Chapter 0. Free Chapter

Far off in the distance, Suren could see the three-masted sailing ship heading north.

The flag fluttering on the mast bore a pattern of gold coins and oranges, the banner of the Royal Union Merchant Alliance, not pirates.

The lifeboat was too slow and uncomfortable.

Suren took out a signal flare and fired three shots into the sky.

........

Meanwhile, on the deck of the merchant ship...

A flock of seagulls perched on the mast, occasionally one swooping down to peck at bread crumbs on the deck.

A little boy in a deerstalker hat and checkered suspender trousers was gazing at the sea through a telescope. His name was Zeke, the youngest son of Benson James, a fur merchant from the Royal Union capital.

This ship was his father's.

He seemed very excited about his first voyage.

Just then, Zeke spotted the smoke flares in the sky and shouted, "Father! Look, someone needs help over there!"

Hearing the shout, a middle-aged man with a thick beard came out. He looked through a telescope and saw Suren and Jing Xiansheng on the life raft. "Oh, they must be survivors of a storm."

He lowered the telescope and called out to the ship's first mate, "Mr. Robertson, please bring the ship closer. We need to pick up those two survivors."

A voice came from the bridge in response, "Aye, aye, Captain Benson!"

Zeke was still peering through the telescope, exclaiming, "Wow... Dad, their lifeboat is so special! It's inflatable! Not made on a factory assembly line, clearly handmade, and with high-level enchantments too... The person who made this raft is a genius!"

After a pause, he muttered to himself, "Heavens, why didn't I think of designing such a lifeboat? When folded, its weight and volume would be very small, perfect for putting on a ship... But how to inflate it? Right, compressed air cylinders! That raft must be using compressed air cylinders."

Benson patted his son's head, smiling with affection, "Our Zeke will be the empire's greatest designer one day."

Zeke turned his face, revealing an innocent smile, "Dad, I want to ask that gentleman about it later, if I could buy the patent... Oh, if he'd just let me copy it, that would be great..."

Before he could finish speaking, a heavily made-up, auburn-haired woman with some beauty came out of the cabin.

She had heard the previous conversation and frowned, "Hey, Benson, how can you just let strangers on board? What if they have ulterior motives? I'm telling you, don't bother with them. I've heard of pirates pretending to be shipwrecked, then boarding and murdering the ship owner for the cargo..."

The middle-aged man looked at the woman and smiled indulgently, "Darling, don't think so badly of people. This is near the coast, pirates rarely come here. I also observed just now, there aren't any ships nearby. These are just people adrift at sea; we might find ourselves in such a mess one day. Let's help if we can. Besides, even if the worst happens, we have Captain Raman, right? He used to be a knight for Baron Pipps, a true Tier 3 expert. We can deal with pirates."

Zeke also said, "Yes, Aunt Marianne, our teacher taught us that it's a virtue to offer help to those in need at sea."

The glamorous woman looked displeased at the father and son's words, "Suit yourselves."

.......

Suren watched the merchant ship approach and waved at the people on the railing. He thought, a hint of joy after surviving a disaster appearing on his face.

He looked at the middle-aged man who was clearly in charge and said, "Oh, kind sir, we are so lucky to have met you. We've been drifting at sea for days..."

The middle-aged man smiled and shook his head. He asked, "What is your name, sir? Did you encounter a shipwreck?"

Suren knew this was the routine inquiry before boarding, so he said, "You can call me Nicholas. I'm a runes teacher. This is my wife. We came from the southern county of Anlogos and originally intended to have an adventurous sea voyage, but we encountered a storm and the ship sank."

Suren knew he needed a new identity, and the identity of "teacher" was quite suitable. It would cause fewer problems and be easier to gain trust than adventurer or mercenary.

The middle-aged man listened, looked at Suren's skin, which didn't look like that of a pirate who was exposed to the sun and wind every day, and didn't say much. "We're going to the northern port of Gadlunt. We won't be stopping along the way. If you don't mind, please come aboard."

Suren gave a gentlemanly bow, "Thank you so much."

The port of Gadlunt was the largest trading territory in the northern part of the Royal Union Empire. It had a natural deep-sea harbor and was also known as the "Golden Port of the Empire."

