novelraw Chapter 277: The Flying Fish
Chapter 277: The Flying Fish
Fischer's gaze fell on a neat wooden ship swaying unsteadily on the distant ocean. The weather was clear right now. Not long after Alajina left, he swaggered over to the place behind the hotel where he had met Jesse, only to find no sight of him. It seemed the old man had gone to set up a stall at the magic market.
Thus, Fischer paid a hotel waiter two gold coins to go to the magic market and fetch Jesse back. Meanwhile, he and the book Eimhart remained here, observing the situation with that ship.
That ship was currently being watched by a local gang from the Patroshen Islands by the sea, but truth be told, the security wasn't exactly tight. After all, according to what Jesse had said, the Flying Fish had already been detained by the other party for a very long time. Even if they had intended to scavenge something from this pioneer vessel that had once sailed to so many places, their patience would have long been worn away by time.
"Fischer, Fischer! I can feel it! That book is located on the deck level, towards the rear of the ship! Furthermore, I feel like there's more than just one book, because the scent of knowledge is simply way too rich! I honestly can't even imagine what kind of situation would lead to such a rich scent being hidden within just one book... Could it be recording some world-shattering secret?!"
Fischer didn't respond to Eimhart's excitement. Instead, he was considering whether he should leave a prominent trail for Elizabeth to follow. After thinking it over carefully, given how well Elizabeth understood him, acting too intentionally would likely only increase her suspicions. If she ended up turning her forces around to settle the score with Alajina, who had already left, that would be very bad.
"Don't be impatient. If everything goes smoothly, we'll be leaving the Patroshen Islands on this ship tonight and heading for the Northern Border. When that time comes, you can read it however you like. But before that..."
"Sir, the person you were looking for has been brought over. If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back to work at the hotel..."
Fischer turned his head and shot a glance at the old man, Jesse, who had been brought over by the hotel waiter. The man still looked completely drunk, even in broad daylight. Hearing the waiter's voice beside him, he impatiently shook off the hand resting on his shoulder and started grumbling repeatedly,
"What's going on? What is this about? My stuff is still at the market, I haven't packed it up yet! Are you going to pay for it if it gets lost?! What exactly is... Wait, it's you?! Why are you still here instead of leaving with the Iceberg Queen?"
Jesse looked at Fischer in sheer disbelief. The commotion caused by the Iceberg Queen leaving the Patroshen Islands this morning hadn't been small. He thought Fischer had gone back on his word and left without telling Alajina about his ship. Because of this, he had even chugged a few mouthfuls of alcohol to drown his sorrows this morning. He never expected Fischer to suddenly appear right here, all by his lonesome."Don't we still have a little unfinished business left? Concerning your Flying Fish."
"...Perhaps there might have been a chance when the Iceberg Queen was still around earlier. But now? Forget about it. My ship has been detained by a gang on the island. They won't hand over the engine key without gold. Are you telling me you plan to charge in there alone, kill them all, and snatch the key?"
Jesse didn't know much about Fischer, so naturally, he wouldn't believe that Fischer could snatch back the Flying Fish all by himself. In reality, local gangs like this typical didn't equip themselves with highly lethal magic. Combined with his own magic and an eighth-tier Constitution, Fischer was confident he could swallow up the entire gang single-handedly.
However, he had other, quieter methods to retrieve the key, so there was no need to resort to such a brute force approach.
"You just need to tell me where they keep the key to start the ship. I'll handle the rest. After getting the key, you must promise me two requests: take me to the Northern Border, and allow my book friend here on my shoulder to read the books collected on your ship."
Beside Fischer's ear on his shoulder, Eimhart fought back the urge to jump for joy. He merely offered a highly reserved cough, then cast a very satisfied look at Fischer, sporting a smug expression that seemed to say, "You didn't let down all the cultivation I've given you."
Meanwhile, Jesse shot a peculiar glance at Fischer, who was completely unaccompanied... oh wait, plus a single book. He expressed extreme doubt regarding whether Fischer could actually steal his ship back.
