Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: The Shadow Ship

Under the cover of night.

The Sea Fist sailed across the ocean.

Not far away was a small island.

Taking advantage of the darkness, the Sea Fist slowly sailed into the island’s harbor.

The islanders on watch at the harbor tensed upon spotting the ship, but relaxed once the moonlight revealed its identity.

This island was the same one where Alka had previously undergone the touching ceremony.

At this moment, a farewell ceremony was being held on board.

”Bobby, this is as far as I can take you. We’ll come to see you in a while.”

Bobby nodded with a smile.

Then he looked at the others, hugging each one of them.

”Then I’ll take my leave. May the Holy Mother bless you all!”

After that, Bobby, accompanied by his two apprentices, disembarked.

The ship, already sparsely crewed, felt even more desolate and empty after the three departed.

Everyone watched Bobby leave as the ship slowly backed out of the berth, heading away from the island.

”Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s compose ourselves and get some rest. Partings are a natural part of life,” Andre said to the young people with a smile.

As the ship sailed into the darkness, the distant sea surface suddenly began to churn as if boiling.

A small, blue-lined bird perched on Andre’s shoulder, close to his ear.

”Stop the ship!”

Following Andre’s command, the ship slowly decelerated and came to a halt.

In the darkness, the Shadow Ship they had seen before appeared once more.

Andre took out the Magic Pocket he had used earlier to quickly store the treasure.

He then turned to the others. ”Does anyone want to make a deposit?”

Hearing this, Alka was momentarily confused.

However, with the exception of Alka and Chadite, everyone else took out a large portion of their recently acquired Gold Coins, placed them into Gold Coin Bags, and handed them to Andre.

This time, the Shadow Ship did not remain in the distance; instead, it slowly approached and docked alongside the Sea Fist.

Seeing this, Andre couldn’t help but slap his forehead in exasperation.

”HAHAHA, Andre, haven’t you lot been busy with important matters next door these past few days?”

An exceptionally tall, powerfully built, black-haired man in light Chain Armor strode over.

Without a word, he pulled Andre into a crushing hug.

”Uncle William.”

”Ah, Chadite! You’ve grown even more beautiful.”

”Uncle, you flatter me.”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the sturdy man named William glanced at the Magic Pocket in Andre’s hand and the several bags of Gold Coins at his feet.

”It seems you’ve had quite a haul.”

Hearing this, Andre waved his hand with a helpless expression.

”You must have come to my ship for a reason. Stop dawdling and out with it.”

William wasn’t embarrassed. Instead, his expression turned serious as he said, ”We’ve found clues to the Holy Mother’s Holy Artifact.”

Hearing this, Andre also became serious.

William took out a thick, parchment-wrapped file and stuffed it into Andre’s arms.

Then he took back the Magic Pocket Andre had borrowed from him, along with the bags of Gold Coins at his feet.

”Alright, I’ve got my pocket back. I’ll deposit your Gold Coins safely for you.”

”Farewell!”

With those words, the sturdy man named William turned and strode back to his Shadow Ship without hesitation.

Even docked beside the Sea Fist, the vessel seemed to remain shrouded in shadows, its form indistinct.

Once the Shadow Ship vanished, Andre returned to his captain’s cabin alone.

It was then that Alka looked over at Chadite.

Facing Alka’s puzzled gaze, Chadite merely smiled and then began to explain.

”Keeping so much wealth on the ship isn’t wise, so we asked him to store it in the Great Cathedral. It’s absolutely safe there.”

”There’s no need to worry about them embezzling it. They are the shadow agents, the Holy Mother’s keen blade.”

Hearing this, Alka was reminded of their previous losses.

Dozens of Golden Sails indeed needed to be stored safely. Leaving them on the ship would be worrisome.

However, Alka wasn’t concerned for himself; he had placed his Gold Coins into his Pocket Ring.

Even hundreds of Golden Sails, though heavy, took up very little space.

It wouldn’t hinder his use of the ring in the slightest.

”Why didn’t you deposit yours?” Alka asked.

”Didn’t I tell you before? I also want to buy a Pocket Ring. This is the money I need for it,” Chadite replied.

Alka then remembered and nodded.

”Was that... a mission just now?”

Chadite nodded. ”That’s right. When this happens, it means there’s a mission. After all, we are members of the Church.”

”I’ve never been on a mission before. Will it be very difficult?” Jason, who was nearby, couldn’t help but ask.

After all, he had only joined the Treasure Hunting Team two years ago and had spent that time as an Apprentice Crew member.

To Jason’s surprise, Chadite also shook her head. ”Actually, I’ve been with the Treasure Hunting Team for less than three years myself—only about six months longer than you, Jason. Before that, I was always training at the Great Cathedral.”

”So you became a Toucher first, then joined the Treasure Hunting Team?” Alka asked.

Chadite nodded.

Overhearing their conversation, Vanessa approached. Looking at the younger ones, she said with a knowing smile, ”Want this old hand to tell you how it works?”

Chadite sidled up to Vanessa, linking arms with her. ”Sister Vanessa, please tell us,” she urged.

Vanessa smiled. ”The Church rarely assigns us tasks directly. Usually, we’re the ones who report information or anything suspicious we find.”

So, even though we’re members of the Church, we’re still relatively free, Alka thought.

”Though rare, it’s not unheard of,” Vanessa continued. ”There was one, about four years ago.”

”It took us an entire year, and one of our full members was so seriously injured they had to retire from treasure hunting.”

Hearing this, Alka, Jason, and Chadite all grew serious.

This meant that if the Church did issue a mission, it was never easy and always involved considerable danger.

”So, you all need to be prepared, especially you two,” Vanessa said sternly, her gaze falling on Alka and Jason.

After all, they had only recently become Touchers.

In terms of both their Magic Circuit cultivation and Spell proficiency, they were still a step behind the others.

The two of them nodded seriously.

After chatting for a while longer, everyone returned to their cabins.

Alka also lay down on his bed.

He closed his eyes, focused on the Magic Circuits within his body, and began his Meditation.