Chapter 220 - 200: The Search Begins

Chapter 220: Chapter 200: The Search Begins

Vili frowned, pondering the change.

But after thinking for a long time, Vili still couldn’t find a reasonable explanation for this phenomenon.

Vili had heard many bizarre legends, stories, and incredible tales from Mibu, but he had never heard of anything like this—the agitation of creatures in the deep sea.

Furthermore, according to Colson, the agitation of these schools of fish was related to some kind of strange Natural Energy.

’What kind of Natural Energy related to the Cold Lion Duchy could this be?’

Although Vili was a Senior Knight, he wasn’t particularly sensitive to this so-called Natural Energy.

"Lord Baron, what should we do next?"

Seeing this, a sliver of worry appeared in Budar’s heart.

Exploring for treasure sounded tempting, but anyone who had read adventure stories knew that every hunt demanded a heavy price in blood and lives.

Looking at the strangely eerie sea and the schools of fish ramming the ship, Budar felt an inexplicable sense of dread.

He had sailed the seas for decades, but he had never encountered anything like this.

"Continue on."

Vili’s tone was resolute.

The creatures in the nearby waters were strange, but the level of risk they presented wasn’t enough to make Vili retreat.

"Yes."

Seeing Vili’s expression, Budar made up his mind.

Regardless of his own feelings, the only thing Budar had to do was carry out Vili’s will, even at the cost of his own life.

As they continued toward their destination, the Pirates on board used nets to haul up some of the fish that were attacking the ship.

Colson carefully examined the fish they hauled up, but he found no residual traces of abnormal Natural Energy inside them.

In other words, the strange Natural Energy Colson had mentioned had only stimulated them externally, not contaminated them from within.

It was a piece of information, but not a very useful one.

Finally, on the second day, the fleet from White Bear Town arrived near the three small islands of their destination.

"What is it, Colson? Can you get a detailed sense of that Natural Energy?"

On deck, Vili watched Colson, who had just opened his eyes after carefully trying to perceive it.

"It’s a strong, vibrant Natural Energy, like blood full of Life Force surging from a beating heart... But the strange thing is, I still can’t figure out where this Energy is coming from..."

A look of deep confusion spread across Colson’s face.

As a Two-Engraving Silence, his perception of Natural Energy was extremely keen.

He should have been able to clearly perceive all the information about such an intensely powerful Natural Energy, yet now, Colson was utterly baffled.

The Natural Energy seemed to appear out of thin air, as if it were everywhere. Although its intensity varied, every point in space felt like its source.

"Is that so..."

Vili paced silently on the deck without a word.

In fact, while his perception wasn’t as refined as Colson’s, the Natural Energy was so potent that even Vili could feel it.

"Lord Baron," Budar reported, rushing over, "the crewmen have all checked themselves over. There are no abnormalities to report."

Following Vili’s earlier command, Budar had assigned men to check the physical condition of every crew member on all six ships. He was worried that as they drew closer to the islands, the Natural Energy might have the same intense, stimulating effect on humans as it did on the fish and seabirds.

But based on Budar’s report, Vili’s worries seemed to have been for nothing.

’Is it because the human body is stronger than that of fish and seabirds, making it more resistant to the effects...’ Vili mused.

"Have the search parties for the islands been assigned?" After a moment of thought, Vili turned back to Budar and asked.

There were three islands in the area. Dividing their manpower into three groups to search them simultaneously would be the most efficient approach.

"They’ve been assigned. Ship One and Ship Six will search the southeastern island; Ship Two and Ship Three, the southwestern island; and Ship Four and Ship Five, the island due south."

Budar had already made detailed arrangements.

"In that case, prepare to land and begin the search."

Vili gave the order.

"Yes, my lord!"

Budar accepted the order.

At Budar’s command, the six ships broke into pairs and headed toward their respective target islands.

Colson stood in the center of the deck, raising a palm to the sky before clenching it into a tight fist.

Instantly, dense black shadows swarmed from all directions, gathering above Colson’s head.

In just three to five minutes, the sky above Colson was a dark, oppressive mass. All sorts of seabirds circled overhead, crying out.

A surge of the Power of Nature suddenly erupted from Colson’s body.

With a wave of his hand, the crowded flock of seabirds instantly split into three groups, speeding toward the three islands.

