Li Yue still had a vague sense of the current situation—a sudden influx of unknown rivals, a crowd of ambitious dreamers, and those conspirators from the Royal Court.
The threats they posed were unknown. While she didn't understand what the people of the Royal Court were after, her priority was clear: secure the God's remains first.
She pulled her gaze away from the shimmering, multicolored ocean and sighed with a touch of helplessness. Getting out of bed, she ignored the scenery outside the window.
She walked slowly onto the deck. Even after sailing into this dreamscape, people still got hungry. Fortunately, in this world that was half dream and half reality, tangible things still existed. In fact, the fishing was better than usual, and the quality of the catch was excellent.
To the sailors and pirates who spent their lives at sea, this felt like a literal dream. The dream's mechanics were intriguing: as long as one avoided negative emotions, they wouldn't face much trouble. Aside from the occasional small storm, they hadn't encountered a single Sea King class monster.
Li Yue hesitated. Besides looking at the sea, it had been a few more days of boredom. Though there were occasional thrills, to her, these experiences were nothing more than minor skirmishes.
It would be nice to find one of the legendary Overlords of the Four Seas to practice on. However, their entry point into this sea was different from others; logically, the enemy should be quite far from her fleet.
She looked at the sun. Strangely, though it was noon, the sun looked like it was surrounded by burning clouds. It was odd but undeniably beautiful. Li Yue watched for a moment, her suspicion growing as she looked closer.
“This isn't a dream simulation... this is magic,” Li Yue whispered. Beside her, Lundo began to shout. He was a captured pirate now working diligently as a sailor, likely fearing that Li Yue might kill him on a whim if she were in a bad mood.
“That’s ‘Heavenly Fire’ Bledsoe. His magic can ignite both the sky and the sea. Among Great Mages specializing in fire magic, he is one of the very best,” Mende explained in a low voice. His hands trembled slightly. Li Yue glanced at him and nodded with a hint of approval.
“It’s one of the Overlords of the Four Seas! A great pirate!” Blan’s voice was laced with panic. In contrast, Li Yue’s expression was calm, even slightly resigned.
Her wish had come true... Should I start a fight and then squeeze him for information?
“Are there any professors at the Academy who are better with fire?” Li Yue still didn't seem to care much about the opponent. Even if she noticed them, they would notice her, but she wasn't the least bit panicked.
“I don't know... we usually only learn about the professors most relevant to our courses,” Sharon answered softly. She was tense, wary of whether this legendary pirate fleet would attack them.
The ship trailing the burning clouds showed no sign of caring about them. It seemed to be merely passing through, certain that they wouldn't dare to act.
“That’s strange... they aren't showing any hostility. Normally, a Great Mage would crush us and take a ship full of supplies for an easy profit,” Mende said, watching the vessel recede. “Besides, Bledsoe’s fleet is famous for being bellicose and greedy.”
“Maybe they’re in a hurry to reach their destination?” Blan asked. Mende looked at him, and Blan suddenly realized that his theory didn't hold much weight.
“Let’s provoke them and see.” Li Yue walked to a cannon and lit the fuse. “Bang!” A shell traced a beautiful arc through the air. Driven by magic, it flew toward Bledsoe’s ship and exploded into a spark in the sky.
The group froze. Li Yue, however, remained indifferent. She was curious about the Royal Court’s goals, and as someone who had been at the negotiating table back then, Bledsoe surely knew a lot.
The other ship’s bow turned slightly, and everyone’s hearts leaped into their throats. In the far distance, a brilliant flare ignited. A massive wave of fire shaped like a fist raced across the sea. In an instant, a blaze capable of swallowing their entire ship bore down on them.
One little provocation and he exploded. It seemed he didn't truly lack interest; he was just holding back. Five or six Mages, a dozen or so Magicians... combined, they barely scrape into the first tier of combat power beneath the major factions.
In the struggle for the God's remains, however, they were merely sophisticated cannon fodder. They would add a few more to the death toll and provide a bit of resentment, but they were ultimately useless—unless someone intended to use them for curses.
I think I’m immune to curses, anyway...
Li Yue pursed her lips and summoned the black tide of the Death Abyss. She raised a black wall, easily blocking the strike. When the wall lowered, the other ship had already returned to its original course, as if certain they wouldn't survive that single blow.
She sensed a commotion overhead. Glancing up, she saw a flaming meteor falling rapidly. With a casual slash, the massive rock in the sky was split clean in half.
Most of the meteor shattered under the strike, but a tenth of it remained, falling while still ablaze. Li Yue glanced at Mende. He understood immediately. He extended his palm, veins bulging on his forehead. In an instant, the remaining meteor fragments were shifted into the nearby sea.
“You need more practice,” Li Yue noted with a nod. A red moon slowly rose on the horizon. The fiery sky instantly turned a deep blood red. Beneath their feet, the Death Abyss spread instantaneously toward the enemy ship.
Great pirates of the four seas who love to pillage... I’ll let you feel what it’s like to be fish on a cutting board.
She smiled slightly and pointed her blood sword at the distant ship, prepared to destroy it entirely with a single blow. The red moon in the sky seemed like a living thing, shedding tangible, blood red moonlight that threatened to swallow Bledsoe’s ship in an instant.
The aura of death permeated the entire sea, seemingly drowning out the original dreamlike atmosphere. Just then, a sudden change occurred...
The once lively and vibrant ownerless dream suddenly became restless. Everything began to shift and churn. Everyone realized that a nightmare... was coming.
Rate on N.U.
