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The fire intensified, and more and more merchants fell. The deck was awash in blood, and their encirclement was shrinking. The end seemed imminent.
"Xiu! Edward! Nia! Let's go!!!"
Realizing the pirates were targeting Edward, Mengdie decided it was futile to stay on the ship. After her call, she broke through the encircling crowd and headed north. Edward, Xiu, and Nia followed. True to Mengdie's prediction, the remaining pirates, clearly focused on Edward, abandoned the rest of the merchants and pursued them.
※※※
Meanwhile, 500 meters from the chaotic fleet, two figures stood on the water, surrounded by a transparent shield, allowing them to "float" on the surface.
One, in white, wore a mask obscuring his face. The other, enveloped in a dark cloak, was an enigma, his presence absorbing all light.
"Though we're following the agreement, the killing... is excessive," the White Shadow commented, his usual smile replaced by seriousness.
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The Black Cloak remained silent.
"What's your next move, Black Shadow?" White Shadow asked, readjusting his robe, his smile returning as he changed the subject.
After a pause, Black Cloak still offered no response.
"Heh, I see. She meant something to you, yet your attack was merciless." White Shadow's smile deepened under his mask.
The two then turned, shoulder to shoulder, and walked towards the Luivell Empire.
At that moment:
"Boom—!!!"
A massive fireball erupted from the fleet, precisely where Mengdie and her companions had been.
※※※
The explosion sent shockwaves across the lake. The remaining merchants were stunned by the fire's heat and the deck's vibrations. The pirates, seeing the inferno, ceased their assault and quickly retreated.
As dawn approached, the group quietly arrived at Mave City on the border of Lake Missouriwa and the Luivell Empire.
At the dock:
Four barrels approached the concrete dock. In the near-total darkness, a long-haired woman emerged from one barrel, gracefully leaping ashore, her wet hair tracing a brilliant arc under the dim lights.
"Phew... Nia, come on over."
Another barrel moved towards the woman, and a small girl grabbed her hand, climbing ashore. The other two men also climbed out, shaking off their drenched clothes.
"Ahh, they were quite 'welcoming'," Xiu commented, patting his new robe with a hint of regret.
"Being safe is what matters. And we've made it to our destination," Mengdie said, wringing her hair dry, then patting Nia's head. "How was it? Quite thrilling, right?"
"Don't joke, sister Mengdie! I was terrified," Nia mumbled.
Mengdie laughed and patted her shoulder again, looking at the dark, grim city of Mave. The city felt oppressive, with its dark walls, roads, dirty lamps, and murky puddles. It exuded a sense of dread and caution.
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