Chapter 39: Arrival

Ethan wasn't sure how Little Yellow convinced its mate, but eventually, she came down and they both settled on the ship. Little Yellow was the name Ethan gave to his yellow-headed eagle companion. The reason for such a crude name was due to its golden head and its mischievous expression, giving it the feel of a rascal.

In the following days, besides making a cozy nest for them at the ship's stern with soft hay, Ethan regularly brought them fresh fish. With Ethan's nature, as long as they could eat, the quantity wasn't an issue. However, Little Yellow wouldn't even look at the food Ethan brought and would dive into the sea every day for its meals. One day, it even managed to haul a 600-pound bluefin tuna onto the deck, placing it in front of Ethan while chirping incessantly.

Ethan understood Little Yellow's message: it was treating him to the fish but expected Ethan to keep his promise soon, or else it would feel dishonored. Though embarrassed, Ethan gladly treated everyone on the ship to a feast of sashimi. After all, such fish, which must swim every second of its life, are a rare delicacy. Many people, even those living by the sea, never get the chance to taste bluefin tuna in their lifetime. For most on the ship, including Ethan, it was their first taste, making the day feel like a holiday.

After tasting the bluefin tuna, everyone urged Ethan to have Little Yellow catch another one. Angelina, in particular, pestered Ethan to persuade Little Yellow, often bringing it desserts. However, Little Yellow ignored everyone else and would screech sharply if anyone with ill intentions approached. Ethan, naturally wanting another taste, felt ashamed and found it hard to face Little Yellow, especially when it gave him a deadpan stare like a person.

In recent days, Ethan tried to make amends and repeatedly assured Little Yellow that once he defeated another Force-sensitive being, no matter the gain, he would prioritize advancing its mate. He explained that helping her advance now would significantly weaken him, making him vulnerable if enemies attacked. After an open-hearted conversation, Little Yellow grudgingly accepted Ethan's explanation, warning him that breaking his promise again would have severe consequences. Ethan understood, feeling particularly guilty as a man breaking a promise to his wife.

That night, as Ethan sat on the deck, eavesdropping on Little Yellow and its mate's whispers, Saberi approached him. "Sir Ethan, I knew I'd find you here. You've practically been living here these days. Doesn't my niece mind?" Saberi teased. Ethan knew Saberi had a reason to seek him out. "What's the matter, Lord Saberi?" he asked.

"What's the matter?" Saberi responded incredulously. "You've been so preoccupied with your eagle that you've forgotten the purpose of our voyage!" Ethan was shocked. "Are we there?"

Saberi nodded. "We'll arrive in an hour or two, but it's already dark. We'll wait until morning to disembark. Make preparations."

"I understand," Ethan replied.

Although Ethan had spent recent days with the eagles, practicing communication and testing skills, he hadn't neglected his main duties. He had planned every step in detail, down to the timing. If the crew unloaded quickly, everything could be done in half a day. He had a rough idea of the plans after establishing the base, to be implemented as needed. The goal was to comfortably survive the harsh winter.

Early the next morning, everyone on the "Popeye" was up and bustling, racing against time to avoid potential, though unlikely, attacks during the landing. Saberi first steered the ship towards the original settlement's beach. Though destroyed and barren, it offered a wide, open space crucial for defense.

Seeing this empty land, Ethan frowned. While the open view was good, it faced a simple road directly. If cavalry charged down that road, there would be no obstacles, giving them a clear run, which was problematic. However, Ethan couldn't think of a better solution at the moment, and without sufficient open space, the pirate ship wouldn't fit. He decided to dig some horse traps along the road later to slow any cavalry charges.

As soon as the ship docked, Ethan jumped down from the ten-meter-high deck, landing on the beach. While others built a makeshift bridge, he inspected the potential base area and sent Little Yellow to scout around. After ensuring safety, he stood in the middle of the site and used his Champion Blade to carve a V-shaped trench into the ground, dozens of meters long. This trench was for the pirate ship, which had a V-shaped hull. Without a proper fit, the ship would topple.

Relying on a V-shaped trench alone wouldn't secure the ship; large logs would be needed to brace the sides against strong winds. For now, it was a temporary fix. The soft soil made digging a half-meter-deep trench quick work. With his precise sensing abilities, Ethan was confident the trench would fit the ship perfectly.

He then directed the sailors on the pirate ship to aim the bow at the trench and speed towards the shore. Though the ship couldn't reach 30 meters inland on its own, Ethan had a plan. Following his instructions, the sailors revved the ship's engines, charging towards the shore. Just before landing, a sailor threw a thick rope towards Ethan. One end was fixed to the bow, and the other landed precisely in Ethan's hand.

Grabbing the rope, Ethan tied it around himself, his body glowing red, and sprinted towards the V-shaped trench. The rope snapped taut with a metallic twang, turning rigid as steel. With the ship's momentum and Ethan's immense strength, the pirate ship surged onto the shore, across the beach, into the base, and settled snugly into the trench. The V-shaped trench fit the hull perfectly, anchoring the ship upright on the new land.