Walking down from the second layer was no easy task. As the entire city leveled an almost mountain-like terrain, the distance between 4 layers took a considerable amount of walking.
Even the distance between 1 layer to another could take at least 10 minutes or so!
Still, the crew took a short path that led straight down to the sixth layer, taking them short of an hour to arrive.
Along the way, Cetas saw the changes with each passing layer. From genuine streets with clean roads and well-engineered houses, to the barren slums on the right where people glared at the crew with intent to steal.
They could only glare though.. none of them dared to do anything.
Of course, it was due to the fact that the people from the slums were more knowledgeable about pirates than those at the topmost layers.
And in front of them, walked the infamous Captain of the Aegir Pirates.
Skadi took notice of their gazes and kept pacing along with the mbers behind her.
Contrary to this, Elishia’s body shuddered, "How creepy! It’s even more creepy than the people of Seyil.. To think that such a lawless place existed in a beautiful city.."
Skadi shifted her head slightly around and replied, "All of the cities in Helios, perhaps even the world, have places such as these. It is.. impossible to avoid due to the context of human nature. We are.. greedy individuals after all, especially the aristocrats and the nobles, they are more greedy than that of the people down here. Prideful too.."
Elishia nodded.
"Yeah.. I know that much.. People can be more scary than Leviathans at tis."
Donning a simple white blouse Elishia continued to look around and study the city of Flag.
Alternatively, the black-clad Skadi seed undisturbed, as if she was already used to the atmosphere of the slums.
After traveling for a while, the crew descended down the layers and eventually made it to the sixth layer’s harbor.
In the distance, the blue extravagance of the sea stretched out as far as the eye can see. Clouds floated above the blue sea, covering the rising sun far above.
The sll of the sea perated Cetas’ nose, reminding him of a familiar scent from the past.
Many ships of different kinds were anchored in the harbor, so belonging to pirates and so engaging in varieties of trades.
Upon arriving, Cetas heard Skadi speak once more, "This.. is the Salt Ink Harbor, known for hosting a nurous number of traders, serving as one of the main sources of exports in the city. While on the other side, on the left, is the Saline Harbor, anchoring many ships for governnt envoys and continental talks."
"There are many offices and legal buildings located in Salt Ink Harbor but I will not delve deeper into that as that is not what we ca here for. Well, even though piracy is illegal in Helios, it is notable to think that pirates bring forth.. inco."
Asking in a curious tone, Cetas opened his mouth, "Inco?"
"Indeed. Even though most mbers of the legal system fail to admit it, pirates are a great source of trade. One that is tax-free too.."
Cetas understood more about humans, learning more about the so-called concept of ’greed’.
As Skadi went through the information regarding the trade and mariti laws, the crew then made it in front of one of the docks in the harbor.
Several shipwrights and workers were busy constructing various ships. So were taking a break, while so were hard at work in either repair or construction.
Just then, one of the shipbrokers ca by to Skadi and the others, his hands held tightly as he moved them around in a pleasing manner.
"Ah! Captain Skadi! It has been long since I’ve last seen you. How is the Maryland faring?"
Skadi gazed at the shipbroker’s eyes, noticing his loose shirt and sailor-style trousers in her peripheral.
"Destroyed, consud by a Great Leviathan."
The shipbroker’s mouth jolted open, his eyes flickering in astonishnt, "I-I see.. That old piece of junk was a couple years old anyways, haha.."
Skadi glared at him, taking offense at his words.
"Eeeek!" The shipbroker squealed.
However, Skadi shook her head and placed her hands on her forehead, "I’ve co to look for another ship. One that can withstand the treacherous storms of the seas. With speeds that can overco Leviathans and as durable as a mountain."
"M-mountain? I believe that such a ship wouldn’t exist... as far as my knowledge can take .."
Skadi sighed, "Then take to the best you have."
Walking through the docks, Cetas saw as they passed by many large ships. With every one of them, Cetas thought that they were nearing the ship that fits Skadi’s standards.
With each ship passed by, the subsequent ones showed a larger and sturdier structure. Made from different types of wood, the shipwrights were hard at work when developing these ships.
After passing through all of them, Cetas and the others reached the end of the docks.
Facing frontward, Cetas noticed a ship with three masts, containing 12 large white sails that encapsulated the ship’s aptness for speed.
