Jack scanned the group quickly with his [Eyes of Judgement]. They were... safe. Most of them had normal, neutral karma. And none had a power level beyond what he could handle. The expedition shouldn't have internal threat. Good.
He observed them again.
At the forefront of the group was Baroness Artheim. Her usual composure was there. But her eyes were alight with the thrill of the new expedition.
Behind her marched her three guards. Bell, a burly man with a no-nonsense stance. Ned, a lean and watchful guard. And Moby, a towering figure with quiet demeanor. All of them had buzz-cut haircut. And they wore specially-crafted uniforms that was designed for the ease of movements.
Looking at them, people would assume that they were special force soldiers from the military. Or transcendent combatants with melee classes like Eldritch Knights or Martial Monks. But no. Jack had seen them in action during the Underlake Temple incident. The three of them were all Mystic Scholars.
Next came Leon Drake. The protagonist-looking treasure hunter. His confident stride and easy smile gave him the aura of an experienced adventurer.
Beside him, Chloe Chase, the teenage mystic scholar, moved with a quiet grace. Her intelligent eyes already scanned the misty cove. Sensing the latent magic in the air.
Both Leon and Chloe were Jack and Reina's companions in their previous mission to the Purplesky Realm. So, they were not strangers for them.
Following them were two individuals Jack had also known personally. Old Barnaby, the transcendent bard, who carried his lute on his back. And his partner Mirella, a transcendent painter whose gaze was already taking in the dramatic landscape as an inspiration for her next work.
The Night couple worked together with them handling the case of Devil Conclave in Lonestone before. Jack didn't expect them to join in this expedition. But they were definitely competent in their fields. So, he had no problem with them joining in.
Bringing up the rear were four people Jack didn't know personally. But he recognized them from Baroness Artheim's descriptions in their latest meeting.
The first was Don Donson. The transcendent cook. He was a fat man with reddish face. His expression looked like someone perpetually ready for a feast.
Then, there were the healer sisters. Serene and Autumn. The were in their early twenties and looked very calm. Unlike most healers who preferred wearing robes, they wore tight practical outfits that didn't hinder their movements.
And finally, there was Argust Osprey. The navigator. A middle-aged primal sorcerer with melancholic expression. One who looked like day-dreaming all the time but had quite an impressive reputation and experience in sailing.
All of them carried large packs that looked well-organized. Showing that they were quite experienced and were ready for adventure. But none of them seemed to be ready for what was waiting for them in that cove...
They stopped short at the water's edge. A collective gasp rippled through the group.
The Silent Mermaid was shimmering under the pale gleam of the rising twin moons. She was far more imposing, and horrifying, than any verbal description could have conveyed.
Her silent, eerie presence was directly unsettling. The tattered sails, the skeletal mast, the mournful figurehead, the blazing flames, the blanketing thin mist... the ghost ship wasn't just an old, battered vessel. It was a terrifying supernatural entity.
"By the... by the Abyss..." Barnaby breathed heard. His face was pale. Beside him, Mirella clutched and grabbed his arm tightly, with similar pale face.
Even Leon Drake's confident smile faltered. Chloe Chase, next to him, put both of her hands on her mouth. Struggling hard not to scream.
The guards... Bell, Ned, and Moby, instantly tensed. Their hands instinctively moved to their grimoires. Ready for combat. Don Donson looked like he might lose his dinner. The sisters... Serene and Autumn exchanged worried glances.
Only two among them didn't show fear. Baroness Artheim, merely adjusted her spectacles. Her gaze was analytical and intrigued rather than fearful.
The navigator, August Osprey, looked ahead with detached, daydreaming look. Looking like enjoying a beautiful view, instead of terrifying horror.
"Welcome, everyone!" Jack's voice cut through the stunned silence. His tone was calm and even. "This is the Silent Mermaid, our vessel for the expedition."
He chuckled. "She's more comfortable than she looks from the outside. You'll see."
Baroness Artheim showed a curious look. "It's indeed a... unique craft. Alright then... Ladies and gentlemen, please, board the ship."
"This thing..." Barnaby muttered. "Jack, are you sure it will take us to the sea? Not to some kind of twisted hell?"
Jack chuckled again. "It takes us to wherever we want to go, Barnaby. As long as we know the correct way there."
One by one, the expedition members approached the gangplank to the ship. Hesitantly at first.
Bell, ever the professional, took the lead. His hand held his grimoire tight. He tested the ancient looking wood of the plank. Once he found it solid beneath his boot, he decisively walked aboard.
Ned and Moby followed right away. Their expressions were still wary. But they were definitely courageous.
Leon Drake had recovered his composure. He gave Jack a wry grin before stepping onto the plank. Chloe Chase followed quickly. She had also recovered from her fear... partially.
Barnaby gulped. Muttering an obscure prayer. "I'll haunt you to the end of time if this led me to an ugly death, Jack."
