Alger was slightly taken aback by Hobart's answer before he said, "No problem. Shall we discuss how to divide the spoils when the time comes, or settle the matter now under Mr. Fool's witness?"
He had searched for another week and still failed to find a safe route, so he had no choice but to seek Hobart's help.
"Of course, we split the spoils evenly, and I get first pick," Hobart said. "However, I can promise that if we obtain something you need, I can yield it to you in exchange for appropriate compensation elsewhere."
Alger sighed in relief. This method of dividing the spoils, especially the promise made by the Emperor, was very fair to him.
The main reason Alger wanted to discuss the division of spoils at the Tarot Club was that this exploration would definitely be led by the Emperor. If they did not settle things beforehand, conflict could easily arise when the spoils were divided.
To say nothing else, if the Emperor was dissatisfied with the spoils he received and used travel to leave, abandoning Alger in the ruins, he would not even have a place to cry.
At the Tarot Club, however, with Mr. Fool as a witness, the transaction effectively gained notarizing authority, placing some restraints on the Emperor.
Alger smiled. "Thank you for your generosity. I'll attend to other matters first, and we can explore once you have time."
"Alright." Hobart then asked, "Any new information about the small island I mentioned at the last gathering?"
Alger replied, "I haven't landed there yet. I merely heard during resupply that Olfers, the Second Mate of the Iceberg Admiral, had appeared on the island. It's said that the Iceberg Admiral is very interested in the buildings there."
Hobart stroked his chin and nodded slowly.
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