Alka returned to the ship.
When he arrived, Jason and the others were already waiting on board.
"Why are you back just now? I thought something had happened to you," Shadaiti, standing on the deck, said as he saw Alka climbing up.
"I was just a little delayed," Alka said with a smile.
But it wasn't too late; it was just getting dark.
Then Alka went to the captain's room, where all the important members of the ship were already seated.
Alka sat down in his seat, looked at the others, and said, "What's your impression of this island?"
"This port town is pretty good, but it's just a port town after all.
According to the information I asked earlier, this island also has a city and several other towns."
Shadaiti said, a map appearing in his hand.
Hearing this, Alka became curious and took the map.
He didn't know much about the specifics of the island.
He picked up the map and took a look.
The island's shape was roughly the shape of an irregular cross. Despite its irregularity, its shape was truly peculiar, and this was likely the origin of its name.
The town they were in was called South Point Harbor, located at the lower corner of the cross.
In the center of the island lay a city, significantly larger than the town.
Each of the other three corners had a town, though not at the end of a corner like South Point Harbor, but in the center.
South Point Harbor was also the largest town. After all, it was the island's only outlet to the sea, so its greater prosperity was understandable.
From the map, all that could be seen was the size of the town and the somewhat peculiar shape of the island; nothing else could be discerned.
Arka blinked slightly.
A light shone on the island.
After all, even with a powerful force on such a large island, it would be impossible to prevent the treasure from being buried there. Two golden beams of light appeared, and seven blue dots were scattered across the island.
There were only three white dots, two in the wild, and one in the city at the center of the island.
Two golden beams?
This was something Alka hadn't expected, and both beams were coincidentally located in the city at the center.
In the heart of this city.
He reached out and touched a golden beam.
[Hidden Treasure]
[Difficulty: Bloodline Owner]
[Notability: 1654]
[Treasure Information: None]
This was the most basic information column, with almost nothing on it. This meant Alka knew nothing about the treasure.
However, the difficulty level did cause Alka to frown, and after some thought, he simply ignored the golden dot.
Alka had seen this level of difficulty with bloodline owners before.
This also indicated that this treasure was intentionally hidden, clearly a relic left for future generations. Without the bloodline, it could only be obtained by force.
Using violence to obtain a treasure in another major city capital.
Not to mention that this was the vast ocean, and their current strength was only at the baseline.
Alka would rather not take this treasure.
This would absolutely put them in danger. Doing something that was beyond their capabilities was undoubtedly courting death.
He shook his head with some resignation.
He reached out and tapped another golden light.
[Hidden Treasure]
[Difficulty: Key Owner]
[Notability: 1165]
[Treasure Information: None]
It was almost identical to the golden light next to it, except that this time the difficulty required possessing the key.
This meant that the treasure was also stored somewhere, accessible only with a key.
Neither treasure could be easily obtained, and Alka didn't even know anything about them.
If he truly wanted to obtain these two treasures on this island, he might have to wait a long time.
Alka couldn't help but ponder.
"If you're looking for treasure on this island, I suggest you keep a low profile," Jason suggested, observing Alka staring at the city map.
After all, Alka usually stared at the map, searching for any hint of treasure.
Hearing this, Alka turned his attention away from the map and looked at him puzzledly, "Oh? Why?"
"From what I've learned, the mayor of this town is a 'Staff Bearer,' and the island's highest-ranking warrior is a 'Crowned One,'" he explained, shaking his finger.
Then the others looked at him with even more confusion.
They were puzzled by the meaning of titles like "Staff Bearer" and "Crown Bearer."
Is it the literal meaning they imagined?
Seeing the puzzled looks, Jason understood the reason, but shrugged helplessly and said, "I don't know what these two titles represent, but they are related to strength. For example, 'Staff Bearer' represents a fourth-level strength."
"It probably has something to do with treasures."
Julia, standing nearby, pondered Jason's words and said, "The levels of treasures are divided into [Holy Grail], [Scepter], and [Crown]. I don't know why there's no title related to the Holy Grail, but don't scepter bearer and crown bearer sound obvious?"
She explained the connection between the two.
It made sense. Based on the literal meaning, it did make sense.
"So, 'Staff Bearer' means someone who possesses a [Scepter]-level treasure?" Porollo said, understanding briefly.
"How is that possible?" Alka shook his head. How could that be? This was too one-sided.
Furthermore, the mayor of a small town possessed a [Scepter]-level treasure, and the strongest person on a target island was a powerful being carrying a [Crown]-level treasure.
No matter how you think about it, it's impossible. That's too cheap.
"The scepter holder represents the fourth stage, which may indicate that to control a [Scepter]-level treasure, one must reach the fourth stage." Simon thought for a moment and said.
