meng immediately got excited.
Because seawater corrodes metals heavily, in ancient times, only gold could withstand prolonged submersion without rusting.
"Hurry, open it up!" Fan Meng exclaimed as he unfastened the clasp of the box, recording everything with a camera on his head. "This might be a huge discovery."
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 147: The Sunstone
Fan Meng's excitement stemmed from their days of digging, only to unearth piles of worthless rusty iron or near-rotten wood. Though these finds held historical value, to Fan Meng, the excavation felt akin to rummaging through a garbage dump.
However, the sight of the golden box finally gave Fan Meng a taste of adventurous treasure hunting. Hence, he urged Liang En to open it promptly.
Unlike the previously sealed containers Liang En found, seawater seeped from the cracks of this one, indicating its lack of proper sealing. This suggested that if its contents resisted corrosion, opening the box wouldn't hasten their decay; if they couldn't, they'd have already decomposed.
"Let me see." Encouraged by Fan Meng, Liang En couldn't resist his curiosity and opened the box, only to find a transparent stone inside.
In ancient times, Vikings held gold as one of the most precious metals. Thus, discovering merely a stone inside a golden box seemed peculiar.
Ordinarily, the external packaging aligned with the contents. It was rare to use an expensive box for a cheap item.
"Could it be a hasty arrangement due to an emergency?" Fan Meng suggested. "The owner likely wouldn't recklessly discard this golden box; its appearance here should be an accident."
"You're right. Considering this reef's location, I think it might've originally been on a ship and fell out when the ship ran aground," Liang En nodded, acknowledging Fan Meng's viewpoint.
Unlike ancient Germans and Gauls who disposed of offerings into water, Vikings preferred fire or sacrificial ceremonies involving animals or even humans. Hence, using this item for sacrifices seemed improbable.
Unlike the sailboats of the Age of Discovery, Viking longships had exposed decks. Thus, in accidents, items aboard easily scattered around.
"However, I don't think this item was accidentally put in here," Liang En raised the stone, examining it against the sun.
The stone's remarkable transparency bordered on some cheap optical glass. Even if it were calcite, its transparency made it incredibly valuable in ancient times.
"Even in an emergency, experienced sailors wouldn't likely mix things up in panic. Especially in such proximity to the coastline, even novices wouldn't panic," Liang En pointed to the reef beneath their feet.
"But what's so precious about this stone to warrant it being in a golden box?" Fan Meng, puzzled by the seemingly low value of the transparent stone, inquired.
"Let me think—" Fan Meng's question hit the mark. Many significant historical discoveries stemmed from seemingly illogical places.
"I wonder if this could be the legendary Sunstone," Liang En's sudden realization drew from a speculative notion he'd once encountered online.
This remained speculation; there were no corresponding archaeological records proving the veracity of this legendary tale.
The sole archaeological record related to the Sunstone hailed from a shipwreck found in the English Channel years ago. A piece of calcite was discovered wedged in the ship's seams. However, the ship belonged to the Age of Discovery, leaving the archaeological community unable to ascertain this fact.
Now, this mystery might finally be solved. After all, something the Vikings would store in a golden box would undoubtedly hold immense importance to them. Confirming if the stone was calcite might validate their speculations.
Moreover, as Liang En made this deduction, three new cards appeared in his mind, affirming his theory.
"Sunstone sounds quite intriguing. Let me look it up," Fan Meng immediately reached for his phone, but then sighed and set it down. "Damn, no signal here."
"You mind explaining what this Sunstone actually is?" Fan Meng asked Liang En.
"It's an ancient Viking navigational tool," Liang En cradled the calcite in his hand, explaining further. "Navigating the vast seas, Vikings used various methods, such as observing marine life, currents, and wind directions."
"Among these methods, navigating using the sun was crucial because most other methods worked only in coastal regions, not on the open sea."
