In the northern port of Castel, today was the day several newly established caravans were departing.
Many islanders had taken ti off to see them off.
The soldiers lazily maintained order, preventing the gathered islanders from getting too close.
Dock workers were loading crates of goods onto the ships one by one.
It was a sailing ship, sowhat old but well-maintained, showing no signs of damage.
Hughes and Jeremiah stood at the boarding area.
He was here specifically to see the fleets off. This ship carried too many of Castel’s hopes, and as the lord of the land, Hughes had to co and take a look.
"Mr. Jeremiah, this voyage is in your hands. I’ve already inford Ken about what you ntioned before," Hughes whispered with a smile as he leaned closer to Jeremiah.
"Ken will teach you to read. If you’re interested in further lessons, you can seek him out."
Jeremiah nodded expressionlessly. Hughes’ contract clearly stated that he had to teach Ken the skills of a ship captain. In return, it was only fair that he learned so basic knowledge from Ken.
He was a pirate, how could he make a loss in any deal? Jeremiah secretly felt pleased.
He had heard that Ken was so kind of chanical engineer?
What was chanics anyway? Could it compare to captaining a ship?
He figured he’d pick it up easily with just a little effort.
Without saying much, Jeremiah turned to glance at the slightly frail-looking Ken, then walked onto the ship on his own.
Naturally, this ship was his Black Pearl, but at this mont, it had been leased by Hughes.
Although he was still the captain, he had now beco Hughes’ employee.
Hughes didn’t mind. He turned his gaze to the ship, spotting Isaac in the corner of the crowd. Isaac nodded at him before pulling up his hood.
Good, the people from Moths Chasing Fire were aboard. The news from the North would depend on them.
Hughes’ thoughts shifted as he looked into the distance, where Beatrice was arriving, accompanied by her maid.
To avoid running into Beatrice, Isaac had boarded in advance.
Seeing Miss Beatrice, Hughes imdiately put on his most enthusiastic deanor, his smile brightening two levels.
He had no choice, he had to make money sohow. He was counting on this noble lady to help him sell soap.
"Miss Beatrice, it is truly an honor to host you. The days I spent with you have left a deep impression. I wonder, did you enjoy your ti in Castel?"
Beatrice lifted the hem of her dress and walked up to Hughes, sizing him up before suddenly frowning.
"Have you encountered trouble, Lord Count?"
Hughes’ smile froze for a mont, showing a trace of surprise. "Why do you ask?"
"You don’t seem very happy. I am an Investigator, after paying a price, I always gain sothing in return, don’t I?"
Though her words were vague, Hughes understood her aning.
So, were investigators perceptive? He was indeed worried about the Fishn.
Suddenly, he recalled Nora’s words about the ’Extraordinary Curse.’
It was said that the Investigator path was the strongest extraordinary path, then what kind of curses and prices had Beatrice endured?
"You can tell . Helping the lord solve problems is my duty… and also my personal wish."
Beatrice gathered her courage, staring into Hughes’ eyes. "I wouldn’t mind staying a bit longer. Do you need my help?"
Hughes remained silent for a mont before smiling. "Thank you very much, but please don’t worry about . I’m just feeling a little unwell. If you could help promote my soap in Rhine, that would be the greatest help you could offer ."
Beatrice wasn’t that close to him, and Hughes had too many secrets.
An Investigator staying here for too long would surely expose sothing.
Besides, the island also had a group from Moths Chasing Fire, and they were mortal enemies with the Candlelight Church.
Both emotionally and logically, Hughes had no reason to keep Beatrice here.
"Is that so..." Beatrice lowered her gaze. "Then... I will promote your soap well in Rhine. I hope that when I return to Castel next ti, I will still see fireworks."
She lifted the hem of her dress slightly and curtsied, then slowly walked toward the Black Pearl.
Next ti?
Next ti, perhaps the Silent Sanctum would have arrived, and there might no longer be a place for the Candlelight Church in Castel.
He could only hope that when they t again, they wouldn’t be enemies.
Hughes watched Beatrice’s figure gradually fade into the distance, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart.
Well, if she visited as a noble lady instead of a Candlelight Church mber, he could naturally host her.
Perhaps he could even throw a banquet for her. By then, Castel would have new specialties, maybe she could help sell those too.
He could prepare so fireworks in advance. She seed to really like them.
If only he could ignore her ties to the Candlelight Church...
"Lord Hughes!!!"
A loud, enthusiastic shout pulled Hughes out of his thoughts.
He turned to look and couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated.
It was Josh.
The young man’s face was filled with excitent, and the people following him, mostly young n, looked equally eager as they glanced at the Black Pearl, their eyes full of anticipation.
"Lord Hughes! These are my caravan mbers! Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon to repay the goods I owe you!"
"That’s not urgent. First, focus on mapping out the sea routes. You won’t always have a captain hired for you, get your own ship and crew as soon as possible."
"Understood! Don’t worry, my lord!!"
Hughes waved, and the group of young people excitedly ran toward the ship.
They looked more like they were going on an adventure than running a business.
Doing business at sea was no simple matter, especially in Storm Ocean.
Hughes had seen many sailors whose corpses never lasted more than a few days.
He could only hope their lessons wouldn’t be too painful.
Watching the group, Hughes couldn’t help but smile. Maybe they really could carve out a path of their own.
Who knew what the future held?
『Ash, how are the preparations?』
『Lord, I’ve sent two teams of Sirens to follow from a distance. As long as they don’t encounter a large number of Fishn, they should be able to escape without much trouble.』
Hughes nodded. With Sirens escorting them below, Beatrice and Isaac being extraordinary individuals, and Jeremiah being an experienced pirate captain, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
Most importantly, the Fishn had been appearing to the east of Castel, while this voyage was headed in the opposite direction.
There shouldn’t be any trouble. Even if there was, they could handle it.
『Good, make sure you’re not discovered. Stay in contact and escort them away from the open sea.』
『Understood.』
Hughes didn’t send the Sirens for the entire journey. One, there was no need. Two, the Fishn were nearby, and protecting Castel was a higher priority.
Those monsters might have the ability to land. The island didn’t have many defensive forces, so it was better to keep the battle underwater if possible.
The Black Pearl raised its anchor, hoisted its sails, and gradually left Castel.
Ken, Jeremiah, Isaac, Josh, Beatrice, one by one, familiar faces slowly drifted away from the ship’s railing.
Hughes smiled and waved at them from a distance, then slowly turned around, his smile fading.
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