This is a relatively reasonable and correct guess. Of course, Pororo's guess is not impossible, it's just unacceptable.
"In other words, the person who governs this town is at least at the fourth stage, and the person who governs this island is likely even higher, perhaps the fifth stage or even higher," Juanlu said.
Jason nodded. "Yes, that's right. And there's no guarantee that the person ruling this town is definitely a Stage Four.
My intelligence suggests the 'Staff Bearer' is at least Stage Four, and the strongest person in this town isn't necessarily just a Stage Four."
Simply put, if they make too much noise or draw too much attention to the treasure, they'll likely violate the island's laws.
Just as the marine who first arrived and inspected the island said.
According to that marine, a treasure-hunting group must have done this before and been discovered.
With this previous experience, it's impossible not to be vigilant.
And based on their understanding...
The island has a significant population, and even the wilderness isn't exactly desolate.
After all, the island boasts a city, four small towns, and several villages.
Even though the island is large, once these settlements are established, there's essentially no such thing as a completely wilderness.
Practically every part of the island is inhabited.
There's a good chance you'll encounter some ordinary civilians living here.
The main reason is that they're too weak.
To put it bluntly, they don't even have the ability to protect themselves.
A treasure-hunting group comprised of people who haven't even reached the third stage.
Even while digging for treasure on the island, they have to avoid contact with strangers, lest their specialness be discovered.
There's absolutely no room for arrogance.
At this stage, avoiding all contact with strangers and minimizing the risk is the most important thing.
Thinking of this, Alka looked at the map in his hand and covered it.
"Don't worry, our target isn't this island for now."
"Do you have any other targets?" Jason asked curiously.
Alka nodded, then told everyone about his encounter with Baraz and his discussions with him today.
"Is there a treasure trove of riches? It's definitely worth a visit at this point," Sofia muttered to himself after hearing this.
Their ship's funds were indeed low, primarily due to the ruins of Vastva, which had been there for so long.
And the magical items they'd obtained from the overlapping dimension were too valuable, so they didn't want to trade them.
Every one of them was useful.
At this point, Alka remembered something and said to the group, "While Baraz is attending to other matters these few days, let's finish what we need to do."
"Sofia, how much public funds are left on board?"
"About 300 gold sails."
Alka nodded. It should be enough for the short term.
"Dispose of all the remaining valuables in the treasury, except for the precious metals and gems."
Precious metals and gems are both hard currency and can be disposed of anywhere, so there's no need to rush. Especially since they're also materials.
Furthermore, the gems are now serving as rations for one crew member, so Jason's share of the treasure may have to be exchanged for gems.
As for the more decorative and visually appealing valuables, it would be a shame to melt them down.
Selling them on an island with a large population, powerful forces, and even aristocracy would clearly fetch more wealth.
Aside from the ship's public funds, each person should have approximately 100 to 200 gold sails.
"Jason, go over there tomorrow to register and have the Voice of the Dawn towed ashore for maintenance."
After all, the Voice of the Dawn had never been towed ashore to perform maintenance on the ship's bottom since it went to sea. Although she was a ghost ship and much more durable than other ships, she still needed careful maintenance to sail further.
It was one thing not to have the necessary equipment at sea, but once on the island, she couldn't skimp.
The Voice of the Dawn was also a valuable member of their group.
Jason nodded. "No problem, I'll do it tomorrow."
"I don't know if you're interested. While walking around town, I saw someone selling spell-related knowledge," Julia suddenly said.
"It's not cheap, though, ranging from 1 to 100 gold sails," Lucelia said from the side.
It's indeed a high price.
However, knowledge is priceless, and the sale of spell-related knowledge also exists on the Home Sea.
However, the Touchers on the Home Sea are a secretive existence, and such sightings can only be seen at certain times, when Touchers gather.
"If they can be bought, can they also be sold?" Jason suddenly asked.
"I don't know about that. We haven't asked specifically, but it should be possible."
However, the spells available for purchase probably wouldn't be very effective.
It would be more appropriate to supply them to one's own faction as rewards.
After all, spells can be considered a faction's specialty.
Furthermore, a faction engaging in this kind of trade could be said to be making a killing out of nothing.
The group chatted for a while, sharing some of the information they had gathered while wandering the island that day.
Alka suddenly looked at Simon and asked, "How long will it take to reach the third stage?"
"It won't take more than a few days. I have a feeling it will," Simon said.
Hearing this, Alka nodded. He was almost there too. He should be able to reach the third stage in the next few days.
By then, they would have two third-stage fighters on board.
"You want to take more contributions?" Sofia asked.
Alka nodded; that was exactly what he was thinking.
