Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 424 A Historic Breakthrough!
Early morning at Suoyu Bay.

As dawn broke, the brilliant morning glow, bathed in the light of the rising sun, refracted and scattered through the morning mist, casting shimmering golden light on the sea.

Compared to the noble lords in Baiya District who were still deep in their dreams, the common people in Xianshui District had already begun their day's work.

As the true heart of Suyu Bay, the Polang Wharf is at its busiest and most bustling time of day.

The distinctive salty smell of the port area permeates the air, along with the sailors' swearing, the porters' shouts, the vendors' hawking, and the seemingly endless cries of seagulls circling overhead, giving the place a unique and vibrant energy.

The indigo wool dress swayed gently in the wind, its deep color enough to conceal the stains that inevitably came from the tavern and the port.

The long skirt wasn't floor-length; it ended neatly about six inches below the knee, revealing delicate, fair ankles and a pair of dark brown flat leather ankle boots.

Her steps weren't exactly light, but she seemed very familiar with the port environment. As her skirt swayed, her small leather ankle boots skillfully navigated around two pools of unidentifiable sewage, weaving through the crowded throng with ease, and finally stopped in front of a awning covered with faded tarpaulin.

"Look at all this, it's all fresh produce that was just brought up this morning!"

Fishmonger Tom, his hands still covered in scales, casually picked up a sea bass from the wooden bucket in front of him, letting its struggling tail splash salty water onto his face, and called out:
"It is a gift from the tide to a hardworking and generous person like you. Look, dear Lady Hera."

Her long, dark green curly hair was still neatly and simply tied back with a leather cord, just like always. Hera squatted down slightly, extended her index finger and pressed it against the side of the sea bass, leaving a shallow indentation that bounced back quickly.

At the same time, her emerald green eyes swept over the other seafood at the fish stall.

Having worked with the fishmonger in front of me many times, I know he is a fairly honest businessman. Although he occasionally shows the shrewdness and calculation typical of small-town residents in saltwater areas, he has never made any mistakes with the goods.

Her years of experience in the port told Hera that the seafood on the stall in front of her was all good stuff and there was nothing wrong with it.

"For just... five silver coins, all of these are yours, beautiful and kind Lady Hera!"

Seemingly sensing the interest of the "three-legged seal" owner, Tom decisively offered a price slightly higher than the market average, which, to some extent, was also a way of deliberately leaving room for the other party to negotiate the price.

Normally, upon hearing such a price from the fishmonger, Hera would frown and engage in a "friendly" tug-of-war with him regarding price, quality, and long-term cooperation benefits, until Tom, while packing up his stall, pretends to grumble resentfully, "You're scraping my bones," before they can reach a price that satisfies both parties.

But today, this equally shrewd lady seemed unusually to have lost interest in haggling.

“I’ll take them all.” Hera’s voice was unusually decisive. “Same as always, pick the best ones, clean them thoroughly, and deliver them to the ‘Three-Legged Seal’s’ kitchen before noon. Keep track of the bill, and we’ll settle it at the end of the month.”

Tom looked up at the woman in front of him, blinked, and suddenly found himself unable to use the compliments and bargaining he had prepared, which made him feel uncomfortable.

After a moment of stunned silence, she reacted, her face plastered with a fawning smile:

"Of course! Of course! I'll send it to you right away!"

"I'll make sure all these seafood items are handled perfectly, even cleaner than the tributes offered to His Majesty the King!"

Hera nodded slightly in response.

But his gaze had already moved beyond the fishmonger's stall and the crowded people in front of him, drifting towards the distant pier and the sea surface that was fragmented by masts and ropes.

With the unique salty scent of the seaside, the moist sea breeze brushed against my cheeks, lifting a few strands of curly dark green hair by my ears.

Ships of all sizes came and went in the harbor, some towering, some cumbersome, some light... but the familiar "Black Gull" was nowhere to be seen.

According to the plan, it should have squeezed into the third pier by yesterday's sunset at the latest.

The "Black Gull" wasn't large; it was just an ordinary cargo ship. But it was sturdy and reliable. Captain Gregory, whom he had worked with for many years, was a calm and experienced helmsman who had never made a mistake.

