Chapter 60: The countdown continues. The sea seems a bit...
The sea seemed a bit turbulent today. The wind picked up early in the morning, and the whole boat was rocking. Even Sang Zhitao, who was used to life at sea, couldn't help but feel seasick on the boat.
“Our nearest port is Cat Ear Port, let’s spend the night there for now,” Baron said to Sang Zhitao after flipping through the map.
"Mmm-hmm." Sang Zhitao covered her mouth and nodded repeatedly, "Ugh!"
Ultimately, they succumbed to the ship's erratic rocking.
Baron frowned at her, then sighed deeply: "Never mind, let's talk about it when you're feeling better."
As he spoke, he pulled Eureka, who was watching from the side and laughing heartily, outside.
"Your Highness?" Anna asked worriedly, bringing her a glass of water to help her rinse her mouth.
"Ugh!" Unfortunately, it had no effect whatsoever.
"Where is that assassin?" It took Sang Zhitao a while to catch her breath after lying on the bed.
“It’s already been handed over to Barron to handle,” Anna said.
Sang Zhitao took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Alright, have someone spread the news. I want to see how bold that queen is."
Anna nodded emphatically before continuing to take care of her.
Sang Zhitao lay on the soft bed, looking at the simple yet elegant bed curtains, recalling what the assassin had said.
She couldn't believe that the Queen of the Roses, after discovering that Uncle Wales wasn't going to lay a hand on her, would actually have the audacity to attack her herself.
However, no matter the reason, Sang Zhitao was no longer worried, after all, the current Queen Rose was not the same one as before.
The news Sang Zhitao received from Anna made her marvel at the ruthlessness and cruelty of that brother-obsessed king.
"I think she's insane! It was her husband who demoted her to the level of a maid, and her former sister-in-law who humiliated her. What does that have to do with me, the victim?! She actually hired someone to kill me?!"
Seeing that Sang Zhitao, who was unusually in a better mood, started criticizing the Rose Queen, Susie felt relieved and said, "Perhaps this is why the Rose King doesn't like her?"
“That Rose Princess isn’t entirely innocent; I’ve heard about her deeds many times in the Holy Spirit Kingdom,” Sang Zhitao continued to complain.
"Your Highness, if you feel better, please sleep a little longer, so you won't feel unwell and have trouble sleeping later." Seeing her yawn as she spoke, Anna quickly covered her with the blanket.
Sang Zhitao yawned again before slowly closing her eyes and falling asleep.
When she woke up, they had already arrived at Cat Ear Port. After a deep yawn, Sang Zhitao walked out of the bedroom and stood on the deck.
Perhaps due to the impending storm, although the port of Maoer was full of ships, there were hardly any passersby.
"Let's get ashore first, everything's arranged." Barron walked over quickly.
Anna and Susie quickly tidied up Sang Zhitao, draped her in heavy cloaks, and the group hurried towards the hotel they had booked.
Because of the approaching storm, the stall owners at the port quickly packed up their stalls, and the shopkeepers closed their doors tightly. Their movements were skilled and efficient, showing that they were used to this kind of life.
If she were feeling well, Sang Zhitao would definitely have taken her time to explore, but unfortunately she's not feeling well right now and can only walk forward surrounded by people.
The hotel was a bit far from the port, and it took them quite a while to get there.
"Captain Bayer?" Sang Zhitao and her group had just entered the inn when they ran into Bayer, who was also resting there.
"Captain Sylph?!" Bayer was also somewhat surprised, but still came forward to greet her.
"Captain Sylph doesn't look too well." Looking at Sang Zhitao, her face was pale and she looked a little tired. She didn't look as spirited as she did before, but instead looked a little weak.
"She is Captain Sylph!" The blue-clad pirate nearby heard Bayer's words, his hand holding the wine cup froze in mid-air, and he looked at Sang Zhitao in disbelief.
"Captain Sylph?" The blue-clad pirate beside him looked somewhat confused.
"It's just..." The pirate in blue, regaining his senses, was about to explain when he quickly looked up and cautiously sized up Sang Zhitao. Seeing that she wasn't paying attention, he hurriedly whispered, "It's that witch..."
"Hiss!" The blue-clad pirate was so startled he almost jumped up, but was held down by the green-clad pirate. "Are you looking for death!"
The blue-clad pirate quickly lowered his head, hiding in the shadows, and kept patting his chest with his hands; cold sweat had already broken out on his back.
Bayer's words were not only heard by the two pirates, but also by others.
However, faced with a notorious pirate like Bayer and a notorious figure like Sang Zhitao, they dared not do much, only exchanging glances and secretly passing on information.
Sang Zhitao hadn't been ashore for a long time and was unaware of her notorious reputation. So she didn't pay attention to the glares and comments from those around her and simply replied to Bayer, "I've been exposed to the sea breeze too much and I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable."
Seeing this, Bayer didn't ask any more questions. He cupped his hands in greeting and was about to turn and leave when Sang Zhitao called him back.
