Chapter 594: Magnet Archipelago
A fleet of three sea vessels gradually approached the Magnet Archipelago.
On the flagship, the captain respectfully knocked on the captain's cabin door and announced to the occupant inside, “Lord Da Dou, we have reached our destination.”
“Oh? Already?” came Da Dou's voice from within the captain's cabin.
Moments later, the cabin door swung open.
Da Dou bent low to emerge.
He strode onto the deck and walked to the ship's edge, causing the vessel to tilt immediately.
The captain hurriedly called out, “Lord Da Dou, please hold your step! My ship is only iron level, constructed entirely from driftwood. It's extremely light, and any significant shift in weight distribution could easily capsize it!”
Da Dou halted instantly. “My apologies.”
A giant, he straightened up, his head nearly level with the ship's tallest main mast.
He raised his palm to shade his brow like a sun hat and scanned the horizon. Sure enough, a cluster of dark shapes emerged above the sea.
Employing his reconnaissance battle skill, his vision sharpened, revealing the distinctive landscape of the Magnet Archipelago.
“Magnet Archipelago, indeed. Ben Liu, your fleet's speed is truly impressive!” Da Dou exclaimed in admiration.
After narrowly escaping Shuang Lian's grasp, he had pushed forward relentlessly, exhausting the remaining uses of his Tunnel Staff.
He had also traversed the vast sea using divine magic, his path marked by constant flashes of firelight.
Da Dou possessed no aerial battle skill, making divine magic nearly his only option for long-distance travel across the ocean.
However, divine magic consumed divine power. To replenish it, Da Dou needed to pray or perform rituals.
In the vast expanse of the sea, conducting a ritual to the Fire God totem proved extremely troublesome and difficult to accomplish. The energy and time expended were better spent directly on prayer.
Da Dou was fortunate.
While swimming across the sea during one of his journeys, he encountered this small fleet.
The fleet consisted of only three ships, all iron level magic ships. The captain was named Ben Liu, a seahorseman. His crew were also seahorsemen.
They were neither pirates nor mercenaries, but transport ships.
Their primary task was transporting people.
Da Dou revealed his identity and background from Eruption Island to Ben Liu, earning his trust and securing passage aboard his vessel.
Though Ben Liu's ships were only iron level, their sails, oars, and other alchemy components formed a cohesive system designed to complement each other. Their sole purpose was to maximize speed.
During heavy seas, Ben Liu would personally lead his crew into the ocean, pulling the ship forward.
The seahorsemen's unique racial ability allowed them to run on waves and accelerate against currents, making the fleet faster when moving against the tide.
Da Dou had expected another three days to reach the Magnet Archipelago, but they arrived sooner than anticipated.
Ben Liu beamed, "Lord Da Dou, I welcome you aboard my vessel again next time. If possible, please spread the word about my Seahorse Transport Service."
Da Dou reiterated his proposal: “If you could deliver me directly to Eruption Island, I can leverage my connections to help you establish operations there.”
Eruption Island was home to a large population of giants who were rather xenophobic, with few other races living there.
Da Dou's suggestion stirred something in Ben Liu, but he quickly regained his composure and shook his head. “Lord Da Dou, making a living around Eruption Island would be too difficult.”
“My target customer base would become giants.”
"As you know, my ship isn't large or spacious. Your current stay aboard was only possible after we urgently cleared space and converted the captain's cabin on deck."
“My fleet simply isn't suited for business around Eruption Island. Thank you for your kind offer.”
Da Dou scratched his head. After Ben Liu's analysis, he realized he'd misjudged the price and quickly revised his offer, proposing a generous reward.
But Ben Liu still shook his head. “Lord, transporting people around the Magnet Archipelago is Seahorse Transport Service's primary business.”
“This is the busiest time of the year.”
“Honestly, the price you're offering wouldn't even cover what I earn in just a few weeks.”
“And!”
“This period is particularly crucial for the Seahorse Transport Service, a truly rare opportunity.”
"In maritime shipping, we've long been overshadowed by the Drip Fleet. We simply can't match them in either personnel or vessels."
"But the Ice Sculpture National Ceremony has drawn immense attention. Leaders and envoys from major and minor factions have been invited, drawing a large number of pirates as well."
“The maritime situation has become highly complex and dangerous. Considering the risks involved, the Drip Fleet has temporarily withdrawn from these waters.”
“This is precisely our moment to seize the initiative and capture market share for our Seahorse Transport Service.”
"I'm also considering using this chance to sign long-term transport agreements with nearby islands. Such opportunities are rare indeed."
Da Dou inquired curiously, "Aren't you afraid of pirates? Didn't you also receive intelligence that Da Han, the fourth-in-command of the Fire Beard Pirates, is heading to Ice Sculpture Island this time?"
A resolute expression crossed Ben Liu's face. “To make money, you have to take risks.”
“There's no other way.”
“My fleet may be small, but don't forget, we're all seahorsemen.”
“If danger strikes, we can always jump ship and swim to safety.”
“True enough...” Da Dou nodded. Once he fully understood Ben Liu's resolve, he stopped pressuring him.
Da Dou wasn't inherently unreasonable.
His earlier aggressive demeanor in Snow Bird Harbor had been directed solely at his enemy, Ci Hai Shen. Later, seizing the big guy had stemmed from tribal necessity, the stakes were too high to pass up, forcing him into the role of pirate, which didn't align with his nature or preferences.
Soon after, the Seahorse Transport Service's ships officially arrived at the Magnet Archipelago.
Da Dou and the other passengers disembarked, and the fleet remained anchored for over an hour.
Ben Liu's crew not only transported passengers but also cargo.
After unloading, they picked up new passengers from the Magnet Archipelago before departing in a flurry of activity.
Magnet Archipelago was a desolate landscape, covered in pitch-black rock with almost no vegetation. The terrain was rugged and steep, with bizarre peaks and hills, and the air felt noticeably hotter than at sea.
Yet Magnet Archipelago was far from lifeless.
They teemed with people.
Humans, dwarves, elves, almost every race could be seen here.
Most came seeking treasure, while a few saw business opportunities, setting up shops, pharmacies, and even temporary docks.
Da Dou made no effort to conceal his gold level aura, drawing considerable attention.
After inquiring about potential ships bound for the Magnet Archipelago, he learned the next departure wouldn't be for three days, and it wasn't heading back toward Eruption Island.
“Guess I'll have to wait.”
“First, find a secluded spot to cook.”
“The little one must be hungry!”