"You're planning to steal the key? No, that won't work at all. They have other boats. Look, those small skiffs moored by the shore. Although my Flying Fish was the fastest ship back in the day, so many years have already passed. She's old now, just like me."
"You only need to tell me whether you agree to my deal or not."
"...Fine! If you can rescue my ship from the hands of those guys, I'll fulfill my promise and take you away from here to the Northern Border. You can also read those books I keep on my bookshelf. Oh, right, if nothing unexpected happens, that key should be kept in their accounting room. It's the building close to the coast, do you see it? Let me warn you, the boss of the Warren Gang is a cheapskate who usually sleeps right there in the accounting room. Be careful."
Jesse pointed a finger toward the room situated near the coastal entrance in the distance, showing Fischer the way. Fischer nodded and told Jesse to wait for him here tonight; he would bring the key back to him then. Following that, Fischer set off, leaving a skeptical Jesse standing in place, watching his back as he walked further and further away.
The night sky over the Patroshen Islands was clear, with a bright moon and sparse stars. The blustering sea breeze swept the chilling night temperatures onto Fischer's face by the coast, causing him to take a few deep breaths and expel the tiny bit of pressure weighing on his heart.
For some reason, ever since he learned that Erwind had leaked his information to Elizabeth, he had felt somewhat guilty. He was deeply afraid that Naris warships might suddenly show up to attack the Patroshen Islands and capture him. This sense of uncertainty fueled his decision to hasten the process of leaving the Patroshen Islands. He could not afford to linger here any longer.
During the afternoon, he had roughly scoped out the layout of this local gang. He had also bought some magic materials to carry with him. Most crucially, of course, was food. The journey from here to the Northern Border would take over twenty days, nearing a month. While fresh water could be secured using magic, food required careful rationing. He didn't want to rely on catching fish from the sea to eat every single day.
The night gradually grew darker. Fischer placed the food and magic materials he had bought onto a small boat. Then, as he made his way toward the coast bordering the gang's territory, he pulled out transparent magical threads from his hands. With slight flicks of his fingers, he tossed the ends of the threads onto the mechanical structures at the back of those small skiffs moored on the sea. The threads looped circle after circle, nimbly catching hold of the gears and other embedded components inside.
This was preparation to ensure they wouldn't be able to chase after the Flying Fish later. For a senior member of the Saint-Nazareth Magic Association to deal with an overseas gang possessing zero anti-magic experience was simply too easy. Thus, Fischer even began to feel a bit bored as he worked. He couldn't help but glance at the jumping and cheering book on his shoulder, completely unable to understand what he was so happy about.
"I'm not exactly sure where they hung that key, so I'll have to rely on you to sneak in and retrieve it... The Flying Fish is a very old model, so her key is custom-made. I'm sure you'll be able to recognize what it looks like with a single glance. I'll wait for you outside."
Eimhart, who had been highly excited just a moment ago, immediately let his expression droop upon hearing that he needed to do some actual work. He shot an annoyed glare at Fischer beside him. Perhaps he was recalling the tragic experience of being captured and whipped by Baimon in the Demon Abyss, which left him feeling quite unconfident in his heart.
"Are you certain there's no... uh, magic or anything inside? Plus, I'm pretty big! What if I get discovered? How about this: after we grab the key, let's just ignore that smelly old man! I mean, didn't you say he harbored ill intentions toward us anyway? Wouldn't it be better to just dump him here?"
"Your stupidity truly opens my eyes... There's only one reason why he's so desperate to board the ship, and why the gang detained it in the first place: there's an incredibly precious treasure hidden on board. Naturally, only he knows where it is, and right now, he's still unaware that I've already set my sights on the treasure aboard his ship... Take a guess: what exactly would a person who dreams about their precious treasure day and night do the moment they step back onto their ship after a long separation from the gang's detention?"
"You mean... he'll board the ship to check if his treasure is missing?"
"Mhm. Based on my deductions, there's a very high probability that the ship houses a concealment magic or a hidden compartment that requires a password only he knows. If it's a concealment magic, I won't be able to decipher it either. So, having him board the ship won't cost us a thing. Wait a minute, don't tell me you're actually too scared to go fetch the key?"
