"My Lord, you are finally back."
Her words were anything but simple. However, the cold-hearted Andre ignored her pathetic attempt at warmth and turned expressionlessly to Hamo and Matt.
"Danny and the others are resting in this hotel. After you meet up with them, restock our supplies and move freely while you wait for us to return."
At Andre's command, the two men nodded without surprise. "No problem, Captain. We hope you have a great return this time."
Hearing Hamo's words, Andre finally offered a slight smile. He then patted Ed on the shoulder, who had been admiring the receptionist's big breasts, which seemed to jiggle with every movement as if she wore nothing underneath, and dragged him out forcefully.
Ed, caught off guard, could only follow with a regretful expression; he had wanted to admire the view a little longer. Just as he crossed the threshold, Hamo's words came from behind.
"Good luck on your first time. I hope to see you become a main member soon."
Ed saw Hamo waving with a smile that seemed slightly unnatural, almost like he was taking pleasure in another's impending misfortune. Ed didn't think much of it and casually waved back.
Turning back, he saw Andre climbing into a cheap-looking wooden carriage pulled by two horses.
Ed also climbed in. The interior was spartan beyond words, with two thin cushions placed on the wooden benches. Sighing helplessly, he sat down just as Andre began to speak.
"This is your first treasure hunt. You don't need to do too much. Just follow us and watch, listen, and learn. If you have any ideas, you can also speak without hesitation. There's no need to be too nervous."
Hearing Andre's words, Ed nodded, forced a smile, and replied, "No problem, Captain."
Andre had already told him on the voyage over that they had come to this island for a treasure hunt. Most of the main members were already here; he had only stopped by to pick Ed up yesterday.
Seemingly satisfied with the response, Andre took a palm-sized metal disc from his pocket and handed it to Ed. "This protective charm activates automatically and can block an attack without needing magic. Carry it with you for safety."
Ed immediately took the disc and examined it seriously. Engraved on its surface was an icon resembling a shield. Otherwise, it was just an ordinary, gray-iron disc, nothing special. If thrown on the ground, no one would bother to pick it up, let alone suspect it was a magical gadget.
"It's a consumable item. It can only block once. Be careful, and don't invite unnecessary trouble." Having finished speaking, Andre fell silent.
At first, Ed waited a few minutes, thinking his grumpy boss might have more to say, but he was wrong. Having nothing else to do, he began observing the carriage, feeling its rocking motion before shifting his gaze to Andre, who sat opposite him with his arms folded and eyes closed. Confirming the other man was completely still, Ed lifted the curtain beside him to look outside.
They were traveling by carriage along the main avenue toward the city at the island's center. On both sides were various plants and flowers, trimmed in unconventional styles. Their fragrant scent, carried by the sea breeze, filled the air.
Numerous carriages were parked along the avenue. Luxuriously dressed women strolled through the surrounding gardens, laughing occasionally. Many men also wandered about, probably hoping for a chance to strike up a conversation.
The environment was beautiful, the ladies were beautiful, and the place was clean. The security, at least at that moment, seemed fine. It was no wonder it had become a tourist destination; many might choose this place to marry.
Most people he saw were either rich or noble, so it was normal for them to travel so far for a wonderful wedding or a holiday tryst. After all, poor people couldn't afford to travel, a sea voyage was a luxury beyond their means.
The city was visible at the road's end: a beautiful construction of gray-white marble. Its pale exterior walls shone like a holy city under the scorching sun, fulfilling many people's fantasies. Many houses made of wood and stone were visible beyond the walls.
Just as Ed was lost in the beauty outside, Andre's voice came from within the carriage. He knocked on the carriage board behind him and called to the driver outside, "Just stop here."
"Yes, sir. Please wait a moment; I have to park the carriage nearby."
The driver was a lawful fellow. Instead of stopping anywhere on the road, he went to great lengths to slow the horses and gently guide the carriage to the roadside under a tree, trying to provide a satisfying end to the ride. If he changed the sheets inside his carriage, a customer might be even more satisfied and give an extra tip.
Andre stepped down with Ed, took a few copper swallows from his pocket, and handed them to the coachman.
"Thank you, generous sir. Have a nice day."
Andre nodded politely, adjusted his black hat, and left with Ed. Instead of heading directly into the city along the avenue, they entered a small adjacent garden and walked into the distance on a narrow path.
Ed followed behind silently, observing his surroundings and trying to memorize the route. They followed the path through the garden and then into a woods, emerging into the countryside.
A sudden feeling of openness made Ed turn to look behind him. A neat wooden wall made of trees extended out, completely blocking the view of the garden. Following the path under their feet and looking diagonally downward, a small village came into view. Andre led Ed into the small village, pushed open the door of a wooden house, and walked inside.
"Boss, you're finally here."
Hearing this familiar voice, Ed couldn't help but peer from behind Andre to look. The people in the room also gazed curiously at Ed.
"It's you! Why are you here?"
The speaker was Jason, the man Ed had met on Turan Island a few weeks ago, with whom he had explored the manor. Seeing the familiar face of the man he had fooled, Ed kept his expression neutral and instinctively looked at Andre.
It seemed his grumpy boss wasn't surprised that the two knew each other. Jason must have already shared the details of his last solo exploration, which was likely why Andre had agreed to let Ed join the team so easily.
Jason walked over, looked at Ed, whose face now showed an understanding expression, as if a certain doubt had been cleared, and said with a smile, "I didn't expect the new trainee member the boss mentioned to be you."
He held out his hand. "Let me formally introduce myself. I am a trainee member of the team, just like you, but I have passed the test to become a main member."
Passed the test? That meant Jason just hadn't become a full member yet. Otherwise, he would have said he was already a main member. So his desperate search for the treasure in the manor had also been part of his test, no wonder he had tried to fool Ed and Sigurd.
This guy must have been furious when he learned that after all that trouble, all he got was two random guns, Ed thought, unable to hold back a playful smile.
He quickly pushed the thought aside and spoke. "Nice to meet you, too. It seems we are indeed destined to work together. By the way, how are your guns?"
"I knew it! You had a clue which one was the real treasure. Damn it! Otherwise, how could your luck be so good? Boss, I told you—it wasn't completely my bad luck. You guys never listen to me!" Hearing Ed's teasing words, Jason instantly exploded and started complaining, making everyone in the room roll their eyes.
"Hello, my name is Elena. Elena Clegane. I'm a main member of the team."
A sweet girl's voice came from beside him. Ed turned to look and saw a beautiful young girl with shoulder-length silver hair and bright crimson eyes. Her face was as delicate as a doll's, and she stood about 1.7 meters tall, a similar age to Ed.
She possessed generous curves, C-Cup size breasts, not good enough, but considering her age, they are still quite ample. She wore a relatively tight-fitting, off-white sailor suit with a knee-length skirt. Her calves, as white as lotus roots, were covered by a pair of black short boots.
If she had been in his previous world, Ed could have said her fan following on the internet would have been in the millions; she was definitely a world-class beauty.
"Edward. Edward Darkmore," Ed introduced himself with a smile, shaking her hand. It was so soft, like a baby's, that he feared he might break her bones if he squeezed too hard. However, considering the unusual physique of everyone in this world, he doubted she was as frail as her hands suggested.