"Specters!!" Seeing the figures on the ship wearing underworld armor, everyone on the riverbank instantly became alert.
"Quite a lot of them came this time."
"And there are quite a few different races too."
"Angels, devils, fallen angels, yokai, and humans—there's quite a variety."
One by one, Underworld Soldiers wearing Skeleton Soldier underworld armor slowly appeared on the ship, speaking as they looked at the crowd on the shore.
Watching the Underworld Soldiers slowly emerge, Gaspar said with cold sweat dripping from his forehead, "No way, this many Specters..."
"Gulp! Didn't they say there are only 108 Specters?" Saji swallowed hard, looking at the Underworld Soldiers on the ship.
Monkey King looked at the prayer bead bracelet on his hand; only one bead was glowing. He said to his nearby companions, "Only one bead is shining, which means they aren't Specters who possess Demon Stars."
"That's right. My crew are the Underworld's Soldiers—the Underworld Soldiers. They are subordinates of us Specters, responsible for guiding souls, escorting souls, patrolling, and hunting down escaped souls." Just as everyone was talking, a wooden plank was lowered from the ship, and a figure wearing underworld armor slowly walked down.
As that figure drew closer, the light from the prayer beads in Monkey King's hand grew even more brilliant, far exceeding the light from the Specter Vali had previously defeated, indicating that the Specter before them was extremely powerful.
"Old Man Charon (Grandpa Charon)..." Azazel and Benniah said as they looked at the Ferryman of the Acheron approaching them.
Charon raised a finger to push his goggles back into his helmet, revealing his dark skin, black markings like tear tracks under his eyes, and an expressionless face.
"Charon!!"
Vali, worried about his foster sister's safety, immediately activated his Balance Breaker and rushed forward. Charon could only shake his head and sigh helplessly as he watched the furious Vali flying toward him.
Then, Charon reached out, and an oar flew from the ship into his hand. The head of the oar was made of underworld gems, just like his underworld armor, while the handle was made of dark wood.
Charon spun the oar, delivering a heavy blow to Vali's head, then followed with a thrust to Vali's chest, knocking him onto a rock on the shore. Vali's eyes rolled back as he fainted, and the armor of his Balance Breaker automatically dissipated.
Afterward, Charon rested the oar on his shoulder and said, "Young man, don't be so hot-headed. Keep a calm mind."
"Amazing, he defeated Vali in just two moves." As Vali's arch-rival, Issei Hyoudou knew Vali's strength, but he hadn't expected him to be so easily dealt with in just two strikes.
Azazel and Benniah stepped forward to explain:
"Don't underestimate Old Man Charon; he is a figure of some standing even among the gods."
"That's right, Grandpa Charon just doesn't go out much normally, but he's quite capable."
Carrying the oar on his shoulder, Charon walked up to them. Facing the wary crowd, he waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, I won't fight you. If you want to cross the river, you know the rules of the Acheron River."
After speaking, Charon extended his right hand and rubbed two of his fingers together in a universal gesture for money.
"Old Man Charon, you're the same as ever, hahahahaha~!" Azazel laughed somewhat helplessly, then pulled out a pouch filled with various ancient gold coins.
The reason for giving Charon gold coins was that it was their ferry fee. The rule of the Acheron River was that one could only cross by paying the Ferryman of the Acheron, Charon. Myths about paying a ferry fee before crossing the Underworld river exist in legends all over the world.
Charon shook the pouch, gauging the number of gold coins inside, before nodding and beckoning to everyone.
"Mhm. Alright, everyone board the ship."
With that, Charon was the first to walk onto the ship. The people on the shore followed suit, while the unconscious Vali was carried onto the ship on Monkey King's shoulder.
At that moment, Michael remembered something and asked Charon, "Um, Lord Charon, if you let us on board, won't Hades punish you?"
Hearing Michael's words, Charon didn't look back but continued walking forward, saying, "Don't worry, Lord Hades won't do anything to me. You paid the ferry fee to cross, which is the rule of the Underworld, so both you and I will be fine."
"Is that so?" Michael said.
By the time they finished talking, everyone had already boarded.
Countless Underworld Soldiers stood in formation like a highly disciplined army. Seeing Charon come aboard, they all immediately saluted and shouted, "Captain!"
"Mhm." Charon nodded with gratification, then immediately ordered:
"Lads! Raise anchor!! Hoist the sails!! Set sail!!"
"Oh!!" all the Underworld Soldiers on the ship raised their arms and cheered.
Then, the Underworld Soldiers immediately dispersed with a clear division of labor: one group was responsible for raising the anchors on both sides of the bow, while several other groups were responsible for hoisting the massive sails.
Finally, Charon turned the helm, steering the ferry toward the other bank of the Acheron River.
The Acheron River was extremely wide, and they wouldn't arrive anytime soon, so everyone leaned against the side of the ship, watching the waves created as the vessel moved.
At that moment, an Underworld Soldier passed by carrying a wooden crate and kindly reminded Issei and the others who were looking at the Acheron River, "Everyone, this isn't a sightseeing boat; it's the ferry of the Acheron. Don't fall in."
"The river is full of those who died in various natural disasters and souls who died with grievances. If you fall in, your strength will be suppressed, and you'll be instantly devoured by the souls beneath the surface."
After saying that, the Underworld Soldier left, and Issei Hyoudou and the others didn't dare linger, immediately moving away from the ship's edge.
"Haaa~~!! This is so boring. Old Man Charon, is there any entertainment on this ship?" Azazel said with a yawn, wrapping his arm around the neck of Charon, who was steering the ship. Since they were acquaintances, he seemed quite relaxed.
Charon swatted Azazel's arm away and said with a serious face, "Honestly, this brat hasn't changed a bit."
"However, if you want some entertainment, I can oblige you."
"Lads! It's time to sing!!"
"Oh!!" all the Underworld Soldiers on the ship raised their arms and cheered.
"Yo-ho-ho-ho! Yo-ho-ho-ho!" x4
Cheerful singing rang out as the Underworld Soldiers began to sing with their arms around each other's shoulders:
"Delivering Binks' Sake to your side!"
"At the mercy of the sea breeze and the waves!"
"Beyond the tides, even the sunset is lively!"
"Birds trace circles in the sky with their songs!"
"Farewell to the harbor, the village of silk!"
"Let's sing a song with a 'don', a song of setting sail!"
"Golden and silver waves turn into crashing spray!"
"We are going to the ends of the sea!"
"Delivering Binks' Sake to your side!"
"..."
Charon had a typical sailor's personality and loved to sing while steering, so Hades had taught him this pirate song, 'Binks' Sake,' which was famous in his previous life.
Moreover, Charon's subordinates had all been experienced sailors in life, so this song was also very popular among them.
As Charon steered and sang, a happy expression appeared on his usually serious face. The people on the ship couldn't help but sway their bodies and sing along, forgetting their original tense feelings.
The ship, which was originally lifeless and incredibly solemn, instantly became filled with joy.
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