Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 462: Forming a Fleet
Arne Cortman, Cardinal of the Church of Storms, of the Seas of Rosend, and the true ruler of the extraordinary world of the archipelago. He is a high-ranking powerhouse of Sequence 3 of the "Sailor" pathway, known as the "Sea King." He is the king of the sea, controlling the storms and waves.

"Although Toscart Island is nearly a thousand nautical miles from Bayam, that 'Sea King' has amazing flying ability over the sea, and it only took him a few hours to get here!"

Anderson said urgently, "We don't have much time left!"

"Ah."

Lu Ze nodded in agreement.

Unless absolutely necessary, it's best to avoid facing off against a Sequence 3 Extraordinary.

We must leave immediately.

They had originally planned to recruit crew members and buy new ships on the island. Now, time is tight, and it seems too late. No, if handled properly…
After a moment's thought, Lu Ze looked up at Anderson.

What are your plans after this?

"Plans? What else can I plan?"

Anderson gave a wry smile. "I'm already wanted by the police."

Carter's telegram reached the entire Rothschild Islands, and a wanted poster for the "Strongest Hunter of the Misty Sea" was about to be posted in every bar and adventurer's association. If he dared to leave alone now, he would truly be courting death.

Fate is truly strange; just by accidentally revealing a name, one ends up being a wanted criminal.

Although returning to Remnburg or the nearby Church of Knowledge would offer refuge, it would mean a return to a life of confinement. After much deliberation, it seemed better to change one's mindset and embrace the freedom of being a pirate.

Anyway, Edwina is doing the same job, so there's nothing shameful about it.
"I just want to ask one question: does your previous recruitment still count?"

Anderson said to Lu Ze.

"of course."

"Then I'll have to look after you from now on, Captain."

“Very good, congratulations on becoming the second crew member on my ship. I appoint you as first mate.” Lu Ze nodded and quickly said, “Now, I have a task for you.”

A few minutes later.

The slums of Toscate.

"I think I can go out now."

Philia adjusted his posture and said. His legs were numb from squatting on the mat at home for too long.

"no!"

His mother whispered, giving him a stern look, "Behave yourself! Look, all our neighbors are hiding at home. Who knows what's going on outside!"

"It's just because there's a dragon."

Philia curled her lip, unconcerned. She was almost an adult, and her mother was still using child-scare tactics against her. "I saw it all. That dragon was killed by a black knight."

"I told you to keep your voice down!"

His mother pinched his arm and forced him to squat down.

Everyone is too timid.
Philia sat down helplessly.

The whole street was quiet. He could imagine the people in the other houses huddled in their corners, trembling with fear. That was how they were when those "adults" from Rune came; no matter how much they were oppressed, they would just cower in a ball.

He glanced at his family.

Dad was taken to work on the other side of the island, and Mom became increasingly timid, only wanting to protect her own children. The younger siblings just stood there blankly, as cowardly as mice in a hole.

He found this life increasingly meaningless and made up his mind to board one of those large ships and become a free sailor. Or perhaps he could become a pirate and attack those white-skinned beasts of the Rune.
Just as Philia was lost in thought, the street outside gradually became noisy. It seemed that someone was cheering.

"Did you hear that?"

Philia said, "Keep your voice down!"

His mother tried to hold him back.

Kofilia heard it more and more clearly; indeed, people were cheering, shouting in the local language, "They're throwing money around!" "The Runes have been attacked!"

I heard you right!

Philia jumped up, the familiar language and the lure of money making him abandon his family and rush out of the room.

Not only him, but people in the surrounding residential areas also began to venture out boldly.

Then, they were stunned by the lively scene before them.

In the center of the street, a giant float slowly drove by. On it lay the corpse of a terrifying dragon, and kneeling beside it was the local official. This usually arrogant and domineering Loen man was bound hand and foot, his face pale as he endured the curses of the crowd.

Meanwhile, his henchmen—soldiers sent by Rune to suppress them—were pulling the float forward in place of oxen and horses.

Is this a dream?
This must be a dream!
Philia could hardly believe her eyes. Then—

"Crash!"

Suddenly, a handful of things flew down from above, hitting his face and body, causing him pain and confirming that this was not a dream.

Philia looked down and discovered that what had been thrown at her was a handful of coins!
Standing atop the dragon's corpse was a man who also appeared to be from the Northern Continent. He was pulling money from his pocket and carelessly tossing it into the cheering crowd. Each handful he threw was met with a thunderous roar of applause!

The entire street transformed into a sea of ​​joy. Philia was stunned; he had never witnessed such a scene, never seen such vibrant expressions on the faces of his numb compatriots.

"We have defeated the Toscart Island authorities!"

"We'll rob their vault and give you all the money!"

"Our fleet is recruiting!"

With each wad of coins tossed down, Anderson shouted, "The captain is the Blood Monk who attacked King Rune! Anyone who wants to rebel against Rune, anyone who wants to make a name for themselves, go to the port and register!"

He shouted it once in Rune, and then again in the local language.

"I want to go, I want to go!"

Philia heard a man next to her shout, "My sister was killed by the Runes! I need to get on the ship!"

The others also shouted and ran after the float.

Philia's body trembled involuntarily.

Several children were scrambling for the scattered coins at his feet, but he had no interest in competing with them. Instead, he felt a warm current slowly filling his body.

Wow, that's amazing! That's impressive!
The grand scene before him was incredibly awe-inspiring; he had never experienced anything like it in the first twenty years of his life. Indeed, this is how life should be lived to be meaningful and full of energy!
Moreover, their fleet is recruiting, isn't this the opportunity he's been dreaming of!

"I'm going too! I want to get on the ship!"

Philia jumped up and shouted, nearly knocking over the children around him. He took off running after the float.

Meanwhile, in the central business district of Toscate, inside a Moulin Rouge.

"I'll take your boat away, no objections, right?"

Lu Ze asked in a friendly manner to a pirate captain who had just gotten up from a woman's bed.

"No objection, no objection."

The other person shook their head vigorously, their face full of smiles.

Look, in just a few hours, the crew and ships were all there, and the fleet was assembled!

(End of this chapter)