Adiar and Elmis returned aboard the ship. The crew was busy with their tasks—some were cleaning the deck, others repairing the rigging. Rachel approached Adiar.

  — Captain, can we talk for a moment?

  Adiar nodded, then turned to Elmis.

  — Do whatever you want.

  Elmis nodded silently and disappeared into the cabin. Rachel hesitated for a moment but finally asked:

  — Captain, why do you keep that elf around? She doesn’t do anything useful—just follows you around.

  — That’s my business, — Adiar cut her off.

  Rachel gave a short nod and left.

  Adiar entered the cabin, intending to say something, but saw that Elmis was already sound asleep on one of the beds. Not wanting to wake her, he quietly closed the door. As he stepped out, he muttered:

  — Even if you're a general, Elmis... I’ll be the first to earn your respect... May my mother rest in peace…

  He headed below deck, where the crew had gathered.

  — Captain! You’re back already? — Simon greeted him.

  — As you can see, old man.

  — I’m only forty-eight! I’m still young!

  — Not the point, — Adiar dismissed him. — Did you find a buyer?

  — Yes, — Rachel chimed in. — He’s an unpleasant guy, but he pays well.

  — How much?

  — Twenty red rubies for the half-blood beastkin, — Simon replied.

  — Not bad... The main thing is that it’s enough for the expedition. The rest doesn’t matter.

  One of the sailors hesitantly raised a hand.

  — Captain, where are we going? And what’s the purpose of the expedition?

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  — We’re searching for traces of elven and beastkin civilizations, — Adiar announced. — According to church legends, they were nearly wiped out, but I want to see if that’s true. If we find any survivors beyond the continent, we’ll make history!

  — We’ll make history! — the crew cheered.

  But only Adiar knew his true intentions were far darker. He had no plans to share the discovery with the world. Once they found the continent, he would eliminate the entire crew... except for Elmis.

  Late at night, after finishing discussions about the route, Adiar stepped onto the deck before returning to his cabin to sleep. He had a strange dream—as if an invisible hand was drawing a new route before him, leading to an unknown continent...

  The next morning, he woke up early, took a clean map, and marked the path he had seen in the dream. When Elmis woke up, Adiar was already setting the table for breakfast.

  — Good morning, — she greeted him, stretching.

  — Morning, — he replied, sitting down.

  During breakfast, he told her about the expedition.

  — You’re coming with us, of course.

  Elmis nodded silently.

  — Today, we’re meeting an unpleasant man. We’re selling him Perto... for a good price.

  Elmis nodded indifferently, as if it had nothing to do with her. After breakfast, Adiar handed her a pouch of coins.

  — Take the day off. Tonight, we’ll have a lot of guests.

  He left to check the ship’s condition and supplies, while Elmis decided to take a walk around the city. However, she soon noticed the suspicious glances people were giving her.

  — What’s an elf doing walking around alone? — a voice called out.

  She turned and saw three adventurers.

  — You’d only find a beauty like her on the black market! — one of them sneered. — Young, expensive…

  Elmis gripped her sword but held back.

  — Wait a minute, — the third one interrupted. — Isn’t she the elf who’s always with the Devil’s Wolf?

  — You mean Adiar?! — the second one flinched. — I heard that during a mission in Aster, he burned the faces off captured bandits before setting them on fire!

  Elmis tensed inwardly.

  — I know too little about him…

  While they were chatting, she quietly slipped into the crowd.

  Returning to the ship, she saw Adiar arguing with a richly dressed man.

  — I won’t sell the beastkin without full payment! — Adiar snapped.

  — It’s all written here! Just sign, and I’ll bring the missing rubies later!

  — I need the money now.

  Elmis was about to walk past when the man suddenly looked at her.

  — Then let’s make a new deal, — he smirked. — A chest of diamonds for this elf.

  Silence fell over the deck.

  Adiar slowly drew his short sword.

  — Say that again.

  — You know how much elves are worth…

  Adiar lunged forward, but the sailors immediately grabbed him.

  — Captain, calm down!

  But even several men couldn’t hold him back.

  Elmis stepped closer… and suddenly embraced him.

  — Calm down.

  Adiar froze. Then, slowly, he lowered his sword… and even smiled.

  — I thought he only smiled when killing someone, — Rachel muttered.

  — What a shock, — Simon agreed.

  In the end, the buyer agreed to pay the full amount immediately. After checking the contract, Adiar signed it.

  — The slave is waiting outside the city, at the witch’s house, — he said coldly.

  The displeased buyer left with his guards.

  Elmis looked at Adiar.

  — Thank you.

  He only smirked.

  "End of Chapter Seven."