"...How is that possible?! I am the great Book Viscount! What kind of massive storms and waves have I not experienced?! A tiny task like fetching a key is nothing; leave it to me!"
Watching Eimhart acting completely flustered and exasperated as he tried to prove himself, Fischer found that his own movements while wrapping Weaver around the skiffs became much brisker. He very quickly finished tying silk threads around all the small boats.
Following that, Fischer came to the side of his own small boat. Clasping the new walking stick he had just bought on the island, he walked toward the gang's territory.
Speaking of which, from the Southern Continent until now, he had already broken two walking sticks. Ever since acquiring the Demi-Human Completion Handbook and running wildly all over the world, these items had practically become consumables. A suitable walking stick always commanded a hefty price, yet a qualified Naris gentleman simply couldn't be without one by his side. It would be great if the Fluid Sword could become a bit more versatile and transform into a walking stick that didn't cut his hands.
Fischer expertly twirled the walking stick, then strapped a pure black gentleman's hat onto his head. The brim wasn't very wide, leaving just enough extra space for Eimhart to stand on his shoulder.
"I'll tie Weaver around your body to keep an eye on your movements at all times. Once you find the key, just sneak back out."
"...Make sure you watch over me properly! If I happen to get caught, you absolutely must come and save me! You can't be an ungrateful bastard!"
"Sure, sure. Hurry up and go."
Fischer wrapped Weaver around Eimhart's body. On his other hand, he put on the magic ring given to him by the Lord Cardinal earlier to prevent any accidents. If push came to shove, he would have no choice but to use high-ring magic to blast this place to smithereens.
Trembling in fear, Eimhart wriggled his body and floated toward the gang's camp area. At this moment, his boxy, book-shaped body actually appeared incredibly agile, swiftly flying straight for the gang's accounting room.
Fischer didn't stay by the door to wait for him. Instead, he simply walked all the way back while "holding the kite string," leaving only the increasingly lengthening silk thread from Weaver to connect the two of them.
When he left the gang camp and returned to the side of his small boat, the raggedly dressed Jesse was already shivering slightly, clutching his thin body while waiting for Fischer nearby. Upon seeing Fischer dressed as if he were attending a banquet, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He looked around shiftily, then ran to his side.
"Weren't you going to steal the key? Why are you still standing here?"
"My lackey has already gone. We just need to wait here."
Jesse raised his eyebrows and looked at Fischer's completely empty shoulder. He simply couldn't understand the love-hate relationship between Fischer and that book. Seeing Fischer plop himself down calmly onto the small boat, Jesse remained rooted to the shore without taking a single step forward. He swore that if things went south over there, he would immediately sprint away in escape.
Fischer ignored him. He gently tapped a finger on the silk thread connecting to Eimhart in his hand, while placing a finger from the hand bearing the ring onto the thread as well.
Third-ring modern magic, 【Warning Transmission】.
"Buzz buzz buzz~"
The light on the ring grew brighter and brighter. An imperceptible milky-white halo instantly blossomed and transmitted out along Weaver. Along with the spreading light, the situation on Eimhart's end also revealed itself before Fischer's eyes.
He first saw Eimhart staring fixedly at a young girl sleeping on a bed, acting as if he had laid eyes on an irresistible treasure.
"?"
Fischer raised an eyebrow. Had Eimhart also changed his tastes and started paying attention to human ladies? Or was he being subtly influenced by Fischer in a positive direction?
Before he could tug the silk thread wrapped around Eimhart to remind him to focus on stealing the key, he caught a glimpse of an archaic Kadu book held in the sleeping girl's embrace out of the corner of his eye. It seemed to be a version of the "Scripture of Creation"—and one that Eimhart had never seen before, at that.
There were many variations of the Scripture of Creation, and the version recognized by each nation was slightly different. This was especially true for those small countries on the eastern shores of the Western Continent; every single country had a version that was entirely different. Even more outrageously, some versions featured the Mother Goddess strangling her own child to death, which strayed far beyond a slight deviation from the original text.