This was just a delivery to a small island called "Qiaoyan Island" not far from Suyu Bay, a round trip of only ten days, and there was no danger involved.

but……

Hera couldn't help but recall the intelligence she had gathered through her connections in the association just over ten days ago, not long after the Black Gull had left the port.

An adventurer fleet called "Flying Fish Oil Barrel" accepted a hunting mission on Cliff Isle from the guild.

It shares the same destination as the Black Gull, and even their departure times are not far apart.

Hera knew perfectly well what this meant.

This means that there is a high probability that the two ships will encounter each other during their voyage.

Even if the Black Gull rests on Cliff Rock Island for a couple more days, it is very likely that it will encounter the Flying Fish Oil Barrel, which is on a mission on the island.

And the "Flying Fish Oil Barrel" adventure team...

This name was not unfamiliar to Hera.

He may not be a well-known figure in the archipelago, but his fleet captain, "Oilhand" Byrne, is quite famous in the southern archipelago. Even among many professional adventurers, his name can be heard frequently.

Of course, there are more negative things about the other party.

As the controller of one of the main intelligence hubs in Barracuda Bay, Hera was well aware of the shady dealings of these renowned adventurers.

After all, even she herself often frequented the black market for stolen goods sold cheaply.

Hera couldn't believe that such a pirate-like fleet of adventurers wouldn't be tempted by a "fat sheep" like the Black Gull in the vast, deserted sea.

But facing a professional adventurer team like "Flying Fish Oil Barrel," with its well-organized members, powerful combat capabilities, and even a rare spellcaster in command...

The few adventurers in the "Silver Claw Osprey" team on the Black Gull would probably have no ability to put up a fight.

The only variable was the two adventurers who had temporarily joined the team at her request. Even though she valued them and one of them seemed to have some connection with that legendary figure from many years ago, she still felt uncertain.

I just hope there won't be too many unexpected changes and that everyone can return safely.

With her mind in turmoil, and the fishmonger Tom still rambling on about the rumors of fish-men appearing in the area and affecting the catch, Hera could no longer hear a word he was saying.

Turning my head back, I took one last look at the distant harbor, gazing at the morning mist and dawn light where the sky meets the sea.

She pursed her lips, seemingly lost in thought.

She lifted her skirt slightly, just about to turn and leave.

Just then, suddenly, in the depths of the sea fog, a familiar ship's silhouette rose and fell with the waves, vaguely appearing in her eyes.

He paused involuntarily.

Her pupils contracted, and she tiptoed slightly, gazing into the distance, instinctively trying to make out the exact shape of the familiar ship.

But since he didn't have very good eyesight, he quickly greeted the fishmonger next to him, asking him to hurry up and deliver the seafood to the tavern, before darting into the crowd and squeezing towards the dock.

As Hera pushed through the crowd and reached a slightly more open area near the sea, the distant ship drew closer, allowing her to clearly see its distinctive features: a three-masted sailing ship, a greyish-brown hull, and a wooden figurehead with a seagull in flight…

It's the Black Gull!

Hera breathed a sigh of relief.

"Looks like they didn't run into the 'Flying Fish Oil Barrel'?"

"Or did they encounter each other, but didn't actually fight?"

She thought to herself.

But before Hera could figure out why the Black Gull was several days late, the sight of the wooden boat that seemed to be silently following behind the Black Gull like a shadow made her expression freeze again.

"Flying Fish oil drum?"

Why? Why did these two ships get so close together and return to port together?
Could it be that……

The owner of the three-legged seal tavern couldn't help but think of the worst possible scenario.

Perhaps, just as she guessed, the Black Gull encountered the Flying Fish Oil Barrel head-on during its voyage.

Faced with such an easy target, the Flying Fish Oil Barrel Fleet naturally turned to piracy.

The crew of the Black Gull, along with its guards, were all slaughtered.

The cargo being transported was stolen, and the Black Gull itself became a prize of the Flying Fish Oil Barrel fleet.

"But if it's really as I think, how dare they return to Suyu Bay so openly now?"

"Or perhaps they are unaware that the Black Gull is carrying my cargo?"

Hera's thoughts flashed through her mind like snowflakes.

She even began to wonder if she should negotiate with "Oilhand" Byrne, the leader of the Flying Fish Oil Barrel Squad, after he disembarked, about what had happened to the Black Gull.

