Navigator: I Have a Legendary Exploration Log

The trunk of the Bloodthorn tree collapsed completely in the flames ignited by the phlogiston explosion, and the charred remains emitted a strong smell of burnt and sweet fishy odor.

Charys refused Rumlow's emergency bandaging and, supported by Eddie, staggered toward the still-burning trunk.

Although his gourmet skills had become dulled due to depletion, his sense of smell remained sharp.

Among the carbonized branches and debris, he caught a few wisps of fragrance that hadn't been completely destroyed by the high temperature.

That was the unique sweet aroma of bloodthorn berries, but it was mostly masked by the burnt smell.

"Come here, everyone, and search carefully."

Chalice's voice was hoarse but steady. "The fruit is firmer than we thought; it won't be so easy to burn it all."

Under his command, the crew turned over the charred roots and broken branches.

really!

In a depression near the base of the main trunk, covered by carbonized branches, a bloodthorn fruit was perfectly embedded.

The waxy layer on the surface forms a natural protective film under high temperatures, blocking the direct burning of phlogiston.

"Captain, this..."

Rumlow could hardly contain his excitement.

"Good, keep looking."

With a look of delight, Chalice casually pulled out a few thorns.

Rumlow carefully handed the blood-red fruit to Cherris.

There was a harvest.

Everyone was full of energy.

While packing up the spoils of war.

Chalice's gaze fell on the short sword still burning with a bluish-green flame beside Finn's corpse.

The flames had faded to almost extinguished, but the ethereal sheen on the blade proved that this was no ordinary weapon.

This is a strange object.

Chalice recalled that Finn used it to cut through the thorns.

That greenish-blue, transparent flame was probably even more powerful than his own folding knife.

But now...

It belongs to me now!

According to Sartre's teachings, all strange objects have taboos and should not be touched rashly.

But at this moment, the flames on the dagger flickered, and it was clear that little of its remaining spiritual energy remained.

"Everyone, step back."

Chalice crouched down, casually cut off a piece of the hem of his trench coat, and carefully used the silver folding knife given to him by Sartre to pick up the severed hand along with the short knife.

He didn't touch the dagger directly with his hands, but instead used the hem of his trench coat to wrap it around the dagger through the fabric.

In terms of value alone.

This dagger might be worth more than a bloodthorn berry!

Finn's body lay scattered on the ground in a disheveled state.

Previously, the bloodthorn tree's branches had been tearing the headless corpse apart so badly that it was unrecognizable as human.

Chalice glanced at it but didn't look at it again, nor did he order it to be buried.

Rules at sea.

The living should not let the dead delay their journey.

At most, I'll mention it when I get back, changing the name of this unfortunate fellow from "missing" to "dead".

At least there's a definite whereabouts.

of course.

Chalice certainly wouldn't say what he did.

Although it was Finn who harbored malicious intentions and launched the sneak attack first.

But some things...

If you don't say it, there won't be any trouble; but if you do, there will be a lot of complications.

Even if others have their own speculations.

But as the last survivor, no one would be so foolish as to offend Chalice over a dead man.

Unless there is a conflict of interest.

But even if Cheryl explains things perfectly, this kind of person will still come back to cause trouble, so it doesn't really matter...

……

Not long after.

The group cleaned up the scene and had almost finished.

At Rumlow's insistence, Cherries underwent basic treatment.

This guy got hooked on being a part-time ship's doctor, and he liked to do treatments that were within his capabilities but didn't require much medical knowledge.

For example, right now anyone can do something like removing thorns.

"Captain, these thorns are digging into your back. If I pull them out forcefully, I'm afraid I'll tear off some of your flesh."

Rumlow sprinkled some medicine powder to stop the bleeding from the wound.

Chalice's forehead veins throbbed.

Being used to getting hurt doesn't mean you like pain.

I like pain...

That's not exactly a respectable person...

At least Chalice is still afraid of pain, but many times he has no choice but to tough it out as a "tough guy".

Fortunately, hard work pays off.

Chalice weighed the five Bloodthorn Fruits in his pocket with satisfaction.

Although much of it was burned, it still far exceeded Cheryl's expectations.

Happiness belongs to those who are content.

Chalice decided to call it a day and stop searching through the scorching ashes.

"Keep the change, please."

Chalice straightened up with difficulty and said calmly, "Go back the way you came."

"Yes, Captain."

With the captain speaking, the others were naturally happy to see it happen.

After a difficult trek, the group finally saw the rocky beach at the edge of the island.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell, rushed towards me.

Cheryl had just taken her last step onto the beach, her boots crunching on the slippery rocks.

boom!Boom!

Three gunshots rang out from the direction of the bay!

It was clear yet jarring.

Gunshots?

Gunshot!

Who fired the shot?!

Chalice paused, his eyes suddenly sharpening.

Could it be Wirtz?!

One long and two short...

This is precisely the warning signal in case of an emergency.

He abruptly turned his head to look in the leeward bay where the Homecoming was anchored.

"All personnel on alert! Follow me!"

Chalice gripped the revolver tightly, dragging his injured body and leading his crew along the coastline towards the Homecoming.

Turning past a jagged, black rocky outcrop.

The field of vision suddenly opened up.

Chalice saw it.

The Homecoming Ship remains steadily anchored in the leeward bay.

Wirtz was standing in the cockpit, looking this way through binoculars.

But on the shallows not far from the outer side of the Homecoming Ship, another ship appeared.

It was a ship with a dark, dark hull, and a bronze flag hung on its mast, fluttering in the sea breeze.

The ship's smokestack was emitting wisps of black smoke, indicating that it had only recently been moored.

Another bronze ship.

Yet another extraordinary individual.

Chalice's heart sank, but he didn't stop walking.

When he and his men arrived at the rocky shore, a small boat carrying four people was already rowing towards them from the bronze ship.

The small boat docked.

The four people jumped down.

Leading the group was a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man wearing a greasy leather coat, a short-barreled musket at his waist, and a bronze navigator's badge identical to the one worn by Chalice on his chest.

He was followed by three armed sailors.

Their expressions were subtle, and each of them was sharp and capable.

This person doesn't seem to have good intentions...

The middle-aged man's gaze swept over Chalice and his group.

Then it stopped.

Chalice's appearance at this moment was hardly respectable.

His trench coat was torn to shreds by thorns, and his entire body was soaked in a mixture of blood and thorn sap, covered with dried scabs and burnt ash.

But the young man with black hair had an eerily calm look in his eyes, holding a folding knife in his left hand and a revolver in his right.

His blood-soaked, demon-like appearance caused the middle-aged man's pupils to shrink slightly.

But he quickly regained his composure and even gave a friendly smile.

"Is this guy also on an investigation assignment?"

The middle-aged man spoke first, his voice loud and clear.

"My name is Hawke, a Bronze-level navigator. I just arrived from Simon Island. Judging from your appearance... you've already explored this island?"

His gaze swept imperceptibly over Cherris's bulging trench coat pockets.

"Brother...did you gain anything?"