The passenger ship bound for Wigtan City was massive. Based on the laws of physics back on Earth, a wooden vessel of this scale was completely unscientific.
It wouldn't even be able to withstand the water pressure.
In some ways, magic really did surpass technology.
The four-story wooden hull of the passenger ship was painted deep blue, making it difficult to distinguish from the water with the naked eye from a distance. A sea eagle with outstretched wings was carved onto the bow.
People bustled about on the deck—merchants, adventurers, and travelers heading north to visit family.
“Three tickets to Wigtan City,” Chen Mian said as he walked up to the ticket window and fished six silver coins from his pocket.
The ticket seller, a middle-aged man with a stubbly beard, glanced at him and then at the two tightly bundled figures behind him. Asking no questions, he handed over three tickets.
“We set sail in fifteen minutes. We'll arrive tomorrow morning.”
Chen Mian took the tickets and turned toward the gangway.
Flora followed close behind, her left hand pulling down the hood of her cloak as it fluttered in the sea breeze.
Loviki brought up the rear, equally intent on concealing her appearance. As a famous genius adventurer in the Hella Kingdom, her signature black hair and crimson eyes would easily give her away if left uncovered.
The three of them found a spot on the top deck to stand. Gradually, more and more passengers boarded the ship.
After a while, a loud horn blew.
The crew used magic to retract the gangway.
The massive sails quickly unfurled in the sea breeze.
As a magic core was slotted in, a wind magic circle instantly activated, and a powerful gust of wind filled the sails.
At the same time, a blue magical defense barrier quickly expanded around the ship.
Under the combined force of the sails and the wind magic circle, the ship slowly turned and began its voyage toward the north.
The passenger ship to Wigtan City had set sail.
With the help of magic, the wooden sailing ship was able to achieve its goal of rapid, directed navigation.
As the ship sailed north out of the harbor, its speed began to stabilize.
Between Linyu Port and Wigtan City lay a crescent bay. While it was possible to travel by land, the journey would be significantly longer.
“We won't arrive until tomorrow, so we'll have to make do with the restaurant in the cabin for our meals,” Loviki said, leaning against the railing and enjoying the sea breeze.
“Is the food there any good?”
“Compared to what you make, it's pretty terrible.”
“Is that your roundabout way of praising my cooking, Loviki?” Flora asked with a smile, her eyes twinkling.
“Of course!” Loviki nodded with a grin.
“Hmm... then here's your reward. I've already prepared some food for the journey.” Flora reached out and pinched Loviki's cheek. “So? Aren't I the best?”
“Eh? Where is it?”
“In the backpack. The one Mr. Chen Mian put in his storage space.”
“Won't it spoil?” Loviki asked curiously.
“I carved a heat-preservation spell onto the lunch boxes.”
“Flora, you really are too sweet. You should definitely marry me.”
“You two are getting a bit too cozy,” Chen Mian chimed in, teasing the two tightly bundled figures as they playfully interacted.
Loviki, however, was completely unbothered. “What of it? Am I not allowed to praise Flora's cooking?”
“Two people wrapped up like mummies flirting on the deck... others will think you're eloping on this ship.”
“Eloping doesn't sound too bad,” Loviki said with a chuckle. “I don't want to go back to the Lawrence Family anyway.”
“No way. If she elopes with you, who's going to cook for me?”
“Flora, tell me! Are you going with me or with him?” Loviki asked, looking at Flora with a deadpan expression.
“Hey! That's enough, you two!” The tips of Flora's ears, turning bright red, peeked out from the edge of her hood.
When it came to teasing Flora, Loviki was a professional. Even Chen Mian had to back down.
“Let's go inside the cabin and rest.” With a slight smile, Chen Mian pushed open the door leading to the cabin.
The cabin on the first floor was much livelier than the deck.
It was a spacious hall running from the bow to the stern, illuminated by the warm light of numerous magical lamps hanging from the ceiling.
Long tables and benches were arranged by the windows, already occupied by quite a few people. The air was a mix of ale, roasted meat, and the salty tang of the sea.
