Chapter 712: Harvest in the Abyssal Layers of Darkness, Arrogant at First, Humble Afterwards (2)

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation | Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“If their speed is fast enough, they should be able to arrive at the New Moon Archipelago for their duties in the next two days.”

Xhakas was one of the indigenous noble elites who had been subdued by Ji Chen when he pacified the Starshine Islands. Under his long-term indulgence, he had actually become the de facto administrator of the Starshine Islands, or “Colonial Governor,” so to speak.

Because of the master-servant contract and the presence of a large luminescent sea tribe army, he didn’t have to worry too much about rebellion. However, he did hear some unfavorable rumors about Xhakas from players in the chat channel, so it was necessary to give him a little reminder during this opportunity to prevent him from becoming too arrogant.

Western Mid-Ocean, route from the Starshine Islands to the New Moon Archipelago.

Since the Starshine Islands submitted to the Crown of the Ocean, this route had been developed to facilitate communication between the two regions. Because the Crown of the Ocean had been included on the elves’ friendly list, over time, many merchant ships from the Western Continent had passed through this route to the New Moon Archipelago, resupplied, and then turned towards countries around the Maple Forest Duchy.

At this moment, a medium-sized steel merchant ship was sailing on this route. Xhakas stood at the bow of the ship, watching as the steel prow broke through layer after layer of waves, advancing bravely. His face was filled with confidence and vigor.

Since the Starshine Islands had been ravaged by the sea beast horde several months ago and then, by a coincidence, submitted to that Lord of Glory, his career had reached an unprecedented peak.

Back when he first submitted, he felt like there was no hope, but now he thought the sea beast tide was actually a blessing. If those damned sea beasts hadn’t come, how could the other nobles and councilors have been so foolish as to rebel against that lord and then be shot to death by random arrows?

If they hadn’t been shot to death, how would the Starshine Islands have ended that endless cycle of bickering among the detestable nobles and council?

It was precisely because of the sea beast tide and the arrival of that Lord of Glory that the rigid structure of the Starshine Islands, which had been maintained for a thousand years, was destroyed, giving Xhakas the opportunity to flourish.

Thinking back on his past few months, where his words were law on the Starshine Islands, Xhakas couldn’t help but curl his lips into a slight arc.

The taste of power was so wonderful, so exhilarating that it made his soul tremble, like a king sitting on a high platform, looking down at the masses below, every word and sentence determining the fate of the people.

“What do you think, how should I ask for rewards from that lord after I arrive at the New Moon Archipelago? After all, under my leadership, the Starshine Islands have recovered so quickly. My contributions cannot be underestimated.”

His servant stood respectfully behind him and hesitated for a moment upon hearing this. “Master, I think we should be more cautious and let that lord evaluate it.”

Not hearing the answer he wanted, Xhakas’s face showed a trace of displeasure. “Are you saying my contributions are not significant?”

The servant quickly shook his head. “No, that’s not what I meant. After all, the Starshine Islands belong to that lord…”

“I know, but without me, how could the Starshine Islands have recovered so quickly? Compared to the era when those nobles and councilors were constantly bickering, it’s now more vibrant and prosperous!

Isn’t all of this because of my contributions!?”

Watching Xhakas grow increasingly excited as he spoke, the servant looked down, trembling, and said, “Yes, everything can’t be separated from your contributions.”

With that, Xhakas snorted coldly and fell silent, just watching the distant sea surface, where the area of raging winds and storms several tens of kilometers away gradually came into view.

As the merchant ship from the Starshine Islands hadn’t yet approached the stormy sea area, a silver-white steel warship sliced through the waves and came riding the swells. Cannons stood tall on its deck, and the thick barrels gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight.

Xhakas’s eyes showed a hint of envy and admiration. The Starshine Islands didn’t have the capability to produce such large steel main battleships; only kingdoms and duchies had the ability to manufacture them. The warship before them, with its sharp angles exuding a sense of sharpness, was indeed the armed force of that Lord of Glory’s territory.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Xhakas always felt that this warship made entirely of metal was like a living being, with a pair of eyes silently watching them.

