“Are you trying to get yourself killed? If you get caught under the ship, you’ll be lucky to survive!” the red-haired boy, Gavin, couldn’t help but scoff.
At the same time, he was a little shocked.
He hadn’t expected Isaac’s words to be true—he really did know the new Lord of the City.
Given their lowly status as wandering beggars, not to mention meeting a figure like the Lord of the City, they wouldn’t even have a chance to glance at him, let alone talk to him.
Such a rare opportunity! If even a little bit of favor from the Lord falls through the cracks, it would ensure a lifetime of food and shelter for the two of them!
Gavin’s heart raced with excitement. This time, they were about to hit the jackpot!
Just then, Isaac and Gavin suddenly saw a flash of green light streak across the sky.
Moments later, two vines wrapped around their waists, and they were yanked up with tremendous force.
The two of them flew uncontrollably toward the ship, their surprised screams escaping their mouths.
Bang! Bang!
Two muffled thuds sounded. As they rolled across the deck.
When they finally stopped, they realized they were already on the ship.
A shadow fell over them, blocking their view.
“Why aren’t you staying in Southwind City? What are you doing in Seaway City?” Luca looked down at the two boys lying on the deck. To his surprise, both of them were professionals, though at very low levels—both were Black Iron level.
“To follow you, Master!” Isaac didn’t hesitate for a second, his gaze burning with determination as he looked up at Luca. “You saved my life in Southwind City, and I’ll never forget it.”
Gavin nodded vigorously in agreement.
Luca’s lips twitched. “I see. So, you two just want to follow me around and live off me, huh?”
Looking at their clothes, it was clear they hadn’t been doing too well lately.
Following him would just make them a couple of freeloaders.
Gavin’s face flushed with embarrassment at Luca’s words. He lowered his head, clearly feeling guilty.
He had to admit, that’s exactly what he was thinking. After all, this was the Lord of the City!
If they could stay by his side, they would never have to worry about food or shelter again. It would definitely be a better life than carrying cargo at the dock.
Isaac spoke seriously, “I want to follow you, my Lord, and serve you!”
Luca glanced at him, noticing the boy’s determined gaze and the clarity in his eyes.
“Interesting,” Luca chuckled and said, “With your current strength, you’re not qualified yet. If you want to follow me, first work on improving your power.”
Isaac froze for a moment upon hearing this, then a look of joy appeared in his eyes.
“So, does this mean you’re agreeing?” Gavin asked eagerly, his face lighting up. No more worries about food or drink!
Luca didn’t answer directly, instead he turned to Dacey and said, “Prepare two sets of clothes, food, hot water, and rooms for them. Have them train with the city guard for now. When they reach the rank of squad leader, have them come to see me.”
“Understood, my Lord.” Dacey replied and then, with a hint of amusement, she looked at the two boys, “Come on, you two lucky little guys.”
With Luca’s words, even though he hadn’t explicitly promised to take care of them, Isaac and Gavin’s futures were now brightened.
The two excitedly followed Dacey to the cabins, ready to start their new lives.
After the brief interlude, Tark turned to Luca, hesitating as if he wanted to speak but was unsure how to approach it.
“If you have something to say, just say it. No need to beat around the bush,” Luca said, giving him a pointed look.
Tark sighed deeply, his face full of concern. “My Lord, while clearing out the pirates is a good thing, these people hold grudges. Once the news spreads, they’ll definitely retaliate against you, Seaway City, and even the entire Haillan County. It would be best to prepare for the worst.”
Tark knew these sea-dogs better than anyone. The reason the previous Lord had agreed to a deal with them was because they were a constant headache.
If they were targeted, they’d frequently raid Haillan County, making life miserable for everyone in the area.
“If they retaliate, it’s a good thing,” Luca replied, glancing at the surprised pair of them. “I’ve been waiting for them to retaliate.”
If they didn’t come after him, was he really supposed to go out and hunt down each pirate one by one?
Luca had no time to waste on such trivial matters. The best solution was to make sure they came to him.
Of course, the key was to ignite the fire completely. Tearing down that hidden rule was only the first step—just this spark alone wasn’t enough. Next, he would need to pour a bucket of oil on these guys’ heads.
Then, Luca would push their heads down and tell them.
The Western Sea was about to change.
Either kneel, or die!
His way of reasoning was always this simple and direct.
Luca wanted to control the entire Western Sea, and this was the quickest way to do it.
Watching Luca and Sophia walk away together. Tark and Nicholas exchanged wry smiles.
They now understood: this count was ready to tear a massive hole in the entire Western Sea!
Just as they were about to return to their rooms. A cold voice suddenly rang in Luca’s ear, causing his steps to freeze in place.
Sophia said, “Come train with me.”
Luca’s lips twitched as he turned his head to meet her icy blue gaze. He still didn’t understand why this senior of his was so obsessed with defeating him.
“How about another day?” he suggested tentatively.
But Sophia didn’t answer. She simply stared at him silently.
Luca sighed, “On the sea, or on the ship?”
