Kandalore.

The journey to Kandalore took the party through winding dirt roads, surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills.

The carriages were sturdy and well-maintained, with soft cushions to make the journey as comfortable as possible.

A decision was made to travel in two separate carriages.

One for the ladies (Rumia, Lutessa, Rachel, Myne and Lirien).

The other for the gentlemen... and Archibald.

As they traveled, they passed by several small villages and hamlets, where locals could be seen tending to their crops or going about their daily business.

Ahead of the journey, the party had taken great care to prepare themselves for the long trip.

They had packed more than enough provisions, including food, water, and medical supplies, in case of any unforeseen emergencies.

They also had enough funds to pay for the travel expenses and any accommodations they might need along the way.

They had made sure to have proper documentation for their commission in Aalakhor Archipelago, and had already secured advanced reservations on their ship to avoid any delays.

The cost of the journey was not insignificant, but the party was willing to pay it for the sake of their quest.

They were required to pay for their passage on both the carriage and the ship, which amounted to a substantial sum.

Nevertheless, they knew it was a necessary expense if they were to successfully complete their commission.

Archibald was currently reading a map.

He thought to himself:

[ Oh, so judging from what I'm reading, we should be at Kandalore soon.

The Eses Continent is a pretty confusing one...

The islets surrounding Eses are home to a variety of communities, including some of the most isolated and independent peoples in the region.

The Zenoa Empire also has a significant naval presence, with several port cities located along the coast. These included Durlassi, Kandalore, and Indimort.

The Azapita Mountains are the largest mountain range in Eses, running roughly north-south along the eastern edge of the Berkyl Region. They are home to a number of dangerous creatures, as well as several small farming villages and mining communities.

The Red Desert is a vast, arid region located between the Berkyl Region and the Beldris Kingdom. Rivelune and the Rabastines are hidden somewhere between them.

The Beldris Kingdom is in the northern part of the region, bordering the Berkyl Region to the east and the Boreal Sea to the west.

Although the Zenoa Empire is the dominant power in the region, it is not without its rivals. The Aalakhor Archipelago, located to the east of Eses, is home to several smaller kingdoms and city-states. These are often in conflict with each other, but occasionally united against the Empire in an attempt to maintain their independence...

So to put things short, we get to Kandalore, board a ship and go across the Boreal Sea to the Archipelago... ] (Archibald)

As the cart made its way towards the port city, Archibald was busy studying the map, while Vesta and Lamperogue were seated next to each other.

Vesta had a glum look on his face as he muttered, "I am excited about going to the Archipelago, but I hope the researchers in the alchemy research lab facility of Zephyr Island won't be a bore."

Lamperogue nodded in agreement.

"To be fair, any other place would have been better too. But we don't have a choice in where our commission will be. Getting to go to the place you want is a matter of luck." (Lamperogue)

Archibald chuckled and said, "You two are simple-minded. Don't worry! We have the best luck in the world."

Vesta looked up, curious, "What do you mean luck?"

Archibald looked at Vesta and said with glee, "Think about where the alchemy research lab facility is located."

Vesta furrowed his brow before realization dawned on him. "It's in Zephyr Island!"

Archibald snapped his fingers and exclaimed, "Correct! And do you know what else is in Zephyr Island?"

Vesta shook his head, fascinated by what Archibald was about to say.

"It's a famous beach resort. And here's the best part: Zephyr Island is hot all year round! So we'll definitely be seeing girls with a lot of skin time!" Archibald said with eyes shining.

Vesta let out a jubilant scream, "Are you serious? This is the best news ever!"

Archibald slung his arm over Vesta's shoulder, "And you know what else is hot on this trip? The girls in our party! Follow me to the land of milk and honey, my friend! I can't wait to see some delectable skivvies!"

Vesta's eyes widened even more as he let out another scream, "Oh my sticks, you're right!"

Meanwhile, Lamperogue just sighed, wondering what kind of perverts the two of them were.

- - - - - - - - - -

As they traveled toward Kandalore, the landscape gradually transitioned to a more coastal environment, with the smell of saltwater in the air and the sound of seagulls overhead.

They passed by several small fishing villages, where boats rocked gently in the harbor, and fishermen could be seen mending their nets on the shore.

Finally, they arrived at Kandalore, where they would board their ship to set sail across the Boreal Sea towards the Aalakhor Archipelago.

The dock was bustling with activity, with the sounds of cargo being loaded onto other ships, sailors hollering to each other, and seagulls cawing overhead.

The ship the party was boarding was one of the largest in the dock, with a three-masted design and a hull made of dark, stained wood.

It had a large figurehead of a sea serpent at the prow, as if daring the waves to challenge it.

Rachel's party could see crew members scurrying around the deck, making final preparations for the journey.

Some were hoisting crates of supplies, while others were checking ropes and sails.

Passengers with elaborate luggage were also boarding the ship, accompanied by a mix of excitement and trepidation.

"This is such a drag." (Lamperogue)

"Tell me about it." (Archibald)

"Can you guys not complain for once?" (Rumia)

"But they're right, why do we have to go through all this trouble because we want to board a frigginʼ ship.." (Vesta)

"Big brother! No complaining.." (Myne)

"S-Sorry, Myne." (Vesta)

"Sigh. Let's just get this over with." (Archibald)

"Seconded." (Lamperogue)

"It'll cost about eighty silver pieces for us to travel across the Boreal Sea, but don't worry I'll handle the fees, you guys should just worry about suffering from sea sickness. Muhahaha!... cough, cough, cough. A flyʼs in my mouth!" (Rachel)

"Are you okay?! Miss Rachel!" (Lutessa)

"Well that'll teach you to keep your mouth shut! Muhahahaha!... cough, cough, cough!" (Archibald)

"Sir Knight, are you okay?!" (Lutessa)

"A fly got in my mouth! Damn it!" (Archibald)

The people waiting in line were a diverse group.

Some were dressed in fine clothes, while others were more modest in their attire.

Several families with young children were also in line, likely on their way to a fun-filled vacation.

The party could hear several languages being spoken, highlighting the cosmopolitan nature of Kandalore.

As the party made their way towards the ship, they noticed some rough-looking characters loitering near the dock.

They had an air of danger about them, causing Rachel's party to keep a wide berth.

The smell of the ocean mixed with spices and street food filled the air, adding to the excitement of the upcoming journey.

Some hours after, they got on board and their journey across the Boreal Sea began.