Chapter 252: 28. The Nali Secret Bureau
“Everyone! Dock immediately!”
“As we agreed before, we will stay for four days! Only those on duty are not allowed to go ashore; the rest are free to move around! If you need to change shifts or borrow money, hurry up, we are approaching Pat Sulshen Island soon!”
“Get lost, I’m out of money, wait! If you help me with organizing the warehouse, I can lend you a bit.”
After some time at sea, the number of ships around gradually increased, though there were hardly any merchant vessels; most were various-sized “folk ships” equipped with cannons.
The Pat Sulshen archipelago has always been a paradise for pirates, located about a hundred nautical miles southeast of the Western Continent. The small nations onshore fight among themselves, making it the safest supply point for pirate voyages over the years.
However, anything related to pirates inevitably involves killing and death. There are no police or overseers here; it all relies on the “rules” accepted by everyone.
Interestingly, even these pirates, who cannot abide by the law elsewhere, subconsciously establish a set of rules to follow once they occupy a place, requiring all other pirates to adhere as well.
Humanity’s pursuit of order is etched in their bones; perhaps the standards for order here are too low by other places’ benchmarks, but it cannot be absent.
Fisher stood at the bow of the ship, watching the small vessels far away from the Iceberg Queen, turning back to glance at the pirate flag rising upside down with an iron hammer on the mast. This flag informed the surrounding pirates of their identity, helping them evade unnecessary trouble.
Not far away, several small boats had surrounded a large vessel, the deck in disarray, numerous corpses falling into the sea, and treasure boxes hidden aboard being dragged out, adding a backdrop of screams and wails to the otherwise quiet seascape.
Clearly, those robbers were reaping rich rewards.
“Ha, those wolves smelling blood. Mr. Fisher doesn’t know that fighting is prohibited within 1000 meters near Pat Sulshen Island. Some local gangs will come for a ‘toll’,” Paz remarked, watching the scene of the large ship being robbed, clicking her tongue. Apparently, this wasn’t her first time witnessing such a scene; she was just providing an extra explanation for her guest, Fisher.
The checkpoint of Pat Sulshen Island was less than a hundred meters from the robbery site, yet there was no movement there, as, according to the rules, they only governed the area within a thousand meters of the island.
Waiting for the North’s ironclad warship, significantly larger than the other vessels, to pass through this maritime area, the robbers would momentarily cease their killings, gazing at the enormous shadow approaching, blocking out the sunlight, until they saw it overturn one of their small boats and head towards the entrance to Pat Sulshen Island, at which point they would belatedly start cursing.
“Damn those guys.”
“Shut up! Whose fault is it that you docked in front of the entrance? If you’ve attracted them, not even ten lives could make up for it!”
“Me…”
Paz on the ship didn’t even glance at the boats they’d overturned; she was simply stroking her chin, looking towards the smoke rising from the island, her gaze tinged with a bit of yearning.
For these pirates who drifted at sea for years, such places clearly knew how to stimulate their nerves to the utmost, allowing them a temporary escape from their bloodthirsty wires and fly into a paradise of ecstasy.
Weapons, artillery, gourmet food, brothels, alcohol, drugs…
The veins of Pat Sulshen Island were composed of these damned things, and it was exactly these items that bestowed it with unparalleled vitality, allowing it to endure through the ages.
Paz finally shook out a cigarette from the small box in her pocket, a treasure she usually kept hidden in the lining of her first mate’s uniform, not easily shown to others. During this time, she had already given several to Old Jack, leaving just one when they arrived here, so she needed to replenish her stock.
“Oh, Mr. Fisher, please wait a moment. We’ll be disembarking soon. I have things to attend to, Mr. Jack, do you want to go to the tavern for a drink? I know a great place on the island. Hey, the three young ladies could also see the world or stay on the ship if they prefer.”
As Paz lit the cigarette, she seemed to realize something and, before Fisher could speak, swayed back towards Old Jack. Just as Fisher turned to look at her retreating figure, he was blocked by another tall and cold figure.
In front of Fisher, Captain Alagina had changed from her usual black captain’s outfit to a casual attire favored by the Northern nobility, all in white, accentuating her slender figure graciously. She wore a small hat adorned with white feathers atop her ponytailed white hair.
Yes, it was somewhat similar to the small hat Valentina wore at that time, as this was a style preferred by Northern nobility, indistinguishable between different nations.
The proper way to wear it was to tie a little knot using one’s hair inside the hat, so that the little hat wouldn’t easily slide off. Additionally, such hats generally had a slanted feather on top, symbolizing the favor of the Frost Phoenix.
