After resting one night with the Troupe of Fools, a new day began with the floating Echoes announcing the time.
"Dinner's ready! Dinner's ready!"
A group of troupe members sat at the table, and soon each had a generous bowl of fish meat in front of them.
"Hey, who would've thought our captain actually won a bet for once—though he only caught a finger-sized fish."
"Haha, Doctor Noah was unlucky too, tangled with that sly monster fish. And right after Captain Brant cast his line, guess what?"
"That sly monster fish actually gorged itself to death, belly up floating on the surface. I scooped it up—stuffed full of bait!"
"Good grief, that monster fish dies neither early nor late, but right after the captain wins the bet. How frustrated must Doctor Noah be."
Everyone laughed and chatted, completely unaware of Noah in the corner grimacing as he flipped through his quest list.
The purple Companion Story "Sailing Day, Captain" was stuck at the first step.
He couldn't become captain, nor win the bet.
Fine—just 3200 Astrite, equivalent to two challenged dailies. Forget it.
Casting aside these troubles, Noah scooped fish soup from his bowl, feeding it spoonful by spoonful into the fish's mouth in the bowl, full of resentment:
"Bad fish—taste how delicious you are!"
Inside the tent, the troupe members' laughter continued:
"Right, while cooking the fish today, I found half a coin in its belly!"
"Hey, I just won the other half of that coin from someone the other day. Give me that half—let me check carefully."
Amid the jeers, the two coin halves fitted together, emitting an unusual glow and projecting a treasure map in the air.
In the upper middle of the treasure map, a flamboyant letter D was written.
This astonishing scene instantly drew everyone's attention. Brant stared fixedly at the treasure map projection, suddenly standing excitedly from his seat:
"Folks, on these vast seas, there's only one legend about D—that's Golden Captain Drake!"
Noah: "Skip."
===
Under the vast, thick sea fog, dark waves occasionally slapped the surface.
Two pirates dragged a swollen middle-aged man from the water onto the deck, bringing him before pirate captain Editch.
"Hehe, another guy capsized in the storm—lucky to run into us."
Editch grinned viciously, taking a bucket of ice water and splashing the unconscious middle-aged man awake:
"Unlucky bastard, state your name, home address, how much money your family has. We get the ransom, maybe we'll let you go."
The middle-aged man struggled to prop himself up, mumbling unclearly:
"...I, Alessio... priest of the Order of the Deep, sent onto a pilgrimage ship by villains. If you return me to Ragunna and give me some startup funds, I'll grant you endless glory and wealth!"
Clang!
Blade unsheathed, cold edge grazing Alessio's face and stabbing into the deck. His gaze trembled as an irritated scolding reached his ear:
"Pie in the sky even to us pirates—and a priest of the Order? Bah! Got money or not? No money, I'll toss you overboard to feed the fish!"
Gulp.
Alessio swallowed hard, fists clenching tightly.
If he were still a priest of the Order, these mere pirates—he could order them wiped out with one word. But—he wasn't now.
For now, endure humiliation and plan later. Once back in Ragunna, he'd rally his connections and resources to bite Fenrico hard.
Thinking this, Alessio forced composure:
"Want treasure? If you do, go take it! The legendary adventurer, Golden Captain Drake, left all his wealth in the sea!"
Alessio tapped his head, smiling confidently:
"And I happen to remember the legendary route to the treasure!"
Two sentences successfully piqued Editch's interest. He beckoned two pirates, pointing at Alessio and loudly conspiring:
"Give him paper and pen—make him draw the route. If he can't—beat him! Beat till he smokes!"
"If he does?" a pirate asked: "Boss, what if he's really an Order priest? Helping him—we might never pirate again."
"Naive. Even if you help him, he'll sell you out for merit the moment he turns. High-ups are best at forgetting roots."
Editch sneered:
"Once he draws the route—toss him overboard to feed the fish!"
"Yes!"
After ordering, Editch raised his telescope, searching for other unfortunate souls fallen overboard.
