Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

Chapter 757: Chapter 335 Giant Wood Habitat_2

”This is an important connection point with the Giant Wood Habitat; it should be a fortress,” Alka remarked, observing carefully.

The map in his hand was no longer the one Chadite had previously sketched. It had been replaced by a more professional and detailed version from the Land of Fragrance. This new map was clearly drawn by the locals and even had some routes marked on it.

One of the more suitable routes was the one he intended to take.

This island is likely a fortress, considering the chaotic nature of the Giant Wood Habitat.

They couldn’t hope to completely block those Cultist scum, but at least it would make it harder for them to get through.

「After two days of sailing, they were finally about to reach the last island and enter the Giant Wood Habitat.」

”I can already see soldiers patrolling the area,” Simon said from the sky to the people below.

He was sitting in his specially constructed flying seat, scouting the distant situation from the sky.

They spotted the soldiers, and shortly thereafter, the soldiers noticed them too.

Armed and riding fish mounts, soldiers approached them, especially since Alka’s group looked remarkably odd.

After all, a group with such diverse races was bound to look strange.

”Who are you... Wait, are you that group? The one with Alka?”

The soldier captain, who had intended to question them, suddenly recalled something upon seeing them more clearly.

Alka stepped forward and nodded.

”I am Alka.”

”Ah, it’s you, my lords! Please follow us,” the captain said, leading them toward the island.

”We’ve already received a letter from the Land of Fragrance, thanking you all for the help you provided to our homeland.”

”It was the least we could do,” Alka replied with a smile.

Their interactions along the way were friendly, and they entered the island smoothly.

Just as I thought, this island is indeed a fortress. Its perimeter was also walled with vines.

However, these vines were not as lush green as those they had seen on the walls of the Emerald Fortress. Instead, they had a faint, dark grayish tone.

They looked somewhat grimy.

”Welcome to Gray Vine Fortress. Ahead lies the chaotic Giant Wood Habitat. Would you like to rest in the fortress for the night, my lords?”

”You have been traveling for so long. Perhaps you could continue tomorrow, as it’s already late,” the captain said, looking up at the sky.

The night sky was dotted with numerous bright stars, though the giant celestial bodies that often appeared were absent.

It had been night for several hours.

Hearing the captain’s suggestion, Alka pondered for a moment and nodded.

”Then we’ll impose on you.”

”It’s our pleasure, no trouble at all, my lords. Please come with us,” the captain said with a smile, leading them into the fortress. After some conversation, he brought them to rooms in the central area.

Being a fortress, it lacked large rooms to accommodate everyone together, so they had cleared out several surrounding rooms for them to rest in.

”Thank you for going to such trouble.”

”It’s nothing, my lords. Please rest, although the accommodations here aren’t very comfortable.”

”It’s already quite good. Much better than enduring the wind and sleeping in the open, isn’t it?”

”Haha, you’re right, my lord,” the captain chuckled.

Everyone soon settled into the prepared rooms to rest.

Although one couldn’t expect the beds in the fortress to be extremely comfortable, the warm rooms were a significant improvement. They were certainly much better than resting on the ships in the marshes.

At least it was an enclosed space that could block the chilly, damp winds.

「Early morning, before dawn.」

People started waking up one after another. Not long after they awoke, the curtain of night was drawn, and the sky began to brighten.

Several soldiers brought breakfast to their rooms.

”Please enjoy your meal.”

Although it seemed simple and normal, for a fortress, and for strangers like them, this was already remarkably considerate.

After finishing breakfast, everyone freshened up and gathered outside their rooms, ready to leave the fortress and continue toward their destination.

”Are you all planning to leave now, my lords?” the squad leader who had brought them in the previous day asked.

Alka nodded. ”Yes, we still have a mission to carry out.”

”Then let me brief you on some intelligence we have about the area ahead. It might be helpful.”

Alka didn’t refuse; he had no reason to.

He leaned against a nearby wall, listening to the squad leader’s explanation.

”Go forward, through the Emerald Belt. You’ll then reach the Incomplete Reef. It harbors a large number of scoundrels who lost their struggles and are now just clinging to life.”

”Please, my lords, do not pity any of them. No one living there is innocent.”

”They live on the fringes, so you might not encounter them. However, if you do, you must be extremely cautious.”

Although Alka didn’t fully grasp the situation, he nodded to show he understood.

”Next to it is a larger, more chaotic area. Most people call it the Ship Burning Factory. It’s home to several Pirate Gangs, some Cult Groups, and factions formed by exiled scoundrels.”

”All sorts of criminals, big and small, inhabit this place. Many of them also secretly raid the nearby villages.”