novelraw Chapter 443 - 231: An Outsider’s Dream
Chapter 443 - 231: An Outsider’s Dream
Jason and the others hadn’t expected it. They had only learned a few days ago that people from the outside world might arrive after some time. They hadn’t anticipated it happening today. Moreover, their first encounter was with such a large vessel—essentially the largest they had ever seen.
The ship’s hull was a mix of black and gray. The center of its white sail, painted a pale gray, bore the image of a hand holding a Gold Coin. It was uncertain whether this emblem belonged to this merchant ship’s fleet or represented an even larger power.
Jason observed only one row of cannon ports on each side, indicating a single cannon deck. This hardly seemed to match the ship’s size. But considering it was a merchant ship, such firepower seemed somewhat excessive. After all, even a single row of cannons on such a large vessel was quite impressive. The ship’s combat capability couldn’t be low either.
However, the cannon ports were closed, so Jason couldn’t ascertain the specifics of the cannons within. He was very curious about the naval guns of the Endless Sea; from what he could imagine, they seemed superior in every aspect to those of the Homeland Sea.
As Jason watched, a tall, slender, and somewhat frail-looking man descended from a small boat. Judging by his attire, he was likely the ship’s captain. His crew members followed behind him. The town mayor went right up to him, and they embraced with a smile. They seemed to know each other well. However, they were too far away for Jason to hear their conversation.
The tall, slender captain suddenly pointed to the nearby Sound of Dawn, seemingly asking something. The mayor also smiled and offered an explanation. Afterward, people from both sides began transporting goods. The captain and the mayor, surrounded by their respective guards, then entered the small town.
"Lucilia, what do you think of that captain’s strength?" Jason asked, watching the two as they walked away.
Lucilia, standing on a nearby barrel, shook her head. "I’m just a puppet now; I can’t tell. You should ask Chadite or Julia. If not them, Alka might know."
Ling and Yi also nodded in agreement.
Watching the three of them, Jason sighed. So, they had come together to gather intelligence, but apparently, only he was actually doing it. Lucilia was just the translator. Ling and Yi were merely accessories. Never mind, I’ll just continue gathering intelligence myself.
He immediately scanned the nearby crowd and found an old Hunter he’d seen drinking in the tavern the previous night—one who could speak the common tongue of the Homeland Sea. He approached with a smile and said, "Hi, Steel Rock! My friend, I didn’t expect to see you here. Are you up for a drink tonight?"
The old Hunter’s nose was slightly red, and he still seemed a bit groggy; clearly, he was a heavy drinker. Hearing someone call his name, he turned to look. The man in front of him looked familiar, but he couldn’t quite place him.
Seeing Jason’s enthusiasm, he smiled and replied, "Your treat?"
"Haha, of course, my treat!"
"My friend, I’m glad you asked, but I don’t think I can make it tonight." The old Hunter, seeming to recall Jason, shook his head regretfully.
Jason nodded with understanding and didn’t press further. Instead, he glanced at the time of day and said, "Then... how about now?"
"...Now? That might not be such a good idea," the Hunter said, his tone hesitant.
"Haha, come on! Good wine shouldn’t be missed."
And just like that, Jason laughed and entered the tavern with the old Hunter he had only met the previous night.
Lucilia watched silently as Jason headed off for a drink with the Hunter, just like they were old friends. "Honestly, I’m starting to admire him a little," Lucilia murmured. How did he manage to get so friendly with a stranger in just a few hours, in a single evening? Their communication wasn’t even that smooth. It’s baffling. Truly, everyone has their own strengths.
Lucilia sighed softly. Then, the three puppets—herself, Ling, and Yi—slipped into the shadows beneath a wine barrel and vanished. As someone who could understand their language, Lucilia didn’t necessarily need direct conversation to gather intelligence; eavesdropping was an excellent method too. This was a rare opportunity, and Lucilia, who was developing her skills as an assassin and thief, certainly wouldn’t let it pass.
When the white birds on the island took flight and returned to their nests once more, Alka’s group also began their return journey. This time, however, they didn’t return empty-handed; they carried various kinds of prey with them. They hadn’t specifically hunted these creatures; rather, the creatures had the misfortune of blundering into them. It would be a shame to waste them. Since these creatures dared to attack them, it was only natural they’d leave something behind.
When Alka’s group dragged a large pile of prey into the town, it attracted the attention of the surrounding islanders. But that was the extent of it; the islanders seemed accustomed to such sights. Outsiders who stayed on the island for any length of time always seemed to return with a load of prey. Given the island’s environment, this was inevitable.
Meanwhile, Jason, drinking in a nearby tavern, watched this unfold. Seizing every chance, he began asking questions of the drinkers around him.
「Until night fell once more.」
Alka and his companions dismembered the carcasses beside the small house they had rented. They piled the various materials and hides together, planning to transfer them to the ship’s hold at dawn.