Naris utilized the original orthodox version, aligning perfectly with Kadu. Fischer had studied this very version, though that didn't stop many other variations from circulating widely throughout history and the present day.
Eimhart cast a struggling look at the book in the girl's arms. But surprisingly, he resolutely twisted his body away and resolutely floated toward the accounting room opposite the girl's bedroom. He even mumbled softly to himself as he went,
"Didn't see it, didn't see it, I definitely didn't see it..."
Hypnotizing himself all the way, he successfully floated into the brightly lit accounting room. A man holding a musket was dozing off inside the room. Eimhart cautiously assessed the musket in the man's arms, then sneakily took stock of the room's decor.
There was currency from various countries, this month's bills and revenue/expenditure records, a Naris magazine featuring beautiful women, and... an old-fashioned iron key hanging on the wall!
The moment Eimhart's gaze locked onto that key, Fischer immediately gave the thread attached to his body a sharp tug, signaling him to bite the key and bring it out.
Eimhart pursed his lips and wriggled his square face close to the key. He opened his mouth, securely clamping his teeth down on the front end of the key, and sluggishly slid it off the hook on the wall.
Success!
But before Eimhart could even praise himself in his heart for being so incredibly capable, he suddenly turned his head... only to find a pitch-black gun barrel pointing straight at his massive face. And the one holding the musket was the very same gang member who had just been dozing off, now staring with utter shock at the floating book right before his eyes.
"What kind of abomination are you? How could something grow up to be so ugly?!"
"Your mom..."
Clamping the key in his mouth, Eimhart was just about to spew a string of profanities when Fischer suddenly stood up in the distant small boat. Pulling viciously against the empty air with his right hand, Eimhart instantly felt an overwhelming force yanking him backward. He could only subconsciously clench his jaw on the key to prevent it from dropping.
The surrounding scenery blurred violently in reverse. Neither the night wind nor the moonlight could keep up with his speed. In the very next second, he abruptly smacked straight into Fischer's waiting hands.
"Blargh! Fuck, Fischer! Why didn't you warn me in advance that you had this trick up your sleeve?!"
The Book Viscount's eye spun dizzily while seated in Fischer's hands. After waiting for a second or two, he forced through his impending faintness and was about to spit out the key and start an argument with Fischer. But Fischer completely ignored him. Tipping the brim of the gentleman's hat on his head, he gazed toward the suddenly clamoring gang territory in the distance, then handed the key out toward Jesse in front of him.
"Captain Jesse, this is the key to the Flying Fish. There's no need to worry. I've already tampered with all their boats. We can depart right now."
Jesse's eyelid twitched uncontrollably. He cast a glance at the suave and elegant Fischer, then stared fixedly at the key he had been yearning for day and night in his hands. Cursing under his breath, he jumped aboard the boat and snatched the traditional-looking steam engine key away.
"Lunatic... You're an absolute lunatic."
After accepting the key from Fischer, the flames of greed instantly ignited in Jesse's eyes. Before Fischer could even speak, he had already grabbed the wooden paddle stowed at the stern of the small boat and began rowing furiously.
He had waited so agonizingly long, and now, he could finally return to the Flying Fish. Even if he had to die, he would die on the Flying Fish!
Fischer leaned both hands against the walking stick held in front of him. Fleshing out his left fingers, he lightly flicked his wrist again, completely ruining all the machinery inside the gang's docked boats on the shore. Only after accomplishing all this did he finally retract the transparent silk threads in his hands with a relieved breath. He then turned his head to look at the wooden vessel anchored in the middle of the sea behind him—the Flying Fish.
Compared to wooden-retrofitted steamships from the same era, the entire Flying Fish was a full size smaller. Due to severe horsepower shortages faced by early steam engines, reducing the size of the ship hull had become the best method to increase their movement speed.
In the era from long ago, pirates as rampant and domineering as those found today simply didn't exist. Naturally, there was no need to equip heavy artillery cannons on board either. This further reduced the Flying Fish's weight, transforming it into a high-speed vessel capable of soaring like a flying fish across that era's oceans.
