"What did you say?!... You've been to this Level 4 island?!" The shocked fat man's voice was a little out of tune, and his expression was very interesting.
The other captains were equally shocked. They had just warned this man not to go to the island to seek death, but now he said he had completed the exploration
"Why is there only a danger level on the island but no reward amount?" Charles asked the next question.
"Don't change the subject! When are you going to that island? What's on it?"
Charles frowned and leaned back slightly to avoid the fat man's spit. "The Fortan Sect asked me to get something from the island. Is there any problem with that? Isn't that how everyone explores the island?"
Elizabeth was no longer calm at this moment. Her fair face flushed and she looked a little excited.
"Charles, you may not understand the steps of exploring an island since you just arrived. The explorer's tasks are divided into many categories. First, explore the route, then assess the danger level of the natives, and finally explore and capture the island. In the association, the rewards for each task are also different."
"And you, a newcomer, have actually completed several of the previous steps. All you have to do is capture the island! The entire island is yours! You will be the next lucky person, the next Governor!"
That's what's going on. No wonder there's no reward written on the islands on the nautical chart. It turns out that exploring the islands is divided into so many specific categories, Charles thought to himself.
"Stop talking about this, New... Charles, what resources are there on that island? Is it dangerous?"
After thinking for a few seconds, Charles felt that the island was of no value, so he told them the information about the island.
When they heard that there was no food or fresh water on the island and that it was full of monsters that could erase human memories, everyone showed regret on their faces.
"Alas, another dead island. I thought I could witness history and see the fastest governor."
"Yeah, there's no point in occupying it if there's no fresh water."
"As long as we have a few resources, we can form a capture fleet next."
While others were discussing this topic, Charles pointed to the northernmost level 5 island on the nautical chart and said to the female recorder next to him: "In half a month, my ship will be able to go to sea, and I need to explore this island."
Elizabeth opened her mouth as if wanting to persuade him, but in the end no words came out. She couldn't tell the strength of the guy in front of her. He was not an ordinary newcomer.
After the recorder finished registering the mission, Charles looked around at the captains who had suddenly become silent. "Excuse me, everyone, is there any path for weapons?"
The last expedition taught Charles a lesson. He must improve the combat effectiveness of the entire ship. Revolvers alone are not enough.
"If you just want ordinary weapons, ask them." The sturdy man pointed to the staff behind the counter. "The association also deals in weapons. As long as the price is right, they can get anything."
The recorder next to him said considerately: "Please wait a moment. I will bring the weapons list over."
Charles suddenly felt that the person who founded the association was truly a business genius. His words that he was doing it for the benefit of all mankind were false, and his true intention was to do the arms business with explosive profits.
Soon, several brochures were placed in front of Charles, with the prices of bullets listed under the various models of firearms.
The technology in Earthsea is a bit biased. Most of the firearms are outdated weapons used in World War I. I don't know if more advanced weapons are not available or not marked.
"Charles, these things actually look good, but they are not very useful, and there are many things on the island that cannot be dealt with by bullets."
The sturdy man's words calmed down the excited Charles. He was sure, but with all the strange things on the island, this kind of simple violence would not be of much use.
Charles didn't think that there would be any essential difference if he had replaced the revolver in his hand with other firearms when he went to the Golden Statue Island. Firearms could not prevent the modification of memory.
"So what do you use?" Charles asked.
The speaker was a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and a hooked nose.
He leaned forward and stared at Charles with his gray eyes.
"I know what you want to ask. You expect us to have some exploration tips. Yes, we each have different abilities." He raised one hand, and a ball of blue flame flashed in his hand.
"But even if we have relics with special abilities, the mortality rate of explorers is still frighteningly high. Behind a successful governor there are thousands of deaths. You were just lucky last time. Don't blame me for telling the truth. Reality is so cruel."
Hearing him say this, Charles felt more at ease. Earthsea would never show kindness to humans.
He said to the exploration captains in front of him: "Everyone, let's talk later when we have time. I need to prepare the supplies for the sea."
Watching Charles walk out the door, the sturdy man asked in confusion: "What do you think he is going to do in the north? Is he really going to find the bright land?"
No one answered his question and the hall became quiet for a while.
In the next half month, Charles was not idle. In addition to preparing materials, he was doing full-body exercise and training his shooting skills.
Earthsea is cruel, but he will not give up his beliefs.
The days on shore passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
The brand new exploration ship was quietly parked in the harbor. Its streamlined hull, the black deck guns reflecting the lights, and the thick hull made Charles look fascinated.
"She is so beautiful. Don't you think so?" Charles' words were filled with excitement and anticipation.
"Captain, what's its name? It can't still be called the Mouse, right?" Dipper asked, standing in front of the five sailors.
Looking at the 125-caliber steel cannon on the front deck, Charles thought for a while and said to him, "Narwhal, she's called the Narwhal!"
After naming the new ship, Charles turned around and looked at the unfamiliar faces. The Narwhal was not a cargo ship like the Mouse. It could be operated with a large or small crew. As an exploration ship, it had all the necessary crew members.
There were 1 boatswain, 4 sailors, 1 first mate, 1 second mate, 1 chief engineer, 1 second engineer, 1 cook, 1 kitchen helper and 1 captain, a total of 13 crew members.
The crew members were young and old, tall and short, all men, including some locals with curled ears.
As Charles observed them, the crew members also looked at Charles with curiosity in their eyes.
A ship is different from the land. Once out to sea, the entire ship becomes a closed environment, and the captain is the king of the ship. He controls the fate of everyone on board. If a captain is unreliable, he will kill everyone on board.
When they saw Charles' face, their worries were slightly relieved. Although this dark-eyed captain was young, many people knew him. He was an old captain.
"I believe everyone knows what we are going to do this time. I don't need to lie to you. The current mortality rate of exploration ships going out to sea is one in five. If you want to withdraw, it's not too late."
No one in the crowd moved. Those standing here were not going out to sea for the first time. They all knew the risks of this trip, and also knew the benefits of successfully exploring a new island.
As long as the captain becomes the governor of the new island, these small fry will also be promoted. Going to sea means risking one's life, so why not take a bigger chance
"Great, now everyone aboard!"
(End of this chapter)