Chapter 306

Chapter 306: Chapter 303: "BabyThe sky was clear.

The pristine and distant sky held a resplendent golden sun. After a heavy rain, the air above the sea was exceptionally clear.

Waves splashed like shattered jade, rolling from the sea’s surface towards the distant horizon.

A small vessel, causing white waves as it sailed, was heading towards the direction of the Floating City.

On the deck, a tall, dark-skinned woman with long black hair that reached her waist held a telescope in her hand, gazing into the distance.

Behind her, the grey sails fluttered loudly in the wind, blowing her long hair into the air like the tail of a swallow.

She was Captain Eilina, dreaming of journeying to the mythical Maritime City to find treasures that could make her wealthy.

The grey sails signified that their vessel was something between a normal ship and a pirate ship; it sailed normally most of the time, but in critical moments of food and water scarcity, it also played the role of a pirate, looting passing ships.

Unfortunately, due to the storm, they had lost their way temporarily, which prolonged their voyage.

At this time, food was extremely scarce, and they had already assumed their "guest" roles.

They had transformed into pirates.

Captain Eilina was very confident and experienced in robbing passing merchant ships.

Although her ship wasn’t large, it was loaded with special Crystal Stones that allowed it to move swiftly on the water, catching up to any merchant ship that tried to escape their sight.

However, whether due to bad luck or something else, they hadn’t encountered any ships along the way.

It was as though all the ships on the sea had vanished.

Eilina put down the telescope, the scorching sunlight shining on her, making her both tired and thirsty.

The freshwater resources were nearly depleted and there were only a few loaves of bread left; if no "fat sheep" came to them, she really considered killing the crew members for their flesh and blood.

She knew she wasn’t a good person, but the harsh world made it so. If it weren’t for the Kingdom’s oppressive treatment making it impossible for her to survive, she wouldn’t have led a group of brothers to

"Captain! First Mate! — A vessel spotted!"

At that moment, a shout suddenly came from the other end of the ship.

Eilina and Caro exchanged glances, both revealing smiles that said "business is about to start."

"Let everyone get ready, time to get to work!" Eilina shouted loudly.

"No need, Captain," the lookout crew member responded. "It’s just a half-destroyed lifeboat, and it’s a single-person model. There should be only one person inside."

"One person?" Eilina frowned.

If it’s just one person... the value drastically decreases, whether captured as a slave or taken for food, it’s just not enough... But since it’s a lifeboat, it should have quite a few survival resources, likely including water and food.

"Well, if it’s just one person, then it’s just one person. Free resources, and it’s easy too, which spares our ship from further damage," Eilina walked towards that end of the ship and immediately saw the small single-person lifeboat floating next to their ship.

It was an inflatable rubber dinghy with a rain cover propped up on top and water-blocking canvas curtains floating beside it, obscuring her view of the person sitting inside. Judging by the size of the lifeboat, it could only accommodate one or two people.

While she was observing, the lifeboat unexpectedly moved closer to them, whether due to the direction of the waves or something else.

"Kaylin, bring out the ’big guy,’" Eilina ordered.

The ’big guy’ she referred to was an iron hook with a line on the ship.

The lookout crew member complied, quickly dragging a black iron hook over and throwing it in the direction of the lifeboat—

"Pfft."

The inflatable lifeboat emitted a noise like a balloon bursting, and then, the swollen body of the boat visibly deflated.

Just then, the canvas curtain was lifted.

This targeted prey seemed to realize its predicament and was forced to climb out of the boat.

Eilina stared at the canvas, somewhat expecting the prey’s appearance.

If the prey was a frail woman, or an elderly person or a child, then it wouldn’t be very interesting; heavy physical labor was something they couldn’t handle, and they could only be used as reserve food.

If it was a strong adult, they could be used as a labor force, and when not needed, slaughtered to enrich their dining table.

While raiding these vessels, she also paid attention to these prey’s clothing.

Civilians in plain clothes were their least favorite; they hardly had any valuables. Those dressed richly, especially those adorned with gold and silver, were their treasures; she loved encountering those who seemed to paste banknotes on themselves.

She watched as the canvas was leisurely lifted, the person inside seeming not too anxious, perhaps resigned to their fate.

Then, as she stared at the emerging prey, she was stunned.

Caro, beside her, tightly gripped her wrist with significant force.

It was hard for Eilina to describe the feeling she had when she saw them.

It was like when she saw the vibrant Fusang flowers for the first time in a pile of trash as a child, or like the first time she heard a minstrel’s song.

Her eyes had seen too much ugliness and filth, but upon catching the first glimpse of them, her initial reaction was "clean."

Harmless and clean.

