Farewell, Future!

An hour later.

On a three-masted ship flying the flag of the Kingdom of Fultons within the port.

The ship's cabin meeting room was brightly lit at this moment.

Count Caladia, the battlefield commander sent by the Kingdom of Fultons this time, had called for a meeting. Amidst the rhythmic tapping on the table:

"That's the situation. Less than ten rioters broke through the cordon this time, and they've now fled into the Fultons Mountain Range, which is infested with beasts.

What do you think we should do?"

As his words fell, an officer spoke with a distant look in his eyes:

"Judging by the grenade tactics used, it should be the same group that annihilated the Volgala Kingdom's Dalami forces last night."

"No one knows if they still have grenades on them, so we can only contact the kingdom and have the guard forces block several routes near our border.

At this, another officer spoke:

"Intelligence reports that one of the rioters wasn't killed during our soldiers' interception and was captured on the spot.

He begged for mercy, saying his plumbism had been cured.

After inspection by the soldiers on the border, the captive indeed showed no signs of the characteristic white scars of plumbism.

This means those who escaped have also been cured of plumbism. Should we issue a kingdom-wide wanted notice for those who escaped?"

Count Caladia chuckled:

"There's no need to block the border, it's too much trouble. Plumbism isn't contagious anyway.

As for a wanted notice! We can do that. Tell the people below to tell the captive, 'If you want to live, describe their appearances.'

Once they become wanted criminals, they won't dare to roam into our territory.

This way, they're just minor figures, and there's no need for us to expend too much manpower and resources.

After this incident, the toughest 'bone' in Frevanz is likely gone. Send the main force to land!

We can't let the other three factions get their hands on the last piece of this sweet cake."

"Mm, I understand. I'll have my subordinates handle it. What about the subsequent treatment of that captive?"

"Don't we have a silver mine in our country that's perpetually short of manpower?"

Count Caladia said with a smile.

Instantly, the man understood.

Time flew by, The sky began to lighten.

Seven-thirty in the morning.

Deep within the Fultons Mountain Range.

In a dense and quiet forest.

Merlin and Yol stopped by a stream that cut through the woods.

Breathing slightly heavily to regulate their breaths, Merlin looked around. In this deep mountain wilderness, if there were pursuers behind them, they wouldn't catch up for a while.

Yol put Lami down and took off her backpack, taking out a thermos and handing it to Merlin:

"Have some water first!"

Merlin took the thermos, looking at Yol with some surprise. Yol blinked, looking confused: "What's wrong?"

Merlin, seeing her not even out of breath, was secretly astonished: "Aren't you tired?"

Merlin himself was wearing [Lynx], so his stamina had been significantly enhanced.

He unscrewed the lid, took a sip to moisten his throat, and then handed the thermos back to Yol.

Yol took it and drank as well, then pursed her lips and laughed heartily:

"Don't you know? I've had great strength since I was a child, and because of that, my stamina is also very abundant.

For this distance, I could go back and forth again and still not feel too tired."

Saying that, she handed the thermos to Lami and gently rubbed her head:

"Lami, have some water too!"

"Mm, thank you, Sister Yol." Lami obediently took it and drank heartily.

At this moment, Eric and the other four, who had fallen a hundred meters behind, caught up, panting heavily. As soon as they arrived, they leaned over, hands on their knees, gasping for air.

After a moment, Eric looked at Merlin and Yol with an admiring gaze:

"Are we still running? Where are we going next?"

Hearing this, Merlin's gaze was calm as he replied:

"All the way here, I've kept an eye on our rear. I haven't detected any sign of pursuers."

"In other words, we're safe now."

As he said this, Eric's eyes flickered. He recalled Merlin's words before they set out and hesitantly asked, "Should we split up now?"

Merlin chuckled, "Sure! If you say so, brother, then let's part ways here!"

Eric's eye twitched. The way Merlin put it made it sound like he was eager to leave.

He opened his mouth, then swallowed his words, forcing a wry smile.

"Alright then, let's part ways! I hope we can meet again someday.

I'll treat you to drinks then."

Merlin nodded, but then glanced at Eric's left thigh and pondered for two seconds.

"Are you injured?"

Surprise flashed in Eric's eyes, and he nodded repeatedly. "Just grazed by a stray bullet."

Merlin then said, "Then let me help you one last time!"

Upon hearing this, Eric immediately said gratefully, "Thank you, Boss Merlin."

