Renko pondered for a bit, hesitating repeatedly, but finally decided to pick up his weapon. His figure flickered and then vanished into the darkness below.
...
This island has no officially recognized name, located in the misty region, almost perpetually shrouded by mist, and sunlight can’t penetrate, making the difference between day and night negligible, always eerie and misty.
However, despite the mist, it’s relatively safe on the island.
There is a huge inland lake on the island, where some old ship wrecks lay, accumulating a large number of dilapidated or sunken ships, making it look like a graveyard of ships.
Therefore, some call this place Ghost Dockyard Island.
The reason it’s called Ghost Dockyard Island, not Ghost Ship Island, is because the inland lake has several large usable dockyards, where the majority of the shipwrecks are piled up in the dockyards.
The Moonlight Tern is docked at Dock 4 of the inland lake.
Other dockyards are also occupied by some people, including Renco’s Broken Blood, which is at Dock 1, the largest and best-equipped dockyard in the inland lake.
This also shows that Renco, who occupies Dock 1, is definitely not to be underestimated.
At this moment, Captain Baro is leading Birch around the lakeside to this renowned Dock 1.
"You know Renko, he doesn’t talk much, but letting us leave might cause some speculation among the others on the ship." Baro said to Birch, who walked beside him with a gloomy expression: "Explain when we get back, don’t let them misunderstand the two of us."
"They didn’t even think how I could possibly look at..." Baro stopped mid-sentence.
Birch naturally understood what Baro meant, though he didn’t dare to retort, he was inwardly echoing Baro’s same thoughts.
"Ah, Renko really has an excess sense of justice. If not for him, we could have discussed with others and snatched it directly... instead of sneaking around like this." Birch muttered.
Baro stopped, turned around, and pressed his finger hard on Birch’s forehead: "Now you’re complaining about Renko? Think about it, if it weren’t for Renko, how could the Moonlight Tern have maintained such good order these past six months?"
Although Baro dislikes Renko from a standpoint, he has to admit that having someone as powerful as Renko on board not only prevents major internal chaos on the Moonlight Tern but also repelled many external enemies that coveted the ship’s resources, asserting their strength.
Now on Ghost Dockyard Island, Docks 4 and 1 are almost parallel major forces, which is possible due to Renko’s strength.
However, though Renko brings many benefits, he also imposes some unnecessary restrictions, according to Baro.
For example, Renko still adheres strictly to rules and ethics.
The reason they did not take on Renco’s force despite having the strength to do so is because of Renko’s moral sense, which prevents him from wanting to proactively invade others. Of course, if someone invades them, Renko won’t be polite in response.
Renco also knows some of Renko’s habits, so upon realizing he might not be able to contend with Renko, he has ceased to actively provoke Dock 4.
This has somewhat disappointed the ambitious Baro, who wants to take over Dock 1. After all, without Renko, relying solely on themselves to seize Dock 1, they might not succeed.
On this ghost island where leaving is impossible, and the deepest darkness of human nature has been thoroughly exposed, emphasizing morals is truly foolish. At least Baro thinks so.
This time, Baro is concerned about potential objections, so he took Birch to secretly scope out the situation, knowing full well that if spoken outright, Renko would definitely not agree. After all, Renko has never laid a hand on women.
This is also the difference in standpoint between Renko and Baro.
Ten years ago, Baro was a notorious pirate on the seas. Despite later quitting and joining a shipping company, becoming the captain of the Moonlight Tern, he still retains the pirate’s ruthless streak. Hence, he doesn’t care much about rules.
Renko, however, is different. Renko boarded the Moonlight Tern by chance, intending to go to Flourish Continent as a knight.
Yes, a knight. He claims to be a knight in duty, and his actions adhere to the knightly code: humble, righteous, compassionate, courageous, and just... Although Baro often finds Renko somewhat pedantic, it’s his pedantry that earns the trust of everyone on the ship, including Baro himself.
Hence, although Baro dislikes Renko, he still steps in immediately to defend when Birch criticizes Renko.
Amidst their whispered conversation, they arrived at the lakeside near Dock 1.
Here, Baro became noticeably careful.
Even though the mist and darkness limit visibility, being so close to Dock 1 means any slight movement here may draw attention.
Baro’s intention this time is to sneak around to the "Pigsty" to see that beautiful woman, not intending to start a war with Renco now, so they must exercise caution, not be reckless.
"We’ll stealthily bypass the dockyard and head to their Pigsty."
Baro led Birch away from the lakeside, entering the forest, intending to bypass the lakeside and enter through the backdoor of the dockyard.
As the leader of Dock 4, Baro once came to Dock 1 with Renko to meet Renco, discussing so-called "balance theory."
The talks and maneuvers then were mostly wasted words, and Baro has forgotten most of it by now. However, he remembers the layout of Dock 1 clearly.
Plus, with Little Flea secretly helping, Baro is well aware of the movements at Dock 1.
Although walking in this dark forest, Birch isn’t as scared as before because he often comes here to meet with Little Flea and is quite familiar with the forest. He even knows where the snakes and birds are.
"Should I send a code to call out Little Flea?" Birch asked.
Baro shook his head: "No need, Little Flea already came out to see you today. Coming out again within the same day might arouse suspicion. After all, his job doesn’t require him to disembark every day."
Little Flea is the ship doctor on the Broken Blood. However, he didn’t join voluntarily, having been captured by Renco years ago.
The last time Baro came to Dock 1 for negotiations, Birch saw Little Flea and realized his long-lost friend was abducted by pirates and now trapped on Ghost Dockyard Island.
It’s to be said, Birch boarded the Moonlight Tern from his hometown on Sidro Island with part of the reason being to search for Little Flea.
Unexpectedly, he finally found him, but both are now trapped here, not knowing if it’s lucky or unfortunate.
Since meeting Little Flea, Birch frequently used their childhood codes to call Little Flea. Initially just for exchanging words, later, after Baro found out, they slowly developed Little Flea as their lookout at Dock 1.
Thus, whatever happened at Dock 1, they could learn through Little Flea.
"I know where the Pigsty is, just follow me."
Baro led Birch into deeper darkness. Just as they moved, Renko appeared at the original spot.
"They’ve come to Dock 1... and they mentioned something about a Pigsty?"