NOVEL WEB Book 6: Chapter 41: Cutting A Deal
"You won't do it?" Lilith looked coldly at Captain Graybert. "Not even if I pay?"
"I told you already, this isn't about the money." Graybert shook his head regretfully. "Just like we double-check the authenticity of a treasure map before heading out to sea, we won't waste time and energy on a target that can't be found."
"That island can be found—"
"But this is the ocean—the graveyard of the greedy," Graybert interrupted solemnly. "The moment we start believing we can pull off miracles, we've already begun counting down our own lives."
He let out a long sigh. "Miss, I've seen too many like you out here… people who chase after rumors or torn scraps of a treasure map they're not even sure are real. They think they'll be the one to make the impossible happen, but in the end, they're just another meal for the fish, another soul at the bottom of the sea."
He looked her in the eye. "I don't know why you're so obsessed with an island that doesn't even show up on maps. But as an old man of the sea, let me give you some advice: obsession is the most dangerous thing out here."
"I see…" Lilith lowered her gaze, hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. A different aura began to appear in the air.
Graybert froze, staring at the blonde girl in front of him who seemed like she could be younger than his own daughter.
"You're… a saint-level expert?" he ventured.
Lilith didn't answer.
Her aura flared—like a monstrous beast rising from the deep. The pirate ship dipped lower into the sea, its wooden planks groaning beneath their feet, as if bowing to her will.
"I see." Graybert wiped cold sweat from his brow and let out a wry chuckle. "And I was wondering how someone like you ended up in a place like this."
"Anyway, I can keep all of you safe. You won't have to worry about food or water either. And…" Lilith paused, then pulled out a world map and circled a small area in the bottom right corner.
"You don't have to take me to the island. Just bring me to this part of the sea."
Graybert looked at the tiny pigeon-egg-sized circle she'd drawn and blinked.
"Miss, I hate to crush your confidence, but even if it looks small on the map, that's still a massive stretch of ocean—roughly the size of a small nation. Forgive me for saying this, but even with power like yours, finding a nameless island there would still be incredibly difficult."
"Don't worry about that. Even if I don't find it, I'll still pay you ten thousand gold coins," Lilith said.
"Ten thousand…?"
Graybert was stunned by her generosity.
Ten thousand gold coins for a ferry ride?
They'd spent ten years scouring the sea for just a fifth of the Pirate King's treasure. Faced death more times than they could remember. Lost more comrades to the waves than they cared to count. And in the end, all they had to show for it was a haul barely worth a hundred thousand.
Most of it had been cultural relics from different nations—guaranteed to be carved up by every interested party once they tried to sell. Who knew how much they'd actually get to keep.
And now, they could earn ten thousand just by giving this girl a short ride?
Damn, if they'd known being a guide paid this well, they would've quit pirating years ago.
"Serious?" Graybert's eyes lit up, but years at sea forced him to rein in his excitement. Suspicion flickered across his face.
"You're not planning to wipe us out once it's over, just to avoid paying, are you?"
After all, there were still treasures worth a hundred thousand gold coins stashed on this ship. If this girl in front of him had any ill intent, this entire crew might not make it out alive.
*'Damn it, Graybert! Big mouth invites big trouble! I shouldn't have flashed our wealth! Yet here I go, spilling everything the moment I get excited!'* he cursed inwardly, fighting the urge to slap himself.
"Don't worry, I have no interest in your money. Or rather… I have no interest in money at all," Lilith said flatly.
For some reason, that calm statement made Graybert clench his fists instinctively.
"Besides…" Lilith cast him a cool glance, as if she could read his mind. "If I really meant you harm, your fate would've been sealed the moment I stepped aboard."
"Heh. You're right. The strong rule the sea. That's just how it is," Graybert agreed, shrugging helplessly.
"So?" Lilith locked eyes with him. "Are you going to accept this job?"
"Hah! Do you really need to ask?" Graybert smacked the table, jumped to his feet, and laughed heartily.
"I may be a fake pirate, but after faking it for so many years, there's barely a difference anymore. And what's the truest trait of a pirate?"
He waved his arms around and declared proudly, "Our obsession with money!"
Lilith blinked. "Didn't you just say that obsession is the most dangerous thing at sea?"
"Exactly, and that's why all pirates end up at the bottom of the sea." Graybert gave her a wink.
Lilith looked at him speechlessly. With a wave of her hand, a mountain of gleaming gold coins appeared on the deck.
"This is your payment."
Graybert's eyes gleamed like a pair of torchlights as he rubbed his hands together happily.
"Oh my, an employer who pays before the job completion? You're rare, you know that? I love it. Then I'll gladly accept it!"
With that, Graybert stomped off toward the cabin and kicked the door open.
"Rise and shine, you lazy pigs! It's time for another exciting adventure!"
Muffled groans and a stream of curses came from within. No one sounded particularly impressed.
"Unbelievable. These little brats are getting way too comfortable," Graybert muttered.
He rolled up his sleeves, ready to assert his authority as a captain in front of his prestigious employer, only to be stopped by Lilith.
"Wait. No need for that," she said.
"Huh?" Graybert turned around, confused. "I can't sail this ship by myself, you know."
"Did you forget? I'm only hiring a guide. The ship's too slow. I need someone who knows the way and doesn't get airsick—I'll be flying us there," Lilith said.
"I see…" Graybert froze, blinking, then burst into a laugh and clapped her on the shoulder.
"Miss, I'll admit—you're something else. But you're underestimating the sea."
"Hmm?"
"No one can navigate the sea using that horribly outdated world map you brought. We need to compare it to real nautical charts. That means analysis and calculations will be involved. We have to constantly update our position with every leg of the journey and plot a navigation chart as we go. This is the only way we can figure out how to reach that stretch of ocean without getting lost."
Lilith frowned. "That complicated?"
"Haha, you bet!"
Graybert laughed heartily. "Not just anyone can become a pirate. I may not look like it now, but ten years ago, before my daughter fell ill, I was a well-known mathematician."
"…Right." Lilith gave him a skeptical once-over, clearly struggling to picture it.
But Graybert just grinned and waved her off as he marched into the cabin like a general heading into war.
"Just stay put for a bit, little lady. Trust me, I'll get you to your destination."