"However, as their voyages often spanned the North Atlantic, they frequently encountered long periods of overcast and rain. To overcome this, they discovered this specific calcite, allowing them to spot the sun even on cloudy days, and they named it the Sunstone."
"Seeing the sun on cloudy days? How does that work?" Fan Meng looked perplexed. "I know thermal imaging can do that, but a piece of stone—"
"Don't underestimate this stone," Liang En recalled from his memory. "According to scientists, calcite can indeed do this."
"According to scientists, the ability of humans to see the sun through calcite is entirely due to the principle of polarized light. When light propagates, it can split into vibrating electromagnetic waves in different directions. If light waves vibrate only in one direction, it's called polarized light."
"Calcite is a unique crystal whose molecular structure filters out all light except sunlight, resulting in polarized light."
"Of course, not all calcite can do this. It's likely only specific stones possess this ability, explaining why archaeologists hadn't discovered it before."
Due to the overcast sky, Liang En attempted to hold the stone at a particular angle to the sky. After over half an hour of trying, he successfully saw sunlight through a unique angle of the calcite.
"Yes, we've proven a legend once again," Liang En directed Fan Meng on how to use the calcite, saying, "Just as the legend goes, the Vikings could indeed navigate the seas using a stone."
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 148: Empowerment
Upon confirming that the stone he discovered was indeed the legendary Sunstone, Liang En immediately ceased his ongoing search and returned to the shore. He then proceeded to show his discovery to the Canadian archaeological team.
Initially, the team members were skeptical of Liang En's claim since the Sunstone was mostly considered a legend, and no historian had previously presented any evidence to support its existence.
However, when Liang En played the entire process captured by Fan Meng's camera on the computer, particularly the opening of the box, and allowed them to experience firsthand the power of the calcite, the members erupted in cheers.
For archaeologists, discovering anything of historical value was cause for celebration, let alone something that existed solely in legends manifesting in reality.
While the archaeologists fervently contacted the Canadian National Archaeology Department, Liang En had already departed. He had completed what he intended to do and had no further interest in the work on the wilderness ahead.
Regarding the upcoming compensation, Liang En didn't worry. The Count's side would handle those matters. Based on their previous collaborations, he only needed to let the Count deal with the terms outlined in the pre-signed contract.
Finally aboard the seaplane leaving the site, Liang En could finally take the time to meticulously examine the cards he had collected previously.
The greatest gain this time lay in the realm of legendary powers. Out of a total of eight cards, he obtained four cards that could enhance his legendary power limit – two from the Vinland Colony and two from the Sunstone itself.
This once again confirmed a rule regarding the acquisition of legendary power: the points gained were directly related to the mythical status of the discovery location and the rarity of the discovered contents.
For instance, the reason for acquiring 4 points this time was simple. Both the Sunstone and Vinland Colony were part of epics, transitioning from history to legend and then to myth.
Unfortunately, due to the Viking's legends being closer in time and the Vinland legend being relatively obscure in history, it limited the upper threshold of acquiring legendary power.
To illustrate, if Liang En had discovered items related to the Crusades slightly later than this era, he might have acquired more legendary power.
Nevertheless, the four obtained "Legendary Power (N)" cards held significant importance for Liang En. They raised his legendary power limit to eight points, leaving only two points until unlocking the mystery behind the ring hanging around his neck.
Considering the strength gained previously through consuming the limit of legendary power, this ring should possess unprecedented power, hence the high requirement for activation.
Full of hope for the future, Liang En began inspecting the remaining four cards, only to find that three of them were common.
Among them were one "Detection (N)" card from the Sunstone and one "Restoration (R)" and another "Detection (N)" from the Vinland Colony.
Regarding the newly acquired "Restoration (R)" card, Liang En noticed its similarity to the "Restoration (N)" card in most aspects but significantly differed in crucial points.
Apart from the overall volume of damaged items increasing from not exceeding 30% to not exceeding 60%, it could genuinely restore a portion equivalent to the original not exceeding 30%.
