novelraw Chapter 103 : Set Sail
Chapter 103 : Set Sail
Chapter 103: Set Sail
As the largest passenger liner in the world, the maiden voyage of the Arctic Star was bound to be dazzling, luxurious, and the focus of global attention.
When Li Wei arrived at the harbor, the first thing he saw was a massive crowd, dark and dense. Yet among them, only three out of ten were actual passengers, while the rest… most were simply there to watch the spectacle.
Of course, a first-class cabin on the Arctic Star was naturally expensive. For example, Li Wei’s first-class ticket cost 750 pounds. As for that price… well, luckily MI7 would reimburse him.
If Li Wei had to pay out of his own pocket, he could still afford it — provided the ship didn’t sink.
Otherwise, wouldn’t that money be wasted?
“Hello, Mr. Li Wei.”
When Li Wei reached the gangway at the port, staff members were already waiting there, as expected. Upon seeing him arrive, the lead steward quickly hurried forward with the others to greet him.
“Welcome aboard the Arctic Star. It is our honor to serve you.”
“Mm.”
Li Wei smiled and nodded to the steward, then handed over his ticket.
“I’m very much looking forward to this journey. Please have my luggage sent to my cabin.”
“Of course, no problem.”
While answering, the steward glanced curiously at the luggage behind Li Wei. Unlike other nobles with piles of bags and trunks, Li Wei only had three suitcases. One was the size of a briefcase, another a standard travel case, but the third was unusually large — taller than a person, sealed entirely within a wooden crate… what was that?
Still, though the steward was curious, he did not ask. After all, first-class passengers came with all sorts of peculiarities. Some even brought sculptures or paintings aboard. His job was simply to serve them well.
“We’ll handle these right away… please follow me.”
Li Wei’s first-class suite was located on the top deck, Cabin A-21. It was a single suite which, compared with the most luxurious cabins, was relatively smaller. But Li Wei liked it very much, because it was positioned at the very front of the deck. Through its window, he could easily see the scenery ahead.
That way, even if an iceberg appeared in front of them… at least he could be mentally prepared, right?
As for the luxury of the room, Li Wei considered that secondary. After all, in this era, cabins had no satellite television, no game consoles, no computers, no internet, and no karaoke… besides eating, drinking, reading, and watching the scenery, what else could one do?
If this were modern times, Li Wei could have pulled out his phone to film a short video: “Hey guys, what’s up! I’m now on the most luxurious ocean liner, about to set sail. I heard it’s called ‘unsinkable’! This trip is going to be amazing!” — something like that.
After pacing around the room once, Li Wei stepped out onto the deck and looked down at the scenery. Unlike the first-class deck, the lower decks were crammed with people. They leaned eagerly over the railings, waving to those on shore, cheering and shouting with excitement at the imminent departure.
“Ah…”
Watching this scene, Li Wei sighed inwardly. Though he couldn’t resist the joke, if possible, he truly hoped this ship would not sink. After all, with so many passengers, if something really happened, the loss of life would be enormous. Joking was one thing — he didn’t actually wish for people to die.
But the problem was… who could say for sure?
Just earlier, while walking around the ship, Li Wei noticed something troubling.
This ship… didn’t seem to have enough lifeboats…
Could his luck really be this bad?
Forget it. For the next week, he would send his puppet bird out daily to scout ahead. If there truly was an iceberg, at least he’d have some early warning, right?
“Woooooo—————!!”
As the gangway was withdrawn, the giant ship’s horn bellowed, and the vessel slowly left the harbor, setting sail. Li Wei collected his thoughts and looked once more ahead.
To be honest, putting aside his psychological misgivings, simply observing the ship itself was enough to stir his emotions.
Especially when the Arctic Star sailed out to the open sea, standing at the bow and watching the colossal steel ship cut through the waves at full speed — it stirred in him the human spirit of daring to challenge heaven and earth. This was why Li Wei liked this era. Though the people of this age often dreamed wildly, the courage and determination to defy nature was deeply inspiring.
On the other hand, what Li Wei disliked most were the Luddites.
Whether they acted out of self-interest, environmental concerns, or nostalgia for pastoral poetry, at its root it was all cowardice and escapism. Humanity’s true civilization began with the Steam Revolution, from submitting to nature, to fighting nature, to transforming nature.
The ancestors once trembled, praying to gods for rain and peace. But in the end, humans could only rely on themselves. Conquer the seas, conquer the skies, conquer the universe. Maybe not yet — but someday it would be possible. It was precisely this spirit that allowed humanity to stride step by step into the future.
Not shrinking back at the first setback… though, of course, as long as he wasn’t the one eliminated, that would be better.
Because being eliminated was truly painful.
But if he wasn’t the one being eliminated, then there was no pain.
“Sir, sir?”
As Li Wei leaned on the railing, lost in thought at the scenery ahead, a waiter’s voice called out from behind.
“Mm? What is it?”
Li Wei turned his head. The waiter bowed respectfully.
“The captain invites you to join him for lunch. Might you be available?”
