The scorching sun hung motionless in the sky, seemingly unaffected by the passage of ti.
The Sound of Dawn sailed on the sea.
"Is it right over here?" Jason gazed at the boundless, unchanging green swamp to their side. Turning his head, he asked Chadite.
Chadite glanced at the map, then at their surroundings, and ntally calculated their speed and travel ti. "If nothing unexpected happens, it should be here. Even if we've deviated, it can't be by much."
Hearing this, Alka nodded and gently patted the ship's helm. The Sound of Dawn slowly began to turn, making for the shore.
"Alright, everyone, get ready," Alka announced. "We're going ashore."
The people on deck were already prepared. Pororo leaped directly from the deck. Seeing him go, Matilda followed with a smile.
"Let's go too," Alka said, and he and Chadite descended. They all boarded the Flying Swallow. Soon, they reached the swamp.
Looking down, less than a ter below the water's surface, was 'land' ford from a dense tangle of vines and plants. "It all looks exactly the sa," Jason observed.
A shadow fell over their vessel, and everyone looked up. It was Ulu Liwus, soaring in the sky.
Ulu Liwus had grown larger; including her tail, her body now stretched four ters in length. Combined with her expansive wingspan, she was beginning to possess the intimidating aura of a true Giant Dragon.
Jason sighed as he watched the Crystal Dragon soaring freely overhead. Her increased size ant she required significantly more food. While Crystal Dragons didn't subsist solely on crystals, primarily eating various ats, they still needed a supplent of diverse gemstones to grow properly. At her current size, even her 'snacks' amounted to a frightening level of consumption. The crystals Jason had purchased were nearly depleted.
Hearing Jason's sigh, Alka patted him on the shoulder. "Cheer up."
Once Chadite had determined their direction, they pressed onward.
「A few more days passed.」
They continued their slow progress across the endless swamp.
"How much longer do we have to travel?" Jason couldn't help but ask.
"If we haven't gone off course, it should be less than a day," Alka replied, though he didn't sound entirely certain.
"And if we have gone off course?" Juanlu asked.
"Well... then I can't make any guarantees," Alka admitted.
As the group on the boat chatted idly, Simon's voice suddenly cut in, "Careful, there are people up ahead."
Everyone instantly tensed at his words.
"Local soldiers," Simon confird, identifying the strangers.
The distant figures—judging by their attire, the weapons they carried, and the peculiar fish-like mounts they rode—were identical to those they had encountered at the Jade Fortress and Floating Ball Island. Hearing this, the group's wariness eased sowhat, though they remained cautiously alert.
Before long, the soldiers apparently spotted them as well. Gripping their weapons, they hailed them from a few hundred ters away, their voices rough: "Who are you? Outsiders aren't welco here! Leave at once!" Their tone was far from polite, laden with undisguised hostility. It was clear they would attack if Alka's group didn't comply imdiately.
The tips of the tridents the soldiers held even began to shimr with a faint light. This was a clear sign they were prepared to attack at any mont; it was no re threat or jest.
Seeing this, Alka made a gesture with his hand. A flower-shaped object, intricately carved from so precious gemstone, appeared in his palm. It exuded a fresh floral fragrance that drifted on the air. The ornantal flower also emitted a soft, faint glow.
Upon seeing this flower, the distant patrol soldiers imdiately lowered their weapons and hurriedly urged their mounts closer. When they drew near, the captain who had shouted earlier quickly dismounted from his strange, fish-like creature. After a quick glance at Alka's party—their attire and general appearance—he bowed deeply.
"My apologies for the offense, honored friends," the captain said. "Are you perhaps heading to the Land of Fragrance?"
Judging by the captain's respectful deanor, it was clear he recognized Alka and his companions.
"That's correct. We are indeed on our way to the Land of Fragrance," Alka confird with a nod.
"If you don't mind, allow us to escort you," the soldier captain offered, looking up with a smile.
"Certainly, if it's no trouble for you," Alka replied.
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all!" the soldier captain replied quickly, still smiling.
He then hastily waved to the soldiers behind him. His soldiers quickly rode their fish-mounts over. From behind their fish-mounts, chains seemingly made of water materialized, connecting to the bow of the Flying Swallow.
The patrol squad consisted of six n in total. Including their captain, the six soldiers used their mounts to tow the Flying Swallow, rapidly increasing their pace.
Although the Flying Swallow possessed an incredible sailing speed, it was hampered by the unique environnt of the swamp. Here, it could only move like an ordinary small boat.
Jason approached the captain who had spoken earlier. "You seem to recognize us?" he asked.
"Of course," the captain replied. "We are deeply grateful for your assistance. The Erald Fortress has already sent word of your deeds."
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