On the deck of the Wavebreaker, Ken Angus stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep.
The Boatswain and Second Mate stood beside him.
Roger stroked his chin and said, "Captain, it looks like there's no one on board."
Vincent also narrowed his eyes and said, "Look, their anchor isn't down, which means this ship has been drifting on the Sea. Judging by the ocean currents, it's highly likely it drifted over from Windmill Island."
The Captain's voice was low: "So, the Sea Cow went to Windmill Island, but for some reason, everyone on board left without dropping anchor, causing their ship to drift to this Sea?"
"Very strange," Roger murmured.
"No matter how strange, we have to go up there. Vincent, get everyone ready," Ken ordered calmly.
The Second Mate nodded and left, directing the Sailors to maneuver the ship closer to the Sea Cow and prepare for a search.
While there was still some time, Ken said to the Boatswain beside him, "Have all the reports been sent up?"
The Boatswain nodded: "Yes, Celeste, the contaminated crew, the Iron and Blood Cross Order, and the formula — all have been reported."
Roger added, "However, that data clerk only provided the Sequence 5 formula, without the corresponding ritual. I thought you, Captain, would detain him."
Ken smiled and said, "An unknown pirate group shouldn't know too much. Besides, compared to monitoring the 'Iron and Blood Cross Order,' one ritual is nothing. Moreover, as long as we keep an eye on Mr. Raditz, are we afraid of not having the opportunity to get the corresponding ritual?"
Roger chuckled and said, "Mr. Lex should have memorized those two formulas. I suspect he might have copied one for himself, after all, it's a Hunter Pathway Beyonder Potion formula."
"It's alright. Even with the formula, he still has to find the materials himself. Rather than that, it's more convenient to work honestly and exchange contribution for a Beyonder Potion. I think Mr. Lex should know what to do."
Ken chuckled, "After all, he doesn't seem like an idiot."
At this moment, the Sea Cow was already close, and the ship was eerily quiet, as if there really was no one on board.
The Captain stopped chatting with the Boatswain, made a gesture, and then jumped onto the deck of the opposite ship.
The others then set up a wooden plank on the gunwale to board the Sea Cow. Without Ken's command, Vincent led the Sailors into the cabin to search, while Ken and the Boatswain went to the Captain's Cabin.
In the Captain's Cabin, on the table with the Sea chart, Ken saw a plate with unfinished beef, and a glass of wine beside it, also not completely drunk.
Ken glanced at the beef, which had already attracted flies, his eyes growing deeper. Roger walked to a Sea chart hanging on the wall, looked at it for a moment, and suddenly exclaimed, "Captain, you have to see this."
The Captain walked over and saw several circles drawn on the Sea chart. Ken carefully identified them, recognizing that these circles were all distributed on some uninhabited Sea Islands near Oravi Island.
And on Oravi Island, there was a ship, a 'ship' carved from gold flakes.
Ken stroked his broad chin: "It looks like 'Blood Admiral' Astucca intends to ambush an opponent on Oravi Island. A golden ship, who could it be?"
Roger whispered, "Could it be 'Iceberg Admiral' Edwina? Isn't that Admiral's flagship the 'Golden Dream'?"
"'Iceberg Admiral' Edwina Edwards is suspected by the higher-ups to be backed by Lenburg, the 'God of Knowledge and Wisdom Church.' "
"From what I hear, this Admiral is more like an Adventurer of the Sea than a pirate. The higher-ups want to place a chess piece by her side. If the ambush on the Sea chart is indeed targeting the 'Golden Dream,' then I believe the opportune moment is approaching."
Ken said, "Search the entire Captain's Cabin thoroughly. Perhaps we'll find useful clues."
Windmill Island.
"Mr. Rayleigh."
Walking along the coastal path, Midiya hesitated.
Lex glanced at her: "Is something wrong, Miss Midiya?"
Lightly pressing down on her veil to prevent it from being blown away by the Sea breeze, Midiya seemed to gather her courage and said, "Mr. Rayleigh, can you take me away? I know many things. I can help you with accounting, or be your cook."
"If you don't need any of these, that's fine too. I learn things very quickly, you can assign me other tasks, and I'm sure I can be of help to you."
Lex stopped, frowning: "I remember you just said that people on the island cannot leave Windmill Island. If I take you away, wouldn't I be harming you?"
"No, it's not completely impossible to leave."
Midiya, afraid Lex would refuse, quickly said, "I can go find the High Priest, Lady Hilda. If she agrees, I can leave and will not face death."
"If you are willing to take me away, I will go to Lady Hilda now and ask her to let me leave Windmill Island."
That's possible?
So they also have a High Priest, that should be someone equivalent to a priest or bishop, right? After some thought, Lex said, "Midiya, you don't have to be so anxious. I've already sold a few bottles of wine on the island, so I'll be back again in the future."
"And I think you shouldn't rashly ask Lady Hilda. That would seem too sudden. You should prepare slowly, lay the groundwork. I suggest you visit her every now and then, but don't mention leaving the island. You should first test her reaction and make sure that nothing will happen if you get her permission, before considering making your request to her."
Under Lex's patient guidance, Midiya finally gave up the idea of immediately asking the High Priest, but she had a new problem.
"I usually only see Lady Hilda at the annual festival, and even then, only from a distance. Normally, I don't know what excuse I should use to visit her."
What a simple girl, let me help you. Lex smiled and raised the wine in his hand.
"Everything is always more difficult the first time."
"So for this first visit, how about using the excuse of taking me, a wine merchant, to visit this respected lady on the island? What do you think?"
Midiya's eyes suddenly lit up, as if there were Stars twinkling within them: "Mr. Rayleigh, that's a brilliant idea!"
Lady Hilda's residence was located outside the town, near the 'Holy Mountain.' Walking along the quiet, deserted path, Lex occasionally chatted with Midiya.
From Midiya's words, Lex learned many things.
For example, the residents of Windmill Island were not natives of the Sea Island. Their ancestors came from somewhere on the Sea and eventually settled on the island.
For example, their faith was not indigenous either, but brought by their ancestors. And, it is said that it was 'Astucca's' idea for them to eventually settle on Windmill Island.
"...The great Astucca guided our ancestors to Windmill Island, and She also sent down an oracle. She told us that somewhere on this vast Sea, there is a Treasure Trove that has never been discovered."
Midiya shrugged: "But so many years have passed, and no one has ever found the Treasure Trove, but everyone firmly believes in it."
She suddenly stopped and looked at a beautiful garden villa at the end of the path: "Lady Hilda's house."