Chapter Seventeen: Setting Sail

  The three were shocked and quickly turned their heads, only to see Rickett walking towards them. Seeing Rud's unpleasant face, he hastily said: "Sorry, I had something to say to Raymond, and when I walked here, I just heard what you just said, not intentionally eavesdropping."

  He exclaimed: "However, those words were really well said. Unlike us humans, many people are keen to pursue these three things, but they have to find many excuses."

  It seemed he hadn't heard their conversation about Raymond's identity, and so the three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

  "What brings you here?" said Raymond.

  "I know a place full of opportunities, since Dinar can't stay here, do you want to go there and try your luck?"

  "Where?" Raymond hesitated.

  Rickett said in a low voice: "Have you ever heard of the Veronica Continent?"

  "Veronica?" Raymond muttered a sentence, suddenly remembering that he had heard those merchants mention it in the tavern at Plaza.

  Ricket nodded and said, "That's right. The Veronica continent is actually not as far from us as we thought, it's just west of Mojina overseas. Many ports have come and gone with people from that continent."

  "It's crucial that the situation on that continent has always been unstable, it's a place full of opportunities for those who are willing to take them, it just depends on whether someone has the guts to do so."

  "Abroad?" This was beyond Raymond's expectation. When he left the northern wilderness, he had never thought of going to such a distant place.

  Ricket saw the situation and suddenly added, "That continent does not have a Beastman Empire like this country, so humans and beastmen do not have irreconcilable hatred like here. Many beastmen live together with humans there, your companion may receive better treatment if they go there."

  When he heard this, Raymond's heart was moved involuntarily.

  At this time, Rudes said: "Why did you come to tell us this?"

  Rickett threw up his hands: "Because I don't want to die either. Originally, I was just entrusted by the lord of the city to escort Silsa out of Pralsa, but somehow I got entangled in this matter, isn't it unlucky enough?"

  As he spoke, his voice suddenly dropped: "And besides, after this incident, I have lost all hope for this country, the king and those nobles. So since it's impossible to stay here, let's start anew somewhere else."

  "So I came to test your attitude. Because... hey, I think you're a great person, and following you might be a good choice." Rikit said with embarrassment.

  "I had the same intention." At this time, a gloomy voice came over.

  "Is it you?" Everyone was shocked when they saw the person who came.

  The newcomer was none other than Freddy.

  "What did you mean by 'you also have this intention' just now?" Rickett couldn't help but ask.

  It seems that he found his words laughable, Freddy snorted: "You don't think I'd be safe and sound, do you? I've said it before, I cherish my own life, but I didn't plan on staying here to wait for death."

  "Do you also want to go to Verona?"

  "Come on, why not? It's the best we can do for now."

  "Meow, don't even think about who got us into this situation today, what qualifications do you have to say that." Bastet said angrily.

  Freddie didn't bother with him, but turned to Raymond and said in a low voice: "That kid is the assistant of the city master, his internal affairs ability should be good. As for me, the only thing worth being proud of is this brain."

  "I think, no matter what you want to do, I will be of some help to you. How about considering whether to insist on meaningless hatred or try to see if your capacity can accommodate me?"

  "Master, don't listen to his sweet talk..."

  Raymond waved his hand to calm Bast down and looked at Freddy like that: "Looks like you're pretty confident, huh."

  Freddie said proudly: "You think I got to where I am today by what?"

  "But how did you know I'd definitely go to Verona?"

  "Do you have a reason for staying in Dinar?"

  "......Nothing."

  "Do you want to stay here and wait for death?"

  "No."

  "Then, with the world being so big, where can't one go?"

  "If you're going to leave, it's better to go further and never come back..." Suddenly, Amada's words echoed in Raymond's mind.

  "Alright." Then, Raymond nodded his head.

  "Really, young master? You're not serious, are you?" The cat girl couldn't believe her ears.

  Raymond's prompt response also took Freddy by surprise. He said in a gloomy tone, "Although I've joined you, remember that wherever we are, I'll pursue power to the fullest and never hide this fact."

  "I'll follow you, but if you can't meet my expectations and give me what I want, I'll get rid of you immediately, even use you as a stepping stone. Got it?"

  "Alright then, let's give it a try." Raymond said calmly.

  "Very well, then. I, Freddy, hereby pledge allegiance to you." Freddy removed his hat from his head and bowed deeply to Raymond.