Jack chuckled as Barnaby closed his eyes and practically scuttled aboard. Behind the bard, Mirella followed slowly. Walking while sketching on her sketch book furiously. The others tailed them soon after.
The moment they stepped under the deck, another wave of shock hit them.
The exterior had been a nightmare of spectral decay. The interior was a mind-blowing revelation. A complete and utter contradiction.
The ghostly flame and ancient, rotting wood were gone. Replaced by polished mahogany and gleaming brass.
The air was warm and dry. Smelling faintly of citrus and salt water. Plush carpets covered the floor. And soft, warm light emanated from the [Self-illuminating Orbs] set into the walls.
The cabins inside were nothing short of opulent. Luxurious bunk bed lined the wall of each cabin. Each with crisp white sheets and thick woolen blankets.
In the central cabin, a long, polished table dominated the center. Surrounded by comfortable, padded chairs. A small, but well-stocked library filled one corner. Its shelves were heavy with books bound in leather.
The kitchen was equally excellent. Equipped with small, working steam-powered stoves. Ones that radiated heat and comfort.
All of them were less a ship's facilities and more akin to the most exclusive, luxurious accommodation in a top-tier hotel.
Don Donson had braced himself for a cold, damp, and possibly haunted cabins. Now, he stood speechlessly as he stumbled into the kitchen. A surprisingly spacious, spotless kitchen. Gleaming with copper pots and a massive, enchanted icebox already humming softly.
"What in the Blasted Depths..." Barnaby stammered. Running a hand over a velvet-covered cushion.
"This isn't a ghost ship. It's a bloody palace!" Leon Drake exclaimed as his eyes went wide.
Mirella even dropped her sketching pen. "This is... inside a ghost ship?"
"I don't like to travel in inconvenience." Jack said simply. "Consider this our base of operations. The reality inside the hull is protected and stabilized by multiple runes. No matter how bad the storm is outside, the coffee in the kitchen will always be hot, and the beds will be dry."
Even Baroness Artheim was speechless. She had expected some level of comfort due to Jack's reassurance. But the luxurious accommodations were way above her imaginations.
"I knew she was more comfortable than she looked from the outside." Reina said. A small, knowing smile appeared on her face.
Jack watched their reactions with a confident, almost mischievous glint in his eyes. The Silent Mermaid was full of surprises, and this was only the first.
The expedition members quickly familiarized themselves with the ship's internal facilities.
Don Donson, the transcendent cook, was the first to move with purpose. He checked the large, gleaming kitchen.
A moment later, a joyous whoop echoed through the main corridor. "Hot ovens! Fresh water taps! A larder stocked to the brim! And a rune-powered icebox!" His voice cracked with emotion. "This is better than a proper kitchen!"
Barnaby found a comfortable armchair and settled in. Picking up his lute and strumming a tentative chord. The sound was rich and clear. It seemed to resonate perfectly within the chamber.
"Acoustics are divine." He announced gleefully.
Mirella retrieved her pen and found a secluded corner with ample light. She continued sketching. Her initial disbelief gave way to the urge to capture this surreal reality.
Serene and Autumn, the healer sisters, were drawn to the ship's infirmary. A clean, bright space equipped with an array of rune-etched medical instruments, and shelves laden with tinctures and bandages. Their faces, usually serene, showed genuine awe.
Bell, Ned, and Moby found a small armory section. Surprisingly well-stocked with Jack's steamrune weapons. They found rifles, handguns, hand cannons, grenade launchers, and their ammunitions there. They began to inspect the equipment with great curiosity.
Argust Osprey, the navigator, approached Jack cautiously. "Mr. Night, sorry to bother you. I'm supposed to be the navigator here. But, how does one navigate a vessel like this? I don't think the sails and the steering wheel up there work like those of normal ship do."
Jack gave a slight, confident smile. "The Silent Mermaid navigates itself to a degree, Mr. Osprey. But you are her eyes. Come, I'll show you the real command center."
He led the navigator to a smaller, circular room at the ship's fore. Adorned with intricate, glowing runes. In the center, a polished steering wheel floated in front of a comfortable chair.
The walls of the room were overlaid with runic mirrors. Projecting the outside like they were windows.
Rune, the tiny fairy, zipped around a floating map near the floating steering wheel. Her glow flared in various colors.
"This is the command center." Jack explained. Pointing at a steering wheel and the mirrors. "You can steer the Silent Mermaid with that steering wheel. While sitting if you preferred. Of course using the steering wheel on the deck is also possible. As for the speed adjustment..."
Jack explained the various devices the navigator could use. Argust Osprey was momentarily speechless. This was... beyond anything he had ever learned. For him, this was overwhelming, yet also... exciting.
Reina joined them afterward. "Dear, the Baroness wishes to speak with you privately."
Jack nodded. "Of course, Love."
He turned to August Osprey. "Take some time to familiarize yourself. Don't worry about damaging anything. The ship could recover herself."
Leaving the speechless navigator, Jack then followed Reina to one place. The cabin that served as the Baroness's private quarters.
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