Chapter 672 - My Doomsday Territory

Chapter 672: The Earl's Invitation For the sea island nations in the Endless Sea, relying on the sea isn't exactly feasible. The seawater contains a certain characteristic with strong corrosion. Even Transcendents can't last more than a few minutes underwater; only native sea monsters can survive. These sea monsters are large but mostly inedible. However, after countless attempts by their predecessors, the Bluewater Principality discovered a few types of sea monsters that are not only edible but also extremely delicious, becoming a favorite among the upper nobility. “A royal-level sea sturgeon—extract its essence, and it can be sold for… exchanged… for a baronial title!” As the culinary enthusiasts within the Green Shade Empire, the initial crew had been sailing for just over a month but had already delved deep into discovering sea monster ingredients. With not much else to do at sea, besides playing mahjong, poker, and Three Kingdoms Kill, the crew also took to hunting sea monsters. Each new sea monster was analyzed using a “Detection Crystal” to identify its attributes, including edibility, and recorded in a new species encyclopedia—The Sea Monster Codex, sometimes with cooking methods attached. At some point, every analysis from the "Detection Crystal" began to include an attribute related to 'food.' A class-three edible sea monster made everyone aboard hungry. A beast of such size could at least provide food for two… a day and a half. Then they saw several slightly smaller ships stop a few hundred meters away, and unfamiliar sounds drifted over from afar. “What are they saying?” “Seems like they’re saying… this sea monster is theirs? They want us to return it?” A crew member fluent in multiple languages, having passed the higher proficiency exams, explained to the other awakened crew members. Lorraine and her companions, free of any language barriers, promptly grasped the other party's message. She signaled, and a sailor swiftly hoisted a black and white flag adorned with crossed scimitars and a skull. “Hmph, we're pirates now!” Art is a universal language. Although the people on the opposing ships did not recognize the infamous pirate flag, the skull emblem was unsettling. Clad in fitted leather attire, Lorraine leaped from the bow, treading the air and propelling herself with bursts of energy, landing on the flagship. Her fingers rested on the revolver’s holster, lifting the weapon smoothly... “Bang——” A golden bullet spiraled out, hitting the flagship's main mast. Instantly, runes began to surface, but before they could form fully, the mast was completely penetrated. With a crashing sound, the defense runes shattered. The golden bullet pierced through the flagship's main mast, sending it crashing into the sea, causing the ship to sway violently. “Surrender, or face death.” Lorraine declared with domineering aura. On the flagship, the captain and his officers exchanged glances… What is she saying? Regardless, they quickly knelt in submission. They knew well how sturdy the flagship's main mast was, resilient even against class-three sea monsters—no trouble was worth this. By now, Others approached swiftly in smaller boats, taking control of the other armed fishing vessels. Bamboo Rat Lić approached the obvious leaders, his eyes gleaming, and invaded their minds with illusions. “State your origin…” “We belong to the Bluewater Principality, part of the Violet Agate Earl's fishing fleet… The Violet Agate Earl is a powerful noble… The Bluewater Principality is currently at war with the Western Fury Cang Principality…” The Bluewater Principality comprises thirteen large islands and several smaller ones. The Violet Agate Earl is a key noble of Bluewater, a founding hero who controls one of the large islands. “Should we get our sea charts from the Bluewater Principality? The Bluewater Grand Duke likely holds extensive intel on nearby waters, and given Bluewater’s strength, acquiring sea charts shouldn’t be too difficult.” Xie Yi exhaled a cloud of smoke, “No need to hurry. Searching for the Spectre Sea Crystal isn’t something that can be accomplished quickly. We’ve been at sea for over a month. I feel like I’m floating even when I walk. The immediate task is to rest ashore and savor the local cuisine and wine.” Lorraine found herself in agreement, nodding thoughtfully. Resting her chin on her hand, she pondered, “Moreover, as we search for the Spectre Sea Crystal, we'll pass through countless places. Only seeking sea charts sounds like a waste. We could earn some extra cash. The Bluewater Principality is at war, and conveniently, my spatial ring is packed with war supplies.” “If we're low on stock, can't we just ask the lord to open a teleportation array?” Bamboo Rat Lić looked up at Lorraine, puzzled. “When I trade my own goods, it counts as earning extra cash. Asking the lord to set up a teleportation array would mean it’s territory revenue, understand? That’s why I can spread my tavern across Green Shade City and its territories, while you still owe me for your drinks.” “I… but I drank based on my ability, how… how does that count as owing money…” Due to a mix of "no-fight-no-know" encounters and physical persuasion, the fishing fleet's captain introduced Lorraine's group to the Violet Agate Earl. Indeed, the very cooperative fishing captain, a noble in the Bluewater Principality, was a ‘big shot’ who could directly meet the Violet Agate Earl. This wasn't surprising, In the Endless Sea, ships are strategic assets. Fishing vessels catch sea monsters, each capable of capsizing an ordinary ship twenty to thirty meters long, even at its smallest. The Initial departed at a port on Violet Agate Island. With the fishing fleet captain vouching for them, their identity wasn’t an issue. The port housed few ships, but each was at least fifty meters long—small vessels couldn’t survive the Endless Sea. “Follow me; the Earl just returned from a campaign with the Grand Duke.” Violet Agate Island spans a considerable area with a main city and eighteen towns; the Earl’s castle stands beside the main city. By the time Lorraine, Bamboo Rat Lić, Xie Yi, and a few crew members arrived at the Earl’s castle, it was dusk. For the native crew members from the mountain and sea world, the Violet Agate Earl’s castle was a marvel, exuding grandeur and historic elegance. As the fishing captain led them, proudly recounting the Violet Agate family's history, they passed through a garden where, Whoosh whoosh whoosh–– Figures emerged atop the courtyard walls, armed with rune crossbows glinting coldly, aimed at Lorraine’s group. The return path was blocked, and an armored brigade approached from behind. Ahead, A middle-aged man in lavish robes, flanked by a dozen formidable auras, stepped forward. His chin lifted slightly, lips curling with a slight smugness. His gaze landed on Lorraine and the others. “I hear you wish to see me?” Confident he had control and speculating their intentions, disdain flashed in his eyes before he quickly masked it: “Regardless of your strength, pirates will always be pirates, lacking prestige. Naturally, I, the Earl, love talent. If you fight for me against the Fury Cang Principality, earn merit, you too can gain a title and become esteemed nobles… Isn’t that what you desire?” Yet, I hold the reins now, he mused, smiling with his chin raised in anticipation of Lorraine’s reply. Lorraine: Are you… an idiot?