However, the boundary between holy relics and divine artifacts is often blurred, and at least more than half of the holy relics left by the Numelin Elves are divine artifacts.
Currently, the Foe Slayer can be considered a holy relic, but once the seal is lifted it is almost certainly a divine artifact, just like the Holy Sword Moa.
Apart from the Heart of Fairy and the Ring of Golden Flame, this is the third divine artifact they possess.
But the first two aren't so straightforward, as the Heart of Fairy is only part of the Dragon Knight, and the Ring of Golden Flame is more of a quest item.
Only the Foe Slayer can be claimed as their own, the first equipment at the level of a divine artifact.
Although, at present, it is still in its holy relic state.
In fact, Fang Hong thought that perhaps the Zero-Type Crystal left to him by Master Hain might also count as a divine artifact, although the Dragon Soul Crystal has no grading, its significance to this world is greater than most true divine artifacts.
Reed held the blade and handed it over, "You try it, Ade."
But Fang Hong shook his head; what would he do with this sword? Besides, he had already tried it, and it was beyond doubt that the sword chose its master, and the person before him was the best home for this Holy Sword.
The Big Catfolk heard his words and, seeing everyone nodding in agreement, smiled and accepted the sword:
"This is the collective property of the Seven Seas Travel Group. I'll temporarily keep it safe for everyone."
It was clear that he greatly favored the sword.
Because this was not just any Holy Sword; it was also Lady Marlan's sword.
...
Very few knew what transpired that night.
Although someone mentioned the glowing lake water the next day, most believed it was merely an illusion, or a natural phenomenon.
A curious soul uploaded a video shot at that time to the community, which instead incited a visiting craze to Lake Tear of Obey.
For many years thereafter, the Moon of Tear Lake became a well-known local legend.
But few associated it with the Holy Sword in Fang Hong's possession. The story of him purchasing the Holy Sword was only circulated locally for a few days, before becoming, like all idle chatter, gradually forgotten.
About two days later, on a particularly ordinary day, the repaired Seven Seas Traveler bid farewell to others who had come to see them off and left Patchiwa.
As if it were all a joke, Lady Esali really did stay aboard for several days.
Along with her teammates, planning to adventure to the Great Wetlands, Fang Hong gave them a lift part of the way.
She developed a good friendship with Elisa and Hilveld, then bid farewell and disembarked with them at a small village called Xin—Tahka.
Sometimes Hilveld would teasingly ask him, smiling, if he missed that sexy elder sister.
But Fang Hong had learned to answer such deadly questions and countered by asking who she was referring to.
Whenever this happened, Miss Ship's Officer would bend over laughing, then give him a fragrant kiss.
Sometimes Fang Hong thought that Lady Esali, who always teased him, was too formidable.
Quickly crossing the Great Wetlands— known as the Great Rainforest by humans, but the Lizardmen refer to it as the marshland area.
Each day, they drew closer to the Old World's Ladder, with Mount Pieriad's high ridges rising on the horizon, gradually casting a heavy shadow blocking their way.
After Lady Esali left, the only guests on the ship were Underground Walnut and his few companions, a total of four excluding Beiji.
The young people on the ship were somewhat shy, as Underground Walnut was the oldest of them, about Fang Hong's age.
The largest of the other three was a few months younger than Underground Walnut, and the youngest was just sixteen.
Underground Walnut was the highest level among them at fifteen, but he had entered Eteliria four years earlier than Fang Hong.
The other three averaged about level twelve.
Just like Lady Esali, they were full of praise for this airship.
Though from the outside, the Seven Seas Traveler seemed small, once aboard, it was as if it contained the essentials of a larger vessel.
Moreover, its interior comfort was superior to that of most ships.
Lady Esali was immensely envious; had she not been with her companions, Fang Hong believed this thick-skinned woman would certainly have stayed behind.
But the young people were not as audacious.
There weren't enough cabins on the ship, so they requested to hang hammocks in the forward storeroom.
Uncomfortable with staying in a comfy room himself while his friends slept in hammocks, Underground Walnut also volunteered to join them. Ultimately, it was suggested by Miss Atira that they stay in the infirmary— also known as the brig.
It's no wonder Fang Hong saw Parker and Tianlan so unrestrained lately; they seemed to believe they wouldn't be put in the brig.
He found an opportunity to lock the Papalarians in the storeroom for a day, making them more compliant, at least not daring to raid the ship's kitchen.
The young people were gathered on the deck watching Atira trim the branches of belladonna in the round garden, her tender stems seeming to magically grow tendrils that wound around the trellis.
Few had seen an Ameya Druid, let alone such amazing spells. Elf Miss could even accelerate the maturity of produce—like the potatoes and dwarftree eggplants they used at yesterday's meal, all from this round garden.
However, every bit of magic power onboard was allotted, and Elf Miss was careful in using it.
Tianlan blew wind for her young Arrow-Tailed Kite chick on the deck. It had grown its first feathers, still far from adulthood, yet it resembled it somewhat.
Unlike Xiaoxiao's creature, which was evolving towards a flying pig.
Parker teased her multiple times about gluing feathers onto pigs, which often left the girl tearful, before Papalarian got pummeled by the storming Tianlan as anticipated.
Nevertheless, Xiaoxiao was about to be unable to carry her little pet.
On this occasion in the Lizardman territory, they acquired numerous plant seeds and a Druid's spell materials; even Elf Miss's magic potion lab and greenhouse would truly soon be set up.
Yet still, they lacked a proper assistant.
"Once we cross Mount Pieriad, it's Kailan Ao. Is the place truly in Mount Pieriad?"
Fang Hong observed the distant mountain silhouette, asking aloud.
Underground Walnut nodded, "Beiji said so."
"Did Miss Beiji say anything else?"
"She mentioned there's a mineral vein beneath Mount Pieriad. Her father visited that place," Underground Walnut paused, "but for us, we'll have to deduce its location based on limited information. Captain Ade, do you really intend to go there?"
Fang Hong eyed the heavy clouds on the horizon; a storm was approaching. He glanced again at Beiji standing alone at the bow and nodded:
"I'll take you to Golande; even if the Descendants of Flor block us on the other side of Kailan Ao, it's the same. But if that's the case, you might have to accompany us to Saint Hugon."
Underground Walnut sighed with relief; he wasn't sure what their next steps should be once they reached Kailan Ao.
Beiji's father was imprisoned in Orlenze, but they felt powerless.
Fang Hong's willingness to make decisions for them brought him great relief.
...