Chapter 239: Preparation For Departure (4)
Speaking so carelessly!
How can being cautious about future events be considered cowardly? The elders are simply endowed with the virtue of self-restraint!
Its true, though, traveling by boat does have its risks, doesnt it?
Listening to their varied opinions left me dumbfounded.
Im going insane.
Now, utterly exhausted, I no longer had the energy or the time to argue with them.
He sighed and looked around.
Are there others, besides these people, who oppose this?
Most of the elders raised their hands in response to his question.
Some hesitantly joined in, noticing the mood.
Ray quietly watched them and then spoke.
I have no intention of dragging along those who dont want to go. Those who wish to stay on the island, stay. I wont try to stop you anymore.
At his words of indifference, a hint of relief appeared on the elders faces.
Good. Well make sure to convey our decision to the tribal chief.
Finally, a satisfying response. Hahaha.
Turning his back on their hearty laughter, Ray left the hut.
Then, Hael followed him out.
Are you really planning to abandon them? The elders might be obstinate now, but they possess significant power. They could be of help in an emergency.
Whats the use of their help later? Theyre no help at all right now. I just hope they dont interfere with the boat-building.
She couldnt say much in response to his indifferent attitude.
Its actually for the best. The boat will be a bit smaller now.
Her pursed lips and firm tone left no room for further persuasion.
Unable to respond, she just stood there silently, then Ray turned to Hael.
If there are people who want to stay on the island, let them. Itll only lead to more trouble and danger in the future. If anyone else wants to stay, tell them they can.
Alright. Ill talk to them.
Hearing her response, Ray turned and went down the mountain.
Hael watched his departing figure and whispered with her eyes closed.
Leaving ones homeland is so difficult.
Not long after, Iriel tilted her head in confusion at Rays quick return.
Werent you going to talk to them?
I talked plenty, but there was no progress. Seems like beasts cant understand human speech.
Despite his cryptic way of speaking, Iriel seemed to understand and nodded.
So, youre leaving them behind?
Yes. It seems impossible to take everyone.
Why force people who dont want to go? Lets just leave with our group. Ive already started missing the Holy Kingdom.
Despite being a saint, she casually suggested leaving others behind.
Ray sat down beside her.
As he flipped through the completed steel plates and continued speaking.
Its easy to say lets go coolly, but its the perfect sea to die a cool death. Its not as easy as it sounds.
If we have to while on the boat, we can just jump like we did before.
Iriel, winking as she spoke, must have thought of the sea ahead as nothing more serious than a neighborhood outdoor pool.
Otherwise, she couldnt be this relaxed.
While they were talking, three young men ran over from one side of the beach.
Saint, as you ordered, weve moved the wood.
We did drink a little water on the way, but it wont hinder the boat building.
Hearing their report, Ray stopped inspecting the steel plates and gave new instructions, looking at the cut logs.
Peel off all the bark from the wood, cut it into uniform sizes, and arrange them. Be careful not to let them soak up any more water.
Understood.
With that response, they began the work, and it seemed we could finally start building the boat in earnest.
After cleanly cutting off the base and arranging the branches to the same size, quite decent lumber was created.
As the Sword Masters, resolved and moving with purpose, the results began to take shape over time.
Three days had passed since we began shaping the wood and hammering the steel plates.
Now, the shape of the boat was starting to become visible.
We attached the wood to the frame, which was made by overlaying steel plates, and the remaining parts were cut and assembled to fit.
Inserting large iron pieces into the joints of the wood, they acted like reinforcing bars, solidly securing their place.
However, being a boat made of wood, it inevitably looked frail.
Ray looked at the completed skeleton of the boat with a satisfied expression.
We can reinforce the weak parts with magic.
Lost in thought about finally returning home, Iriel approached with a worried look.
Its already been three days. Wont we run out of time?
He shook his head and replied calmly.
We can leave two days after the boat is built, so we still have about a week.
I wonder if we can afford to be so leisurely
She gazed out at the sea.
The waves, stronger than before, seemed as if they could swallow everything.
Looking at her, Ray, the most composed under the sky, casually sat on the prepared wood.
Seeing him like that, I couldnt help but feel worried about the future.
Elder Meard woke up in his bed.
The warm sunlight coming through the window gap felt painfully intense for some reason.
Aaargh!