In essence, with sufficient raw materials, if the original object's damage did not surpass 30%, it would transform from damaged to intact without visible signs of repair, unlike the previous restoration method.
"This is incredible!" Liang En widened his eyes after reading the card's description. The completeness of artifacts often played a decisive role in their value. Sometimes, a complete artifact's value could be several times or even dozens of times that of a damaged one.
After calming down from the excitement of obtaining such a useful card, Liang En focused on the last "R" card.
"Seaborne Raiders (R): Vikings, the most powerful raiders from a millennium ago. They often launched attacks from coastlines or even rivers, plundering the targeted areas entirely.
These raids cast a significant psychological shadow over the Europeans. Even in many archaeological findings, prayers were discovered, beseeching the merciful Lord to keep them safe from the clutches of the Vikings, highlighting the terrifying nature of these raiders.
Enhancement Card (One-time use), Effect One: Upon using this card, the user will acquire some of the skills possessed by the mighty Viking raiders of that era, some related to navigation and others to combat.
Effect Two: After using the card, the user gains a simple physical enhancement, acquiring the unique balance and bodily coordination typical of Viking raiders who roamed the seas for years.
Note: This change in bodily coordination might temporarily compromise the user's balance, so for safety reasons, it's best to lie down while using this card."
"It seems I have a connection with the Vikings after all," Liang En remarked after finishing the content on the last card, recalling the previous card related to strengthening his body also tied to the Vikings.
Nevertheless, it was a fortunate connection since both Viking explorers and Viking berserkers had their strengths. Mastering their powers would significantly boost his abilities.
However, attempting enhancement on the plane was not a good idea, especially considering the potential loss of balance during the process, which might result in an embarrassing fall. Mistaking it for a stroke wouldn't be ideal.
Thus, it wasn't until they checked into the pre-booked hotel and retired to their respective rooms that Liang En, after a quick wash, lay on the carpet to enhance himself using the card.
The reason behind this action was that Liang En had noticed last time, after enhancement, he ended up drenched in sweat, be it the bedding or his clothes. So, this time, he opted to lie on the floor to avoid such a mess.
Prepared and ready, Liang En closed his eyes and activated the "Seaborne Raiders (R)" card.
However, to his surprise, as the card transformed into a silvery radiance and began enhancing him, Liang En distinctly felt that this enhancement was different from the previous one.
There was no pain, no hunger, and no thirst. Precisely speaking, there was not even a trace of discomfort during this enhancement, but rather an extraordinary sense of comfort.
It felt as if Liang En's body was soaking in a warm spring while gentle currents massaged him all over. In this blissful state, time gradually slipped away.
Finally, he regained awareness of his surroundings. Realizing the enhancement had concluded, the experienced Liang En promptly got up from the floor and hurried into the bathroom at the fastest speed.
Although he didn't sweat much this time, lying bare-backed on the carpet had left a layer of dust on his skin. Therefore, Liang En thought it best to take a quick shower in such circumstances.
--
Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 149: The Auction
Liang En found himself in Toronto due to an invitation from Bruce, a real estate tycoon from New York who had previously entrusted Liang En to find a lost ancestral gemstone brooch.
The email Liang En received in Newfoundland hinted at Bruce wanting a reliable expert during a yacht auction.
Bruce's hospitality, a notch above Liang En's usual, provided a five-star accommodation, a clear upgrade from his usual four-star stays, greatly appreciated, especially the lavish bathing facilities.
Despite this luxury, Liang En swiftly cleaned off the grime and proceeded to examine the results of his recent enhancements in the living area.
The enhancement in body coordination was evident. Liang En effortlessly maintained a prolonged handstand, a feat unattainable before despite enhanced strength.
Moreover, previously mastered skills now felt more fluid, less rigid than the initial enhancement phase.
Aside from bodily adjustments, Liang En found his mind filled with extensive knowledge of navigation and combat, a compilation of centuries of Viking wisdom.