Even now, in this modern era boasting highly advanced steam engines and maritime navigation, its sailing speed was still far from being placed in the slowest tier.
"Hurry, hurry! We have to board the ship immediately and pull up the anchor. Otherwise, we'll get blasted full of holes like a sieve by the pirates' artillery on the island! You go do it! There's a mechanical device on the deck that can be operated by a single person. There should be instructions written on it. I'll go start the ship! They probably haven't transported all the coal reserves off the ship yet."
The moment they boarded, before Fischer had even tossed his food and luggage from his small boat over, Jesse had already shot a highly anxious glance at the growing ruckus on the shore and voiced his instructions.
Fischer nodded. Watching Jesse sprint into the captain's cabin holding the key, he shot a signal via his eyes toward Eimhart on his shoulder, instructing him to go follow the man. Only then did Fischer nod in agreement.
"No problem."
Fischer walked toward a mechanical contraption resembling a horizontal roulette wheel situated by the edge of the deck. Rusted chains extended from the roulette wheel all the way down into the sea; this was the anchor of the Flying Fish.
Fischer placed his walking stick beside him and grabbed the handles of the steel roulette wheel with both hands. Applying a tremendous burst of force, the device—which hadn't been used in a very long time—let out a piercing shriek, not unlike the satisfying pop of cracking joints from a person who hadn't exercised in ages.
As the anchor buried on the seafloor gradually dragged its way toward the surface of the sea bit by bit, the sound of the chains grinding against the ship's hull served as a blaring alarm clock, violently awakening this slumbering vessel. Meanwhile, Jesse seemed to have ignited the ship's engine. After the entire ship violently vibrated a few times, the wobbling magical lights mounted across the ship blazed to life simultaneously, illuminating the pitch-black deck.
So it turned out that lighting magic connected to the steam engine had also been installed on the ship. Back in that era, creating magic setups of this caliber on a vessel was something only massive tycoons like the Nazarene Development Company could accomplish.
This truly was a ship belonging to the Development Company.
With the sudden burst of light, the massive emblem of the Nazarene Development Company painted on the deck also slammed into Fischer's retinas. Back then, it was precisely these exact ships flying the flag of the Nazarene Development Company that successfully bridged the path between the Western and Southern Continents, unceasingly transporting all the wealth from the other side back to the Western Continent.
"It worked! It worked! The Flying Fish can still move! We'll be able to leave the Patroshen Islands right now! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Jesse's wildly ecstatic, euphoric cheering echoed from the captain's cabin. In tandem, the entire ship lurched into motion and began accelerating forward. The gang on the shore only seemed to just notice the Flying Fish moving across the sea, but by now it was far too late if they wished to give chase.
The raggedy Jesse appeared at the doorway of the captain's cabin. Looking at the gang members screaming in rage while standing impotently aboard their sabotaged boats, unable to even start the engines, an infinite satisfaction swelled within his heart.
"Haha! Now that they can't catch up to us, they won't have another chance. It's too late in the night, and the other gangs on the island definitely won't bother helping them hunt down an old buddy from decades ago! We succeeded, Mr. Fischer!"
Leaning against the side of the ship, Fischer watched the Patroshen Islands gradually shrink into the distance. Turning to Jesse, he smiled.
"Mhm. Make sure you remember to uphold your end of the promise."
"Promise? Oh... right, the promise! Just you wait, I'll go look for the navigation charts right now. I guarantee to deliver you safely to the Northern Border!"
Jesse smacked his own head, then spun around and headed back into the captain's cabin, presumably searching for exactly what he had just mentioned. Meanwhile, on the deck, Fischer took off the gentleman's hat resting on his head and placed it over his chest. The moonlight brilliantly illuminated his expressionless face, and the situation on the deck right before him became crystal clear as well.
Lying there directly in his line of sight, near the wooden flooring connected to the deck cabins... expansive pools of dried bloodstains were incredibly glaring to behold.