They would reach the islands well before the six ships did.

Not only could these seabirds scout ahead, but they would also be useful in pinpointing the exact location of the treasure later on.

The three islands were very close to one another, so even when split up, the birds remained within Colson’s range of control.

Vili was on Ship One, which headed for the southeastern island along with Ship Six.

"Lord Baron, is searching for treasure also a form of Justice?"

Benduin, who had been hiding in his cabin, approached Vili just as the ship was about to land.

Having been with Vili for so long, Benduin felt that every one of the Lord Baron’s actions embodied the power of Justice.

"Treasure hunting isn’t about greed. It is an exercise in courage. And courage is the first and most essential quality of those who uphold Justice."

Vili looked at Benduin and said with unwavering conviction.

Upon hearing this, Benduin’s eyes lit up. He then lowered his head, lost in thought.

’Courage is the first and most essential quality of those who uphold Justice...’

Benduin recalled Baron Vili’s astonishing past. It seemed that courage had been the driving force every single time.

’It’s true! By following the Lord Baron, I’m gradually discovering the true meaning of Justice!’

Benduin clenched his fists, glancing deeply at Colson, who stood nearby.

’I must advance to Middle Level Mage as soon as possible! Just like Colson, I will become an emissary of Justice at the Lord Baron’s side!’

Benduin made a silent vow.

THUMP!

With the sound of an impact, the ship shuddered once and then came to a stop against the shore.

Vili looked at the dense, lush green evergreen trees covering the island, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

He didn’t wait for the gangplank, leaping directly from the ship’s bow.

Benduin, Dabur, Colson, and his Speaker, Senya, followed close behind, leaping down after Vili.

"The Natural Energy is so dense!"

Vili was the first to land. The moment his feet touched the island’s soil, a wave of Natural Energy washed over his face.

Even though he wasn’t a Silent, Vili could feel the intensity of this Energy.

It felt like someone stepping out of the biting cold and drawing near a roaring furnace; the sensation was incredibly distinct.

"This..."

It wasn’t just Vili; the others who followed right behind him all wore expressions of astonishment.

Especially Colson. His heart gave a sudden lurch.

To him, this majestic, surging Natural Energy felt like returning to his mother’s embrace.

Colson felt as if every pore on his body was opening, eagerly absorbing the pure Natural Energy.

Colson even had the distinct feeling that if he were to train in this environment, his cultivation speed would at least double.

’It’s truly... an indescribable pleasure...’

A pleasant sensation washed over Colson from head to toe.

Because of their respective abilities and professions, Benduin and Budar couldn’t perceive it as clearly as Vili and Colson, but they both felt the Natural Energy as well.

Vili glanced at their reactions, then looked back at the ordinary Pirates. They showed no change at all.

’So only Transcendents can perceive this power...’ Vili murmured to himself, "I wonder if it’s the same on the other two islands..."

He could ask Budar’s five Junior Knight subordinates, who had been dispatched to the other two islands, about this later.

"Captain Budar..." Colson said, having struggled to acclimate to the sensation as he turned to the captain.

Calling him "Captain" was Colson’s way of being friendly toward Budar.

Benduin, on the other hand, paid no mind to Budar’s feelings and simply called him Pirate Leader.

"You should keep a close eye on your men’s condition. I think this Natural Energy might affect their emotions and mental state, just like it stimulated the fish and seabirds we encountered earlier..."

Colson’s tone was serious, and he spoke with great earnestness.

Given the resilience of the human body, they might not have been affected when they encountered this Energy from a distance.

But with the intensity of the Natural Energy so much greater here, it was highly likely to stimulate the ordinary Pirates.

"Understood."

Hearing Colson’s warning, Budar nodded gravely.

He knew full well that this Colson before him was a powerful Two-Engraving Silence.

He could be a nag at times, but his strength was beyond question.

Budar informed Vili, then walked over to the Pirates behind them. He told them to constantly monitor their own emotions and actions, as well as those of their companions. If they noticed anything unusual, they were to report it immediately and return to the ship.

"Alright, issue the search command now," Vili added, walking to Budar’s side just as he finished giving his instructions.

Budar’s Pirates, just like the seabirds controlled by Colson, were the main force for finding the treasure.