On the sixth floor of the Breath of the Ocean, Lia gently touched the hideous black scar on her face and stared blankly at the crystal vial on the table for a long time.
Suddenly, Lia smiled carefree, picked up the crystal vial, uncorked it, and briskly poured the liquid into her mouth.
A warm, tingling sensation spread through her body, especially around the scar.
In Lia's Spiritual World, the gray-black mists that hung like storm clouds quickly dispersed. Before long, her entire Spiritual World had become clear again.
It was as if Lia had been relieved of a thousand-pound burden. She felt light all over. She quickly got up and went to the mirror. Tears streamed down her face. Her skin was smooth and radiant, and the ugly black scar had disappeared.
[Contribution Points: 263]
On his second visit to the Alchemist Fellowship, Ian received an enormous surprise.
Most of these contribution points came from the propeller, watertight compartment, and wave pressure plate designs. A small portion came from his share of the exchange points for the Enchanted Weapon Oil experience book.
He hadn't expected the propeller, watertight compartment, and wave pressure plate designs to be worth so much. Ian had underestimated the impact that upgrading sailing ship technology would have on the entire Sea of Miracles.
And that was with so little time having passed. If the ideas had had longer to catch on, Ian would certainly have received far more contribution points.
What did you do when you had money? Why, you went on a shopping spree, of course.
A 24-pound Alchemy Cannon cost 30 contribution points. He bought another one!
The manufacturing process for Alchemy Cannons from 3 to 18 pounds cost 150 contribution points. He bought it!
The manufacturing process for Alchemy Flintlocks cost 70 contribution points. He bought it!
As for Alchemy Flintlocks and their ammunition, he bought two long guns and four short guns.
Only after he'd spent all his contribution points did Ian finally leave the Fellowship, satisfied.
These things would be more useful to him right now. If he earned more contribution points later, he could consider Magic Equipment crafting, Alchemist Sequence knowledge, and witchcraft.
On his way back, Ian made a special trip to the Bounty Hunter Guild and ordered a large batch of materials.
It wasn't until the afternoon that the cannons, materials, and other things Ian had ordered were delivered to the tower, one after another.
Milta took the flintlock Ian handed him and excitedly ran down to the shore to test it.
While Ian inventoried his supplies and planned his voyage, a storm was brewing at the whalers' private dock in Paradise Port, not far away.
At that moment, more than 2,500 people had gathered there. They were loosely divided into groups, each organized around a warship.
Most stood opposite Abigail, behind captains like Warren. Fewer than 600 people stood behind Abigail, the group leader.
Abigail's face was livid. Over the past few days, he had used his connections to investigate the Pod erian Navy's actions, and what he'd uncovered had disgusted him.
Bribery, promises of Extraordinary power, seduction, gambling traps, emotional appeals, buying off relatives, persuasion by fellow townsmen—they'd tried almost everything. The only thing they hadn't done was directly threaten anyone.
And the whole scheme had come from the very Paradise Port Extraordinary Affairs Investigation Bureau that Abigail had always looked down on. The Navy Department provided the money, and the Investigation Bureau provided the people.
Of course, judging by the scene before him, it had worked spectacularly well.
It turned out that human nature couldn't withstand temptation.
Abigail glanced toward the other side of the dock. The usually lackadaisical Paradise Port garrison stood in neat ranks, "watching."
Abigail let out a quiet sigh. Even without the Whaling Group, he was still a Sequence 6 Ocean Warrior. Had they really stopped taking him seriously already?
Abigail stroked his gray-white beard. Most of the anger that had risen in him ebbed away, and he gave a bitter laugh. "But I'm old."
He wondered which bigwig in Poderia was behind this. They'd shown no class at all, with no regard for how ugly their greed looked.
First it had been Storm Cape and the major trading companies. Now it was his turn.
An old friend had warned him before not to forget the Whaling Group's original purpose: to be able to protect themselves, and not to expand recklessly.
But Abigail hadn't taken it to heart. As the Whaling Group's influence grew, he had indeed become somewhat carried away. Especially after the Whaling Group successfully hunted a Sequence 5 sea beast, its reputation had even surpassed that of Poderia's Second Fleet.
Abigail looked away. He knew his time in Paradise Port was now running out.
He'd said all there was to say. He didn't want to make himself look pathetic, like someone who couldn't accept defeat.
He gave a forceful wave of his hand. "Life and death are in the hands of fate! That's enough—break it up!"
A low cheer rose from the crowd. The ignorant didn't realize their own ignorance; they only felt that someone had been standing in their way.
The Whaling Group now had only one Fourth-rate Ship, one Fifth-Rank Warship, and three Sixth-rate Ships without captains. Unless something unexpected happened, the people buying them were already waiting at the Breath of the Ocean.
At least, they hadn't intended to drive an Extraordinary with strength, connections, and money into a corner.
They weren't afraid of an Extraordinary with a family in tow. After all, the more someone had, the more "weaknesses" they had. What they feared was an Extraordinary with nothing left to lose, willing to throw everything away.
"Damir, Uma, get ready. We'll set sail first thing the day after tomorrow. Those who want to leave can bring their families. Don't force those who don't want to go. Make sure everyone gets their full share of the money."
Damir and Uma turned and left, their faces grave.
A force as large as the Whaling Group naturally had more than one overseas base. Whaling Island was the largest of them. It lay more than two thousand nautical miles southwest of Paradise Island, far from the main shipping lanes.
A few years ago, while pursuing a sea beast, Abigail had discovered the island. It was densely covered in vegetation and home to only a small indigenous tribe. The island covered nearly a hundred square kilometers. Abigail had named it Whaling Island and spent the past few years developing it as an important base.
Abigail wasn't leaving because he'd lost heart. He simply saw things clearly: there would be no Whaling Group here anymore.
Nearly all of Poderia's forces had been committed to the struggle for the New Continent, and Paradise Island would soon be left with little protection. Poderia would never tolerate a powerful force hostile to it remaining on Paradise Island.
If you didn't accept the courtesy others offered, you might end up without any chance to leave with dignity.
Abigail turned to Lia one last time. After all these years, she had put on the familiar half-mask again, though this time it meant something different.
Abigail's gaze went distant. How old had she been when he'd saved her? Seventeen? Eighteen? In the blink of an eye, five or six years had passed.
The girl who'd been afflicted with the Sea Devil Curse and unable to enter the ocean had grown up.
Abigail had searched far and wide for a way to break the curse, but to no avail. And the Seven Major Churches of the Righteous Gods, who were best at dispelling curses, would hardly help an unbeliever without a good reason.
Abigail had wanted her to let go of her deep hatred and obsession and return to the life of an ordinary girl. Instead, she had shut herself away more and more.
Lia had once been the person he worried about most. Then, this morning, she knocked on his door. The scar on her face was gone, and her smile was bright and lovely.
He'd met that man called Trist before. He couldn't see through him. He could only hope Lia had made the right choice. She couldn't bear to be hurt a second time.
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