"Captain Bayer, please come to my room later. I need your help."
Bayer paused for a moment, then nodded silently, agreeing to Sang Zhitao's request.
After Sang Zhitao and her group finished their meal in the room and tidied up a bit, they welcomed Bayer.
"Does Captain Sylph have something to say?"
After gesturing for Anna and Susie to go outside and stand guard, Sang Zhitao said, "I want to see Duke Hope."
Bayer paused for a moment, then a bitter smile appeared on his face. He shook his head and sighed, "As expected of the Duke of Hope, he told me you would definitely come looking for me and asked me to take you to see him."
Sang Zhitao frowned deeply. She never expected that her plan to meet Duke Hope would be schemed against by the other party.
Bayer didn't notice her expression; he simply took a palm-sized box from his pocket and handed it to her.
“This is…?” Sang Zhitao hesitated.
Bayer sighed and said, "This is what the Duke asked me to give you. He said that if you take this, you can find him."
After he finished speaking, Sang Zhitao was about to take the box.
"Captain!" Barron raised his hand to stop her, then looked warily at the box, pulled a dagger from his waist, and prepared to pry it open with the dagger.
Sang Zhitao gently shook her head at him. Seeing this, Baron pursed his lips, sheathed his dagger, and took a step back.
Sang Zhitao took the box indifferently, only to discover that it had an extremely delicate and small copper lock on it.
She looked at the copper lock by candlelight, her brows furrowed.
The story of the pirate world was born from a sudden inspiration that Sang Zhitao had after reading a Western fantasy novel. The author of that Western fantasy novel wrote it very well, in a very authentic European medieval style, without any trace of the East.
As a result, influenced by this, Sang Zhitao's entire book has no trace of the East, from food and clothing to the details of design everywhere.
But now she was facing a small brass lock with a distinctly oriental style.
Sang Zhitao raised her hand and stroked the four somewhat blurry characters on the copper lock, then moved closer to the candlestick.
Upon seeing this, Baron quickly handed the candlestick to her.
Sang Zhitao glanced at him in surprise before continuing to look at the words on the copper lock.
"Long life and wealth..."
Sang Zhitao's soft murmur reached Bayer's ears, and he looked at her with some surprise: "You can understand it?"
"Hmm." Sang Zhitao stared blankly at the copper lock, then nodded subconsciously.
“It seems the person the Duke is looking for really is you.” Bayer breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back in his chair.
Sang Zhitao had already come to her senses and looked at Bayer in surprise: "So... you didn't think it was me before?"
Bayer shook his head, his sculpted features flickering dimly in the candlelight.
He sighed, exhaling his breath onto the candle flame, which flickered weakly, almost going out.
"It's unbelievable that someone who can travel to unknown places is just a little girl."
Hearing him say that, Sang Zhitao just smiled and didn't reply.
Seeing this, Bayer said nothing more, stood up and said, "I have given you the item. I will not be going to the Dark Vortex this time. I look forward to your good news."
Without waiting for Sang Zhitao to say anything, Bayer stepped out the door.
"Is the captain going to... an unknown place?" Baron looked at her with some difficulty.
Sang Zhitao was carefully examining the bronze lock, pondering how to open it, when she heard Baron's words. She was taken aback and looked at Baron in surprise: "That's right, otherwise why would I collect treasure maps?"
"The treasure map is in an unknown place?!" Baron exclaimed in surprise, his voice rising slightly.
Sang Zhitao silently took a breath before tentatively saying, "Didn't I say that?"
Barron couldn't help but roll his eyes at her, and said somewhat angrily, "When did you say that?!"
"Ah..." Sang Zhitao smiled apologetically and quickly explained, "I just forgot."
Baron pointed at her, took a few deep breaths, and then reluctantly lowered his hand: "Fine, fine, I'll forgive you since you're sick."
"Thank you, First Mate Barron, Barron is the best~!" Seeing that he was no longer pursuing the matter, Sang Zhitao quickly put her hands together and made a cute face.
Seeing this, Barron could only turn and leave, saying, "Never mind, I'm going back."
After Baron left, Anna and Susie were also sent away by Sang Zhitao. Holding the box in her hand, she looked at the copper lock and felt that countless mysteries awaited her ahead.
The storm had arrived, and the sound of rain and howling wind filled the air. The already dim candlelight flickered, and the whole room swayed slightly in the storm, as if it were on a boat.
In the quiet room, Sang Zhitao paid no attention to the swaying doors and windows, only staring at the brass lock by the dim candlelight, until she suddenly had a flash of inspiration and rummaged through her pockets.
Even the most terrifying storms cannot deter the adventurous pirates. They brave the storms, grow stronger with each one, and now they raise their glasses in the rain, singing and laughing with their companions by candlelight.
Whether it's a terrifying witch, an unapproachable pirate, or a thief sneaking in for a drink, no one can interrupt the pirates' joyous time, unless the Goddess of Darkness sends them to sleep, thus breaking the earth-shaking celebration.
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