Chapter 886

Nikau, the Finger Collector, looked at him with gritted teeth.

Sanford finally jerked his shoulders in alarm, and Hashim, standing right behind him, froze as well.

Ohara paused beside Ian's white horse, covering her mouth with a feigned expression of shock. "Oh my. It seems I let something slip."

Of course, it was obvious from her tone and expression alone that it hadn't been a mistake. Sanford's booming laugh that followed was just as exaggerated.

As Hector shook his head and glanced at Theodore approaching from behind Ohara, Sanford waved his hands and added, "H-Haha! You're mischievous to the very end, Ohara! Thanks to you, people are going to misunderstand!"

"Oh? And which part is the misunderstanding—"

"Now, now. Let's not stir up unnecessary trouble and just say our farewells, Ohara. We've settled all our debts cleanly between us, haven't we?"

When Sanford cut her off with a laugh in his voice, the curve of Ohara's eyes deepened.

Of course, Yalo and Nikau were still glaring holes into the side of Sanford's face with narrowed eyes. The same went for their first mates.

Ignoring their glares, Sanford looked up at Ian. "Th-Then I suppose I'll see you again before long, Your Grace. When Count Drapier heads for the capital, I will certainly join the fleet as one of its members."

Ian let out a chuckle and nodded. "Right. Assuming you're still alive by then."

The remark drew a quiet snort from Ohara, causing Sanford's smile to falter.

As though nothing had happened, Ian turned toward the other captains and continued, "I hear you've been entrusted with some fairly important responsibilities. Do your best."

Hector nodded with mixed feelings. The new lieutenants' duties extended far beyond searching the archipelago.

They would also be traveling between the lawless cities of the South, procuring supplies and materials, and persuading those who had fled from the corrupt ones to return.

Those tasks were far too important to entrust lightly. If things went wrong, Hector could end up being the one held accountable.

"If you happen to catch the count's eye, you might even earn yourselves a position in the archipelago."

At Ian's casual addition, Yalo and Nikau finally widened their eyes and looked up at him.

The same was true for Hector, and not merely because he understood the hidden meaning behind Ian's words. He realized the Demigod was intentionally supporting him.

"Of course, the judgment and decisions are Hector's to make. I'll only support and endorse the count's authority."

Ian had already understood the concerns Hector had been carrying.

Looking at Hector with an expressionless face, Ian added, "No matter how things turn out, let's meet again in the capital when the time comes."

Straightening his posture even further, Hector answered with complete sincerity, "I will prepare to the best of my ability!"

At the same time, he swore to himself once again that he would fulfill his mission and contribute to the Demigod's grand design.

"We've spent enough time on idle chatter. Finish your farewells," Ian added indifferently and flicked the reins.

As the white horse lifted its head and took several graceful steps forward, Theodore finally stepped up before Hector and asked, "Are you truly sure about this, sir?"

Meeting Theodore's usual stern expression, Hector twitched his lone eye. "Sure about what?"

Theodore glanced toward the smuggling ship captains. "I have my doubts whether you'll be able to carry out your duties properly without me. Especially with those untrustworthy fellows at your side."

Each of them was looking at Ohara with a different expression.

Glancing at Ohara, who was clearly enjoying the tension she had created, Hector snorted. "Still showing off right until the moment we part ways. Now that my nagging officer is finally gone, I'm going to do things my way."

Theodore let out a sigh. "So you're planning to handle things the archipelago way..."

Hector snorted again and continued while looking him in the eye.

"I've always told you this, Theo. You'll never truly become a man of the archipelago. But even so, you've always been an outstanding and loyal lieutenant. You don't need to spend your life cleaning up after me and living on a sea that never suited you in the first place. From now on, live for yourself. Like the spellcaster you are."

Theodore's eyes trembled faintly as he met Hector's gaze.

After studying him for a moment, Hector jerked his head toward the carriage behind them. "Now that you’ve heard me, get lost. If you say even one embarrassing thing, I'll punch you in the face."

"Once everything is settled, I’ll see you again. Just try not to turn everything into a complete mess," Theodore muttered and turned away.

Despite his words, a faint smile lingered at the corner of his lips. Hector, too, let out a chuckle.

"I think Your Excellency is the one who’s said more embarrassing things," Ohara added, her eyes dancing with amusement, and turned to follow him.

Elia, having given an Imperial-style farewell, and the expressionless Lily headed toward the carriage in turn.

"Well then, see you around," Ian said indifferently and flicked the reins without waiting for a reply.

The white horse immediately started forward as though it had been waiting for the signal. Charlotte and Miguel exchanged silent farewells as they passed Hector.

As he watched the carriage and the mounted figure heading out of the village, Yalo’s and Nikau’s low voices followed one after the other.

"Wasn’t it supposed to be a whole sack of gold coins? Swindling comrades who’ve already lost their ship... You clearly don’t know the laws of the desert."

"You’d better start thinking about which finger you want to lose first, Sanford Plum. The conversation comes after that."

Their first mates were also glaring coldly at Hashim.

