Parrot Gro

Arthur was somewhat taken aback. Did bronze possess the qualities needed to perform such a difficult movement?

Then again, it was an extraordinary item. Since it possessed some of the traits of a living creature, it seemed reasonable enough.

Parrot Gro's praise made Arthur frown slightly.

This extraordinary item seemed to have noticed something.

Arthur lightly tapped the table and said in a deep voice, "In reality, address me as Captain."

"Oh! Great Captain, the mighty ship needs you to steer its course."

Parrot Gro's flattery earned no praise. Instead, it drew a rebuke.

"What can you offer me?"

Arthur asked softly, his gaze fixed on Parrot Gro.

His hands rested before his chest, ready to perform the ritual and sacrifice the item to the Secret Sect Long Table.

Parrot Gro shrieked, "Oh! Captain!"

"Parrot Gro is an excellent navigator and can offer you a few insignificant suggestions in the mist."

Arthur picked out the useful words from the torrent of nonsense.

This bronze parrot was a navigator capable of determining direction in the Mist Sea?

What utter nonsense.

The Mist Sea was fraught with danger. Apart from established routes, any vessel could lose its way in the sea fog.

Arthur tapped the table again and warned, "Don't talk nonsense at ordinary times."

"Oh! Your excellent navigator, Parrot Gro, shall remember the Captain's teachings."

"Finding direction in the mist—what other abilities do you have?"

Arthur looked at Parrot Gro with meaningful eyes.

The original owner had died because of it, allowing him the chance to occupy this body.

Without a means of attack, how could it possibly have contributed to the original owner's death? Arthur's physique had undergone Stuart's special training.

His physical abilities were no weaker than those of a Fighter or swordsman.

Parrot Gro muttered softly, "Your loyal navigator possesses the ability to interfere with dreams."

"Even in waters beyond the mist, having strange dreams can still bring misfortune."

Arthur nodded slightly, having figured out the cause of the original owner's death.

The ability related to dreams did have a certain connection to Mansus.

From a certain perspective, dreams were the entrance to Mansus.

"Stay put."

"Yes, Captain."

After glancing at Parrot Gro, Arthur took a musket from the drawer and strode out of the captain's cabin.

After locking the captain's cabin from the outside, he began inspecting the Great White Shark pirate ship.

Watching Arthur leave, Parrot Gro let out a long breath and revealed a shocked, humanlike expression.

Its expression shifted unpredictably before it finally returned to its sculpted appearance, standing motionless atop the table.

Arthur had only taken two steps when one-eyed Wick strode over.

"Captain Arthur, our supplies are running low. We need to replenish a large amount of fresh water and rum at Blue Bay Island."

"Handle it as you see fit."

One-eyed Wick was the quartermaster of the Great White Shark and also Stuart's household servant.

Though he had only one eye left, his swordsmanship remained formidable. He had once killed three enemy pirates by himself.

Whenever the Great White Shark's funds ran dry, he could always obtain a batch of supplies through "special channels."

Arthur knew those so-called "special channels" were support from the Stuart Family.

After approaching Arthur, Wick said in a low voice, "Something's off aboard the ship. The news has already leaked."

Wick was referring to their protection mission.

Arthur nodded slightly. There were followers of Light aboard the ship, so it was perfectly normal for the Shadow Temple to have planted a few informants.

"This captain will handle it. Aside from the necessary supplies, purchase two more flintlock pistols."

"Keep an eye on Marcus. I'll tell you the rest after I meet with the superior."

Wick nodded heavily and turned to leave.

Marcus was the "navigator" of the Great White Shark, a fanatical believer in Light and an expert with the sextant.

Among the Shadow Temple's informants aboard the ship, Marcus was the most obvious one—and Arthur's subordinate.

His subordinate in the Shadow Temple.

Arthur walked onto the deck, breathing in the salty sea breeze as he gazed at the vast azure ocean.

The Church of Light was far too dangerous.

As the leader of a secret sect, staying away from danger was his first principle.

According to the Church of Light's records, they had repeatedly crushed the illegal rituals of "evil cults," preserving the grandeur of Light.

Clearly, the Order of the Hour he intended to develop would also become a target of the Orthodox Church.

In essence, the Order of the Hour was not much different from the Black Devil Order.

Marcus strode to Arthur's side and asked in a low voice, "When do we act?"

Arthur's lips twitched. Marcus meant the Shadow Temple's orders.

He had to work for the Stuart Family and the Church of Light. Being a pirate was truly suffocating.

There was no freedom at all.

"We're heading to Blue Bay Island. I'll meet the deacon and discuss the specifics."

"During this time, your task is to keep a close watch on the others. Focus on Quartermaster Wick."

Marcus nodded slightly and brushed aside the bangs hanging to his chin on the right, which covered the left half of his face.

"I understand. I'll keep a close watch on him."

After Marcus left, Arthur let out a long breath and returned to the captain's cabin.

Seeing Arthur alone, Parrot Gro immediately became lively. "Great being, you seem somewhat troubled."

"Would you allow your wise navigator, Parrot Gro, to ease your worries?"

Arthur closed his eyes and considered the situation aboard the Great White Shark.

Cutting ties with the Stuart Family was easier than abandoning the Shadow Temple. The Church of Light's power at sea was much weaker.

As the Church of Light's black glove, the Shadow Temple's foremost principle was to maintain the Church of Light's position.

To strike at every existence that threatened the Theocracy.

With the arrival of the Age of Discovery, royal power had risen again, and the nobles were beginning to stir.

The Church of Light's former status had declined greatly, so conflict naturally arose between the two sides.

Arthur tapped the table, then suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Parrot Gro.

"If you can interfere with dreams, then you should be able to make someone have frequent nightmares and leave them in poor mental condition, right?"

"Of course, Captain."

"Then interfere with Navigator Marcus every night while he sleeps. After we leave Blue Bay Island, I want him listless and dispirited."

Parrot Gro suddenly fell silent. After a moment, it said:

"He bears Light's blessing. My influence may be negligible."

The corners of Arthur's lips curled upward slightly. He folded his hands atop the table and said in a relaxed tone:

"A great ship sailing the seas only needs one navigator."

"Don't you agree, Parrot Gro?"

Parrot Gro lowered its head. After a long while, it forced out, "The Captain is wise."

That night, Arthur slept in the captain's cabin and activated [Dream Entry].

He had a wonderful dream.

You have gained [Ease].

When Arthur woke the next day, he found that he had gained the [Ease] status, along with a countdown.

If he did not use it, it would disappear after one hour.

He tried placing [Ease] into [Research] and received a prompt: one more material was required before Research could proceed.

After thinking it over, Arthur added his own [Martial Arts].

[Research] has taken effect. Countdown: 24 hours.

After a simple breakfast aboard the ship, Arthur stood on the deck and looked toward the distant island.

Blue Bay Island had arrived.