Given that she is one of the main intelligence dealers in Barracuda Bay, Byrne certainly wouldn't lay a hand on her.

However, if Hera were to use this as an excuse to take revenge, the benefits of this shipment would seem to outweigh the impact of completely turning the "Flying Fish Oil Barrels" into an adversary.

On the other hand, from a reputational standpoint, her goods were stolen while the culprit got away scot-free. What would the other adventurers in town think of her? If…

Just as Hera was deep in a brainstorming session...

Two ships were already quietly moored at the dock, one after the other.

The towering deck was bustling with people as the gangway was slowly lowered from above.

Hera took a deep breath, calming her turbulent emotions.

Behind her, fishmonger Tom, who had just finished packing up his stall, hurriedly disappeared into the crowd, having been directed back to the tavern to deliver a message that she needed some help.

He lowered his head slightly to adjust his collar and cuffs, making sure he looked presentable without appearing disrespectful.

Organizing her thoughts, she gently stepped out from under her skirt and into the air, her entire body already moving towards the gangway.

Suddenly, Hera felt something was strange.

Under normal circumstances, adventurers on pirate ships who have experienced a long life at sea often become unusually excited after reaching shore.

Often, before the ship had even come to a complete stop, people would jump off the deck, howling, as if they had broken free of some kind of shackles.

But now, whether it's the Black Gull or the Flying Fish Oil Barrel that I'm heading towards, everyone on deck is unusually restrained, completely unlike what adventurers should be like.

"Hula..."

The sea breeze brought Hera back to reality.

Before anyone knew it, a figure was already standing on the gangway leading from the Flying Fish Oil Barrel to the dock.

She immediately stiffened.

When Hera, standing on the dock at the bottom of the ship, looked up and saw the figure overhead, she realized what was happening.

All the thoughts in my mind froze in an instant.

The two iconic longswords emerged from behind him, one crossed over the other. He was not wearing any armor on his upper body, only a dark shirt that was being blown by the sea breeze and clung to his skin, revealing the lines and curves of the muscles beneath.

With his back to the sun, his tall figure seemed to be shrouded in shadow, only the edges of his body shone brightly in the morning light behind him;
His slightly long, tousled hair swayed violently in the sea breeze on the deck, but his dark eyes were as calm and still as the deep sea.

"Xia, Xia Nan!?"

……

The bad news is that the Black Gull encountered a sudden storm on its return journey, which caused it to deviate from its original course and forced them to stay at sea for a few more days.
Good news, perhaps it was this storm that brought good fortune to Shanan. At 3:27:18 PM the day after the storm ended, with the help of the professional fishing rod temporarily lent to him by Captain Gregory (which Shanan had already bought as a souvenir), Shanan caught a blue grouper that was three feet two inches long and weighed about eighty kilograms in front of the halfling Alton, Colin, and many sailors who were cleaning the deck at the time.

A historic breakthrough has been achieved!

On the same day, he commissioned the chef and halfling Alton from the Black Gull to cook the grouper, along with dried sea mushrooms brought back from Cliff Village, to make a large pot of fragrant and delicious mushroom and fish stew.

Even now, Xia Nan still remembers the wonderful feeling he had when he first used unwanted shark carcasses and waste to create bait, carefully observed the subtle movements in the sea with his keen senses, and then used [Gravity Control] to reduce the weight of the grouper after it took the bait. At the same time, he added [Heavy Tide] to the fishing rod to try to make the fish lose its balance. Then, when pulling the rod, he combined the power of [Spinning Slash] to forcefully pull the grouper out of the water, and the delicious taste of the first sip of fish soup.

Sure enough, the previous fishing mishaps were just due to poor equipment and bad luck.

I have a real talent for fishing.

When the time is right, switch to professional fishing gear and you'll immediately have a good catch.

He even felt that the few days at sea were too short and he hadn't fished enough.

If I stay on the boat a little longer, I might even make some progress in my fishing skills.

Just as Xia Nan was lamenting that the world didn't have cameras or similar items, so he couldn't take pictures to remember the moment or post them on social media to show off, and even the grouper itself was eaten because of his craving.

On the dock below the gangway, a familiar figure came into view.

"Hera, what a coincidence?"

(End of this chapter)