The great enemy had been vanquished.
Everyone in the mine chamber wore different expressions.
Li Site understood this was far from time to relax. The real challenge hadn't even arrived yet. The pursuers were completely dealt with and no longer a concern, but the surrounding forces at Linden City were the true heavyweights. On the way here, he'd heard from Carolso that not only were there fanatics from the Eternal Sect, but also someone called Zachak—the chief liaison officer to Arlan's upper command who had trained with the damned Arlan Sword King himself. An absolute ruthless character among ruthless characters. He wondered if General Fen and the others could hold out.
Li Site understood this was far from time to relax. The real challenge hadn't even arrived yet. The pursuers were completely dealt with and no longer a concern, but the surrounding forces at Linden City were the true heavyweights. On the way here, he'd heard from Carolson that not only were there fanatics from the Eternal Sect, but also someone called Zachak—the chief liaison officer to Arlan's upper command who had trained with the damned Arlan Sword King himself. An absolute ruthless character among ruthless characters. He wondered if General Fen and the others could hold out.
Though Shadi said this, he was mainly curious about the black-robed figure's identity. Despite the concealing hooded robe, the skeletal frame suggested a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl. Could something really pose a threat to an Emperor who could kill dragons bare-handed?
He strode quickly toward the black-robed figure, the short knife still gripped in his hand, ready to tear off the mask and see the truth.
"Absolutely not. The Count must have specified—confidentiality is part of the agreement. Not only is there the final payment the Count promised, but when we reach Heaven's Port and matters are settled, the contact person will also offer substantial rewards."
Carolson unhesitatingly blocked his path. Even though they had just survived a great battle together, these pirates were lawless individuals. If they learned the identity, it would inevitably cause complications.
"Was that really said?"
The mine chamber, which had just relaxed, instantly grew tense again.
Cloud keenly sensed they were now on a pirate ship, standing together with the Black Sails crew.
Li Site's mind raced with thoughts. He had indeed promised the Count, but verbal agreements had limited power. Would there really be heavy rewards waiting at Heaven's Port? A terrifying idea sprouted in his mind. There would be plenty of opportunities aboard ship. This black-robed figure had protected Gloria earlier, suggesting they had formed a bond during their escape. These upright people were different from the double-dealing pirates gathered from fugitives everywhere—they were people with loyalty and principles. If they tore off all pretenses, how could they be of use?
"Yes, that was indeed stated. We must return to the ship immediately. The only way from here to Secret Port is through Lavender Town. Every second counts."
Hearing the captain's words, Sven abandoned the idea. Over these past two months, he had come to know Li Site as a ruthless and meticulous man whose judgments were always carefully considered, never made recklessly.
Li Site asked Gloria. Truly deserving of being a prominent figure in the Adventurers' Guild newspapers. Impressive. Fists.
She was seriously injured. Edmund's sword skills were something even a hero-level adventurer couldn't withstand. If not for the Sovereign's Blade, several people would have died in this mine chamber today.
Gloria leaned against the wall to barely stand straight herself and nodded, but a wound at her waist began bleeding, staining the white shirt beneath her leather armor crimson. A large gash on her leg also looked grave.
Sven raised an eyebrow. Returning to the main road would take some effort. Carrying dead weight would slow them down.
Cloud keenly sensed they were now on a pirate ship, standing together with the Black Sails crew.
Li Site's mind raced with thoughts. He had indeed promised the Count, but verbal agreements had limited power. Would there really be heavy rewards waiting at Heaven's Port? A terrifying idea sprouted in his mind. There would be plenty of opportunities aboard ship. This black-robed figure had protected Gloria earlier, suggesting they had formed a bond during their escape. These upright people were different from the double-dealing pirates gathered from fugitives everywhere—they were people with loyalty and principles. If they tore off the mask, how could they be of use?
