The next day at noon, the sound of waves echoed without end.
In the azure sky, the outline of an airship gradually emerged amid the clouds. It approached at an unhurried pace, its shadow crossing the sea surface and slowly covering this barren reef.
A decisive contest between Seven Cities, the Iron Hook and Mist Concealment divisions, and Wild Bazaar.
The time and location had been chosen by both sides respectively.
To prevent Ji Jue from dragging things out and causing their losses to grow ever greater, Iron Hook and Mist Concealment unanimously decided to settle things as quickly as possible, choosing noon the following day. Ling Shuo would designate the location.
It was on a desolate island reef in the Endless Sea between the three factions, far from human habitation and shipping routes. The small island was formed of coral reefs and sand; without a careful look at a sea chart, one might not even find such a place.
Now, as the two sides waited for a long time, the airship's shadow slowly expanded and descended.
Arriving late, yet utterly unconcerned.
Showing up was already giving you face. If you wanted to wait, then wait. If not, get the hell home and call the whole thing off!
"Heh, bringing that sort of attitude all the way to the Endless Sea..."
Now that he was no longer pretending, Satria made no effort to hide the gloom and coldness on his face. Caruso, beside him, still wore that masklike smile, as though it had become a habit.
Under the shade of a parasol, he sat on a beach chair, calm and composed, sipping chilled champagne as if he were on holiday.
Yet when the airship appeared, that tranquil expression wavered for an instant. Satria instinctively gripped the armrest of his chair