The captain, huh. Not bad.
Li Wei knew that such social occasions wouldn’t include only him. The captain’s invited guests would naturally be first-class dignitaries… which meant, in a way, he himself was now among them?
“Of course. I would be honored to dine with Captain Edward.”
After a moment’s thought, Li Wei quickly accepted.
Just as well — he could ask about potential safety risks on the ship…
As expected, Li Wei wasn’t the only guest.
In addition to Captain Edward, there were also representatives from the Platinum Company: Claire, and the chief designer Andrews. These three were all key figures of the Arctic Star.
Captain Edward was an elderly man, with a full white beard carefully groomed, looking strict and vigorous.
Platinum Company’s representative Claire looked rather slick, with a pair of thin mustaches and a constant smile.
By contrast, chief engineer Andrews had the air of a professional. He wore glasses and seemed cultured and reserved.
The three could be said to embody the ship itself.
As for the invited passengers, there were four in total besides Li Wei — two men and two women.
Aside from Li Wei, the other male guest was Howard Kellis, a business magnate of the Empire. About the same age as the captain, he had a long beard that gave him an almost immortal-like air. Across from him sat a plump lady named Molly. Rumor had it that her husband had discovered a massive coal crystal mine, bringing them great fortune.
Of course, in aristocratic circles, she was still considered a nouveau riche. Even now, she lacked noble restraint, instead carrying a kind of cheerful frankness.
The last guest was a girl of about sixteen or seventeen. She wore glasses, appeared quiet and reserved, and had a head of pure white hair…
“Didn’t expect to meet you here, young lady.”
Li Wei couldn’t help being surprised at the sight of her.
“Oh? Detective sir, you know each other?”
Hearing Li Wei greet the girl, the plump lady immediately looked on with gossiping curiosity. Li Wei did not hide it.
“I’ve often seen her at the Imperial Library before, so I remember her.”
“I see. She’s a good child. This is my niece, Annie Branson.”
“Aunt…”
The white-haired girl seemed helpless toward the plump lady, but she still bowed politely to Li Wei.
“Hello, Mr. Li Wei.”
“Hello, Miss Branson.”
Li Wei nodded courteously to the white-haired girl. Beside them, the plump lady remained as enthusiastic as ever.
“Haha, don’t be fooled by Annie’s quietness. This little girl is actually very smart. That coal crystal mine my husband discovered — it was she who found it.”
“Oh?”
Everyone looked at the girl in surprise. They all knew the plump lady’s rise to wealth, and had thought it pure luck. But to learn that it was linked to this girl?
“That was just coincidence.”
The girl spoke helplessly, clearly used to her aunt boasting about her.
“I was excavating fossils when I stumbled across it… it was simply luck.”
“You can’t say it like that. If others couldn’t find it but you did, that’s your ability. As the saying goes, luck is also a kind of strength.”
Unbothered by Annie’s modesty, the plump lady laughed. At this moment, the old captain also chuckled.
“Indeed. Luck is very important. I’ve seen many capable young people, but with poor luck… heaven played tricks on them.”
“Which means, Captain Edward, you must be the symbol of good fortune.”
Claire from Platinum Company flattered him cheerfully, then turned to the others.
“Perhaps some of you don’t know — Captain Edward is our most experienced captain at Platinum Company. During his service, not even the smallest accident ever occurred. That’s why we invited him to command the Arctic Star.”
“And this will be the only time.”
The old captain sighed deeply.
“This is my final voyage before retirement. I intend to perform my duty until the end. I believe the Arctic Star will be a cherished memory for me.”
“………………”
Li Wei silently set down his fork and glanced at Captain Edward.
“Would you mind telling us more about the Arctic Star? I’m very interested in her, but the manual left some details vague.”
“Of course, no problem.”
As Platinum Company’s representative, Claire was eager to showcase himself. Taking a sip of champagne, he proudly began.
“As you know, this is the largest man-made vessel in history, constructed at great expense by our Platinum Company. Our shipbuilding master, Mr. Andrews, designed her from keel to mast.”
“Yes, I did piece her together.”
Andrews, clearly uncomfortable in social settings, spoke a bit awkwardly.
“But the core concept belongs to Mr. Claire. He envisioned this grand and luxurious vessel. That gave me the chance to design and build her. And now, she has finally emerged from blueprint into reality.”
“Actually, I’m a bit curious…”
At this point, Li Wei spoke up.
“While walking around earlier, I noticed that compared with other ships, the Arctic Star seems to have fewer lifeboats. Considering she’s much larger than others, I couldn’t help but wonder…”
“Uh, that question…”
Designer Andrews hesitated, unsure how to respond. Claire, however, quickly laughed and took over.
“I think Mr. Li Wei may not realize — this ship has been designed with utmost care to withstand any crisis. As we say, she is unsinkable. Even in an emergency, the ship itself can be considered a gigantic lifeboat.”
“Heh… I see.”
Li Wei chuckled.
Would it still be too late for him to disembark now?