Sanford let out a low laugh and turned toward them. "I told you, it was just a little prank before Ohara left.... You’ve all got the wrong idea. I’ll explain everything."

"Indeed. It’d be a shame for blood to be spilled over a misunderstanding," Hector cut in as he turned toward them.

Yalo and Nikau paused, and Sanford brightened as he looked back. "Exactly, Your Excellency!"

Meeting Sanford’s lone eye, Hector continued calmly, "Didn’t you and I already discuss this? You said the funds left over after the split would be used as operating expenses for carrying out missions in the South."

That alone was enough to freeze Sanford’s smile solid—and it wasn't merely because no such conversation had ever taken place.

Curling the corners of his mouth upward, Hector added smoothly, "You’re not about to tell me that conversation was a misunderstanding too... are you?"

"W-Why would I ever do that, Your Excellency? H-Hahaha!" Sanford replied with an awkward laugh.

With his eye squeezed shut, he almost looked as though he were crying. Without opening it, he fumbled for words.

"Well, now... I was planning to gather these fellows and explain everything properly, but it seems you beat me to it."

"Well, they’re more likely to trust me than you. It was my plan all along. You don't have any objections, do you?" Hector asked with satisfaction before turning toward Yalo and Nikau.

Yalo nodded with a sly grin. "I was wondering how we'd pay for all those supplies. It seems Your Excellency had everything planned from the start."

Nikau nodded as well. "I’m satisfied just knowing you weren’t planning to pay with our pockets."

Unlike Yalo, who seemed to have seen right through Hector’s intentions, he was still eyeing the back of Sanford’s head suspiciously.

"He’s coming. Move it, everyone!"

"Let’s get going!"

At that moment, voices rang out from behind them—the perpetually unmotivated fairy lieutenant and the one-armed beastfolk lieutenant.

Hector jerked his chin toward the soldiers and villagers. "Tell everyone to gather. We should finish seeing them off."

"Yes," Sanford answered with a sigh in his voice as Yalo and Nikau waved toward the village.

The sailors and villagers, lined up in formation, streamed toward them.

Meanwhile, Hector looked toward the mixed-species battalion growing smaller in the distance and the Demigod's companions following behind them. Their retreating figures carried not the slightest trace of attachment, as though their legendary achievements were already a thing of the past.

He watched them with wavering eyes for only a moment. Drawing his sword from his waist, Hector raised it high into the air and shouted, "May victory and glory be with the great Demigod and his legion!"

The voices of Sanford and the other lieutenants immediately followed.

"Victory and glory!"

"May the lofty heavens bless the Golden Demigod!"

"Bless him!"

The sailors and villagers erupted into thunderous cheers and cries. The commotion was enough to make the marching beastfolk and fairies, as well as the Demigod's companions, turn around.

Faint smiles had appeared on many of their faces. The Demigod riding the white horse, however, didn't even glance back. Instead, he shook his head as though thoroughly fed up and rubbed a hand across his face.

"Victory and glory to the Golden Demigod!"

"Heavens above! Bless the saviors of the Black Sea!"

The cheers echoed for a long while.

He merely lowered his sword and turned his gaze across the dreary, filthy village, and beyond it, toward the docks where waves crashed endlessly against the horizon.

Only after the cheers had completely died away did Hector turn back toward the sailors. Every eye was fixed on him, including those who would soon become new residents of the archipelago.

He slowly swept his gaze over the ragtag collection of faces before twisting his face into a fierce scowl.

"What are you all staring at like idiots? Didn't I say we're leaving in three days?"

Thrusting his sword forward, he continued, "Anyone who's late gets left behind in the sea of flames! Break time's over! Move! Now!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Move! Right now!"

The captains, led by Sanford, immediately spun around and began shouting orders. The sailors scattered like a swarm of ants and rushed back into the village.

Sliding his sword back to his waist, Hector let out a dismissive snort. Then, as if something caught his attention, he glanced back once more.

The Demigod and his mixed-species legion had already traveled far into the distance.

Beneath the thick black clouds stretched a desolate valley of gray ash. Beyond it, barely visible through the haze, stood the abandoned gate, waiting for them in eerie silence.

"May the Capricious Goddess always smile upon you," murmuring, Hector finally turned and walked back toward the village.

If such a wish is an act of greed, I’ll gladly offer up an arm in exchange.

***

The frontier remained buried beneath gray storm clouds, where overgrown grass and trees twisted into unnatural shapes, perpetually shrouded in shadow.

"Damn... the rumors were true...."

"Makes me want to go deeper inside."

"Don't talk crazy, beast."

The whispers drifted into Ian's ears as he sat with his chin resting on the carriage's armrest, staring out the window. The same sort of conversations had been repeating themselves for days.

But Ian himself was thinking about something entirely different as he stared into the dark forest.

"The sacred land's influence shouldn't reach this far."

"Is something wrong?" Ohara, seated across from him, asked in response.

Without taking his eyes off the scenery outside, Ian shrugged. "When I came here last time, things weren't this calm and peaceful."