Chapter 684, Your Ship?
Early morning. Sunlight shimmered across the sea surface.
The guild's crew heading to Netare City had boarded early.
Newly recruited sailors and accompanying guards made final preparations.
Several high-level representatives from headquarters gathered silently on the deck, visibly impatient.
"What's with this Wu Heng? He doesn't even follow the schedule he set himself," grumbled the Dwarf in the group, his rough voice cutting through the air.
"Maybe he forgot the time," the Cleric chuckled.
"Let's wait a bit longer. If he still doesn't show, send someone to get him," said the old Mage softly.
"No need to wait. Send for him, and Sim, make a note of this," said the level-18 Swordmaster Elder coldly.
The Gnome Investigator pulled paper and pen from his spatial ring.
Preparing to record the incident.
This Island Lord of Gold-Silver didn't seem as reliable as the newspapers claimed.
Beep~!
Just as the writing began—
A sharp noise echoed from across the sea.
Then came exclamations from all over the ship.
"What a huge ship!"
"It's flying the Gold-Silver Island flag—and the guild's. It's one of theirs."
"This is ridiculous!"
"A magical vessel?"
The deck railing was instantly packed with people.
The guild team all looked toward the distant sea.
On the horizon, a massive and unfamiliar ship loomed—like a floating island.
The nearby escort ships looked tiny in comparison.
The three level-18 Professionals and four level-15s—
All stood at the railing, wide-eyed at the sight.
Awe at the colossal vessel was mixed with deep curiosity.
What was going on with Gold-Silver Island?
It was one thing to say the pens and watches were inventions, but this giant thing—where did it come from?
A machine this large couldn't be built with smarts alone.
Did Gold-Silver Island have such deep foundations?
"Elder, they're signaling us. They want us to come over," a sailor in the crow's nest called.
The Swordmaster Elder nodded. "Approach them."
Everyone sprang into action, steering toward the massive ship.
The closer they got, the more imposing the vessel became.
And the smaller their own ship felt.
...…
Aboard the Wyvern Carrier.
A teleportation array took shape. The three level-18 Professionals appeared.
Their eyes swept around—
And immediately darkened.
Rows of Wyvern skeletons swayed their heads and tails across the wide deck.
Normal skeleton guards stood on watch nearby.
So many Wyvern skeletons?
This ship really was a floating island—with a full garrison.
Step step step~!
Footsteps echoed.
Squad Five captain Kavina approached with her team. "Elder, Director—any orders?"
The three glanced at her. Janvito asked, "Where's Wu Heng?"
"The Island Lord isn't on this ship. He's on the escort vessel," Kavina answered.
"Which one?" the three asked in confusion.
Kavina pointed at the blue-and-white escort ship below. "That one."
"Got it."
...…
On the escort ship.
Philipa ran over. "The headquarters ship looks so plain. But they've brought a lot of people."
Unlike their own ships—
The headquarters vessel carried many living sailors, logistics staff, guards, and several guild squads.
Over 200 people in total.
Wu Heng's ship also had many on board—but mostly skeletons.
They didn't need food or drink and served solely as guards.
"Barring surprises, our kind of ship is one of a kind. Others probably won't replicate it for years," Wu Heng said.
"What a pity. If I'd had this back when I was a pirate, I'd have been unstoppable."
"Would being a pirate be cooler than being Gold-Silver Island's fleet admiral now?" Wu Heng countered.
"Good point," Philipa agreed.
Wu Heng turned to the hopping parrot. "Its wing's injured? Why is it running around?"
"Huh? Let me check." Philipa picked it up to examine.
Just then, a magic array lit up on the deck, forming rapidly.
Clatter~!
Skeletons surged forward, rifles raised, surrounding the array.
Then, the forms of the three level-18 Professionals emerged.
"Back to your posts," Wu Heng ordered.
The skeletons immediately dispersed and returned to position.
