We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 42 Who are you?

Your actions have successfully increased the sea creatures' trust, and their attitude towards you has become even more respectful!

The status "Sea Clan Worship" has changed!

[Quality: Inferior → Average!]

As soon as Shane finished his dive, he saw a few lines of notifications flash across the panel.

"This should be equivalent to... an increase in regional reputation?"

"If this were in a game, maybe some hidden quests or storylines would be triggered next?"

Xia En casually let his thoughts wander, then quickly walked out of the captain's cabin and saw Joey on the deck counting the spoils of war.

Anze, soaking wet, stood on the edge of the deck, gazing out at the sea as if searching for Xia En.

In order not to reveal his "projection" ability, Shane had previously parted ways with Ann, so Ann naturally assumed that Shane was still underwater.

At this moment, when Ann saw Xia En walking out of the captain's cabin, he was clearly taken aback.

Before he could react, Xia En said first, "Ann, you're so slow."

"I've already wiped myself down and changed my clothes, how come you've only just climbed onto the deck?"

"...?!"

Ann's mind went blank for a moment before she took out paper and pen and wrote down her thoughts.

[I didn't expect the captain to move so quickly; I was too slow to surface.]

"It's alright. Everyone's constitution is different. Just be more careful next time."

Xia En didn't want to dwell on this topic for too long.

Looking at An's still-wet armor, he couldn't help but ask a question that had been bothering him for a long time.

"I'm curious, does your armor require regular internal cleaning?"

Since Ann boarded the Black Swan, Shane has never seen Ann take off her armor even once. Putting aside the issue of hygiene, people have to excrete, right?

Or are elves, like beautiful girls, creatures that don't poop?
Upon hearing this question, An stood frozen in place for an even longer period of time.

After a moment, he picked up a pen and paper and wrote.

This armor is enchanted with a daily cleaning spell, allowing it to remain clean without the need for washing.

And occasionally, I'll take care of this kind of thing after you've all fallen asleep.

When he wrote these words, his handwriting appeared somewhat awkward, no longer as vigorous and powerful as usual.

"I see."

With his curiosity satisfied, Shane smiled contentedly and then took stock of the spoils of the dive with Joey.

The three ornaments presented by the sea creatures were all of very good quality, and most of them were once items used by nobles of the Kingdom of Shudon.

These kinds of antiques have always been highly sought after by wealthy people on various islands.

A single piece can easily fetch the price of dozens of silver snake coins, and those in better condition can even be valued at the price of gold dragon coins.

In addition, two other people were exploring the chapel and the mansion for their loot.

There are gold and silver coins from the previous era, as well as some materials containing extraordinary mystical power.

All things considered, it's quite a fortune.

But for Xia En, the real treasure was none other than that smooth, milky-white [Mystic Pearl]!
To put it dramatically, this is his ticket to unlock the secret path.

Upon handling the Mystic Pearl, a faint cool sensation travels through the skin and into the body.

Xia En felt a certain power within his body become active, and his five senses became more acute, as if he could perceive some unseen and intangible existence in the air.

In a daze, he heard the joyful cry of the Black Swan beneath him once more.

"Is this what they call enhancing inspiration?"

"Just carrying it around has this effect..."

"So, according to the description, grinding it up and swallowing it will definitely enhance inspiration even more."

Thinking of this, Xia En's eyes lit up, and he wanted to find a place to test the effects of this "magic potion".

But then, Joey suddenly pointed to the sea not far away and exclaimed.

"Captain, a ship is approaching us!"

"Ok?"

Xia En's gaze sharpened, and he turned to look in the direction Joey was pointing.

On the azure sea, a three-masted sailing ship, considerably larger than the Black Swan, was slowly approaching against the wind and waves. However, there were no markings resembling those of a pirate ship on its sails.

The bow of the ship is carved with a faceless woman draped in a veil.

The sunlight reflected off the sea cast a glow over the figurehead, giving it an indescribable sacred quality.

If Shane is not mistaken, this is indeed the statue of the Storm Goddess.

Some captains believe that carving a goddess statue on the bow of their ship can protect the safety of the vessel and crew, ward off evil spirits in the ocean, and bring them good luck.

Generally speaking, pirate ships do not have these kinds of figureheads carved on them.

Most pirates trusted their muskets and scimitars more than gods.

Even so, Shane did not let his guard down.

After all, disguising themselves as ordinary ships to approach is also a hunting strategy used by pirate ships.

In fact, a few days ago, after arriving in the waters where Coral City is located, Shane also saw several ships in the distance.

However, both sides tacitly maintained a safe distance and showed no intention of making contact.

Such proactive approach is clearly unusual.

Shane beckoned to Joey and the other man, signaling them to prepare for battle, while simultaneously picking up his binoculars to observe the deck of the three-masted sailing ship.

Through the lens, Shane saw a female captain who was over two meters tall.

Beside her was a man with a hooked nose.

Xia En vaguely felt that this person looked familiar, but couldn't remember his name for a moment.

However, judging from the appearance of the people on board, they are most likely not pirates, but ordinary salvage ships.

There is a clear difference in temperament between a normal sailor and a pirate who lives on the edge of a knife.

"They weren't pirates..."

Xia En sighed in disappointment.

Upon hearing this, Joey blinked in confusion.

Isn't it a good thing that we didn't encounter pirates?

Why did the captain look so regretful?
……

……

Not long after.

The distance between the two ships was greatly reduced.

You can see what's on the other deck without using binoculars.

The female captain waved to Shane and called out, "Hello, Captain Shane!"
"I am Captain Lena of the Giant. We met on Duke Island. It's fate that we met at sea. Why don't you come aboard my ship for a drink?"

Lena's tone was poised and generous, just like her personality, carrying a chivalrous spirit that naturally made people like her.

"How could I refuse Captain Lena's kind invitation?"

In front of the sailors of both ships, Shane responded calmly.

next moment.

He sprinted forward, leaping onto the deck.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Shane leaped across the gap between the two boats and landed lightly and steadily in front of Lena.

With an agility attribute of up to 8 points, achieving this would be a piece of cake.

The sailors on the Giant were secretly alarmed.

Putting aside his formidable physical abilities, the sheer courage to board the ship alone is something that most people don't possess.

"Impressive skills! Impressive courage!"

Lena's eyes gleamed with admiration: "As expected of Captain Shane, he truly lives up to his reputation."

But the man with the hooked nose standing next to her had an even more complicated look in his eyes and couldn't help but speak.

"Captain Shane, it's been a long time..."

Xia En looked puzzled and asked politely.

"……Who are you?"

(End of this chapter)