But Valentina’s hat hadn’t had one; perhaps it was because they didn’t believe in the Frost Phoenix over there, given that she wasn’t from the Woman Nation, and Fisher didn’t know much about the other nations in the North.
Seeing Alagina dressed so well made it hard to believe she was a pirate, just as Paz had said; she should have been the most suitable heir to a feudal state.
The surrounding pirates intuitively distanced themselves from her and Fisher, which could also explain why Paz suddenly chose to leave, as the noble-looking Alagina walked directly to Fisher’s side.
Her right hand was much improved, thanks to Fisher’s use of magic materials to carve a healing spell for her, allowing her to finally say goodbye to her pain.
However, Fisher sometimes noticed her staring blankly at her right hand, not sure if it was because it hadn’t fully healed yet.
“We are almost at the port. Is there anything you want? I have money here.”
But contrasting her handsome appearance was her somewhat awkward conversation skills; luckily, Fisher had gotten used to talking with her this way.
Fisher thought for a moment and realized there were indeed some expensive items he needed to buy—mainly magic materials; even with what he got from Valentina, it was still far from enough. After assisting in carving healing magic for both of them, he nearly depleted his supplies and still needed more magic for self-defense.
“I need to buy some magic materials. Although I have a bit of money, I’m not sure if it will be enough. If not, I’ll have to borrow some from you.”
Upon hearing this, Alagina nodded without hesitation, pulling out a neatly rolled stack of cash and checks from her pocket, containing notes and checks from various countries. The thick stack was wider than Fisher’s two hands put together. Without counting, she placed the bundle of money into Fisher’s hands.
Feeling the weight of the cash and paper, Fisher finally understood what Paz meant about Alagina’s “little treasury.” According to her, Alagina hardly spent any money, and most of her earnings were saved, leading to a growing amount of money.
“Is it enough? I have more.”
Poor Fisher had never had such a haul but had seen plenty of wealthy women. Alagina thought this wasn’t enough, so she added a rather forceful remark.
“Buying magic materials doesn’t require this much.”
Fisher smiled speechlessly, then simply took two bills from the stack. Combined with the Nali coins left by Eil, that should be enough. He neatly folded the remaining cash and returned it to Alagina.
Alagina pursed her lips, didn’t refuse, and simply told Fisher that if he needed money, he could come find her.
Aoxi on the mast was secretly observing the scene and, upon seeing Fisher agree to Alagina’s words, sat down stealthily as if she had learned something.
Under the concealment of the fluttering flag beside her, Aoxi cautiously opened her pocket, hidden beneath her cloak, and peeped inside to find a few pitiful coins scattered within.
“…”
Aoxi slowly closed her thin pocket and then looked at Steel Knife beside her; he immediately turned his head away, seemingly unable to bear looking at her.
Should she be saving some money to marry a husband?
“Whoo whoo!”
The massive horn echoed as they approached the archipelago, and the boats along the way swiftly dodged, fearing to touch the misfortune of this iron-blooded warship.
“Wow, I didn’t expect to see Captain Alagina of the Four Great Pirates on the Iceberg Queen here.”
Under the cover of many fluttering flags at the port, two men leaned against the corner of the dock and also heard the echoing sound ringing through the port. Curious, they began to examine the huge ship sailing toward them.
One man wore a cap, while the other dressed in a typical sailor’s outfit. Yet unlike other ordinary pirates, both their clothing and skin were unusually clean.
“Hey, boss, it’s the Iceberg Queen!”
The man wearing the cap lightly whistled, looking up.
Above the railing, a middle-aged man in a simple white shirt and blond hair was holding a Saint Girl brand cigarette, also observing the ship from afar. He took a deep drag from the cigarette, squinting his eyes,
“I see it; my eyes are not blind. I thought I’d have to go to the pirate harbor to encounter these bigshots, but I didn’t expect to meet them here, specifically the Iceberg Queen, with whom we’ve had previous collaboration experience.”
“That’s right; we’re lucky. Should Panan and I reach out first?”
“No, we can wait a bit longer. It’s not urgent; let those Northern female pirates enjoy themselves first before we discuss business.”
As the smoke exhaled from the old man dissipated, the muscular figure concealed beneath his white shirt was fully revealed. His face, covered with dense stubble, bore many menacing scars, and his stance was casual yet gave off a hint of danger.
On the back of his hand, leaning against the railing, a broken ring tattoo peered out from his shirt.
The unclear yet simple tattoo resembled a mark from when one gets carried away in a romantic relationship, but upon closer inspection, it was evident that the two men below bore the same mark.
If Fisher were here, he would undoubtedly recognize the meaning of this tattoo.
It was the emblem of the **Nali Overseas Secret Bureau**.
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(end of chapter)