Janvito stepped forward. "Why aren't you on the big ship?"
"That's a transport ship. Why?" Wu Heng asked.
Realistically, the escort ship was safer.
It had main cannons and CIWS. In this world, unless a Hero attacked—
It'd be hard for anyone to board this ship.
The Wyvern carrier, while heavily defended with skeletons, didn't yet have CIWS.
Its defense was weaker than the escort ship's.
Plus, people would assume the commander was on the biggest ship, ignoring the smaller one.
"That ship was impressive," Janvito said.
"Nothing compared to headquarters," Wu Heng replied politely, then asked, "Did you need something?"
The Swordmaster Elder said, "Just wanted to confirm the ships. Everything's good. Let's depart."
Wu Heng nodded and looked at Philipa. "Fleet, move out."
Flags were raised. The fleet sailed into the depths of the Emerald Sea. Gold-Silver Island faded behind them.
...…
"Those two ships are yours?" Janvito asked.
The others looked his way, waiting for an answer.
Wu Heng smiled and nodded. "They belong to Gold-Silver Island."
"Your place really is full of wonders," Janvito laughed.
Wu Heng gestured. "Let's talk in the cabin—it's windy out."
The group entered the cabin.
Philipa brought tea and sat nearby.
The Swordmaster Elder asked, "How many days to reach Netare City?"
"Four to five days."
"With your understanding of the case, any thoughts?" Elder Tapani asked.
Wu Heng thought a moment. "Too soon to speculate—it'd just be wild guesses. Could mislead us. Let's wait until we're on the island."
Janvito smiled. "Elder Tapani, you expecting Wu Heng to name the killer now? If he could, we'd arrest them already."
"Fair point. It is early."
...…
Gold-Silver Island, Guild.
Wu Heng's departure had no impact on the island.
But for Steward Sheila Grey, it felt like her anchor was gone.
She slapped her face. "Focus on work! Why keep thinking about him?"
Taking a deep breath, she began reviewing the documents.
Bang~!
The door burst open.
Shiyali strode in, voice low. "The Fifth Princess is missing."
Sheila Grey's brow furrowed. "Missing?"
"This was her opera performance time. When she didn't show, the actors came here. I had someone check—her luggage is there, but she isn't," Shiyali said quickly.
Sheila Grey narrowed her eyes, guessing a few things.
But she couldn't be certain yet.
"Bring something from her room."
Shiyali left and returned with two garments.
Sheila Grey took them and headed to the Island Lord's Mansion.
To visit the Seer.
...…
Onboard, kitchen.
In the dim galley, two smudged girls in sailor uniforms sat on crates washing vegetables.
"Princess, aren't we walking right into their hands? It feels like handing ourselves over."
"This is a guild HQ investigation team. They wouldn't dare act out in front of the guild."
"If there's danger, go to the Island Lord—he'll help you."
"Relax. We're just checking things out. Then we'll return with the guild ship. They won't do anything."
"Princess, we're nearly broke."
"After this, we'll go back to acting—make enough to live."
They whispered softly.
From behind, a sailor shouted, "You two weaving embroidery? Move faster! Can't even do this right—go scrub the deck!"
"We're done! We're done!" the maid replied quickly.
...…
Afternoon.
The three guild members returned to their ship. Philipa flew over to the cargo ship on a Wyvern.
Wu Heng sat in his cabin, pulling out the [Teleportation Spell] book.
It wasn't thick—he could probably finish by day's end.
Judging from Janvito's use, it was quite useful.
Besides movement—
It could even be used to escape traps or terrain hazards.
"Reading time?" Glenda appeared beside him.
"Yeah. Where are Xiaoxiao and Beni?" Wu Heng asked.
"Flying alongside the ship," Glenda replied. "Give me that 'Pathogenic Ray' book—I'll keep reading."
Wu Heng retrieved the skill book from his ring and handed it over.
Man and ghost resumed reading together in the cabin.