“The ship ahead! This area already belongs to the jurisdiction of the Crown of the Ocean. State your intentions, or I have the right to open fire!”

A voice came through the horn on the ship.

The servant looked at Xhakas. “Master…”

A hint of displeasure flashed across Xhakas’s face. After all, he was the administrator of the Starshine Islands and an important vassal under that Lord of Glory. These naval soldiers spoke so impolitely. Didn’t they see the flag of the Starshine Islands flying on their ship?

“Tell them we are important guests from the Starshine Islands, here to report to Lord Ji Chen, and ask them to make way.”

The servant nodded quickly and ran back to the cockpit to convey the message. The merchant ship soon responded, and the steel warship ahead paused for a moment.

“Disarm all weapons and follow my ship into the independent harbor, or you will be attacked by the Crown of the Ocean’s forces.”

After the broadcast, the steel warship immediately accelerated, leading the way ahead.

The servant timely flattered, “Master, you are indeed an important vassal of that lord. They value you so much that even the warship is leading the way for you!”

“You flatterer!”

Xhakas laughed and scolded, but the smug look in his eyes revealed that the flattery had worked on him.

The warship left after escorting them to the outskirts of the New Moon Archipelago. Following the guidance of the shuttle boat near the shore, they sailed into a water fortress and slowly docked at the pier.

Xhakas looked at the servant peering around, and couldn’t help but curse, “You are my servant, representing my dignity. How can you behave like an uncultured bumpkin?!”

The servant quickly withdrew his gaze and showed a flattering smile, “Master is right. I can’t allow you to get humiliated!”

Xhakas snorted lightly, adjusting his collar, but his eyes couldn’t help but glance at the shore.

There were continuous buildings, bustling streets with people coming and going, and at the center of the town stood a towering castle, with a gigantic building under construction further away.

Is this the territory of that noble lord?

Just as Xhakas was sizing it up, he suddenly saw several residents on the shore looking at them, as if whispering something.

“What are these commoners talking about? How dare they stare at a noble directly, truly lacking in manners…”

Xhakas frowned, cursing inwardly, but he didn’t say anything out loud. After all, this was the domain of that noble lord, and he couldn’t afford to cause trouble. He simply regarded these residents as ants on the roadside.

With his head held high like a rooster, he disembarked and walked towards the soldiers patrolling the port with his hands behind his back.

Xhakas directly intercepted a patrol of lizardman warriors and arrogantly said, “I am from the Starshine Islands. Take me to see Lord Ji Chen.”

The lizardman soldiers looked at each other, somewhat puzzled, but fortunately, the leader of the lizardman warrior squad said, “If you wish to see the lord, please go to the town hall and find Sir Wilus.”

“Wilus? Who is that?” Xhakas frowned without hesitation. “I have important matters to discuss with Lord Ji Chen. If you delay me, can you bear the responsibility?”

Seeing his impoliteness, the lizardman warrior leader also froze his expression, “If you want to cause trouble, be prepared to be arrested by us!”

After saying this, he left with the other lizardman warriors without looking back. Xhakas gritted his teeth in anger.

These despicable lizardmen dared to treat him like this.

Once he met with the lord, he would surely speak ill of these filthy lizardmen and let them know the consequences of offending him.

Although angered, Xhakas didn’t stir up trouble again. Following the lizardman warrior leader’s instructions, he first went to the town hall to find this person named Wilus, only then did he realize that Wilus was actually the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Crown of the Ocean, an important figure who had been working closely with that noble lord.

He immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

He felt fortunate that he hadn’t uttered any offensive words just now, or else there would have been trouble.

Wilus looked at Xhakas’s unnatural expression and asked, “Sir Xhakas, are you feeling unwell?”

Xhakas forced a smile and respectfully replied, “Thank you for your concern, Sir Wilus. I’m just feeling a bit uncomfortable from sitting on the ship for too long.”

Wilus nodded without suspicion and said, “The lord has not returned yet. You may wait here for him.”

Xhakas quickly nodded and bowed. “Yes, yes, I’ll wait here for the lord’s return.”

This scene was observed by the servant who had been following him, and a hint of strange expression flashed in his eyes.