The Sonia Sea, on the route between Toskat Island and Oravi Island.
"Scrub, scrub."
Filia scrubbed the deck vigorously, working from end to end before stopping.
"Whew..."
Having finished the cleanup work, he raised his somewhat sore neck and let out a long breath. Looking around, he saw the vast, azure sea stretching endlessly, echoing the blue sky above. The morning sunlight was just right, dyeing both the clouds in the sky and the waves on the sea a dazzling gold.
Facing such magnificent scenery, Filia had no heart to appreciate it. Instead, he shook his head with philosophical significance.
Pirate life had a huge gap from what he'd imagined. After the initial excitement of boarding had faded, he was beginning to feel disillusioned.
First, sailing itself was a torturous affair. The ship swayed constantly with the waves, shaking until it felt like his brain would spill out. The surrounding scenery was monotonous, forever just seawater, seawater, and more seawater. No matter how beautiful, one would grow tired of it.
Second, being a pirate apparently required following discipline.
The boatswain had made it crystal clear to everyone: gambling, theft, and private fighting were strictly forbidden on board. Any conflicts had to be resolved openly. When encountering combat, everyone had to participate; cowards would be eliminated without mercy.
During raids, private hoarding was strictly forbidden, and all gains were to be fairly distributed. The captain, first mate, and boatswain received double shares; the helmsman, gunner, doctor, carpenter, and such received one and a half shares. Those who made outstanding contributions in battle could receive additional rewards. According to the boatswain, these were the basic rules among pirates.
Pirates who seemed savage and fierce actually followed reason!
As a newcomer without "work experience," not only did he have to do all sorts of odd jobs, but he also had to undergo combat training. Every day was exhausting.
What I yearned for was that kind of pirate life where you act with impunity, destroy all enemies, and make the entire sea tremble at the sound of your name...
Filia thought gloomily.
The sea breeze blew against him. He stood in place with heavy thoughts, resting for a while before picking up his bucket and brush to head into the cabin. Because he still had plenty of work ahead.
When will I stop doing odd jobs and become a big shot like the captain?
Thinking this, Filia looked toward where the captain's cabin was located.
Suddenly, he saw something ethereal flash by, like the head of a woman with pale golden hair. It seemed to penetrate through the wall's obstruction and enter the captain's cabin.
"...!"
Filia's eyes widened as he froze in place, fear and confusion attacking him simultaneously.
A ghost?
Did I see wrong?
Impossible. That was clearly a floating head!
It's broad daylight. How can there be a haunting?
For a moment, Filia was so frightened he almost screamed. But thinking of the boatswain, who was even more stern and terrifying than ghosts, and his rule against shouting on the ship, he forced himself to hold back.
Inside the "Female Deer's" captain's cabin.
"This guy Klein is really quite capable..."
Silas looked at the messenger before him and thought to himself.
This was a tall female. She wore a black dress with intricate patterns, her neck cut smooth and flat. Her hands each held a head with pale golden hair. All four heads had the same face, bright and imposing.
Not only was her appearance unique, Silas could tell this messenger's strength was not to be underestimated.
"Postage..." "One..." "Gold..." "Coin."
The four heads of Ma'am Messenger all looked toward Silas, speaking in turn. Finally, the head that hadn't spoken handed over a letter.
"Boom!"
Silas felt an explosion in his head, followed by a stinging pain in his eyes. In his slightly blurred vision, he saw the messenger's presence blur and transform into a large, eerie doll. The doll was covered in peculiar patterns, its head already severed and resting in its arms.
What does this mean... This thing's rank is clearly higher than a demigod!
"Captain, what's this thing on our ship?"
Just as Silas was full of vigilance, the captain's cabin door was pushed open by Anderson. He walked in and asked curiously after seeing the messenger.
"A messenger."
Silas answered briefly, taking the letter the other party handed over. He knew that with Anderson's knowledge base, he should understand what spirit world messengers were.
Then he witnessed Anderson's death-seeking moment.
"A messenger, no wonder."
Anderson rubbed his chin, examining her and clicking his tongue in admiration. "There's a certain bloody aesthetic... cough cough!"
Before he could finish speaking, his hands moved beyond his control, viciously gripping his own neck and refusing to let go. The force was so great it made his tongue stick out and foam appear at his mouth... And Ma'am Messenger hadn't even moved.
Similar to a wraith's ability...
Silas took out a gold coin and handed it over, then...
"Swish!"
The pitch-black, profound greatsword instantly appeared, gripped by Silas and slashed vertically down through the air between the messenger and Anderson.
"Cough cough..."
The black light flashed, as if some invisible connection had been severed. Anderson's hands, which had been gripping his neck, instantly released, and he began coughing loudly, struggling to breathe.
"My first mate doesn't know proper manners. Pardon the embarrassment."
Silas said indifferently. "I've received the letter. Thank you very much."
No matter what, Anderson was his man now. It wasn't the messenger's place to teach him a lesson.
"..."
Ma'am Messenger's four heads turned simultaneously to look at Silas, their gazes lingering for a moment on his swaying shadow and the profound greatsword. Just as Silas thought she might do something, she took a step back and disappeared from the real world.
"Sorry, Captain. I caused you trouble."
Anderson caught his breath and bowed apologetically.
"It's fine. Did you forget to regularly use the 'Misfortune Charm'? Remember to use it on schedule."
Silas's expression remained unchanged as he opened the letter. "We're almost at Oravi Island. Don't die before then."
"Alright, I'll remember."
Anderson replied. Seeing that Silas wanted to read the letter, he went outside to wait first.
To be honest, that messenger is really impressive, Silas mused inwardly as he unfolded the letter paper. On it was Klein's writing about how to summon a messenger and establish a contract.
This letter was a follow-up to the transmigrators' small gathering.
The letter's content was divided into two parts. The first half was messenger-related, while the second half was news about the "Admiral of Ailment." According to the intelligence Klein had gathered through investigation, the bounty for finding red-haired Elaine did indeed come from the Admiral of Ailment, and there seemed to be some kind of forbidden relationship between the two.
Heh, that actually makes sense. Looks like that "Ailment Maiden" was originally a man too, still maintaining his original preferences.
Silas thought with a cold laugh.
The Witch pathway seemed to inevitably bring about changes in appearance. If Cecilia could walk this path, already so beautiful to begin with, what would she become...
His gaze darkened for a moment. He put away the letter paper and burned it clean with a fire.
(End of Chapter)