The Songlin River originates from the Kran Mountains in the Central Realm of Yilansiya.
It flows northwest, traversing the entirety of the Northern Plains and the Pine Forest.
When the river leaves the Northland, it splits into two branches.
The eastern branch flows into the sea through Yilansiya’s largest port, Lewin, while the western branch continues deep into the Empire toward the northwest, eventually leading to the Border Mountains within the territory of Nolan, the greatest nation of the north.
The basin of this river and its water system covers nearly half of the Eastern Continent, so cargo ships and passenger ships sail its waterways at all hours.
A cargo ship that had weighed anchor from River Valley Town within the Theocracy of Serandor was currently sailing slowly toward Cyrus via this river.
The ship was fully loaded with precious goods destined for the Cyrus market, as well as a poor blonde Elf leaning against the stern railing, retching bile into the swirling wake produced by the propeller.
“Urgh…!”
“Um… are you alright, Lady Naierfu?”
“It’s fine, Master Ozel. I’m just not used to being on a boat… blegh…!”
The person worried about her condition was the owner of the ship, a far-sighted and wealthy merchant of Yilansiya named Ozel.
He looked at the green-faced Elf with a complicated expression and then barked an order to a nearby crew member.
“What are you standing there for? Go get some ginger slices for Lady Naierfu!”
“Oh… right away.”
A crewman with a musket on his back and a saber at his waist cast a disdainful glance at the Elf.
Only then did he enter the cabin with an impatient look, following his employer’s instructions.
As a merchant, the most important skill was reading people.
This man’s contempt for the Elf did not escape Ozel’s eyes — but he could only let out a long sigh in response.
At this moment, the other armed crewmen guarding the stern were staring at the seasick Elf with the exact same gaze as the man sent to get the medicine.
Some of them were Ozel’s subordinates from his merchant caravan, while others were armed mercenaries he had hired to protect this voyage — a status they shared with the Elf named Naierfu.
These mercenaries were clearly dissatisfied that someone who had been vomiting since boarding was receiving the same pay as them.
Consequently, aside from Ozel, the employer, not a single person showed her any concern.
“Lady Naierfu, how about you disembark the next time we refuel? I feel that perhaps traveling by land would be better for you…”
“How could I do that! You paid for this. Since I’ve accepted the money, I must fulfill my responsibilities to the very end — that is my creed of life… urgh.”
The Elf waved her hand in refusal with a righteous air — and then her face turned green again.
She clutched her denim hat and continued to vomit wildly toward the water.
Ozel slightly regretted paying her now.
Although she had volunteered to be a bodyguard… he really didn’t want to see his savior in such a miserable state.
The two had met in River Valley Town.
While purchasing this batch of goods in town, he had been kidnapped in a tavern back alley by the party he was negotiating with.
Fortunately, this Elven traveler, whom he had treated to a drink, noticed that those people were up to no good.
She followed them into the alley and took down the kidnapper and all his subordinates with astonishing skill, which allowed Ozel to escape with his life.
This Elven traveler told him that she hailed from the Nereve Family, a prestigious family in the Sea of Trees that served the Elven Royal Family… as for her name, she had not informed Ozel.
“I recall you saying you had business in Yilansiya? Why don’t you travel with me…!”
He had extended an invitation to the Elven traveler, and she had readily agreed.
It was only upon seeing the ship that her expression changed significantly.
“Sigh… why didn’t you say earlier that you get seasick? I could have provided you with a horse or a carriage.”
The crewman he had sent for medicine finally returned. Wearing a sour face, he walked up to the Elf carrying a cup of mint tea with ginger slices soaking in it.
“Th-thank you…!”
As if receiving a grand pardon, the Elf took the teacup from the crewman’s hand.
While chewing the ginger slices, she took small sips of the hot mint tea… her complexion improved considerably because of it.
“I say, Boss…” The crewman who brought the tea pulled Ozel aside and whispered, “Are you sure you haven’t been swindled? Look at her… how does she look like a member of the Nereve Family who serves the Elven Royal Family? Though I’ve never seen one in person, I’ve heard they are all top-tier experts.”
“Mind your own business! Even if she lied about her family name, she is still my savior!”
“…I just want to remind you, Boss, that this ship carries the livelihoods and lives of you and all the brothers. You’d better watch out for these strangers.”
The subordinate glanced a few times at the Elf and the mercenaries guarding various parts of the ship before retreating.
Ozel knew his subordinate’s concerns were justified.
He was over 50 years old, and this steamship and the cargo upon it were equivalent to nearly all the savings he had accumulated throughout his life as a merchant.
After nearly being kidnapped in River Valley Town, he had hired many mercenaries for the ship to guard against bandits that might appear on the waterways.
Every one of these mercenaries was very familiar with the water and wouldn’t be constantly seasick like this Elf.
But her seasickness was exactly the reason Ozel trusted her most… it even surpassed the debt of gratitude for saving his life in River Valley Town.
“Lady Naierfu, why don’t you go rest in the cabin? After drinking the tea, lying down for a bit might help.”
“No need. As a guard, I have to keep a close eye on the situation on the ship and the river for you. Otherwise, how could I feel right about accepting such a high protection fee?”
“…That little bit of money isn’t enough to repay you for saving my life. In the end, if you hadn’t insisted on being a guard, I would have treated you as a guest — “
“Boss, something’s happening!”
While the two were exchanging pleasantries, a crewman ran from the bow to report to Ozel. “Ahead, two ships are approaching! They’re flying pirate banners!”
“River pirates?!”
Ozel hurriedly followed the crewman toward the bow, and the Elf chased after them.
The few mercenaries left at the stern looked at one another and then nodded.
Ozel arrived at the bow… and saw two medium-sized vessels flying the Green Skull River Pirates banner sailing toward them.
They were not steam-powered ships, but their iron-clad hulls and the spiked rams on their sides slowly turned sideways, blocking the waterway ahead.
“Dammit…! Slow down!”
Ozel knew this was their usual trick — colliding would only result in everyone’s destruction, so he could only order the ship to decelerate.
“Everyone, take up your weapons and get into position for battle — “
He shouted to the crew… but before he could finish his sentence, the sound of gunfire erupted from the stern.
Simultaneously, several mercenaries at the bow aimed their weapons at Ozel and the crewmen near him.
“You guys…!”
The mercenaries showed cruel, bloodthirsty smiles and pulled the triggers on Ozel and the few crewmen guarding him —
Bang!
“Huh…?”
The short bursts of gunfire rang out, but Ozel and the crew around him did not feel the expected pain.
They dazedly checked their bodies… and found not a single bleeding bullet hole.
“Ah… ah… my hand… my fingers!”
Instead, the mercenaries’ guns fell to the deck.
They clutched their hands and screamed… Ozel and the crew saw that the fingers they used to pull the triggers had all disappeared, with brilliant flowers of blood bursting from the severed wounds.
“What… what on earth is going on!”
“Don’t worry, Master Ozel. I’m here. I, Iyue Naierfu, will perfectly fulfill my duty to protect this ship.”
Someone patted Ozel on the shoulder. He turned back to find that the Elf had put her hat back on at some point.
She winked her emerald green eyes at Ozel.
Ozel saw her hand resting on the holster at her waist… a large amount of smoke was drifting around her, carrying the strong scent of gunpowder.
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