The high priest's voice was old and sticky, as if there was a mouthful of pus and phlegm in his mouth, which made Charles feel very uncomfortable.
"Where is the stuff?"
"Not far away, on a newly discovered island on the left side of the coral archipelago."
Charles continued to ask: "Why are you looking for me? There are many people and ships that are stronger than me."
"Hehe, that place is a bit dangerous. We need a cautious captain."
Charles didn't believe the "a little dangerous" he said. "A little dangerous" was not worth 1 million Echo Coins.
"You must have said this to more than just me, right? What happened to them?"
The high priest said with contempt, "Isn't Captain Charles the one who claims to buy an exploration ship? He is afraid of even this little danger. He doesn't look like a hero who can expand the territory for us humans."
Seeing that the red-robed man in front of him did not directly answer his question, Charles knew that the fate of his predecessors must not be good, and that place must be very dangerous.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to take on the task. Fortune and wealth are achieved through risk, and he didn't want to delay any longer, and he couldn't delay any longer.
As for danger? Where can we sail safely now? There is no safe place on the sea.
"Okay, but how can I guarantee that you'll keep your word?"
The high priest of the Fotan religion seemed very reasonable. "I can put the reward in the Bank of England and let them be witnesses."
He paused for a few seconds and continued, "I have a small question here. Captain Charles is so eager to buy an exploration ship. Why? Power? Echo Coin? Or honor?"
Charles didn't try to hide it, "To find the place of light."
Hearing this, the red-robed man trembled all over, and asked in a panic, "Looking for the land of light? Are you from the Church of Light?"
"no."
Hearing Charles' answer, the high priest was relieved. "That's good. If you are really one of those pagans, then we have to reconsider our deal. Don't get involved with them. Those pagans are complete lunatics. They are a cult!"
Listening to the words of the Futan believers who liked to sacrifice people, Charles felt like laughing for some reason. Not to mention his eldest brother, if we count by the standards of the surface, all the religions in Earthsea are cults, and all kinds of religious rituals are as anti-human as they can be.
When Charles walked out of the confessional, the bald man called Hook came in with a cup of blood and placed it respectfully behind the high priest.
"Go sign the contract now and have him leave as soon as possible."
Hook nodded, and after thinking for a moment, he asked carefully, "High Priest, do you think this will work?"
A black octopus tentacle stretched out from under the red robe, rolled up the glass of water and retracted into the robe, "Try slowly, this is only the 9th one, don't be anxious... The Lord's things can only belong to us."
Without wasting time, Charles followed the approaching hook to the largest bank of the Coral Islands.
Charles was relieved when he saw the bald man write "Futtan Church" on the contract. The legitimacy of this contract was now endorsed by the Governor of the Coral Islands. It was impossible for the Futan Church to break their promise, because if they did so, the price they would pay would be far more than 1 million.
"Captain Charles, I heard your first mate has disembarked, right?"
"Does this have anything to do with the current situation?" Charles put the contract into the lining of his clothes.
"Of course not. In order to help you complete the task as quickly as possible, we in the Futan Church have specially selected a first mate for you. He has rich sailing experience. Please do not refuse."
Charles frowned as he looked at the bald man in front of him. "To spy on me?"
Charles didn't care. At present, the interests of both parties were the same. No matter how crazy these guys were, they would not send someone here to hinder them at this time.
"I'll leave at six in three days."
Three days later, the port was already becoming bustling with teams of workers moving goods like ants.
Charles stood at the bow waiting, while other crew members stood on the deck chatting idly. Among them were two unfamiliar faces, both new sailors, while the previous sailor Dipp had been promoted to boatswain.
The young man who had suddenly been promoted looked very excited. He put his hands behind his back and taught the new sailors like an experienced person, even though those sailors were much older than him.
The chief engineer and the chef nearby were not so heartless. They knew that this mission was not that easy.
"James, I thought you would get off the boat like John?" said the thin chef Frey.
"The captain saved my life. I will go wherever he goes. Besides, the captain said that the reward for this mission is generous. Once I get the payment, I can propose to Mosica." As if he was thinking of the wedding scene, the big guy's face was filled with happiness.
"What if he dies? This isn't a delivery mission. If anything, exploring the island is the explorer's job."
"I'm not afraid. It's not bad to go with you guys."
The chief engineer suddenly thought of something and turned to look at his companion. "Frey, what about you? Why did you come?"
"You know my character. I'm too lazy to move." Frey said, looking at his captain's back, his eyes full of calmness.
In fact, he didn't leave because he had secretly seen the captain secretly taking a rectangular object a few years ago. That thing not only played songs like a record player, but also had ghosts performing dramas on it.
Although he didn't know what it was, he felt it was some kind of powerful relic, and he guessed that the relic was paid for with tears. The captain, who was always rational, cried like a child that day.
From that moment on, he felt that he had decided to follow this captain. Following a captain who had such a powerful relic, his safety would be guaranteed.
It doesn’t matter how much you are paid at sea, nor how much work you do; the most important thing is to stay alive.
Facts proved that his choice was correct. Most of the people who went to sea with him had died, and he was the only one who was still alive and well.
Charles at the bow suddenly narrowed his eyes and saw in the distance a row of Fortanists in black robes walking through the workers towards the dock, led by the bald man named Hook.
"Where are the people? Hurry up, I'm in a hurry." Charles looked a little impatient.
Hook smiled and clapped his hands gently, and someone behind him stood up.
When Charles saw the man's attire, he thought he saw a mummy. The khaki bandages wrapped the man's entire body tightly, with no skin exposed.
"You can call him Bandage or something else. He used to be a first mate and he also knows the location of the island. He will be of great help to you on this trip."
"Is the thing inside alive?" Charles asked with a vigilant tone.
"Haha, don't worry, he is a human being, a flesh and blood person."
Hook took out a dagger and slashed the bandaged man's face with it. Under the loosened bandage was black skin, and scarlet blood was flowing out of the cut wound.
"Black? There are still black people in this world?" Charles took another closer look and realized that he was wrong. The man's skin was not black, but was covered with densely packed letter tattoos. At first glance, he had the illusion that he was black.
(End of this chapter)