Screaming, he fell out of the bed, trembling.
The lingering pain was so intense that sweat beaded on his forehead.
Strangely, though, he felt a bit of strength flowing out of his body.
The amplified mana load and the dense mana, almost uncontrollable, seemed to be tempting him.
As the pain subsided, Elder Meard let out a groan.
Ugh what on earth
He tried moving his hand, imbuing it with mana.
A small blade of energy derived from his hand swam through the air and disappeared into the forest.
Boom!
A loud bang followed, and the trees outside the window burst open. With that alone, his power was comparable to that of a tribal chief.
Eyes wide, he looked at his body, surprised that his internal mana was still intact despite having released such a blade.
Could it be?
Had he absorbed the power of that monstrous child?
He hadnt realized it, being too overwhelmed to see himself alive despite being stabbed, but now he understood the situation.
Power had entered him.
He didnt know what it was, but he even remembered forms of swordsmanship he had never seen before.
Gripping a sword, he tried to perform it, and his body naturally flowed as if it remembered.
There was only one explanation for this situation.
Ha ha ha ha! Its the blessing of the goddess!
With a body incomparable to before and mana of a different quality, he laughed heartily, shaking off the bed.
Even a small amount of mana sent the bed flying, making him feel like a god.
Was he hiding this much power all along?
Had he been challenging such a monster?
A chill ran down his spine, yet at the same time, joy from the newfound power surged within him.
Thinking he could now seek revenge, his face was incessantly lit up with a smile.
Did you think you could make me suffer like this and still survive? Huhuhu.
His footsteps were light.
Launching off the ground with activated mana, the scenery swiftly passed by.
But he didnt know.
The power he had received was just the tip of the iceberg.
Five days had passed since the commencement of the boat building, wrapping up the major tasks.
As the large boat started taking shape, the young men forced into labor were exhilarated.
Having spent decades in training, the first project they created together, with united hearts, brought waves of emotion.
They gathered around Ray, too elated.
Saint! It should be completed by tomorrow!
I cant wait to set sail, haha.
Unable to tell them the harsh truth, he held back.
I dont know how long itll last once its in the sea.
If he said that, their morale would collapse like a house of cards.
As the days work neared its end, he raised his hand to halt everyones work.
Lets finish up tomorrow. For today, everyone go back and rest.
The youths, who had been enjoying themselves, frowned.
We want to finish it today!
Please allow us!
Despite the slaves pleading to be pushed more, his resolve did not waver; it only grew firmer.
Whats important now is not the boat, but self-care. Go back, prepare for departure, and take a good rest, perhaps with a bath.
Their resistance faded against his resolute gaze.
Understood.
Well weve been tired anyway, so well follow your instruction for today.
They seemed reluctant but agreed.
The women, unlike the men, looked genuinely happy.
Finally, freedom.
Now we can take our time with baths.
Whenever they tried to clean themselves, he would appear out of nowhere, saying, Working in seawater washes everything off, and drag them back to work.
No wonder they were exhausted, not having the chance for even a proper foot soak, let alone a bath.
Everyone followed his orders and returned home, leaving only Iriel and Ray at the site.
He spoke towards the back of a tree.
Soyeong.
To an onlooker, he might have seemed like a madman talking to thin air.
From the shadowy back of the tree, two figures emerged.
Yes.
Stay quiet at least until the day after tomorrow. Hiding in the mountains would be best.
Iriel agreed to his suggestion.
Indeed, the two who arent adults might face unforeseen issues. But to hide, we need a hiding place
Theres a nice spot I made before.
Ray, respecting Iriels concern, proudly claimed a shabby hut, or rather a doghouse, as a scenic inn.
The expression of the shadow figures stiffened at the memory, but it was only momentary.
They kneeled, accepting the order.
We accept the command.
We will follow the Saints command.
Watching them disappear as quickly as they had appeared, Ray casually sat on a nearby rock.
Having only given orders and rested all this time, he playfully tapped his healthy legs.
Iriel, unamused by his antics, spoke seriously.
This is a critical moment now.
Thats right.
The boat building is almost complete. We must depart in two days. You have a plan, right? Despite appearing idle, you were always gazing at the sea.
She didnt receive a response, but she knew it was an affirmation.
Just as Iriel was about to inquire about the plan, a familiar middle-aged figure approached slowly from beyond the beach.
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