The high priest’s voice was old and thick, as if he had a mouthful of pus in his throat, making Charles feel very uncomfortable.

“Where is the item?”

“Not far, on a newly discovered island to the left of the Coral Islands.”

Charles continued to ask, “Why me? There are many people and ships stronger than mine.”

“Heh heh, the place is a bit dangerous, we need a cautious captain.”

Charles didn’t believe his “a bit dangerous.” “A bit dangerous” wasn’t worth a million echo coins.

“Have you said this to others? What was their fate?”

The high priest spoke with contempt, “Isn’t Captain Charles the one who claims to want to buy an exploration ship? Being afraid of such a little danger doesn’t seem like the hero who can expand our human territory.”

Seeing that the red-robed figure didn’t directly answer his question, Charles knew that the predecessors’ fate must have been bad, and the place was definitely dangerous.

After pondering for a moment, he decided to take on this task. Wealth and danger went hand in hand, and he didn’t want to delay any longer.

As for danger? Where could be safe nowadays on the sea? There was no safe place anywhere on the sea.

“Okay, but how can I guarantee that you’ll keep your word?”

The high priest of the Fotan cult seemed to be very understanding. “I can put the reward in the British Bank, and let them be the witness.”

He paused for a few seconds and then continued, “I have a small doubt, Captain Charles. Why are you so eager to buy an exploration ship? For power? Echo coins? Or honor?”

Charles didn’t intend to hide it. “To find the Land of Light.”

Upon hearing this, the red-robed figure trembled, and his aged voice asked with a hint of panic, “Looking for the Land of Light? Are you one of the Light Church?”

“No.”

Hearing Charles’ answer, the high priest relaxed. “That’s good. If you were one of those heretics, we would have to reconsider our deal. Don’t get involved with them, those heretics are complete madmen, they are a cult!”

Listening to the follower of the Fotan cult, which liked human sacrifices, say this, Charles felt a strange urge to laugh. If judged by the standards of the surface world, all religions in the sea were cults, with religious rituals as inhumane as they could get.

When Charles walked out of the confessional, the bald man called Hook, carrying a cup of blood, walked in and placed it respectfully behind the high priest.

“Go and sign the contract now, and let him set off as soon as possible.”

Hook nodded and, after pondering for a moment, asked cautiously, “High Priest, do you think this will succeed?”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

A black octopus tentacle emerged from under the red robe, wrapped around the cup of water, and retracted into the robe. “Let’s try slowly, this is only the ninth one, don’t rush… The things of the Holy Lord can only belong to us.”

Without wasting time, Charles followed the approaching Hook to the largest bank in the Coral Islands.

Seeing the bald man write the name of the Fotan Church on the contract, Charles felt reassured. The legitimacy of this contract was now endorsed by the governor of the Coral Islands. The Fotan cult couldn’t go back on their word, as the cost would be far more than a million echo coins.

“Captain Charles, I heard your first mate got off the ship, didn’t he?”

“Does that have anything to do with this matter?” Charles put the contract into the inner pocket of his coat.

“Of course not, it’s just that to help you complete the task as soon as possible, the Fotan cult has specially selected a first mate for you. He has rich navigation experience, please don’t refuse.”

Looking at the bald man in front of him, Charles frowned. “To monitor me?”

“No, he’s just to show you the way. That island is very remote, I’m afraid you won’t be able to find it.”

Charles didn’t care. Currently, their interests were aligned, and these people wouldn’t send someone to deliberately sabotage the mission.

“I will set off at six o’clock in three days.”

Three days later, the port was beginning to bustling with activity, as teams of laborers moved cargo like ants.

Charles stood at the bow of the ship, waiting. The other crew members chatted casually on the deck, among them two new faces, both new sailors. The former sailor, Deep, had been promoted to boatswain.

The suddenly promoted young man looked excited, standing with his hands behind his back like a seasoned veteran, instructing the new sailors even though they were much older than him.

The chief engineer and the cook nearby didn’t share their carefree attitude, knowing that this mission was not going to be simple.

“James, I thought you would get off the ship like John?” said the cook, Fred, who was as thin as a bamboo pole.

“The captain saved my life. Where he goes, I go. And the captain said that the reward for this mission is generous. Once I get the payment, I can propose to Mosika.” The large man’s face was filled with happiness, as if he could already see the wedding scene.

“And if you die? This isn’t just a delivery mission. If we’re being honest, exploring islands is the job of explorers.”

“I’m not afraid. It’s not bad to go with you guys.”

The chief engineer thought of something and turned to his companion, “Fred, why are you here?”

“You know my personality, I’m too lazy to move.” Fred said, shifting his gaze to the back of his captain, his eyes filled with calm.

The real reason he didn’t leave was because a few years ago, he had caught a glimpse of the captain using a rectangular object that could not only play music like a record player but also had ghosts performing plays on it.

Although he didn’t know what it was, he felt it was some kind of powerful relic, and he guessed that the cost of this relic was tears. The usually rational captain had cried like a child that day.

From that moment on, he decided to stick with this captain. Following a captain with such a powerful relic, safety was guaranteed.

The high pay at sea didn’t matter, nor did the amount of work. Staying alive was the most important thing.

His choice had proven correct. Most of the people who had gone to sea at the same time as him were dead, while he was still alive and well.

Suddenly, Charles narrowed his eyes at the bow. In the distance, a row of black-robed Fotan cultists were walking towards the dock through the laborers, led by the bald man named Hook.

“Where is he? Hurry up, I’m in a hurry.” Charles looked impatient.

Hook smiled and clapped his hands lightly, and a man stepped forward from behind him.

When Charles saw the man’s outfit, he thought he was looking at a mummy. The person was wrapped tightly in earth-colored bandages, with no skin showing at all.

“You can call him Bandage or whatever. He used to be a first mate and knows the location of the island. He’ll be a great help to you on this trip.”

“Is there something alive inside?” Charles asked cautiously.

“Heh, don’t worry, he’s human, flesh and blood.”

Hook pulled out a dagger and slashed it across the bandaged man’s face. Under the loosened bandages was black skin, and the cut wound oozed scarlet blood.

“A black man? Are there still black people in this world?” Charles looked closer and realized he was mistaken. The man’s skin was not black but covered with densely packed letter tattoos, giving the illusion of being black at first glance.