NOVEL WEB Chapter 85: Arrival at Bilgewater
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Good Luck Sister picked up the teacup, forcing herself to swallow the scalding tea along with Link's blood.
The heat made her gasp, and she stuck out her tongue, fanning herself with her hand, displaying a girlish charm that starkly contrasted with her usual demeanor.
"Someone almost thirty shouldn't be pretending to be a cute girl," Link said, glancing at her. His words struck her like a thunderbolt.
"What do you mean... almost thirty? I'm..."
"Hmm?" Link raised an eyebrow, and Good Luck Sister shrank back, muttering, "I'm still two years away from thirty. I'm not an old hag yet!"
"Age and appearance mean nothing to me," Link said, pulling out a plan and scanning the listed items. Good Luck Sister crossed her legs and snorted, "Aren't you lonely, being such an outstanding young man?"
"If I needed women, my family elders would arrange different companions for me every day until I got sick of it," Link replied without looking up. "But to me, knowledge is far more attractive than beauty. So, drop your little act and focus on your work."
At this, the boy looked up, his blue eyes with their dark centers making Good Luck Sister's breath hitch.
"Also, if you want to improve my opinion of you, work hard and do your job well. That's how you'll earn my favor."
Good Luck Sister pouted. Link's words gave her a strange sense of déjà vu.
She had once done the same—using her youth and charm to control unruly crew members and bend them to her will.
"All right, you can go now," Link waved his hand. "Come see me again when we reach Bilgewater."
"Also, think about how to arrange a meeting with Gangplank as soon as possible. Consider this your first task."
Good Luck Sister stood up, picked up her hat, and gave Link a slight bow, playfully blinking her eyes.
"As you wish, Captain."
Link didn't look up. "Out!"
Good Luck Sister pouted again and left the reception room, her hips swaying like a willow in the wind, undeniably alluring.
But unfortunately, to Link, she was far less captivating than the plan in his hands.
Hearing the door close, Link read the plan for a while longer before taking out his communicator and making a call.
After a few seconds, the screen flickered, and Daconia appeared.
"Link, how's it going?"
"We're almost at Bilgewater. I've also taken in an interesting woman to train," Link replied indifferently.
Daconia raised an eyebrow, leaning closer to the screen. "A woman?"
"Daconia, I know Camille threatened you with having my children to keep you in line, but do you have to act like this?"
"You know about that?!" Daconia snorted, leaning back and crossing her arms, which lifted her ample chest.
"To Camille, family legacy is everything. But without blood ties, it's hard to maintain authority," Link said coldly, his tone eerily similar to Camille's, making Daconia shiver.
"Stop it! Don't talk like that. You sound exactly like Grandmother now, like you were carved from the same mold."
"Fine. Then report on the progress of spreading Janna's faith," Link said, his tone calm now.
Daconia's expression turned serious. "I've issued orders to the subordinate families, forcing them to worship Janna."
"How?"
"They're herded like sheep into the newly built chapel, where Janna herself confirms whether they've truly devoted themselves to her faith."
"Those who comply are rewarded; those who resist are punished."
"Good job. There's no need to be soft with such trash. You've learned well from me, Daconia."
Link smiled, and Daconia snorted. "I've known how to use the carrot-and-stick approach since I was three."
"Yes, yes, you're very talented," Link said dismissively, making Daconia frown and let out an annoyed huff. Link then added, "Janna is crucial for my plan to combat the Harrowing. Make sure to speed up the progress. Also, get the Bluebird Merchants up and running quickly!"
"I've already distributed your design blueprints and had craftsmen start replicating them. On the day of the reorganized evaluation meeting, your design will take first place to boost its influence. We'll use that momentum to launch our first product."
"Which one did you choose?"
"The wind-powered tricycle!"
"Good. Proceed as you see fit." After chatting with Daconia for a bit longer, Link hung up.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Before Link could respond, Jinx poked her head in, raising an eyebrow at him. "Link, we've arrived at Bilgewater!"
"Mm."
Link stood up and walked over to Jinx, saying, "Put on your helmet. Don't be as careless as your sister."
"Hey—" Jinx walked alongside Link in the corridor after he closed the door. "You seem pretty familiar with the pink-haired gorilla!"
"Don't talk nonsense. I just assigned her some work," Link said, suddenly remembering the Bluebird amulet he had given Vi. "Speaking of which, did Vi take the amulet to Vander?"
"She did. She cried so hard, it was almost pitiful. Tsk, tsk!" Jinx clicked her tongue a few times, and Link shook his head with a wry smile. "It's understandable. Seeing her father, who's been dead for years, suddenly come back to life—it's a miracle she didn't faint from shock."
"Hehe—" Jinx giggled, and Link joined her at the observation deck, looking out at the approaching Bilgewater.
As they got closer to the port, the number of ships around them increased.
Cargo ships, warships, fishing boats, hunting vessels, pirate ships—there were too many to count.
The harbor was surrounded by steep cliffs, so treacherous that even the locals found them dangerous.
The island of Bilgewater was shaped like a pistol, with the port located at the trigger, enclosed by towering cliffs.
The waves and shores around the port were stained with blood, and occasionally, razor eels could be seen thrashing in the water, fighting over scraps of flesh and limbs.
"Welcome to Bilgewater—a paradise for outlaws and a hell for the weak!"
Good Luck Sister swayed her hips as she approached Link and Jinx from behind. Link composed himself and turned to look at her.
"I hope you've brought me a satisfactory plan."
"I've heard about the reason for your visit to Bilgewater," Good Luck Sister said, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I never expected you to be from House Ferros. If I'd known, I wouldn't have tried to rob you. Capturing you and taking you back to have a child would've been much more profitable, don't you think?"
"Are you... teasing me?" Link narrowed his eyes, a cold light flashing in them. At the same time, Good Luck Sister's legs gave out, and she uncontrollably fell to her knees in front of Link. Her knees hit the floor with a loud thud as she watched in horror as her own slender fingers moved toward her eye sockets, pressing against her lower eyelids and slowly pushing inward.
The pain from her nails digging into her eyelids made her cry out, "I'm sorry! Spare me!"
Link watched her silently, not stopping until her nails touched her eyeballs.
"Sarah, remember your place. I've given you my trust, but that doesn't mean I'll tolerate your insolence!"
Good Luck Sister collapsed to the floor, breathing heavily. She stared at Link in terror, her eyes stinging and tears streaming down her face.
"Yes..."
"Now, tell me your plan."
"You can use your status as an envoy of House Ferros to visit Gangplank. He's greedy, so he'll definitely receive you on his ship, the Leviathan. That's when you can..."
"Hmm, you're quick-witted," Link said, squatting down and gripping Good Luck Sister's chin, forcing her to look up. Jinx stood nearby, arms crossed, enjoying the show.
Good Luck Sister nervously watched Link, who suddenly broke into a smile.
"As a reward, I'll give you Gangplank's head, my white glove."
Good Luck Sister froze, her lips parting as if to say something, but Link released her and stood up, striding toward the cabin.
"Now, get to work, Sarah."
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