"Give me a ship and eight men, and I could set sail for plunder right now," Liang En quipped, scrolling through the wealth of knowledge in his mind.
Yet, upon organizing this trove, he realized only a fraction remained applicable today.
Navigation insights mainly focused on locating oneself at sea and finding routes, invaluable during the Viking era. However, with modern GPS and navigational tools, their significance had waned.
Similarly, despite the sophistication of Viking food preservation techniques, modern refrigeration and canned foods surpassed their efficiency.
However, some skills like managing life on a rocking ship or swift rope climbing might prove useful.
The legacy of Viking warriors, though outdated in modern warfare, captivated Liang En due to his inherent fascination with such skills, even if their practicality was limited.
Moreover, he stumbled upon a pleasant surprise: the acquisition of various Viking herbal and potion recipes, perfectly suited for "Potion Crafting (N)."
Among these, techniques for yogurt, cheese, and mead production stood out as particularly useful to Liang En.
"If only there were more remnants akin to Vinland colonies. Scarce finds make them more precious," Liang En pondered before dozing off in the luxurious hotel bed, a stark contrast to the rustic discomfort of a fishing boat.
The next morning, awakening at 9:30 AM, he swiftly ordered breakfast through room service, thankful for the hotel's amenities.
During the agreed week leading to the auction, Liang En and his friends explored Toronto briefly, capturing moments at significant locations while spending the rest of their time attending to personal matters in the hotel.
Fan Meng primarily exercised in the hotel gym, maintaining his fitness, while Liang En delved into the details of the upcoming yacht auction.
Organized by a Swedish magnate, the auction aimed to gather local wealthy individuals, sharing collections before embarking on an expedition in Massachusetts.
Liang En, having heard from Pierce about discreet auctions where valuable items circulated among affluent circles, found himself intrigued by this domain, aligning with his current profession.
Unexpectedly, on the third day at the hotel, a call from a shipping magnate led to an invitation delivered by a young man in a suit at the hotel's hall.
Two types of invitations surfaced: one from the shipping magnate and another supplementary one, unexpected but appreciated.
While the type of invitation seemed trivial for a newcomer, Liang En hadn't anticipated receiving a separate invitation from the auction's organizers, a gesture beyond his expectations.
Beyond the invitations, a set of over a dozen membership cards to entertainment venues worldwide arrived, perhaps a standard gesture in the world of the affluent.
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Table of content - Next Chapter
Chapter 150: Heading Out
After the departure of the young man who delivered the invitation, Liang En immediately headed to the gym to discuss attending the auction with Fan Meng.
Originally, Fan Meng had come to Toronto just to take a break, planning to return to England with Liang En after he finished his tasks, not intending to join the auction.
However, with an extra invitation now available, Liang En naturally wanted to invite Fan Meng to join him at the auction. They were a team, and participating in such events together was ideal.
Fan Meng readily accepted the invitation. For an ordinary person, the chance to step onto a top tycoon's yacht and attend these auctions was rare and not to be missed.
"It seems quite normal for them to do this," Fan Meng replied when Liang En expressed confusion about why the auction organizers had sent an invitation to him.
"Don't forget, you're now arguably the leading young figure in Egyptology. So, it's highly probable this tycoon noticed you and decided to extend the invitation."
"Ah, I see now!" Liang En murmured, lightly tapping his forehead.
Honestly, with the speed he was completing scholarly research thanks to his 'golden finger,' he hadn't had time to adjust to his changed status.
Choosing the path of a scholar after obtaining the 'golden finger' seemed the right move for Liang En. Sure, being just an antiquities dealer might bring in more money, but it likely wouldn't elevate his societal status as much.
Soon, the day they'd agreed upon arrived. Liang En and Fan Meng finished breakfast, dressed in formal suits, and took the hotel's car straight to the pier.
