See Sarah Again

For someone like Miss Fortune, who stood against Gangplank, the Slaughter Docks were also the best place to hide.

Countless ships came and went every day. Even with the Iron Gulch Gang's influence spread throughout Bilgewater, it was still difficult to find her.

The combat experience Aatrox had brought with him allowed Ato to notice every gaze around him.

Soon, he spotted one that kept drifting away, only to turn back toward him now and then.

"Hello, Raven. We meet again."

Ato strolled toward the owner of the gaze, a burly, bearded man tallying cargo on the shore.

The man was Raven, the first mate of the Siren and one of the people who had come to rescue Sarah yesterday.

At the sight of Ato, a flicker of panic crossed Raven's eyes. He picked up a few crates at his feet and tried to leave. "You've got the wrong man!"

"I'm not going to do anything to your captain." Ato rested one hand on Raven's shoulder, leaving him unable to take another step.

Cold sweat trickled down Raven's forehead.

He couldn't believe the monster from yesterday had simply come out and started walking around in public!

The Four Great Terrors certainly existed, but few people had ever seen them with their own eyes, and they vanished quickly after being spotted.

Why couldn't this being, who might stand alongside the Terrors, maintain his air of mystery?

"Take me to your captain," Ato whispered in Raven's ear.

"What exactly do you want?" Raven was utterly loyal to Sarah. He didn't want to bring this mysterious man aboard the ship and put her in danger!

"There's something I forgot to ask your captain yesterday." Ato sounded helpless. Was my tone not gentle enough?

"Relax. Sarah answers a question, and I'll help you deal with some of the Iron Gulch Gang's attacks. It's a trade."

"This..." Raven hesitated. After they'd returned, Sarah had warned him and all the crew of the Siren that Ato was extremely dangerous and they should avoid provoking him if possible.

But the Iron Hook Gang had been tightening its pursuit of Sarah lately. Raven wondered what would happen if Ato and the Iron Hook Gang clashed.

"With your strength, it shouldn't be difficult for you to storm Gangplank's estate right now. Why not just wipe out the Iron Hook Gang?"

Taking a risk, Raven continued to probe Ato. He had to make sure the man had no ulterior motives!

"Some things have to be done by Sarah herself. I can't help her with them. Otherwise, she'll turn her desire for revenge toward me. Even with a gulf in power as vast as the heavens, that's the kind of person she is," Ato replied matter-of-factly.

He hadn't denied that he could kill Gangplank right now! That was Raven's first thought. Only afterward did he realize that Ato knew about the history between the captain and Gangplank!

As one of the first sailors to follow Sarah, Raven naturally knew why she hunted down members of the Iron Hook Gang. Only a few people on the ship knew the reason.

Why was the captain so certain Ato was dangerous? Perhaps they had known each other in the past!

So that was how he knew Gangplank was someone the captain would avenge herself on, no matter the cost!

"Fine. I'll take you to the captain. But if you do anything that threatens her safety, I'll protect her with my life, no matter who the enemy is!"

Most of the people at the docks were watching the man carrying the terrifying greatsword.

When they saw him leave in a small boat with another man, they all committed the strange sight to memory, ready to report it to the forces they served.

The small boat zigzagged across the water, gradually leaving the Slaughter Docks behind.

There was actually plenty of room around the docks. The land was low and flat, and the nearby waters were broad.

But large cargo ships filled almost every patch of water, reminding Ato of a parking lot in the real world.

As they reached an area closer to the open sea, Ato finally spotted the Siren moored in a secluded bay.

It was a hybrid vessel Sarah had seized from a pirate captain. A little smaller than a cargo ship, its hull was covered in steel armor. It now served as Miss Fortune's main mobile base in Bilgewater.

The crew spotted First Mate Raven from afar, preparing to bring the boat alongside. Then they realized that the mysterious man the captain had warned them about repeatedly yesterday was with him!

"Captain, this is bad! The mysterious man from yesterday has taken the first mate hostage!"

"What?" Sarah shot to her feet in the Captain's Cabin. Hearing the report, she thought her ears must have deceived her.

The man who called himself Ato had said they would meet again soon. She hadn't expected it to be this soon—it was only the second day!

Sarah hurried onto the deck. The small boat was already close to the Siren. Raven wore a grave expression, while Ato waved at Sarah when he saw her.

"Meeting again, Mr. Ato." Sarah gave a helpless laugh. If she could avoid it, she really didn't want to get involved with Ato again.

After bringing the two men aboard, Sarah told her crew to stay calm and went with Ato to the Captain's Cabin alone.

Sarah invited Ato to sit, unable to stop herself from glancing at the greatsword floating behind him.

It had stayed silent this time. It seemed something else had happened since then.

"Mr. Ato, could you explain why you're here?"

"We parted in a hurry yesterday, and I didn't get to ask you something. Miss Sarah, it's very important."

"What is it?" Ato's serious tone made Sarah nervous.

Ato rubbed his chin and asked, "Have you ever seen a purple-skinned bald mage?"

"This..." Sarah hesitated. She had never seen anyone like that. Ato's description was so distinctive that she would have remembered if she had.

But if she said she hadn't, she didn't know what Ato might do.

"Looks like you haven't." Ato understood the answer from Sarah's expression. "That's all right, Miss Sarah. Not having seen him is an answer in itself. Besides, you'll meet him soon."

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, then found herself wondering who that mage was. Why did Ato consider him so important?

But Sarah knew one thing: never ask questions you shouldn't.

Whatever Ato wanted to know must be beyond the understanding of ordinary people. Digging deeper would be dangerous. Wait, I'll meet him soon?

"Sorry, Mr. Ato, but this concerns the safety of everyone aboard. Mages are rare and powerful, and they seldom appear in Bilgewater. Could you tell me if meeting that mage would spell disaster for the Siren?"

Had Gangplank hired someone to help capture her? Sarah tensed, bracing for the worst.

Ato watched Sarah's expression shift and wondered what she was imagining now. If he didn't bring her back to reality, she'd probably end up thinking about things beyond the heavens.

"Don't worry. That purple-skinned mage... he's a good person. Yes, a very good person." Ato looked completely serious.