The ship broker then let out his harsh voice, "This is our most agile ship! A three-mast Schooner that is capable of traversing through the seas at a hasty pace! Co, let show you an overview of the ship.
Entering the ship through a wooden ramp, Cetas looked amazed by the sheer size of the ship’s mast.
Cetas turned his head towards Skadi.
12 Sails? With Skadi’s winds, the speeds will be imnse!
Walking through the middle of the ship, the ship broker said, "This is the main deck, running most of the activities such as maneuvering the ship, surveillance in the crow’s nest, cargo maintenance, and weapons, of course, hehe.."
Cetas noticed 8 cannons layered on the sides of the ship, standing firmly as if they were ready to shoot out bursts of cannon balls.
Far on the corner of the ship, there were stairs leading up to the helm. On the other side, a long wooden bowsprit fastened the forestays, supporting the foremast of the schooner.
Following Skadi, Cetas descended down the ships to enter the lower deck.
At the stern, the captain’s cabin was located. In front of it is the main deck where the crew would store most of their supplies and on the farthest corner, in aft section of the ship, was the quarters for the crew mbers.
Furthermore, the galley lay below deck, close to the stern and the captain’s cabin. Close to it was the ss area where long tables and benches could be found, portraying places where the crew can eat.
Many more places were located below deck, notably the toilets, storage area, powder room, gun deck, and much more..
Additionally there is a wide hatch below the lower deck where it gave access to a shipwright to maintain the integrity of the ship.
Overall, the ship itself looked to be of high quality, possessing many areas where the crew mbers can work on their specializations.
It had all the essentials that a pirate would need in traversing the seas.
However, Cetas noticed that Skadi had a flat look on her face, almost looking sour as if the ship had been missing sothing..
Imdiately, she asked the ship broker, "Would it be possible to add more sails?"
The ship broker looked perplexed, "M-more sails? Is 12 not enough?"
Skadi nodded.
"Is it possible?"
"Y-yes it would be.. but why?"
Gazing above the three masts of the ships, she focused on the sails that served as their main source of covering distances.
Cetas noticed a different glint in her eyes, perhaps a sense of fear stemd from the previous encounter with Poseidon - the Great Leviathan.
Back then, she needed speed more than anything. Of course, running away from a Great Leviathan could be considered a nigh impossible feat but Skadi still wanted to increase the sails and improve her chances.
No longer did she want to put her crew in danger..
Afterwards, she glanced at the ship broker, and said in a domineering tone, "Alright. How long would it take for you to finish this?"
With the ship broker’s voice shaking, he replied, "A w-week at most, 5 days in the earliest!"
"We can wait.. Let’s talk about prices.."
Suddenly, the ship broker’s face lightened - a wide grin painted on his face.
He clasped his fingers together, rubbing them in a pleasing manner.
"N-now you’re talking! A schooner of this size and durability would fetch hundreds of Solaris in the market! However, since I’ve been acquainted with you p-previously. I will give a asly discounted price of 528 Solaris, i-including the modifications of the sails, o-of course.."
"528 Solaris.. Alright, I can do that."
The ship broker clapped and smiled, revealing his tar-filled teeth, "Great! I shall talk to the Harbormaster and tell him about the purchase, no papers required, hehe.."
Skadi extended her right arm, gesturing to shake her hand with his.
After the ship broker shook her hands, Skadi spoke with a formal tone, "Then we shall be back after a week. Be seeing you.."
"B-be seei-"
Before the ship broker could finish his sentence, Skadi and the others already turned around and left the ship.
Upon exiting the docks, they stood in the middle of the pavent, near stalls that sold fish and assortnts of sea products.
Then, Skadi faced her crew crossing her arms, "Until the ship gets prepared, we shall stay here in Flag. Be careful as to not garner any attention from the Church as mbers of the Laity are always patrolling every street of the city."
"For now, let’s seek lodging that we can stay in. I believe it’s best that we stay in the fifth layer as it is closest to the docks and have easy access to various comrcial districts across the city."
As Cetas agreed with Skadi, voicing out an earnest ’Aye’, he turned back and gazed at the seas in the horizon.
A week from now, he would travel with the Aegir pirates and explore the world.
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