It was like seeing someone extremely trustworthy, extremely relaxing, she instinctively felt that the person was exceptionally good. When their eyes, tinged with a somewhat dark golden color, looked her way, she felt as if she was seeing the ocean for the first time, her heart pounding fiercely.

She knew this feeling shouldn’t be a flutter.

But she just couldn’t control her fondness for the other person, and only felt he was amiable.

"Yo, turns out it’s a noble lad." Caro whistled from the side, looking cheerful, "Just don’t know how long his slender frame could last in labor, hope he doesn’t die on the first day, that’d be bad luck."

Eilina blinked.

Looking at the man in the lifeboat, she felt her face growing hot.

His gaze was too pure, too clear, reminding her of her own younger brother who had died under the nobles’ clubs before he could grow up. His eyes gleamed crystal clear, reflecting her own image clearly.

"Look Carina, this one, using him for labor would be a waste." Caro breathed into her ear, "He looks way better than those sailors, totally your type."

Eilina showed a smile, "He is indeed nice."

She touched her chin, "... Quite nice. Even if taken to Maritime City, he’d fetch a good price."

She evaluated him as if he were merchandise while the "merchandise" himself unveiled the curtain unhurriedly.

He walked onto the lifeboat, then surprisingly began to climb up using their grappling hooks.

With just one leap, he jumped over the railing, beyond the ship’s side, landing right in front of Eilina.

"Pirate?" he asked.

Eilina glanced at his noble attire and smiled.

"Yes, congratulations, young noble who just escaped the big ship." Eilina said coldly, "You’re captured."

Behind her, other emaciated sailors also drew close, their eyes filled with a bloody thirst for food.

"Big sis." A gaunt man from behind spoke, his saliva nearly dripping to the ground:

"When are we eating this guy, brothers are almost starving..."

"Slap!"

Eilina slapped him across the face, with a crisp sound of bones "cracking", the man’s head spun half a circle, and he collapsed to the ground lifeless.

"This is a high-end product, how could we eat it." Eilina withdrew her hand, her smile unchanged, greed apparent in her eyes: "This would be a good time to reduce the crew numbers to conserve food supplies—right, Caro, make sure to slaughter the slaves in the cabin, we can’t go without food."

The meek sheep standing in front of her listened to her words, his expression somewhat astonished.

"Merchandise?" he pointed to himself, seemingly slow to catch on: "... Me?"

"You’ll need to get used to it, little noble." Eilina reached out intending to pat his face, but he dodged it swiftly.

She wasn’t upset, merely chuckled, "Hopefully, you can still be so proud after seeing the ugliness of this world."

Nearby, sailor Kaylin retrieved the lifeboat along with the grappling hooks, only to find it completely devoid of supplies.

"Captain." Kaylin glanced at the rich sheep, then at Eilina, "It’s strange, there’s no food or water on this boat."

"Slap!" Eilina’s slap landed on Kaylin’s face.

"Haia (pirate curse), how dare you look at my treasure with those eyes?" Eilina’s eyes were full of ferocity, veins throbbing on her forehead.

Her dark muscular arms looked capable of bursting with immense strength.

Kaylin was slapped soundly, yet she dared not speak a word in anger.

Su Ming’an watched Kaylin walk towards the cabin, then turned his head to meet Eilina’s covetous gaze.

"When did I become your treasure?" he said.

"Don’t mind it, darling. Until we reach the Maritime City, you’ll be my dearest treasure," Eilina’s hand reached up boldly, attempting to embrace him.

Su Ming’an stepped back half a step.

In his field of view, the barrage had gone wild:

Facing the woman’s arm, Su Ming’an quickly retreated half a step, avoiding her.

In her somewhat astonished gaze, he swiftly drew his sword and instantly held it against her neck.

Eilina only felt a gust of wind before her, and before she could withdraw her hand, the gleaming sword was already pressed against her neck.

Sunlight shone upon the blade, reflecting a piercing golden light that hurt her eyes.

"Captain!"

"Big Sister!"

The crew members, who thought there would be no issue, suddenly grasped their weapons, and some who harbored treacherous thoughts also began to stir.

"You..."

Eilina was dumbfounded, unable to fathom how such a noble young man could suddenly attack and push her into a corner.

"I don’t care whether you are pirates or what you once thought of me," Su Ming’an said, "My goal is to reach the Maritime City, and your ship is quite nice. Get me safely to the Maritime City, and we will be even, understand?"

Eilina blinked immediately, "Understood, understood!"

Staring at her fearful expression, Su Ming’an suddenly raised his hand.

The next moment, a freshly blood-stained head flew out, landing on the deck.

Caro, who had been ready to sneak attack, was struck down by a sword, decapitated, and her blood spread everywhere.

"Such behavior," Su Ming’an said, "the first time, kill one. The second time, kill two, and so on—do you understand?"