Further north were the boundless Northern Ice Plains and the Silent Forest, rich in magical beast resources. Many adventurers who hunted magical beasts in the north, as well as various fur merchants and timber merchants, were active on this route.

The middle-aged man spoke, and the sailors on the ship lowered the rope ladder.

At this time, Suren called out to Jing Xiansheng in the raft.

After all, they were asking for help as shipwreck survivors. She didn't dress up in a cloak, but as soon as she showed her face, even wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat, everyone on the ship looked at her in shock.

The residents of Old Lingdun City had never been exposed to sunlight, and their skin was generally fair.

Suren's original body was from the outside, so he was not considered too delicate.

But when Jing Xiansheng appeared, her fair and delicate skin immediately gave others a dazzling feeling. Moreover, Jing Xiansheng was inherently cold and beautiful. Even with the brim of the hat covering half of her face, she still amazed the sailors on the ship.

"Oh~ heavens, this madam is so beautiful."

"Which noble lady is this~"

"This gentleman and madam are a perfect match..."

"..."

Subtle words of praise came to his ears.

Suren didn't care, sensing that there was no malice in those gazes.

He put his arm around Jing Xiansheng's slender waist and leaped onto the ship, climbing the rope ladder.

After all, Jing Xiansheng's current persona was that of a delicate rich lady.

Finally stepping onto the solid deck, Suren let out a long breath. He finally didn't have to endure the torture of being shaken into a pulp in the dinghy.

A beautiful appearance always gives people a lot of impression points.

Appearance is justice.

Suren and Jing Xiansheng both had high charm values. When the two boarded the ship, they received a friendly smile from everyone.

The ship's first mate, a burly man with a beard and smelling of alcohol, warmly received them.

They were going to the Northern Lands empty-handed, and there were still empty cabins on the ship.

But the cabins of the cargo ship were not large, and Suren and Jing Xiansheng were arranged in a sailor's cabin that was not much bigger than the lifeboat.

Upper and lower bunks, a four-person room.

Fortunately, there was no one else.

.......

Suren and the two stayed in the cabin.

On the deck, the sailors were still talking.

"Oh, my God, I have never seen such a beautiful madam in my life."

"Yes, when they boarded the ship just now, I secretly glanced at her. God, that madam is simply... simply... simply like the most beautiful pearl in the sea!"

"..."

The ship was not big, and the sounds on the deck reached the captain's room.

The sailors were chatting enthusiastically, but Marianne, who was wearing heavy makeup, looked increasingly gloomy.

These sailors had previously praised her beauty in their mouths!

Oh, damn it!

She cursed inwardly, returned to the captain's room, found Benson who was calculating the accounts, and complained, "Benson, don't you think those two people are weird? That man seems to be a very powerful professional. He was able to jump on the ship with someone in his arms..."

Before she could finish speaking, Benson looked up and smiled: "Mr. Nicholas is a respected Rune teacher, of course he is a professional. There is nothing strange about it."

"Rune teacher?"

Marianne gave a contemptuous sneer: "Hehe... How do I look like a domestic slave eloping with a woman?"

Benson shook his head, "Identity can be disguised, but temperament cannot be faked. Those two Mr. Nicholas are very cultured gentlemen."

Marianne wanted to say something more, when the little boy hurried in, "Father, can I go to Mr. Nicholas? I want to ask him if I can study their inflatable lifeboat!"

Benson looked at his son, "No. That gentleman just boarded the ship and needs to rest. It would be very impolite to disturb you now."

Zeke instantly wilted, "Oh."

Marianne, who was on the side, heard this, her eyes turned, thought of something, and suddenly said: "Benson, I think it is okay to let Zeke go. Isn't that guy saying that he is a Rune teacher? Zeke's Rune major is not bad, let him go and 'ask for advice', and you will know if it is true or false."

After a pause, she said forcefully: "I don't want some people of unknown origin to mix into our ship."

Zeke was clever and quick-witted. He immediately said, "I am willing!"

Benson frowned slightly, originally thinking it was inappropriate. But seeing that his wife didn't know why, she really cared about it, so he agreed.

.......

Suren and Jing Xiansheng were resting in the cabin.

