Chapter 428 - 418: Sailing Carnival 20

To test her theory, Moira Lynch spent the following days paying close attention to the goings-on aboard the ship, particularly the captain.

But after a long period of observation, she hadn’t found anything else of note. All she saw was the captain constantly sneaking back to his room during his breaks, and then...

He would lay out everything he’d gotten from the first mate on his bed. Then he’d just sit in a chair, stroking one item, then rubbing another, looking utterly pathetic.

Previously, Moira had pegged the captain as the first mate’s accomplice, or perhaps his partner. But now, it seemed she’d been wrong.

The captain knew the first mate’s identity, that much was certain. His own identity, however, was still undetermined.

Just as Moira was about to continue her observation, she suddenly sensed a slight disturbance from the stern of the cargo ship.

This was the area where the shipping containers were stored, a place players like them were forbidden from approaching.

When Moira focused her attention there, she noticed a detail she had previously missed.

There wasn’t just one first mate. There were two.

Moira watched the first mate who was currently directing the crew. She was tall and slender, standing at an estimated two meters. Her long legs seemed almost as tall as Moira herself. She had a stunning figure and a sharp gaze, watching over the busy crew like a queen.

"Have any of those adventurers tried to approach the containers recently?" the woman asked.

The crewman shook his head. "No, Lady Laina."

Hearing this, Laina nodded, a flicker of doubt in her eyes.

Ever since Theodoric Graham disappeared, she had never stopped looking for him. But after all this time, she hadn’t found a single clue.

’But how could someone just vanish into thin air? And without leaving a single trace?’

’No, that’s not right. He did leave a trace. There were signs of a fight in front of the fourth container. Graham left them.’

’But beyond that, nothing.’

’Knowing Graham, Laina was certain he would never abandon a ship full of priceless cargo. Besides, their objective here was far greater than just the goods.’

’People like them lived life on the edge; any day could be their last.’

’She and Graham had long grown tired of this life of hiding and constant danger. They planned to pull one last big score, then retire somewhere no one would ever find them.’

’But she never expected a disaster like this to strike so soon after they’d set out.’

But even with Graham missing, Laina had no intention of changing their original plan.

Her gaze shifted toward the stern, where a spherical object covered in spikes was slowly sinking into the water.

What she didn’t know was that in the time since Moira had noticed her, she’d already had Patience dig up her file.

’Well, what do you know. Another A-rank wanted criminal.’

’Looking at the bounty... one hundred fifty million Gold Coins. A bit less than the last one.’

Moira stood alone on deck, elbows propped on the railing, lost in thought. Her gaze was placid as she stared out at the sea, surrounded by players endlessly casting their fishing lines.

’Should I keep Laina around to deal with the sea monsters and the Kraken up ahead? Or should I hand her over when The Federal Government’s people arrive and collect another bounty?’

’Ugh, what a tough choice.’

Moira vigorously rubbed her face with her hands.

’Forget it. I’ll go discuss it with Hugh Finch.’

Moira realized it wasn’t so bad having someone know her identity. At least now she had someone to vent to. Before, she could only mull over decisions by herself.

She went to Hugh Finch’s room, but it was empty. He wasn’t there.

No matter. Moira just used the [Communication Corridor].

"I’m in your room."

At that moment, Hugh Finch was in conversation with two enthusiastic female players. He wore a smile, but his eyes were gradually growing impatient.

Just then, Moira’s voice echoed in his mind.

Feeling as if he’d been given a new lease on life, Hugh politely interrupted the two female players’ torrent of admiration.

"My apologies, ladies, but something’s come up. I have to go."

With that, Hugh turned and walked away without a backward glance.

His walk quickly broke into a run, as if he were fleeing some ravenous beast.

When he got back to his room, he found Moira had been waiting for him for quite some time.

Before he could even ask what was wrong, Moira hit him with a bombshell. "I’ve found another A-rank wanted criminal."

Hugh was completely stunned.

"What, you can’t take them on?"

’That shouldn’t be right. Moira’s Annihilation Talent is more overwhelming than the boss’s lightning and Kai York’s Hurricane Talent put together.’

’No matter how tough the criminal, one hit from her Annihilation Talent would leave not even a bone fragment behind.’

’Even if she really couldn’t win, she should be looking for the boss, not me.’

"Well, it’s like this..."

Moira explained her dilemma and her concerns. "So, what do you think I should choose?"

Hugh: "...You could just wait until we’re past the sea monsters’ and the Kraken’s territory, then notify The Federal Government."

"You think I didn’t consider that? There’s simply not enough time."

Moira slumped onto the table, radiating an aura of "I am not happy."

"Hold on, let me read your fortune."

A few minutes later, Hugh slowly opened his eyes. "Go for the money."

At his words, Moira blinked her large, sparkling eyes and asked curiously, "What did you see?"

A fan had appeared in Hugh’s hand from out of nowhere. With a SWISH, he flicked it open, fanned himself gently, and said in an enigmatic tone, "The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed."

Moira rolled her eyes at him.

Still, his words gave her a much clearer path forward.

Moira still had no intention of confronting Laina directly. She would deal with Laina Carlton the same way she had dealt with Theodoric Graham.

According to her file, Laina’s talent was speed. She was also an expert in Fighting Skill, particularly with her kicks.

The file stated that Laina Carlton’s strongest attack was a kick powerful enough to shatter a meteor hundreds of times her own size as it sped toward her.

She had also once used those long legs of hers to destroy an entire spaceship with a single kick.

’With that kind of power and speed, if I showed myself, I’d probably be dead before I even had time to react.’

’As someone with a healthy dose of self-awareness, Moira felt that staying alive was a pretty good deal. There was no need to show off in front of someone like that.’

It was still daytime, not a good time to make her move, so she deliberately waited for nightfall.

For the entire day, Moira’s attention was so focused on Laina that she neglected everything else...

Finally, night fell.

Having decided to act against Laina, Moira wouldn’t hold back. Her strike would be decisive.