Alka had already arrived at 28 Mast Street. The door to this shop had long been closed, looking exceptionally conspicuous on a bustling street. Sparing it only a glance, Alka headed into a nearby alley corner. As he stepped into the alley, the world seed to quiet down a bit, and no one seed willing to enter.
He arrived at the spiral staircase and went up.
DING-DONG!
A gentle chi sounded as Alka pushed the door open.
Upon entering, he imdiately saw Balazs, still sitting in the sa corner as last ti and waving at him. The one-eyed owner behind the counter looked at Alka and nodded slightly. Alka returned the gesture politely and went to sit in front of Balazs in the corner.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not at all, I should be the one apologizing for keeping you on the island for a week," Balazs said with a smile, then poured Alka a glass of wine. After a light clink of their glasses, their conversation began.
Balazs produced a piece of yellowing parchnt, bordered with golden patterns and featuring the Holy Mother’s insignia on the back. This was a Holy Mother Church contract; any violation would incur the Holy Mother’s curse. Balazs handed the parchnt over, saying, "Take a look, these are the terms I had a priest from the Church draft."
Hearing this, Alka’s attention shifted from the parchnt. He asked curiously, "Is there a church on this island? A Holy Mother Church?"
"Huh? You didn’t know? I thought you..."
Balazs seed even more surprised than Alka. He believed he hadn’t mistaken Alka for a devotee of the Holy Mother. So why wouldn’t Alka know about the church on the island?
"We’ve stuck to the town since arriving on the island and haven’t seen any church."
Although Alka knew the Endless Sea had the Four Gods Church, he didn’t expect the Southern Cross Island to have a Holy Mother Church. Quite a coincidence.
Upon hearing this, Balazs nodded. "The church is established in Rates. You could visit if you have ti; it’s quite a nice city."
Rates was the central city of this island. In the language of the Vastva City-state, its na ant "shining star."
"Are there churches of the other gods?"
Upon hearing Alka’s question, Balazs shook his head.
"Of course not. This is the Holy Mother’s domain of faith; other churches wouldn’t try to spread their beliefs here," Balazs said, taking a sip of his drink.
So that’s it. No wonder this place uses the common tongue of the Holand Sea. The island’s residents generally use it for communication, which must an the Holy Mother’s faith has been spreading here for quite so ti. Yet, the religious atmosphere here is quite subtle. Even in everyday interactions, I haven’t seen the crossed-hands prayer gesture. It seems these people aren’t particularly devout to the Holy Mother.
Pushing his thoughts aside, Alka focused on the contract. The terms Balazs had drafted were precisely what they had discussed earlier, with no additional clauses.
Upon acquisition, the treasure will be distributed based on the contributions made by both parties during the hunt.
Neither party shall conceal the treasure’s value, nor steal any part of it, nor withhold any known information about it.
During the treasure hunt, while ensuring their own safety, neither party shall intentionally harm the other by any ans.
These were very reasonable terms, ensuring both parties’ interests during the treasure hunt.
I should prepare more contracts like this. They’ll definitely be useful for our Treasure Hunting Team in the future.
"I have no problem with it."
"Alright, let’s seal it with a bloodprint then."
Balazs said as a wound appeared on his thumb. Faint blood trickled out, and he pressed his thumb onto the contract. The blood evaporated almost imdiately, leaving black lines on the contract.
Alka did the sa.
Once the contract was ford, the parchnt instantly turned to ash, transforming into two golden beams that wrapped around their wrists. As the beams faded, a pattern of wheat encircling each of their wrists appeared.
Wheat is the Holy Mother’s most famous and representative symbol, signifying that the contract between them was now ford. The two n then laughed and shook hands.
"Then, let’s have a pleasant collaboration."
Next was the exchange of information about the treasure.
"Let’s go to your ship to discuss this," Balazs suggested. "This place isn’t ideal for exchanging information."
Alka nodded without objection.
The two of them walked towards the port. As they passed number 28, Balazs glanced sideways at it.
"I hope this venture goes smoothly."
Hearing this, Alka couldn’t help but glance at him. That sounded rather inauspicious, especially now.
After a brief chat, they reached the port. They maneuvered through the crowded streets to the side of the Sound of Dawn.
"Please, go ahead."
Balazs stepped aboard, carefully examining the Sound of Dawn’s exterior. He hadn’t been aboard this ship before. "It’s a really beautiful ship," he couldn’t help but say, patting the ship’s rail.
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