Soon, Merlin "healed" him.

As his wound healed, Eric hesitated and asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

As soon as he spoke, Merlin fell silent.

Yol, standing nearby, glanced at Merlin and then also fell silent.

After a brief pause, Merlin chuckled softly, "I haven't decided yet."

Eric mused, "We're all homeless now. Why don't we go with the flow of the times and become pirates together?

You be the captain, and I'll be your sailor?"

As he spoke, the three people who had followed him behind also looked on with anticipation.

However, at this moment.

Merlin fell silent again. Seeing this, Eric felt helpless, thinking he had been silently rejected. He immediately said with a smile, "Then, we'll meet again."

Merlin nodded, "We'll meet again."

Eric, along with the three accompanying him, quickly disappeared into the forest.

Merlin watched them go.

At this point, Yol softly inquired, "Do you hate pirates?"

Merlin glanced at her and then also softly replied, "This era is called the Great Pirate Era. Some say the sea is filled with all sorts of adventures and romance.

There's also endless wealth.

Devil Fruits, known as the Great Sea's Secret Treasures, are also widely spread across the sea.

However, only the strong can conquer the sea, and I am currently just an ordinary weakling. Do I have the right?"

Due to the fusion and collision of his memories from two lives, his differing worldviews and values led to two distinct perceptions of the current world.

In summary, he was lost.

In Frevanz, his life was threatened, forcing Merlin to become incredibly ruthless. But now that he had escaped, Merlin began to reflect on himself.

On one hand, there was the survival of the fittest mentality instilled by his Father since childhood.

On the other hand, there was the influence of his past life's mindset of harmonious coexistence with others.

However, Merlin quickly suppressed the complex thoughts in his mind. Whether it was survival of the fittest or harmonious coexistence, these were things he could only ponder after his own safety was guaranteed.

And to guarantee his personal safety in this world, he had to become stronger.

The [Equipment Slot] could help him become stronger step by step.

At this moment.

Yol's gaze shifted. She gently shook her head at Merlin, "You're not weak. Without you this time, Lami and I wouldn't have survived."

Speaking of which, Yol's eyes curved into a smile, "Hey! Merlin, we're all homeless. If you decide to become a pirate in the future, take me with you!"

Merlin looked up at her. Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, a helpless smile appeared on his lips.

"Piracy isn't exactly a respectable profession. 99% of those who become pirates are bad guys. Once you become a pirate, you'll have to face challenges from the Marines, from your peers, and from all sorts of other people.

Putting your head on the line isn't just a figure of speech."

"That kind of future would be very dangerous."

Yol nodded gently. "I believe you won't become the kind of scoundrel who slaughters indiscriminately and commits all sorts of evil deeds.

As for the various dangers?

We face all sorts of dangers every moment we live in this world. I've simply chosen a path for myself that will be a rugged lifestyle."

Merlin was a little surprised, not expecting Yol to have such thoughts.

Indeed, one shouldn't underestimate others.

This world was no longer a world of fantasy, but a real world with living people and things.

"Okay," Merlin replied softly.

A faint smile appeared on Yol's lips.

At this moment, Lami looked up at Merlin, then at Yol, her small face also turning serious.

"And Lami, Lami also wants to become a pirate with brother and sister.

Lami only has you all now."

Even if Lami was unwilling in her heart, deep down she knew that her brother, Law, might have remained in Frevanz forever.

Hearing her words, Merlin immediately burst out laughing and patted her head with his right hand.

"We'll talk about future matters in the future."

Lami immediately pouted, looking at Merlin and then at Yol like an abandoned kitten, and pouted.

"Sister Yol..."

Yol rubbed her head but didn't speak. She was conflicted. She didn't want Lami to become a pirate, but she also couldn't rest assured leaving her alone somewhere else.

While Yol was conflicted, Merlin looked at the stream several meters away.

It was a flowing stream, and the water was clear to the bottom, allowing them to see the aquatic plants and stones floating beneath the surface. Merlin thought for a moment.

"Let's follow the stream to its source. When it gets warmer, we can wash up.

We haven't bathed in several days, and we're starting to smell."

As Merlin finished speaking, the two women's expressions contorted. They looked down at themselves and nodded repeatedly.

"Okay, let's go quickly then!"

Yol said urgently.

As soon as she heard about bathing, she felt like insects were crawling on her body, itching unbearably. She was already impatient.