They arrived swiftly at the passenger dock. As the car stopped near the red carpet, Liang En and Fan Meng got out, sighting the luxurious yacht at the end of the carpet.
"Exploring on a ship like this... only the wealthy know how to play," Liang En muttered, gazing at the gleaming white yacht in the sunlight.
He realized this vessel was undoubtedly a true luxury yacht. Even a scratch on its surface might cost thousands or even tens of thousands of euros to repair.
From Liang En's earlier research, this yacht was a super explorer, almost 70 meters in length, with a displacement of 2275 tons. It could reach a maximum speed of 12.5 knots and travel 6000 nautical miles at 11 knots.
The entire yacht was highly automated, needing only 17 crew members to operate. It could accommodate 12 guests and fulfill various demands during extended voyages.
Most extravagantly, the vessel not only had complete ice-breaking capabilities but also housed an EC145 helicopter, a small submarine for three passengers, four snowmobiles, and four off-road vehicles.
Of course, the price tag on this vessel was incredibly high. Apart from the nearly 80 million euros for purchase, the weekly maintenance cost of around 500,000 euros made it unaffordable for ordinary wealthy individuals.
However, upon boarding, Liang En realized the exorbitant cost was justified. The interior decoration exuded the owner's sophisticated taste.
"Welcome to my auction, Mr. Liang," a sprightly elderly man with graying hair, obviously marked by adventures, greeted Liang En and Fan Meng as they reached the entrance of the lounge.
This gentleman was Mr. Skoode, the Swedish tycoon. Despite the weathered appearance on his face and hands from exploration, he appeared lively and remarkably straight-backed.
"It's an honor to receive your invitation," Liang En shook hands with the gentleman. The fact that this mogul, despite his age, preferred spending days in the wild, spoke volumes about his passion.
Honestly, apart from his inherent interest in history, Liang En believed that his 'golden finger' played a significant role in his current passion. If he were in his shoes, decades older and worth billions, yet facing continuous obstacles in exploration, he might find it hard to persist year after year like this gentleman.
"I've prepared rooms for both of you. If you need anything, just ask the crew onboard. The auction will commence at 5 PM. Until then, feel free to rest aboard," Mr. Skoode guided them to their quarters before mentioning, "The auction items for today are displayed on the first floor's lounge. You can take a look in advance."
"Thank you, sir," Liang En nodded, entering their allocated cabin with Fan Meng. Apparently, the host had checked up on them, arranging a room with two single beds for them.
They weren't the first to arrive. Upon tidying up a bit, they headed downstairs to the hall to inspect the auction items. Three or four individuals were already present.
Along the walls and surrounding areas of the hall were glass showcases of varying sizes, each displaying an item slated for the evening auction.
"Indeed, these items here rival some museum pieces," Liang En whispered as he examined the contents of several unattended glass showcases.
For instance, before him lay a beautiful necklace crafted from gold, enamel, and opal, designed in an asymmetric grapevine motif. The piece transitioned from gold to green through enamel leaf patterns, with black opals resembling grapes, a faithful rendition of nature's form.
Reading the plaque beneath, Liang En learned it was a necklace designed and crafted by Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of Charles Tiffany, the renowned founder of Tiffany Co., in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Undoubtedly, it was a representative piece of the American Art Nouveau movement in jewelry and a true artistic masterpiece worthy of museum exhibition.
Certainly, such an item wouldn't come cheap. The top-notch artistry coupled with the master's legacy easily placed its value at a million dollars or more, far beyond what Liang En could afford at present.
However, the auction wouldn't solely comprise such high-end items. Liang En noticed many glass cabinets containing items likely to be auctioned at tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars when the event commenced.
"These sketches look quite exquisite," Fan Meng whispered as they approached one glass cabinet. Inside was an open sketchbook displaying vivid portraits.
"It's a pity we don't know who the artist is," Liang En lamented, observing the absence of any signature on the sketchbook, significantly reducing its value.
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