Chapter 124: Unexpected Discovery
TL: EtudeNew novel chapters are published on
Ever since the incident where he was knocked unconscious, Allen noticed a change in the girls attitude towards him during his subsequent visits to bring her food. Although her face remained impassive, betraying no emotion, she now always thanked him.
Allen had attempted to engage her in conversation, but she would only respond with nods or shakes of her head, leaving him disheartened and disinclined to continue.
There was one exception, however. One day, after he had set down the food, she suddenly looked at him and asked, Would you like to be my friend?
Allen was taken aback, having thought she could only say thank you.
Of course, I would, he replied, sweating profusely.
Thank you! she repeated those two familiar words.
As days passed, everyone seemed to have accepted their status as slaves. Allen himself stopped constantly thinking about escaping.
On the 17th, before dawn, a large number of slaves, including Allen, Tom, and Payne, were rudely awakened and ordered to work at the docks, despite their young age.
The dock area, a natural harbor, was equipped with various facilities established by the Mudfish Pirates.
When Allen arrived, he saw many slaves busy loading supplies onto the ships. Despite their youth, the pirates showed no leniency and demanded they partake in the laborious task of carrying miscellaneous goods onto the ships.
After hours of toil, the sun rose, revealing the full scene at the docks. There were over a dozen ships gathered, a sight they had never seen during their time on the island.
Hundreds of pirates, buzzing with excitement, hurried onto their ships, along with a large number of slaves who were to serve as rowers. These rowers were chained to prevent escape, and not all of them were slaves; some were new pirates.
The pirates raised their skull flags and swiftly sailed away from the docks.
Go back to your usual tasks! Dont even think about slacking off by the sea! the overseers barked, whipping the air as they dispersed the slaves.
Reluctantly, Allen and the others returned to their original work sites, discussing the pirates intentions in hushed tones.
I heard a drunk pirate rambling about a showdown with the Alda navy, Payne whispered mysteriously to his companions.
Alda? Isnt that the counts territory to our north? Allen asked.
Yes, thats the one recently dubbed a pirate no-go zone, Tom added, saying that the lord of Alda had been cracking down on pirates for the past six months.
Since the disappearance of the great pirate Edward, the two strongest pirate groups in the Northwest Bay, Shark and Quik, have both fallen to Alda.
They say the lord there is only a few years older than us.
Master Barnett, its me, came the reply.
He recognized the voice as that of the pirate leader who had escorted him.
Come in.
The door opened and the leader entered obsequiously.
What do you want?
Heh, Master. You must be weary from the rough sea journey. I have brought two gifts to ease your fatigue.
He called out to the door, Come in.
Two women entered, one tall and the other short.
The taller woman was average-looking but well-proportioned, her face tense.
The shorter one, a girl, was quite cute but expressionless, her eyes empty.
Barnett immediately understood the pirates intention.
These damned pirates! What do they take me for?
He was about to react in anger, his arm extending.
Just as the pirate leader was about to face his wrath, Barnett suddenly halted.
His gaze fixed on the girl, drawn to a certain quality in her, something he shared with his companions.
Instead of a deadly strike, his extended arm now pointed a finger at the girl.
Leave her. Take the other one away.
The pirate leader, unaware of how close he had come to disaster, smirked, Heh, Master has unique tastes.
Barnett glared at him, Get out!
Yes, yes! Ill leave you to enjoy, the leader hurriedly closed the door, taking the taller woman with him and leaving swiftly.
Ptui! Some master, no different from us ordinary mortals, he thought disdainfully.