Li Site considered solutions. This girl Gloria couldn't walk. By the time they returned to the ship, she might already be dead. But she absolutely had to be taken along. Though the mysterious figure wore a black robe, she appeared to be a slender young girl. He knew she was female because her chest development was quite impressive. This mysterious person likely obeyed Gloria and Carolson completely. By controlling these two, they controlled the mysterious figure. This matter was crucial and needed careful long-term planning.
"Good. We can only do emergency bandaging for now. Stop the bleeding first. Hang in there."
Carolson tore several strips from his cloak. The horseback journey would be bumpy—he wondered if Gloria could endure it.
Seeing Cloud's large build, Li Site had him carry Gloria. Carolson was utterly exhausted from successive battles, having fought his way here and back, sustained only by the will of a church fanatic.
Cloud looked deeply troubled, covered in Military Police blood, lost in thought.
"Cloud, you carry her." Li Site patted Cloud's shoulder. "From now on, you're one of our own. You'll be among the core backbone members. Your men aren't ordinary sailors either—they can serve as gunners. We'll give them special treatment."
Cloud nodded. It was the only way.
The group of seven returned to the main road. Dusk approached, the bloody sunset faintly ominous.
Li Site asked Gloria. Truly deserving of being a prominent figure in the Adventurers' Guild newspapers. Impressive. Fists.
"Your crew... can they handle it?"
Carolson couldn't help asking. What followed was the final obstacle. Once they broke through, the vast seas would offer escape.
"More than handle it... Every one of my men is exceptional among men."
Gloria leaned against the wall to barely stand straight herself and nodded, but a wound at her waist began bleeding, staining the white shirt beneath her leather armor crimson. A large gash on her leg also looked grave.
Li Site shouted. Now they could only rely on the invincible General Fen.
Hooves thundered immediately as they raced toward the coast.
On the deck, over a hundred pirates remained silent because the ship's core members each had their concerns, their expressions quite gloomy.
The weather looked unfavorable. Though it was evening, the oppressive clouds made it feel like night had already fallen. A storm was imminent.
Ren and Archer had taken twenty men ashore to serve as early warning and enemy detection outside Linden City.
Fen paced back and forth on the deck. By his calculations, Li Site's group had been gone for nearly three days without any news. Meanwhile, they were already being watched by Zachak.
Li Site considered solutions. This girl Gloria couldn't walk. By the time they returned to the ship, she might already be dead. But she absolutely had to be taken along. Though the mysterious figure wore a black robe, she appeared to be a slender young girl. He knew she was female because her holy mountain development was quite impressive. This mysterious person likely obeyed Gloria and Carolson completely. By controlling these two, they controlled the mysterious figure. This matter was crucial and needed careful long-term planning.
In the corner, Ox suddenly opened his eyes, intense killing intent radiating from him.
"All hands, attention! Windlass operators, riggers—stand by on ship, ready to set sail at any moment. All others, act according to deployment."
An extremely bizarre phenomenon occurred around Fen. From one side of his body, a perfect duplicate of himself wearing identical clothing slowly emerged—even the monocle was the same.
"Fen" was the first to disembark.
With these words, everyone sprang into action.
Morrison followed closely, vaulting directly over the railing and landing steadily on the pier from over ten meters high.
Ox, carrying his massive greatsword, also dropped down, making the pier creak ominously.
Seventy to eighty pirates poured down the gangplank, all carrying ringed fire scimitars and various lethal weapons. Desperadoes gathered from across the seas moving simultaneously created an utterly terrifying presence.
"You three—any outsiders who come here, just kill them."
Though Fen remained stationed on the ship, he could project spiritual avatars. However, their effectiveness diminished with distance—the limit was fifty miles. He also couldn't divide his attention three ways. He needed Wolman to keep watch here too.
"Like you needed to tell me."
Wolman was highly enthusiastic about getting to kill Arlan people.
Fen leaned against the ship's railing, closed his eyes, and let his consciousness fly toward his spiritual avatar—a profoundly mysterious experience.