At the far end of the hall was a half-man-high wooden stage. In front of it stood a green-haired girl holding a lute.
“A bard,” Flora's eyes lit up.
Chen Mian found a seat in a corner. It gave them a clear view of the entire hall without drawing too much attention.
A plump woman wearing an apron walked over and slapped a greasy menu onto the table. “What can I get for you three?”
“Three cups of ale and a serving of grilled fish.” The plump woman jotted it down, turned to the bar to pour three cups of ale, and set them down on the table.
Loviki pushed her hood back slightly, revealing her chin and a lock of black hair. She took a sip of the ale and commented, “This ale is pretty average.”
“It's free.”
“No wonder.”
“Haven't you taken this ship before?”
“When I took it, I had a private cabin. I never ate out here.”
Flora took small sips of her ale, her eyes fixed on the green-haired girl with the lute on the stage. “When is she going to start performing?”
Just as she spoke, the lights in the hall dimmed slightly.
The young girl in the dark green robe spoke. “Good afternoon, travelers from afar.”
“I am Leila, a bard from the south. I will be accompanying you to pass the time on today's voyage.” Her voice was crisp and clear, carrying a natural playfulness.
With that, the girl sat down on a chair on the stage with her lute. She plucked a string, and the lute produced a series of cheerful arpeggios.
“Since we share the same destination, I shall play 《Wind and Snow of the North》 for all my friends who are heading to Wigtan to freeze.”
Someone in the hall let out a chuckle.
Leila winked, and her fingers began to dance across the strings.
The intro was much faster than the traditional version of 《Wind and Snow of the North》. The originally solemn and sorrowful melody was given a playful twist under her fingers.
“The north wind blows and blows, the snowflakes fly and fly, the adventurer wraps his tattered cloak tight, cursing this dreadful weather...”
“If only I had stayed in the south drinking ale, why did I come to this place to freeze my ears off!”
...
Even the lyrics were different.
Laughter filled the hall, and the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.
Resting her chin in her hands, Flora watched the green-haired girl on stage with bright eyes and a curved smile.
Loviki took a sip of her ale and commented, “She sings well.”
Once the song ended, Leila stood up and bowed. Her braid slid off her shoulder, nearly brushing against the strings. She casually tossed it back behind her and sat down again, the brass bells on her boots jingling twice.
Enthusiastic applause and laughter immediately erupted in the cabin.
“Thank you, thank you,” she said with a smile. “This next song is one I recently heard, called 《The Frozen Dungeon》.”
The passengers dressed as adventurers sat up straight.
Leila plucked the strings casually, but her expression grew a bit more serious this time.
“Beneath the northern ice cliffs, an ancient stone door quietly opens. Corridors built of frost steel, ice crystals illuminating the unknown path. Adventurers, do you dare to enter? There sleep ghosts, walking plants, and treasures never seen before...”
...
“I know what you're all thinking.” After finishing the song, Leila set her lute aside, crossed her legs, and scanned the hall with her emerald-green eyes. “‘Is this girl singing or reporting the news?’”
One of the drinking adventurers whistled.
She grinned. “Both.”
Finally, she sang a song she wrote herself, called 《The Windmill and the City of Freedom》.
The melody was light, and the lyrics told the story of a wandering bard who set out from Windchase City.
After singing the last note, she slung the lute onto her back and hopped off the wooden stage. Her brass bells jingled, and her braid swayed with every step.
With her lute on her back, she weaved through the crowd.
When she reached Chen Mian's table, her steps paused.
Her emerald-green eyes swept over the three tightly wrapped figures, finally landing on Chen Mian.
“Are you three heading to that dungeon too?”
“Yes,” Chen Mian replied.
Leila sat down on an empty stool nearby, resting her lute against the table. She placed one foot on the stool's rung, her knee almost touching her chin.
“Eight out of ten people going to Wigtan these days are there for that dungeon. The other two are going for the Ice and Fire Festival,” she said, propping her chin in her hand. “You three don't look like ordinary adventurers.”
“In what way?” Loviki asked.
“I can't quite put my finger on it.” Leila shrugged. “But a bard's intuition is always spot on.”
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