It's not quiet around. The wind howled, the waves crashed against the rocks, the dense raindrops crashed against the deck, and the hull creaked with every shake...... The only ones who have remained quiet are the pirates who usually have a hard time calming down—and after Nine Toes has emphasized what it means to "disappear", their only entertainment is probably to sleep soundly.

Lively was used to such silence, but now he suddenly felt empty in his heart. A vague uneasiness made him sit still, but the sound of his footsteps made him even more irritating as he walked back and forth in the cabin.

He slammed the door open, and the wind slammed his head and face with cold raindrops, causing him to involuntarily close his eyes and take several steps back. The pirate patrolling outside the door craned his neck and looked at him with some blankness, his face covered under the tarpaulin cloak with depression and dissatisfaction that could not be concealed, but he did not lose his due vigilance.

Lively froze, and closed the door with a stiff face, a little annoyed by his suspicions.

Maybe it's the carefree and invincible days that have passed too long...... He was almost unaccustomed to facing danger, even when everything was clearly in his hands.

The Broken Saw that left with his men did weaken the ship's defenses, and most of the pesky mages left to find the dragon...... But the ships and warriors he owned, even against the warships of Neo City, may not be able to lose.

And in weather like tonight, those battleships simply won't risk sailing.

He comforted himself and sat back in his chair, his gaze unconsciously falling to the floor.

The ground was wet, and it was the rain that came in when he opened the door. He could clearly see his footprints coming out of the water...... But there are more than two lines of footprints.

For a moment, he was chilled, and his constricted throat couldn't make a sound for a while. When he came back to his senses, the skin on his neck was already shivering from under the sudden blade.

"Thank you for opening the door. ”

There was a mocking smile in the man's voice, "I didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic." ”

Lively closed his lips and turned pale, but he quickly calmed down at this moment, since the man hadn't slit his throat in the first place...... Then there is a silver lining.

"What do you want?" he asked bluntly.

"Not on him. Another voice rang out.

The man with the knife against Lively Neck sighed and turned to him, half-sitting casually at the long table. The blade streaked blood from his movement, causing Lavery to tense his muscles involuntarily.

He didn't dare to turn his head, but the other man had already revealed. A tall and thin man with drooping eyes, he always seemed to have a sad face, but the sharp gray eyes that made people unable to look at him directly made that sadness turn into melancholy and calmness.

He didn't wear a robe, but he was recognizable enough for Lively to recognize.

“...... Nick Stobel. The pirate bared his teeth, and the corners of his stiff lips were about to smile, "I didn't expect the respected mage to do such a sneaky thing." ”

The title was nondescript and sarcastic, but Stormbell only glanced at him lightly. Born into a wealthy merchant family, the mage knew how to deal with officials and nobles, but there was someone better suited to the pirates.

"Let's save each other a little time. The man leaning on the long table spoke, "Didn't you ask me 'what do you want?' It's simple—where are you hiding the soul of River Singer?"

Lively looked at him.

"Don't tell me you don't know. At least one thing we can be sure of...... It's on this boat. The man lifted his chin at Stobel, "Looks like you've heard of this 'Master Mage.'" It's not hard for him to use spells to tell if you're lying—it's not hard to dig out everything in your head with spells, but if he does have to, it's hard to say what you'll have left in your black shell. ”

The muscles in Stobel's face twitched slightly—it sounded like an evil necromancer!

But he didn't deny it. In a sense, he was able to do it.

“...... What if I told you," Lively said helplessly, "what do I get?"

The dagger spun swiftly in the man's hand—so fast that Lively didn't even have time to react before it was pressed back on his neck.

The answer is clear. Lively's face was even more gloomy, but he could only hang his eyes in a huff.

"There's a treasure room in the second cabin below. "On the first shelf on the left side of the door is a black box encrusted with gems......," he said.

After a moment of silence, the man chuckled.

"You're lying. He said, "You don't know where that thing is." ”

Lively slammed his heart into his ribs, and the rhythm was thrown out of line in an instant.

He didn't really believe in the mage's mysterious tricks...... And Stobel didn't even say a single incantation! Was he really that powerful?

He really didn't know where they wanted, and even River Singhal's soul was pulled out by the white-haired old man, and he only heard about it, but didn't see it with his own eyes...... He didn't even know why they thought it had to be on his ship, he didn't even know anything!

For a moment, he even hated Nine Toes. If he really trusts him, he should at least tell him something so that he can exchange his life in this situation......

He lowered his head and rolled his eyes so quickly that he could not see, and Stormel glanced at his companion with some surprise. He didn't cast a spell, and it seemed to him that this pirate of no low status might not be telling the truth, but he should know something...... On what basis did the man in front of him, Clay Gavin, conclude that he knew nothing?

But he did not raise any doubts. Lively silence and sweat oozing from his forehead had given him the answer...... Gavin was not wrong in his judgment.

The mage opened the compass and looked at it. The closer you are, the less useful the compass will be. After all, this thing was only made by Ed in a hurry. The hands were now shaking too much, and they were always turning around pointing in an uncertain direction.

Then there was only one way left - he had to take the compass, pour his strength into it, and walk through every corner of the boat step by step.

But even if the greatest threat to him had been lured out of the ship by Gavin's companions, there was not much time left for him. There are other pirates on board, and their mission becomes more difficult as soon as a little bit of news leaks back, or if someone finds something wrong.

He nodded silently to Gavin.

Case...... It's just time to hurry.