Goblin Dependency

Not at all thinking about offering comfort, this was a stranger met midway through a mission. Before this morning, he didn’t even know Sarisa’s name, so naturally, he didn’t care about her current emotions.

At this moment, he was thinking about getting some alone time later to take out the seafood cream mushroom soup specially made by the Three-legged Sea Dog Tavern’s chef which he had prepared in advance in the White Pot’s pocket space.

A greeting from Sarisa nearby made him stop his steps.

"Please wait, Mr. Xia Nan."

Sarisa looked hesitant.

Xia Nan turned his head to look at her.

"So, have you made up your mind?"

It had been many days since the Vengeance Blade Blade had set sail from Suo Yu Bay’s Wave-breaking Pier, and it certainly couldn’t return just because an extra member from another fleet was onboard.

After some discussion with Lorin and the others, they gave Sarisa two choices.

One was to drop her off at the human settlement points along the way, and then it didn’t matter where she wanted to go;

The other was to stay on the ship, wait for them to finish attending the banquet, and then return to Suo Yu Bay together with the Vengeance Blade Blade.

It has to be said that, for Sarisa alone, the Vengeance Blade Blade had been most compassionate and dutiful.

If it were any other adventurer team from the Southern Islands, they couldn’t have saved Sarisa when she was critically injured, let alone pour expensive Healing Potion into her.

Lorin and the others even temporarily kept custody of Sarisa’s weapons and equipment for safety reasons, saying they would be returned after she disembarked.

No wonder the Vengeance Blade Blade had such a good reputation in Suo Yu Bay.

Regarding this, Sarisa evidently felt the goodwill expressed by Lorin and the others. While cooperating fully with their inquiry, she gradually let go of her guard.

She knew in her heart that even though she was no longer of use, the members of the Vengeance Blade Blade didn’t harm her, and it seemed likely they could get along peacefully in the future as well.

Traveling back with such a well-equipped fleet; the safety would undoubtedly greatly enhance.

But...

"Are you apprehensive about the Moon Tide Banquet?"

Xia Nan immediately spotted the reason for her hesitation and asked directly.

Apparently not expecting the adventurer nicknamed "Haiya" to guess so accurately, Sarisa was stunned for a moment, and then slowly nodded.

"Why?"

The Moon Tide Banquet was a large banquet held in the Southern Islands every three years, only during the Sea Rhythm Festival.

Ordinary adventurers didn’t even have the qualifications to be invited, yet she showed a look of aversion, which was truly strange.

"Mr. Xia Nan, could I... not answer that question?"

Sarisa’s demeanor was humble, with a hint of pleading in her tone.

"Alright." It was just a casual question; since she didn’t want to answer, Xia Nan didn’t bother to press further.

In comparison, he was more curious about Sarisa’s lineage.

Those unique amber-colored vertical pupils indicated she wasn’t pure human, but simultaneously, her appearance didn’t reveal any other features identifying her racial identity.

"You’re not a local, are you?" Xia Nan indicated with intent.

Seeing Xia Nan didn’t continue the Moon Tide Banquet topic, Sarisa visibly sighed in relief.

And towards his subsequent inquiry, the Ranger didn’t intend to conceal.

She raised her right hand slightly, pulling down the collar of her clothing to reveal her long, delicate neck and part of her collarbone.

Visible along her side neck to shoulder area, her fine skin was adorned with a series of semi-transparent scales.

"I have a trace of Dragon Descendant blood in me, Mr. Xia Nan."

Just as expected!

Having already speculated, listening to her personal confirmation made Xia Nan understand.

On the Aifala Continent, where reproductive isolation seemed non-existent, with the existence of Half Elves, Half Dwarves, and Half Orcs, it was natural for the Dragon Descendants, also an intelligent race, to have mixed breeds with humans.

But looking at Sarisa, other than her eyes, the rest of her body was almost identical to a normal human, suggesting her Dragon Descendant bloodline was probably very diluted, possibly not even a sixteenth.

He couldn’t help but find it interesting.

Speaking of which, since transmigrating to the Aifala Continent, with his gradually deepening understanding of this world, Xia Nan had become increasingly curious about the mixed blood among different races on the continent.

As long as it’s humanoid, any species can interbreed.

Is it possible that there’s a special case where a creature’s body contains bloodlines of multiple races such as human, elf, dwarf, and beastman?

If there’s no genetic collapse, what would such an individual look like in terms of appearance?

Aifala Continent’s history is so long; surely some outstanding geneticist has conducted related research, and perhaps there are books recording the research results.

Unfortunately, at least in Suo Yu Bay, Xia Nan hadn’t found any.

Considering visiting libraries or similar establishments—if they exist—when he reaches other major cities in the future to look for related information, which might help deepen his understanding of this world.

After exchanging a few casual words, Xia Nan waved at Sarisa in front of him.

"Dinner time is coming; remember to go to the dining room for dinner."

After saying that, he turned around, carrying a fishing rod, and walked toward the ship’s cabin.

But just as he took a step, Xia Nan suddenly stopped.

"Mr. Xia Nan, what’s wrong?"

Thinking he had more questions for her, Sarisa asked in confusion.

To which, Xia Nan didn’t respond verbally but instead raised a finger to his lips, gesturing for her to remain silent.

Then he focused, concentrating his senses.

At some unknown point, the humidity in the air seemed to have increased slightly.

Accompanied by slightly stronger sea breezes, he could hear an extremely faint, familiar sound as if coming from a very distant place.

It was akin to the noise made when the Scale Breath Horn is blown.

His thoughts paused abruptly.

Xia Nan suddenly turned, looking toward the direction the sound came from.

What met his eyes was a familiar gray and black faintly looming at the junction of sky and sea.

"Storm!"

"..."

The warning from Xia Nan was still timely.

The crew quickly completed the preparations to face the impending storm.

Logically speaking, the crew, having only recently endured a storm, should have been full of confidence and fighting spirit at this moment.

But right now, including Captain Lorin and even the Barbarian Akken, all wore serious and solemn expressions.

The incident with the Black Tide Hunter Team was right before their eyes, and the faintly echoing horn sound in the air suggested that the Windkind Octopus was lurking in the heart of the storm.

Or rather, the storm was caused by this demon.

Combined with the very likely presence of Sha Hua Fishman settlements beneath the sea.

If the Vengeance Blade Blade was targeted, they’d be in extremely perilous circumstances.

As for retreating or fleeing...

On the vast sea, no matter how fast you go, how can it ever compare to the majesty of nature?

Now, ten minutes had passed since Xia Nan’s warning, and everyone on board was already prepared, with even the Vengeance Blade Blade itself heading away from the storm direction as quickly as possible.

Yet, the clouds on the distant horizon seemed unaffected, gradually spreading over half the sky, along with the original faint horn sound in the air becoming increasingly resonant and loud, audible even to the sailors deep within the ship busy moving cargo.

The dangers from storm, fishmen, and Windkind Octopus were closing in fast!

"Give me a weapon; I can help!"

Sarisa exclaimed with an indescribable determination on her face, calling out to Lorin, who was standing by the deck’s edge.

Glancing at her face for a few moments, Lorin was silent for a while, pondering something unknown.

But eventually, she agreed to the somewhat unreasonable, risk-carried request.

Exhaling a ring, she beckoned to a crew member nearby, saying slowly:

"Go to the captain’s quarters and bring over her bow and arrow and armor."