Story Reader / Main Story / 12 Kowloong Metropolis / Story
Some time earlier—
In an arctic land, a fisher, burdened by a bulging bag of tools, is trudging forward in the snow.
Ahead of him is the port shared by members of the Arctic Route Union, with a couple ships lazing nearby. A group of sailors are huddled around a furnace-like heating device, chatting away.
The fisher strides up to them and shouts in his signature booming voice.
Oi, we sailin' today?
His deafening voice dusts snow off the trees and draws the sailors' attention.
The words evidently reach them, but the fisher is met with a "No" gesture by an annoyed-looking sailor.
Aye aye, c'mon, let's sail today!
The fisher is aware of the gesture, but he continues on and joins in with the sailors.
...
Naw, won't do.
Yer keep sayin' that over and over. How long ya havin' your vacation?
We ain't slackin', mate. Why else d'ya thunk we're here?
'S roight! Why EVEN are y'all here if ya ain't getting packed for sea?
The fisher flares up at the sailors. The winds are stable, stable to the point that staying on land is blasphemy. The sea, the fishes call.
We have them Babyloony-bolognese now, just jab one of 'em serums if it gets all viral-like. C'mon, let's board!
Ugh... Fer the last time, NO SAILING TODAY!
The fisher was shaking and rattling the sailor. Unable to take it anymore, the sailor stands and tries to reason with the fisher.
I dunno why yer fishers ain't sharin' pipes with one 'nother, but we've been repeatin' it—the Corrupted in the sea...
Thar's always Corrupted there! And we have them big fat cannons on the ship!
Just listen!
...The Corrupted in the sea's been hivin' it up gettin' all feisty-like. And since whatever, them stray red-eyes been bandin' all together in one place.
Stray reddies...? Even those from the no-man's zones?
Yarr, for sum reason they all dived somewhere. Dunno where they be headed, but they're relayin' it through the sea 'ere.
Hearing the sailor, the fisher begins to realize the gravity of the situation. He pulls at the tools tilting from his back and slings them astern.
Uh... We gon' be safe here?
Least for now they're not tryna' land. Simply shoalin' it up here 'fore going somewhere else.
So them Corrupted's getting fewer around here, aye? When they're done swarmin' it all up in the seas, then we should be safe to go?
I guess...
It won't be possible.
Interrupting the conversation is a spear-wielding centauress, followed by a group of her kind. Just like the fisher, they are bearing bags.
Oh, Forest Guards... There ain't any of them Corruptoes here, eh?
Astonished by the presence of the humanoid hybrid Constructs, the fisher asks inquisitively, curious as to why they are here.
The Corrupted are all in the sea. We're here for something else.
You mean...
We don't know when the Corrupted will be back. But this much we know—nothing good will come out of it if they gather up.
So can we borrow your ships, sailors?
You tailin' em red-eyes?
Yes, to find out what they're up to. I... have a bad feeling about this.
...Whadda we do, Capt?
The sailor turns to ask the man who has stayed silent all this time. The man ponders, his eyes darting between his ships and the Forest Guards.
I can lend you the ships, but on one condition.
Diana furrows her eyebrows at the captain's response. She falters a little, but she quickly hides her expression.
We don't have much to offer in exchange. If it can go cheaper...
Not for this, no.
The captain loudly interrupts Diana in a sullen voice. An embarrassed look crosses Diana's face.
...Because we're sinners?
Pah, you think I still care about that? You can have the ship, sink it, whatever. But all of you must come back 'ere in one piece—that's my condition.
...
Diana's consternation quickly gives way to joy. She holds the captain's big stretched-out hand.
Thank you. We promise to hold up our end of the bargain.
Alright then. Boys! Give them the keys. And get your stinky laundry off the ships!
Wait, Captain, are we not going with them?
We can't fight. We'll only hold them back if we go, that I'm sure of. Alright then, move it!
Following the captain's command, the sailors swing to action. Even the fisher, still in a daze, joins the effort. The Forest Guards murmur between themselves.
Didn't know their attitude toward us had changed so much...
Which is all the more reason for us to find out what the Corrupted are up to.
Not only to protect ourselves, but also to protect this place.
We'll board the ships as soon as they're ready. Forest Guards, prepare to set sail!
Understood!
...Rosetta, I know you'd do the same thing.
