Shrouded Seascape

Chapter 120. Feuerbach

The sound of the blade scraping against the barnacles emitted an ear-piercing screech. However, the sound didn't bother Feuerbach, and he got enthusiastic and engrossed in the act with each passing second.

"Captain Charles, do you wanna try? It's quite satisfying," Feuerbach remarked and extended the bloodied turtle to Charles.

"No need. Why did you come here?" Charles asked as he placed his revolver back into the holster. He remembered seeing this fellow once at the port. He was indeed one of the captains that Kord recruited.

"Ah... It's like this. The guy from the Divine Light Order told us that our mission this time is to find the legendary Land of Light."

"What's with it? Do you suspect that he is lying to you?"

"Heh. Actually, there's no need for him to lie to us. Since we accepted his request, we will complete the mission regardless of the dangers involved. So please be frank with us and tell us what's our actual mission."

Charles felt a little smothered for Kord.

He told the truth, but no one believed him.

"Do the other captains share the same thoughts?"

"They didn't say, but I can see that they all have the same concerns. But since they aren't willing to bring it up, I decided to ask on everyone's behalf."

"Why come at all if you guys have concerns?"

"That guy offered us an amount that is too attractive. After completing this mission, I can even take a break for a few years," Feuerbach answered with a serious look.

"Our mission this time is to explore two islands. One of them is likely a stronghold of the Sottom pirates, so there may be some dangers involved. But not to worry, we don't plan to conquer that island. We only need to acquire enough supplies from there to travel to the second island. Your mission is considered completed once we reach the second island," Charles explained.

Feuerbach nodded in understanding. "I see... I understand now that you’ve phrased it that way. If we are going by that guy's words, we really don't have the faintest idea of what is going to happen."

Feuerbach then threw the clean turtle back into the sea. He twirled the dagger in his hand, and it dangerously danced between his fingers before he kept it away. A hint of curiosity flashed across his eyes, and he looked at Charles.

"Mr. Charles, I heard that you are acquainted with Governor Elizabeth. Can you introduce me to her? The young lads on my ship are all capable fighters, and they would be of assistance if they join in to conquer the island."

Charles regarded the man before him with suspicion. He had a feeling that the question earlier was just a disguise and the current one was the actual purpose behind his climbing on board.

"Elizabeth has departed. If my guess is right, she would have captured that island by now."

Hearing Charles' words, Feuerbach let out a sigh and squatted on the deck. "I should've come here earlier. There are indeed more opportunities on fringe islands."

Charles looked at Feuerbach's ears and realized that they were normal with no sign of deformity.

"You are not an Explorer of the Coral Archipelago, are you?"

"I'm not. I was originally an explorer of Ordinance Island, but the island has been around for a long while, and all islands in the vicinity have been explored. The danger levels of the remaining unexplored islands are very high, so seeking a habitable island amongst them is basically suicide.

”So I went to the Coral Archipelago to try my luck, even though it’s at the furthest edge of the Northern Seas."

Feuerbach appeared rather talkative and would even reveal many more things about himself—things that Charles didn't even ask.

"If there are no islands to explore, then just stay ashore. It's not as if exploring islands is something great, so why do you have to be so focused on island exploration?" Charles advised as he leaned an elbow on the ship's railings and peered into the darkness.

Feuerbach let out a chuckle and asked, "Then Charles, why did you become the captain of an exploration vessel?"

Charles' eyes narrowed into slits but offered no answer. If it were a few years back, he would have excitedly revealed his ultimate goal. However, the closer he was to home, the more he didn't want to talk about it anymore.

No one had ever believed him, after all.

Taking in Charles' silence, Feuerbach continued. "I share the same dream as you. I dream of becoming the governor someday and owning an entire island of my own. Why can others do it, but I can't? I will definitely succeed!

”I want those who look down on me to have a good look that I, Feuerbach Claude, will definitely be one of the upper echelons!"

Feuerbach clenched his fist, and a look of resolve painted his face.

Looking at him, Charles asked, "How many islands have you explored?"

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Feuerbach's face as he muttered, "Only one."

An awkward silence descended upon them.

Feuerbach hurriedly changed the topic.

"Mr. Charles, though it's my first time meeting you, I've heard of you at the Explorers Association. They all said you are a crazy guy, but you don't seem like it."

"What did they say about me? I don’t care about my life? If one really cherished their life, they wouldn't have become an Explorer."

"No. They said your indifference is different from theirs. It feels more like you are deliberately seeking death. They said they had never seen any Explorer so desperate about finding an island. By the way, Mr. Charles, there are rumors that Governor Elizabeth's island belonged to you. Is that true?"

A slight frown appeared on Charles' visage as he cast a glance at the man next to him. He was uncertain of Feuerbach's intention in constantly bringing up Elizabeth.

Charles couldn't bring himself to show any favor toward someone with impure motives. After perfunctorily saying a few words, he left and headed for his sleeping quarters.

With a smile on his face, Feuerbach scratched his deep green hair. He stood on the empty deck and pondered for a brief moment before he lifted an arm and bade goodbye to Conor, who was manning the helm, before jumping straight into the sea.

Days soon flew past, and the fleet gradually entered unchartered waters.

Compared to their usual tens of men, the group was much larger and more imposing this time. With more people, the oppressive fear that usually weighed down on them at sea seemed to dissipate significantly.

Even the newly recruited sailors didn't feel a hint of fear.

However, the sea was always merciless. Soon, subtle changes could be spotted in the sea waters. The sailors who had been joking around earlier immediately tensed up.

The waters began to flow steadily in a specific direction. It was as though something beneath the waters was dragging them forward.

"Notify the other ships to follow the Narwhale's lead and swiftly leave this area. There's something amiss," Charles instructed Dipp, as he personally manned the helm.

As the resonant bellow of the horn sounded, the other ships soon began to accelerate and followed the Narwhale closely.

Fortunately, things didn't take a worse turn. They managed to escape the area as planned. It felt as though the incident earlier was not the slightest bit dangerous.

Charles carefully studied the nautical chart before he turned the wheel. He planned to take a detour to avoid unnecessary troubles.

However, just as he was maneuvering the ship, his keen eyesight spotted something approaching them from above the water's surface.

Is that a...fin?