Not looking was fine—but looking yielded harvest! Editch lowered the telescope, sharply turning the helm and shouting:
"Lads, ship ahead! Let's rob it!"
On the other side.
"Ready, kids?"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Too quiet!"
"Yes, Captain! (louder)"
Brant drew his knife, pointing ahead excitedly:
"Lario, slingshot start—third gear acceleration!"
The flower ship Echo beneath him, covered in golden light, howled and surged forward, hull splashing high white waves.
"Noah brother, your time ability is too awesome!"
Brant excitedly slapped Noah's shoulder:
"Now I know why Lario likes you so much. Before, in sea fog we'd creep carefully—never this fast."
Before Noah answered, a crewman ahead reported loudly:
"Report, Captain—thick sea fog ahead, possible sea demons!"
"What sea fog sea demons—ram through!"
Brant waved grandly, full of boldness.
Bang bang bang bang bang—the hundred-ton king crushed speed bumps, unscathed under time power's protection.
"Report, Captain—large aquatic Tacet Discord tide ahead. Avoid?"
"Avoid its edge? Ram! Ram for me!"
Brant grinned crookedly, full of roguish nonchalance.
Bang bang bang bang bang—large golden Echoes floated on the vast sea, quickly sucked away by a Terminal.
"Report, Captain—pirate ship ahead, looks hostile."
"Perfect! Lario full speed!"
Brant laughed freely, slapping Noah's shoulder with rare seriousness:
"Pirates—wipe them anytime!"
Bang pa boom poof poof—a pirate ship snapped in half at the waist. Numerous pirates fell into water, choking seawater, clinging to broken planks drifting:
"@￥# (Ragunna swear)"
"&*#% (Ragunna swear)"
"￥~&* (Ragunna swear)"
Ignoring the faint, unclear swears behind, Brant clutched his belly laughing, tears nearly falling:
"This is explosively fun—I love you to death, Noah brother. Really—interested in being our Troupe of Fools' vice captain? I'd even give you Lario."
"Uh... pass."
Noah silently retrieved his Terminal, messaging Fenrico.
Noah: "Rewards for hitting pirates?"
Fenrico: "Can arrange." (instant reply)
Noah: [Sent location]
Setting down the Terminal, Noah watched the uncontrollably excited troupe members aboard, unable to suppress his own smile.
Time power should be used like this!
Amid cheers and laughter, the Troupe of Fools flipped three sea islands, reaching the legendary treasure left by Golden Captain Drake almost unhindered.
In the dim cave, Noah kicked the nearby treasure chest, spoiling directly to the members:
"This is Golden Captain Drake's treasure, but per his rules—if you want any treasure, leave something of equal value, or be cursed to death."
"Then forget it—crew safety over treasure."
Brant shrugged indifferently, carving "Troupe of Fools was here" on the wall with a stone, ready to lead everyone back.
His steps suddenly halted. He turned to Noah:
"Noah brother, interested in this treasure?"
"No interest."
Noah glanced at the chest, shrugging:
"How much could one small chest hold? Seen Montelli's Averardo Vault? That's real wealth!"
This instantly drew exclamations from the entire Troupe of Fools:
"Wow, makes sense!"
"Thought Golden Captain was super rich—just this?"
"Yeah, not even as much as one bounty on our Captain Brant."
Speaking of this, some crew perked up, eyes on Brant:
"Captain, take us to raid Fisalia again!"
"Uh this?"
Brant scratched his head, then laughed refreshingly, drawing a flashy knife flourish:
"Then raid!"
"OHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Crew lifted Brant, tossing him skyward again and again, cheering loudly:
"Captain, our captain!"
Noah watched amused, inwardly sighing.
The Troupe of Fools—truly a passionate, pure, and lovable bunch.
[Companion Story: "Sailing Day, Captain" completed.]
[Companion Story: "True Colors" completed.]
Hm? Seems some forgotten quest completed together too.