  He straightened his waist and said to Raymond: "So, as a proof of loyalty to you, I'll find some more people for you."

  "Who?" Raymond asked.

  "Harold and his men. They're probably also worried about having nowhere to go." Freddy said, walking down the mountain slope: "I can make them follow you with just a few words."

  "Hey, isn't that helping a thief?" Rickett couldn't help but remind him.

  "What's that to you?" Freddy turned back to him with a glance: "Good bravery and ruthlessness, and no strings attached. Is there a better soldier than this if used properly?"

  "Also, Xier Sha brought the gift that Weiruk gave to Lord Cavi this time. I can also find a way to get it for you. I think you probably don't want to go all the way there for nothing either."

  With these words, Freddy's figure gradually disappeared into the darkness.

  Veyo, located at the border between the Kingdom of Dinar and the Magical Kingdom of Balmuk on the coast, although half of it is within the territory of Dinar, but in fact it is under the jurisdiction of Balmuk.

  This is the largest port in the nearby sea, bustling and prosperous, with people coming and going on the main streets, and shops selling exotic goods from all over. The masts of the ships docked at the wharf are as dense as a forest.

  Here, many ships have trade routes between Monza and Verona. So if you want to take a boat to the mainland of Verona, this is the most convenient place.

  At this moment, in a certain tavern in Weibo, the door was pushed open all of a sudden.

  "Who can take us out to sea?"

  With this loud shout, the tavern fell silent for a moment, and everyone turned their heads to look at Raymond and Rickett standing by the door. But the next moment, they returned to their own affairs, and the laughter and noise filled the entire space again.

  This was already the fourth tavern that Raymond and Ricket had sought out, but everyone they told about their plans to head to the continent of Veronia shook their heads in refusal.

  The reason is almost the same: "At this time, it's when Old Man Kure is most active, going out to sea is like looking for death."

  It is said that this person named Kure, is the largest pirate leader in the nearby sea area, with influence almost covering all navigation routes between the Mojina continent and the Veronica continent. Due to the vast scope of his power, he will choose a certain sea area to plunder merchant ships at different times, and coincidentally, he has chosen the nearby sea area this time, causing the entire Port of Vio to be deserted, with ports full of ships that dare not set sail.

  Raymond and the others left Cavi, and after much difficulty arrived at Vio, only to encounter this situation. Everyone let out a deep sigh of bad luck. With no other choice, they dispersed and went from one tavern to another, inquiring if there were any ships that dared to set sail.

  Just as the two of them thought they would return empty-handed again, suddenly, in a corner of the tavern, a burly man with only one eye, wearing a dirty captain's tricorn hat, beckoned to them.

  Raymond and Rickett walked over: "Can you make it out?"

  "Hey, you two are outsiders, don't you know that now is the time when Old Man Kurei goes on a rampage?" The man took a big gulp of bitter wine and stared at the two with a drunken gaze.

  "Everyone says so, but we have a compelling reason to go out to sea." said Ricket.

  "Oh, what is it? Tell me."

  "Sorry, this is our business. If you don't have the guts to go out to sea either, then goodbye." Rickett said displeased.

  The man suddenly burst out laughing: "Just kidding, I'm not interested in your business at all. However, you're lucky that I also have something to do overseas and don't mind taking a few passengers. Only..."

  "As he said this, he made a counting money gesture: 'Do you have enough of this?'"

  Raymond took out a gemstone and placed it on the table, which was the treasure that Freddy had obtained from Silsa. Seeing the gemstone, the man's only eye widened immediately.

  "We have about 100 people, is it enough?"

  "Only 100 people? That... that's still a bit short." The man said unclearly, but anyone could see that he almost swallowed the gem in one gulp.

  "Is what I said enough as a deposit?"

  The man took a deep breath and nodded repeatedly: "Of course, of course."

  As he spoke, he reached out to grab the gemstone, but was preempted by Raymond who took it back: "Sorry, I think I'll take a look at your ship first."

  "Oh... right, I should let you see my ship." The man stood up with a lurch and walked towards the outside of the tavern: "This way, follow me."

  Raymond and Rickett followed him to the harbor, the man was drunk as a skunk, staggering all the way but somehow not falling down, leaving behind a trail of foul-smelling liquor fumes.

  It was nothing unusual for the two of them. In the past two days since they arrived in Weiruo, they had seen countless drunken sailors and captains.