While the overwhelming majority of people had their attention fixed on the Dauntless, which had just departed Athkatla, no one noticed a ghostlike merchant ship slipping out of Athkatla and sailing north against the current.
The crew aboard that ship were all sailors from the John Chamber of Commerce, crammed into the not-so-large vessel until it was packed to the brim.
It was not until more than half an hour later that these sailors seemed to come back to their senses, staring at one another in disbelief.
"Hank, Tony, Bailey? Why are you here too? Weren't you escorting Miss Elisa to Calimshan?"
One of the captains seemed to recall something. He pulled a crumpled letter from his pocket and said dazedly to the other captains:
"Miss said she had hired a Mage to cast mass hypnosis and mirror image spells on us, creating the illusion that we had gone to sea with her. But since this trade voyage was far too dangerous for ordinary people, she had us return to the Northlands in advance."
"How could Miss Elisa do this? Without us, wouldn't she be in even greater danger?"
"There are several high-ranking spellcasters from Hogg Blackclaw Security Company aboard, and she also hired a group of adventurers overnight. Nothing too extreme should happen. Miss was only worried for our safety."
The five old captains, who had spent half their lives running sea freight with John, were instantly moved to tears by this.
Just then, a sailor suddenly asked in confusion:
"But if all of us are on this ship, how did Miss Elisa sail away with the other four ships?"
"..."
Sea of Swords, Dauntless.
Xia Lan Veloss gazed blankly at Amn, which was gradually fading into a dark silhouette on the horizon. An unhidden loneliness lingered between her