novelraw Chapter 207: Sailing
Chapter 207: Sailing
The buildings of Sugard Mountain cascaded down its slopes, and for the first time, Lu Li saw Belfast in its entirety. Unlike ordinary cities, this one, built to cover the entire mountainside, truly exuded an air of vibrancy and prosperity.
As the sailboat pulled away from Port Roadster, the sprawling panorama of Belfast slowly dissolved into the pale haze of the rain.
Lu Li stood on the aft deck, his gaze fixed calmly on the rapidly fading shore. In the ship's wake, two white trails of foam spread across the surface of the sea.
"Those taking to the sea for the first time often feel uneasy, as if they’re leaving home behind."
Captain Harvey, who had come up behind Lu Li, chuckled. He held a hand to his wide-brimmed captain's hat to keep the wind from snatching it away.
Perhaps it was from his frequent dealings with investigators, but the fishing boat's captain had the air of an adventurer about him: casual, cheerful, and carefree.
He was not a member of the Alliance, but, much like old Pick from the laundry, he maintained a working relationship with the three major organizations.
Lu Li drew his gaze back from the sea and turned, his expression surprisingly placid as he faced Captain Harvey.
"Where is my gear?"
"It's in your cabin. Follow me," Captain Harvey said, leading the way.The hold was meant for crew and cargo, but as an investigator, Lu Li was afforded the same privileges as the captain.
His temporary cabin was on the upper deck, adjacent to the wheelhouse. It offered a sweeping view, and the matte, reddish-brown wood paneling gave the room a cozy, domestic feel. A mounted moose head and a few inscrutable paintings adorned the walls, and a soft light filtered in through the porthole.
If not for the endless sea beyond the porthole and the gentle sway of the deck underfoot, the cabin could have passed for a bedroom in an aristocrat's manor.
"Your things are on the bed. If you start to feel seasick, you can find me in the wheelhouse or on the bridge."
Captain Harvey did not linger. He left, closing the door behind him, then called over a sailor and instructed him to wait outside and attend to any of Lu Li's requests.
In the corner was a plush, soft bed, where Lu Li's gear was laid out. Before they set sail, Tesla had explained the function of each item. If anything broke, it could be replaced at headquarters for a few contribution points. If that was not convenient, he could always find a Trader.
The Traders, in essence, served as an alternative supply line.
Lying on the bed were several items: a black wrist bracelet called a Contamination Detector, which emitted a clicking sound in the presence of entities that lowered one's Mind Level. The faster the drop, the more frequent the clicks, serving as an early warning of danger.
A black raincoat, more practical than an umbrella in most situations, and especially useful at sea where it offered protection from both rain and sea spray.
A Spirit Gun and a small box of silver bullets—Lu Li's chosen offensive Anomaly. Melee weapons were largely ineffective at sea, so the pistol would serve as a reliable backup, and he could always sell it to a Trader afterward.
A flashlight, identical to the one carried by the figure in the bird-beak mask. On a full charge, its batteries lasted for four hours. An ancient symbol was engraved within, allowing it not only to illuminate the path but also to reveal hidden entities. Its range was shorter than the Spirit Gun's, but it came with no side effects. And now, Lu Li had two of them.
An oil lamp—a standard waterproof model with a self-igniting flint.
An Amulet, fashioned from some unknown black stone with a rough finish. A five-pointed star was carved into the irregular black disc, with a strange, eye-like symbol at its center. It had a slight chance of repelling approaching monsters. Tesla, however, had warned him not to rely on it, advising him to treat it as a mere trinket. It could offer a false sense of security, he had said, like a warm compress for a stomachache.
This was all standard-issue gear for trainee investigators. The raincoat, Spirit Gun, and oil lamp could be swapped out depending on the mission.
Lu Li picked up the amulet first. The rough surface of the black stone felt abrasive against his skin. He slipped it over his head, tucking it beneath his shirt. The cool touch of the stone against his chest was faintly bracing.
Lu Li set the oil lamp by the bed, slipped the holstered Spirit Gun under his pillow, and divided the bullets between his coat and trouser pockets. He tossed the raincoat onto the table.
Once his gear was stowed, Lu Li locked the door, took off his wool coat, and hung it on a peg. Then he stretched out on the bed, which carried the faint scent of pine resin.
It was not yet eleven in the morning, and he needed to get some rest to prepare for any trouble the night might bring, not to mention seasickness and the inevitable boredom of the voyage.
It was a shame he had had to depart so hastily. Otherwise, he might have been able to get his hands on the latest Investigator Weekly, which sold for a hundred shillings.
...
Anna gazed intently at the green sprout in the flowerpot.
She could not tell what kind of plant it was. A flower? A tree? A vegetable? A weed?
As she pondered this, she heard a sound at the front door.
Anna turned. A newspaper slid under the door, followed by the sound of retreating footsteps.
The news vendor, it seemed, knew Lu Li was not home.
...
To experienced sailors, a hundred and twenty nautical miles was no more than a short walk from home.
Back when the ocean was still safe, even small sailboats, barely ten meters long, would venture far from shore. A hundred nautical miles was less than half the length of the Allen Peninsula—a mere stone's throw on a map.
But now, for most fishermen, venturing more than seventy nautical miles out meant they could not return before nightfall, and that spelled danger. As a result, they confined their activities to the coastal waters, rarely going more than fifty miles from Port Roadster.
On the soft bed, Lu Li gradually drifted into sleep. In the twilight of his consciousness, he was aware of the crash of waves and the steady rocking of the ship. At one point, cheerful shouts erupted from the deck; it sounded as if the crew had caught a rare fish.
Some time later, a knock at the door startled Lu Li awake.
"Sir, we have just caught a silverfin. Captain Harvey invites you to join us."
"Alright," Lu Li replied.
It had grown darker outside than when he had fallen asleep. The clock on the table read 4:38 p.m.
Lu Li sat up, put on his wool coat, and opened the door.
The sea breeze in the corridor carried a refreshing chill and a mouthwatering aroma that made his stomach growl. Lu Li stepped into the mess hall, where Captain Harvey, First Mate Louis, and the second mate were already seated at the table.
A massive fish, weighing no less than five pounds, simmered in a pot on the table. The surface of the broth was generously sprinkled with spices, the source of the tantalizing aroma.
Captain Harvey and the second mate gestured for Lu Li to join them.
"Where are we now?" Lu Li asked, taking a seat.
"We have just passed Devil's Reef. We are less than twenty nautical miles from Atoll Reef," replied First Mate Louis.