The two had become accustomed to this quiet and alone way of living.

Suren was frowning in Zhengzhou, holding a thick gold-stamped book and flipping through it.

This is an advanced knowledge related to Tier 4 enchantment, and he is now reading it a little hard.

When he encountered something he couldn't understand, he made a note of it, then looked for some reference materials, and if he still couldn't understand it, he would ask Jing Xiansheng, who was meditating on the opposite bed.

At this moment, there was a "dong dong dong" knock on the door.

A slightly immature male voice came from outside the door, "Mr. Nicholas, are you available now?"

Suren put away the classics, walked over and opened the door, and saw a little boy wearing suspender trousers standing at the door holding a book.

He remembered that this was the son of Captain Benson.

"Sorry to bother you."

The little boy looked at Suren, bowed very politely, and introduced himself: "Sir, my name is Zeke. I just graduated from the 'Royal Union Preparatory Academy' this year, and I want to be a designer in the future."

Suren had an impression of the term "Royal Union Preparatory Academy" in his memory.

It is probably equivalent to the junior college such as "Peking University High School" in the previous life. Excellent graduates can enter the "Royal Union War Academy".

Suren had a smile on his face: "It's not a disturbance. What's the matter with you?"

Zeke blinked and said expectantly: "Sir, did you design that inflatable lifeboat? I would like to ask, can you let me study it?"

Suren could also see that this little boy really liked it, so he didn't hesitate to say: "Of course. If you want, I can give you the dinghy."

Taking someone else's ship also requires paying the boat fare.

What's more, there is a spare for this thing.

"Really?"

Hearing this, Zeke had a bright and excited smile on his face.

At this time, he remembered that he seemed to have other tasks, and said: "Oh, and... I heard my father say that you are a Rune teacher, and I just encountered a few questions and wanted to ask you."

Hearing this, Suren immediately realized his true intention, but he didn't care, and greeted him: "Oh? Come in and talk."

The little boy took out the Rune Classics he was holding, and then began to ask questions.

"Sir, why did this 'Spiral Wind Rune' engraving fail?"

"What are the material selection directions for solidifying fire runes..."

"I tried double rune engraving before, but it failed. Can you help me see where the problem is?"

"..."

First, some questions were normal, about Tier 1 runes that Zeke could come into contact with.

But slowly, this little boy asked questions about Tier 2 runes that he couldn't understand at all, and some very difficult and profound questions for Rune apprentices.

Obviously, this is not asking for advice, but more like a "test".

However, this is not difficult for Suren.

He has thoroughly understood ordinary rune knowledge below Tier 3. Even if he has never seen a rune, he can roughly deduce its function by looking at it.

He patiently answered each question in detail.

Finally, after asking more than a dozen questions, Zeke himself didn't know what to ask.

He found that no problem could trouble this Mr. Nicholas!

After completing the "mission", Zeke didn't stay in Suren's cabin for long and ran back to the main cabin excitedly.

He said to Benson, who was still sorting out the account books: "Oh, Dad, you don't know, that Mr. Nicholas is definitely a very knowledgeable Rune teacher! I feel that he is even more powerful than our teachers at the academy. He is not troubled by any questions!"

Hearing this, Benson looked at the heavily made-up woman who was putting on makeup next to him and smiled: "Did I say that?"

Marianne looked unhappy and walked out the door.

......

The woman walked onto the deck and went to the stern of the ship.

A rough big hand suddenly pinched her buttocks wrapped in a long skirt, and rudely wanted to touch the soft flesh inside the skirt.

Marianne didn't seem surprised at all, slapped that hand away, and whispered in a reproachful tone: "Damn it, Raman, aren't you afraid of being seen?"

As soon as she said this, the man behind her came out. He was actually a gloomy man dressed as a swordsman. He was not satisfied and pinched her a few more times, not taking it seriously: "Don't worry, no one can find out. What's more, what if someone finds out..."

Marianne: "I was originally planning to do it in the next two days, but I didn't expect the weather to be so good all the time. Now there are two more people of unknown origin."

Raman: "Forget it, let's wait until we go to the Northern Lands to do it. Pirates are rampant there, and it's reasonable for a few people to die..."