Arrival at West Port

Translator: Cinder Translations

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The Wealth was a cargo ship belonging to Todd Shipping, a brand-new double-masted sailing vessel with a "plump" hull and two decks. It traveled back and forth between Frand Port and West Port, carrying cargo as well as some passengers. Compared to the rudimentary accommodations on the Hope and Southern Star, the Wealth offered somewhat improved lodging conditions. In addition to the captain's cabin, there were several small compartments reserved for passengers' use. Ordinary sailors, however, had to sleep in hammocks in the ship's hold and were required to rotate shifts.

In such a precious space, ordinary people couldn't afford a compartment; they were crammed into the dark, damp, and indescribably smelly cargo hold, which was entirely below the waterline, comparable to the conditions on smuggling ships of later eras.

"What a terrible journey!" Lydia, holding her chest with one hand and gripping the railing with the other, looked pale. She had just vomited again, and her stomach was empty after having eaten a bit in the morning.

Eileen gently rubbed her back from behind, looking sympathetic. "Ah, I'm so sorry for making you suffer."

Lydia had started feeling seasick the day after boarding the Wealth. Fortunately, under a decree from the Government Council, every merchant ship had to be equipped with a doctor. Under the doctor's care, Lydia's seasickness had eased, but it was still unpredictable.

Eileen apologized again, "I'm really sorry for causing you so much trouble."

Lydia furrowed her brow. "Miss, what are you saying?"

Since leaving Alden, her speech had gradually returned to the serious and formal tone she used while serving as a palace guard.

"Serving one's lord is a knight's most basic duty. Facing adversity is also a necessary trial on the path of knighthood—ugh!"

Before she could finish, Lydia covered her mouth.

"Really, you should stop lecturing so much!"

Eileen continued to rub her back gently.

"Such a loyal subordinate!" A voice of admiration came from the deck.

Eileen recognized the voice as belonging to another passenger on the Wealth—merchant Velos.

Velos claimed to be from West Port and had been residing in Alden Town for business since last year. This trip was also to handle some business matters back in his hometown.

However, Eileen and Lydia felt that Velos and his few subordinates were always intentionally or unintentionally hanging around them.

Was she being overly suspicious? After all, with so little space on the ship, it was normal to see the same faces repeatedly. They had not observed any other unusual behavior from him.

Even if Velos had ulterior motives, the two women were not afraid. The captain and first mate of the Wealth knew Eileen's identity—she was a subordinate of Earl Grayman and a senior official in the Government Council. At the request of Mayor Theodore, they naturally took extra precautions regarding her safety. After arriving in West Port, they would also send someone to escort them to the city hall—though they were unaware of Eileen's actual business at the city hall.

A middle-aged man with a portly appearance and dressed like a merchant walked over. Eileen turned to Velos and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Velos. Are you here to enjoy the view at the stern again?"

"Ha ha, yes. Appreciating the vast sea from the deck is an experience that those of us who live inland rarely get. By the way, it's quite rare to see a female knight. Since your attendant has the title of knight, you must be a noble, right?"

Eileen frowned slightly and nodded, admitting, "You could say I'm a noble."

"Could say? Ha ha, I didn't expect someone of your high status to speak so modestly." Velos continued, familiar and at ease.

Just then, Eileen saw someone approaching behind Velos.

"Captain."

"Ah, Miss D'Arshi, I didn't expect to find you here."

The captain of the Wealth waved over to them, and all three, including Velos, nodded in greeting.

The captain approached and gently removed his hat. He appeared very cautious in front of Eileen. When he had been informed by his boss, Mr. Todd, that the renowned female official from the Government Council would be on his ship heading south, he was filled with anxiety, worried that something might go wrong on the way.

He had been extremely careful throughout the journey, and thankfully, other than the female attendant being slightly seasick, nothing else had occurred.

"I hope Miss Lydia is feeling better?"

"Thanks to your care, she's not as uncomfortable as before."

"That's good to hear. You'll adjust to the sea with more trips."

The captain glanced at Velos standing beside them and thought to himself; Why is this guy pestering Miss D'Arshi again? Could it be that he's a frog dreaming of eating swan meat?

"I've come to inform you that we're about to arrive at West Port. If you stay on the deck a little longer, you'll soon see the port on the horizon."

"Really? That's great!"

Eileen and Lydia exchanged excited looks, both thrilled to finally reach their long-awaited destination. Although their initial excitement about their first sea voyage had waned over the days, especially with Lydia's seasickness, they were eager to disembark.

"Look! It's West Port!"

A crew member's shout came from the front.

"We're home!" The two women embraced happily and hurried towards the bow of the ship.

Velos watched their retreating figures with a faint smile.

As the Wealth gradually approached the port, the captain shielded his eyes from the sun and peered into the harbor. "It's strange. There are no ships coming in or out. Though West Port isn't particularly bustling, it's unusually quiet."

The captain felt a growing sense of unease. His years of sea experience had made him cautious, and he couldn't shake the memory of the pirates that had roamed the northwest bay two years ago.

"Could there be pirates lying in wait in the harbor? But pirates haven't been seen in these waters for a long time."

Ultimately, the captain decided to err on the side of caution. He ordered loudly, "Stop approaching the port!"

Though his subordinates found it odd, they quickly relayed the order.

Soon, the first mate, second mate, and other key crew members gathered around the captain, who explained his concerns.

The crew reacted differently—some suggested continuing into the port, while others recommended turning back north.

"What's going on? We're almost at the dock, why aren't we moving forward?"

Eileen was puzzled by the change in atmosphere.

"I'll go ask them."

Lydia said and approached the captain and others, with Eileen quickly following her.

"Madam, it seems there's something wrong with West Port. I suspect there might be pirates…"

"Pirates? Haven't the pirates on the western coast of the kingdom been eliminated? At least, there haven't been any reports of pirates along the royal family's coastal territories for a long time."

"We're also debating…"

Just then, a crew member shouted, "Captain, a boat has come out from West Port and is approaching us."

Everyone looked towards West Port and saw a small rowing boat slowly making its way towards them.

(End of the Chapter)

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