The Sea Route and the Treasure

Qixie Port is a small port. It was originally an obscure transit port. The residents were used to seeing huge ships passing by their coast. Although it was not a very developed or convenient port, the residents were very content with their lives and lived a quiet and peaceful life. Until hundreds of years ago, the appearance of a pirate disrupted their peaceful days.

The pirate was a down-on-his-luck man who had drifted here from elsewhere. Because of his pirate identity, he was quickly captured. According to the laws at the time, pirates were naturally to be hanged. So, even though this pirate had not committed any crimes here, he was still led to the execution ground by soldiers and sentenced to be hanged. Just before he was about to die, the pirate suddenly spoke and shouted loudly.

"My followers, I have hidden all my wealth in the depths of these seas. Those who wish to follow in my footsteps and become the Pirate King, follow the guidance of the Grand Line and enter my grave!!"

Undoubtedly, the pirate's words caused a stir among the crowd. However, most of those present were honest country folk. While they were somewhat surprised by the pirate's declaration, they didn't take it to heart. After all, they were just fishermen, and it was impossible for them to stray even slightly from the shore, let alone venture into the treacherous depths of the ocean. Such a suicidal act was something no one in the area would undertake. Moreover, the pirate himself was impoverished and showed no signs of wealth. It would be a miracle if anyone believed him when he spoke of treasure.

However, after the pirate was executed, things gradually changed. The once peaceful town became bustling, with many strangers coming from afar to gather there. Among them were wealthy merchants, poor people, and even ships full of pirates. That period was a disaster for the town's residents; they couldn't understand why the rumors spread by a poor pirate before his death would have such a great impact. These outsiders, without exception, came for the poor pirate. They not only carefully questioned the local residents about everything the poor pirate had said before his death, but they even dug up his grave and exhumed his body.

Those days were a nightmare for the local residents. Fights and disturbances were commonplace in the streets, and even deaths were frequent occurrences. This was incredibly disturbing for those country folk who had hardly ever seen blood. But they were powerless to do anything about it. Although they reported it to the sheriff, it was clear that some of those involved were very powerful, so their complaints remained just that—complaints.

However, this period of peace did not last long. Soon, these people hurriedly departed, sailing away from the small port in various ships and heading into the depths of the sea. The locals were utterly dumbfounded by their actions; they could not believe that the dying words of a poor pirate could have such a profound impact.

Life in the countryside was always dull and monotonous. Soon, all sorts of rumors began to circulate. Legend had it that the poor pirate was originally the pirate king who ruled this area, but he had fallen on hard times because of betrayal by his men. Similar rumors began to spread, and some residents were filled with anxiety. The older ones worried that the pirate's death would bring disaster, while the younger ones hoped to go treasure hunting. In short, none of these were good omens.

However, a year later, something strange happened.

One spring morning, the residents were surprised to find many dark figures vaguely appearing on the other side of the horizon, which made them extremely nervous. Soon, and moreover, those dark figures were slowly moving, heading towards the port.

Such a bizarre scene naturally made everyone extremely nervous, and when they saw the true faces of those dark figures, almost everyone screamed.

The wrecked ships, piled together like a ghostly fleet of an army of the dead, lay moored on the shore. Regardless of size, they were all battered and tattered, and the marks on them clearly indicated they had endured fierce battles. Their wretched state made it a miracle they hadn't sunk. Even stranger, there were no people or corpses inside; the hulls were scattered and piled together, as if some immense and terrifying force had torn them apart and then reassembled them into a new form.

Soon, someone recognized these ships as belonging to the same group that had come for the poor pirate last year. This discovery immediately caused a huge uproar. The story of the pirate's treasure was overshadowed by these deserted but strangely wrecked ships. From then on, the people here fell silent about the matter, even believing it to be the poor pirate's curse, revenge against those who coveted his treasure. According to legend, only the one wearing the straw hat was qualified to become the final...

"Okay, Angela, stop!"