If he and Balazs really went on a treasure hunt together,
A contract would definitely be signed, and then he would have to consider the issue of mutual contributions.
Because he knew there was a treasure there.
"How much do you think a treasure is worth?" Alka suddenly asked.
"This..."
Alka's sudden question silenced everyone present.
How could anyone calculate this?
Not to mention this thing in the Home Sea, even the core of a faction had never seen it before, and no one had ever traded it.
There wasn't even a record of it.
After all, with a treasure, who needed money?
"I think it's better to ask Balazs about this. There are definitely cases of treasures being traded in the Infinite Sea," Sofia said from the side.
"Why do you say that?"
"Look around our ship? Only ghost ships should dock here, right?"
Hearing Sofia's words, everyone understood what she meant instantly.
"So that's how it is. That makes it possible," Julia said, suddenly realizing.
"Are you guessing riddles?"
Pororo looked at them helplessly.
Although he wasn't stupid, he rarely thought about what they said.
He felt uncomfortable with the roundabout and indirect words.
"Why do you always beat around the bush? Can you be more straightforward?"
Hearing Pororo's words, everyone couldn't help but smile.
Finally, Alka explained with a smile, "There are at least twenty ghost ships parked around us. A conservative estimate suggests that there are 20 individuals holding the treasure on the island. This is the minimum, as it's certainly not just our team that possesses multiple individuals."
"It's just a landmark island in the Vast Sea. While landmark islands aren't numerous, they're not particularly rare.
In the Vast Sea, ordinary Holy Grail-level treasures are clearly not legendary. Consider the difficulty of possessing multiple treasures. Someone is bound to obtain a treasure that's unmatched."
At this point, Pororo nodded in understanding.
Under such circumstances, it's inevitable that the treasure won't be traded, so it's definitely better to entrust it to someone you trust.
But who has the courage to do so?
He's more selfish than anything else.
Sharing the treasure with others and selling it for a fortune might be more useful.
Especially in teams where mutual trust is lacking, there are only two options for obtaining treasure.
Communicate well, or engage in bloody battle.
"Okay, you guys talk.
"I'll go cook," Juanlu said, standing up and walking out.
Not long after, the dinner signal came from outside.
Everyone left the captain's cabin and entered the dining room.
Juanlu handed Jason a plate of a pale red gelatinous substance.
"Here, what you asked for."
"Thanks."
"Boogie! Boogie!"
Hearing the shouts from behind, Jason's face was filled with helplessness.
"Alright, alright, stop yelling! I'm coming!" "
Reluctantly, he returned to his seat, pulled open the stool next to him, and lifted the crystal dragon from his own stool and placed it beside him.
He watched the crystal dragon's adorable head rub against his chest and stroked the soft crystal hair on her head.
Then, several transparent crystals and red and blue gemstones appeared in his hands.
With a look of pain on his face, he placed them on the plate beside him and poured the gel into them.
"Alright, eat quickly, Urulius. "
The crystal dragon next to him devoured the crystals on his plate with big mouthfuls, making chewing sounds like candy.
Watching her chew, Jason's face grimaced even more.
Every bite was worth money.
Eating like this was like stuffing a golden sail into his mouth.
The others nearby ate the food on the table, watching Jason's face grimacing.
"I don't think the crystal gems you have are enough for him. I suggest you go to the island and buy some more," Alka suggested, smiling.
Hearing this, Simon, who was standing next to him, smiled and said, "You might not know since you weren't with us today, but Jason is quite famous on the island."
"Oh, what's wrong?"
"He was very generous today, spending several hundred golden sails to buy all the crystal gems in the store."
"Yes, and then we encountered two gangs of bandits and several thieves along the way." "Juanlu said helplessly from the side.
Listening to the others' stories, Alka couldn't help but laugh.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
From the classroom across the way came the sound of Urulius flapping its short wings, its mouth open, calling out to Jason like a hungry chick.
"Why do you still want to eat? Has your appetite grown again?" Jason asked, puzzled.
The Crystal Dragon shook its head and nodded.
"Oh my! Okay, okay." "
Jason, desperate, pulled a few more gems from his pocket ring, coated them with a pale red gel, and fed them to her.
Her face was ashen.
How long had this crystal dragon been born? Only a dozen days and nights.
But her appetite was increasing almost daily.
From a few days of one or two gems, she now only ate one every two or three days, and each meal might contain two fist-sized gems.
It was foreseeable that as she grew, her appetite would become even more alarming.
Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Jason, who looked ashen-faced.
From now on, most of Jason's wealth might end up in the crystal dragon's belly.
Juanlu patted Jason's shoulder and soothed him, "It's okay. Fortunately, we were quite efficient in digging for treasure."