Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Set Off!
Chapter 71: Set Off!
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Departure day arrived.
The central stone plaza of the territory was filled with gathered people.
Jichen stood before the gates of the Lord’s Manor, his expression displaying a serious demeanor.
“Wilus, while I’m away, I trust you to manage the territory diligently and ensure no mistakes occur.”
Wilus, standing before him, promptly saluted. “Yes, I will do everything in my power.”
“The Fishman Rangers will remain under your command during this period. However, their usage should be limited to safeguarding the territory and its resources.”
“Additionally, continue overseeing the cultivation of sea rice. 1 hope to return and witness vast fields of flourishing rice.”
Wilus saluted once more, his anxiety evident in his response.
Jichen nodded, shifting his gaze towards Anina by his side.
According to their prior agreement, she would be responsible for protecting the territory in his absence.
“Anina, I entrust this task to you.”
“You can count on me!” Anina affirmed, gripping her massive sword and patting her chest with confidence. Yet, a tinge of disappointment crossed her expression. “But when will you return?”
“Within a maximum of twenty days.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. Once our mission is accomplished, we shall promptly make our way back.”
Jichen offered her an assuring smile.
Without hesitation, he turned and led the remaining troops towards the southern beach, embarking on their journey.
Last night, the pirates had already repaired the New Moon and sailed it to the nearby sea.
Sparrow, accompanied by a group of pirates, was waiting on the beach with several small boats for transportation.
They boarded the small boats and rowed towards the approaching New Moon.
As the large ship drew nearer, his excitement grew.
Despite being mentally prepared, he couldn’t contain his exhilaration at this moment.
Finally, they could leave the island and venture into the vast ocean!
Although he made time every day to check the chat channel and secretly observe the various silly comments from netizens, it was through their words that he learned about many fascinating things outside.
The outside world…
It made him eager to experience it firsthand.
Different races, seductive and fair-skinned elven sisters, dwarves with a love for drinking, slender and graceful elven beauties, unkempt dwarves, and elven girls who loved to call others “Oni-chan” obediently.
The human cities on the mainland, bustling ports, and bustling markets all seemed incredibly captivating in the descriptions of other players.
Certainly, that was to be expected. Apart from the kobolds, there were hardly five hundred humans on the archipelago.
The majority of them are native locals.
The territory is also vacant and sparsely populated, with few buildings and no signs of prosperity.
In this context, Alice, with her exceptional beauty and submissive nature, was the only source of comfort.
Therefore, he felt like a curious country boy yearning for the bustling metropolis.
He desired to explore the world beyond.
As the small boat approached the side of the New Moon, Jichen successfully boarded the ship.
The shallow water Murlocs and Naga Warriors leaped onto the deck, just as they did during the previous raid.
On the other hand, the sea pixies spread their wings and gracefully flew onto the ship.
The New Moon had been completely repaired, featuring a pristine deck, intact hull, towering mast, and formidable ram.
This was his very first ship!
Henceforth, he would rely on it to navigate the vast seas.
Jichen looked up at the mast, furrowing his brow.
“Is the sail still adorned with the skull? It might attract unwanted attention from official ships.”
An adjacent pirate immediately scratched his head and responded, “My Lord, we have already replaced the sail with a conventional one. We only hoist the skull sail before engaging in raids. Otherwise, we sail with plain ones.”
“We are well-versed in these matters. We assure you that even if they pass us by, they won’t suspect us of being pirates.”
Jichen:”…”
That’s what you call professionalism.
Well then, since that’s the case, he had no concerns.
The ship’s provisions and freshwater had been replenished over the past few days, ensuring enough sustenance for everyone on board for two months at sea.
Everything was prepared.
“Set sail! Depart!”
With the given command, the sails of the New Moon slowly descended under the pirates’ control.
The sea breeze blew, filling the sails and gently propelling the ship forward.
Jichen stood at the ship’s railing, waving goodbye to the residents and Anina on the beach.
The New Moon gradually departed from the chain of islands, heading towards the depths of the ocean.
He watched as the contours of the islands gradually disappeared from view.
A tinge of reluctance flickered in his heart.
But it was quickly replaced by the allure of the new and wondrous marine scenery.
Apart from the clouds dotting the azure sky, the surroundings were filled with the boundless sea.
Fish leaped, and whales gracefully swam.
The waves in the open ocean were much more tumultuous than near the islands.
Even the New Moon, a sizable three-masted sailing ship, constantly swayed and rocked amidst the surging waves.
Even as a first-time seafarer, Jichen couldn’t help but grip the railing to stabilize himself.
This also made him start to worry about the treacherous sea conditions at the edge of the Stormy Seas as Raymond and the pirates had mentioned.
He had heard that not only were there continuous torrential rains but also fearsome waves.
As he observed the surrounding scenery, Jichen’s initial excitement gradually subsided.
He took out the magic map and began orienting himself.
According to the map and the arrow’s guidance, the clue to his special main class lay in the southwestern sea area of the New Moon Islands.
At the maximum sailing speed of a three-masted ship, it would take about two days to reach the destination.
Not too short, yet not too long.
It would give him ample time to experience a proper sea voyage.
The Stormy Seas was neither large nor small. It only took half a day to reach the edge of the sea from the New Moon Islands.
Soon enough, in the afternoon of the departure day, the New Moon sailed through the wind and waves, arriving at the edge of the Stormy Seas.
“So, this is what you all described as extremely treacherous sea conditions?”
Jichen looked around at the calm and serene sea surface, along with the peaceful blue sky and white clouds within his line of sight.
Not only was there no storm but there wasn’t even a single drop of rain.
Jichen furrowed his brow and questioned the pirates.
“This can’t be possible. When we entered earlier, it was all strong winds, storms, and raging waves. But now, it’s like this…”
The pirates on the ship stared in disbelief, their doubts deepening.
Where did those towering waves go?
And what about the cloudy sky?
Where did they disappear to?
Jichen observed the pirates, and they didn’t seem to be lying. He frowned.
Raymond also mentioned their encounter with severe sea conditions when they entered the Stormy Seas. Moreover, both the New Moon and the Elizabeth had sustained varying degrees of damage.
This couldn’t be fabricated.
It seemed that they weren’t lying.
But why hadn’t he experienced it now?
Jichen pondered for a moment, unable to find an explanation.
Since he couldn’t figure it out, he decided to attribute it to quantum mechanics.
After all, it was a good thing that they could venture out unscathed.
With this in mind, he pointed southwest and commanded, “Full speed ahead!”
New Moon Islands.
Anina sat on the beach, hugging her legs and gazing absently at the distant sea.
Since the ships departed, she had felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.
It was as if she had returned to being alone.
Why was that?
She had lived alone before.
Chasing fish to obtain food, seeking out deserted islands to sleep, secretly observing humans underwater, and lying on the beach sunbathing—all by herself.
She had already grown accustomed to a solitary life.
But why did she now feel an unprecedented sense of loneliness?
Anina absentmindedly held her chest, unable to comprehend it..