Li Lin interrupted Angela's story in an annoyed manner, which also brought the other girls who were engrossed in Angela's tale back to reality.

"Just tell me the truth about it."

"I didn't say anything wrong, Master."

Angela pouted slightly, somewhat annoyed that Li Lin had interrupted her.

"There was a pirate who died here and said those things, and it's also true that someone went looking for him, right?"

"But this has nothing to do with the Grand Line or the Straw Hat, does it?"

Li Lin waved his hand helplessly.

"I know you enjoy those stories, but sometimes you need to distinguish between reality and imagination."

"What's wrong with that, Master? This is my only pleasure. If humanity has any value left, these stories, born from imagination and the soul, are perhaps the last treasures."

"... Let's put these personal values issues aside for now."

Li Lin waved his hand helplessly, then turned to look at the two sisters who had also been captivated by Angela's story, but had now come to their senses.

"Mina, Fina, go find a boat, not too big, money is no problem. Remember, don't tell anyone why we're here."

"Yes, Master."

Mina and Fina nodded, then stood up and turned to leave. At that moment, Li Lin turned his head and looked at Rolandis beside him.

"Miss Rolandis, you've had a very hard time these past few days."

"Snort!"

"It seems you don't have a very good impression of us."

"Snort!"

"Okay, I understand."

"Hmph!... Eh?"

Rolandis looked at Li Lin in surprise, not understanding what he was trying to say.

"Go and tidy yourself up, Miss Rolandis. I don't want the old mage to see a disheveled woman when he meets you."

As Li Lin spoke, he stood up and patted Angela's head.

"You mean..."

Rolandis also stood up. She could hardly believe what she was hearing.

Just as you expected.

Faced with Rolandis's questions, Li Lin remained remarkably calm. Once everything was prepared, this young lady would be of no use. Bringing her along would only bring trouble, and judging from the current situation, the old mage seemed to be keeping his promise, so he intended to honor his word and release her. However, if the old mage decided to break his promise, Angela would receive some incredibly delicious food. Judging from the little one's behavior along the way, she clearly couldn't resist taking a bite. But since Li Lin had forbidden her from eating, she had no choice but to obediently endure it.

Right now, m•hetushu•com•com is clearly in its final moments.

After Rolandis left the room, Li Lin made a gesture, and soon, the power of magic sealed the door completely. Then he cast a spell, chanting an incantation in a low voice, and soon, a blurry, slender little shadow appeared in front of Li Lin.

"Oh, sir."

Kalin's phantom waved at Li Lin.

Long time no see! How are things going over there? Where's the little one?

"I'm doing fine here."

Li Lin answered casually, then asked Kalin.

How is the plan progressing?

"We've arrived at the designated location, Your Excellency. What's our next step?"

How are the elves?

"It's the same old story, so incredibly annoying. Back in the Book Forest, they'd spend ages getting sentimental just looking at a leaf, and now that we're out in the ocean, they're getting sentimental just looking at a wave. I can't take it anymore. Heaven knows where these guys get all these pointless ideas and these ridiculous things... 'Ah, ocean, your waves are like the sorrow of autumn leaves...' What utter nonsense is this?!"

"Alright, alright..."

Clearly, Kalin has reached her limit, which is quite a feat considering she's barely an elf... However, not having the keen sensitivity of an elf might actually be a good thing in another way.

"Are elves capable of working as sailors?"

"Given whips and clubs, even goblins can learn to make egg pickaxes—that's a famous saying of those dark-skinned elves."

"Very good."

Li Lin nodded and then gave the order.

"Begin the operation. Remember, don't let a single damned fellow escape, except for our respectable merchant and his men. Of course, it's best to let the elves do it themselves. After being enslaved for so many years, if they want to learn to walk with books, they'd better learn to crawl first."

"Received, Your Excellency!"

Kalin put away her longbow, snapped her fingers at Li Lin, and then her figure gradually disappeared under the influence of magic.

"Alright."

Li Lin stared grimly at the empty tabletop, then turned and left the room.

He still has one more deal to complete.