The ship's captain stepped forward, offering a polite nod. "Hi, I'm William," he introduced himself. "We are residents of Crystal Island."
Lucious stepped up to clarify their route. "We are headed to Mushroom Island."
William raised an eyebrow in pleasant surprise. "Oh, William—your destination is right towards Mushroom Island! In that case, you should make a small detour to Crystal Island. It's very near, and you can continue your journey shortly after."
Though Lucious initially wanted absolutely no detours, he relented when he heard how close it was. "If it is truly near, then agreed," he conceded.
With the course set, a collective wave of relief washed over the crew. The hostages relaxed completely, immediately crowding around Hero to pet him and chat amongst themselves. As it turned out, the hostages were exceptionally chill, wealthy people. According to the captain's estimates, they were roughly 150 kilometers away—a distance they would cover to reach Crystal Island in just one day.
As the afternoon waned, the ladies on board began preparing dinner, utilizing a massive array of rich ingredients. Meanwhile, Jack, Lucious, and Hero the dog were treated like true VIPs. They were escorted to luxurious quarters containing comfortable couches and beds, with tables practically overflowing with fresh fruits for snacking—including crisp apples, grapes, and guavas.
Lucious relaxed on a couch, cutting up pieces of apple to feed gently to Hero, while Jack sat nearby, happily swallowing down grapes one after another, thoroughly enjoying the abundance.
Suddenly, the sharp ring of a bell echoed through the corridors, announcing that dinner was ready.
Everyone gathered in the grand dining hall. It was a breathtaking room, and the guests marveled at the beautiful marble finishes, the glittering chandelier overhead, and the massive dining table stretching across the center of the ship. Everyone took their designated seats—even Hero had a spot specifically reserved for him.
The food on the table arrived beneath heavy covers. Before the feast could begin, Captain William asked everyone to bow their heads and pray. Once the prayers were finished, the serving covers were removed, revealing a stunning spread. The shining dishes perfectly matched the grand atmosphere of the room. There were three distinct varieties of fish dishes, a fresh salad, and an assortment of vegetables. The main course featured rice, bread, chicken curry, and a rich, hot soup.
"Eat your fill and finish everything on the ship," Captain William announced with a warm but knowing smile. "This is our last meal on the ship. Tomorrow morning, we will be at Crystal Island."
Everyone fell upon the feast with enthusiasm. Lucious ate with impeccable manners, handling his spoons and knives with practiced grace. Hero was fed on the floor with a large bowl filled to the brim with meat; the dog surprisingly used a spoon to eat his food. Observing this, Lucious copied the motion, cutting smaller pieces of meat to help him out. Jack, meanwhile, stared down at his own plate, feeling a sudden, petty wave of jealousy toward the dog because Hero was gulping down a bowl full of prime meat.
After the spectacular meal, it was time to retire. "We will all sleep in this room," Lucious decided, looking around their designated quarters. They had been given a room with three beds—one for each of them. The crew had even provided a small, comfortable dog bed for Hero.
"Our boat is safely tied to the ship using rope," Jack noted, peering out the window. "So it will be fine while we all sleep."
Lucious climbed into his bed, feeling more content than he had in a long time. *I am happy,* he thought to himself as he closed his eyes. *The food was good, and now we will sleep.*
But peace on the open sea is a fragile thing. As the night deepened and the morning began to break, a sharp commotion pierced the silence. Outside, the seagulls began to circle, their cries unusually hostile, loud, and aggressive, signaling that their peaceful detour was about to come to a sudden end.