“On the sea.” The moment the words left her mouth, she was already soaring toward the deck.
As soon as they hit the sea, they froze the surface, creating layers of frost.
“Sigh…” Luca let out a deep breath. He had originally planned to go back and have lunch, but now it seemed the opportunity had arrived.
Traces of ice crystals floated down behind her, shimmering in the sunlight like a delicate, translucent ribbon.
As soon as they hit the sea, they froze the surface, creating layers of frost.
“Sigh…” Luca let out a deep breath. He had originally planned to go back and have lunch, but now it seemed the opportunity had arrived.
In the next instant, a flash of green light flickered in his eyes.
The howling wind gathered! Immediately, a pair of wind wings, gleaming with a green hue, sprouted from his back.
With a single beat of his wings, Luca became a streak of light, soaring toward the direction where Sophia had gone.
…
Time passed, and soon, the warship carrying Luca and his companions had crossed into the dangerous territory, heading straight for Snake Island, home to the Black Crow Pirates.
The Western Sea was vast, naturally divided into different regions and routes. There were the outer safety zones, areas plagued by monsters, and the deepest unknown seas, among others.
The safe seas are the routes used by ordinary fishermen to catch fish or by regular merchants to transport goods. The monsters in these areas have been cleared, and there is generally no danger to navigation.
The dangerous seas, on the other hand, are made up of archipelagos controlled by island lords or small nations. Ordinary ships sailing through these waters are at high risk of encountering danger, though there are established safe routes to follow.
The most perilous waters, however, are those that remain unexplored—these are the unknown seas, which are also the ones filled with the greatest opportunities.
Hidden within these uncharted waters are countless uninhabited islands, many of which are rich in undeveloped resources and mineral veins. If a navigator manages to explore one of these islands and reports the information to the Lord’s office or the Empire, they can gain the rights to mine and exploit these islands.
Most sailors and treasure hunters are drawn to these islands in search of fortune.
Unfortunately, after many years of exploration, the more accessible unknown seas have long been mapped and claimed by various factions. The remaining unexplored areas are located within the misty seas, which are incredibly dangerous.
Only special fleets with the ability to explore independently dare to venture into these mist-covered regions. Even so, the chance of a fleet returning is less than one in three, and the mortality rate is terrifyingly high.
No one knows exactly what dangers lie beneath the sea, but still, countless people continue to journey into these waters. Most of the legends surrounding the Western Sea come from this very region.
There are rumors of ghost ships spotted in the misty seas, their decayed, ruined vessels carrying a spirit sitting on a rotting throne, watching as a horde of decaying corpses dances and sings around him.
Other stories speak of Transcendent-level monsters in the region, their bodies so massive they resemble entire continents. Some sailors claim to have seen the ruins of the lost kingdom of “Fallenbane” in the area.
However, whenever expeditions return to search for it again, they find nothing.
For centuries, this vast ocean has seemed to possess a kind of irresistible allure, drawing countless people to explore it, understand it, and seek its mysteries.
One of the four kings of the Western Sea, the Furious Shark Evans, had claimed a coral island called Snake Island in the dangerous seas.
This was also the lair of the Black Raven Pirates.
The surrounding hidden reefs, undercurrents, and the traps they had set up were enough to deter many from even thinking about entering this sea region, making it a perfect haven for the Black Raven Pirates.
At the very center of Snake Island stood a grand palace, where a group of pirates were drinking heavily and devouring large quantities of meat.
At the highest seat, on a throne, sat a massive man with a blood-red shark symbol emblazoned on his chest. He was holding the limp, mottled body of a woman, moving in a crude piston-like rhythm.
Or, more accurately, the woman should have been referred to as a corpse.
The woman’s appearance was not unpleasant, but her eyes were rolled back, her skin was pale, indicating that she had been dead for a long time. Her body had even stiffened, and her neck was bent at an unnatural angle due to the violent movements.
However, the man seemed oblivious to the state of the body, continuing his brutal movements as if nothing was wrong. His massive arms were bulging with veins, and his heavy breathing echoed throughout the hall, as if the shark tattoo on his chest had come to life, its blood-red eyes becoming increasingly disturbing.
“ROAR!!” Finally, the man let out a monstrous, inhuman growl, and with one final thrust, he shuddered violently.
The dead woman collapsed heavily to the ground.
The other pirates in the hall laughed loudly, praising their leader for still being as mighty as ever. With no hesitation, no sense of disgust, nor any recognition of the absurdity of the scene.
After all, on the open seas, there was no shortage of perverts.
Evans, still half-naked, sprawled carelessly on the throne. He turned his head to look at a one-eyed young man beside him, wearing a green headscarf, and asked, “Carmichael, what were you saying earlier?”
Carmichael, the one-eyed dragon, sighed and repeated himself.
“You’re bringing a thousand useless men to Snake Island to rescue someone?” Evans grinned, revealing his razor-sharp, blood-red teeth. He sneered, “Is this new lord of Seaway City really this much of a fool?”