The next few days indeed passed pleasantly for the three of them—Su Lesi, Kadi, and Aiden.
Kadi was an optimistic little chatterbox; with him around, there was never an awkward silence.
Although Aiden was a bit tsundere, he was actually well-mannered and knowledgeable.
As long as someone wasn’t overly nitpicky, they would only develop a good impression of him.
As for Su Lesi, she was even more capable—sharp as a tack, handling these two kids effortlessly.
In fact, if Su Lesi wanted to befriend someone, there was almost no chance of failure.
Charles observed all this with a smile, shaking his head.
The fact that these three people with such different personalities could get along so harmoniously was somewhat unexpected to him.
Sea travel was not well-developed, and it wasn’t until three days later that the recording stone was delivered to the continent.
Su Lesi didn’t rush to leave; instead, she stayed within the territorial waters of the Arvis family, waiting for the outcome.
According to the Arvis family’s intelligence, Anthony had successfully pinned the charges on Su Lesi and Kadi, and now the Albatross Guild was actively hunting them down.
Su Lesi was confident that the evidence she provided on the recording stone was irrefutable and could expose Anthony’s lies.
***
Albatross Guild Headquarters.
“Anthony Talley, explain this to me!” a red-bearded man angrily tossed a recording stone at Anthony, demanding an explanation.
Anthony was somewhat confused.
He had been summoned to headquarters urgently early that morning, already feeling a bad premonition.
Seeing his superior this furious confirmed his fears.
He picked up the recording stone and listened briefly, immediately understanding the situation.
The red-bearded man sneered when Anthony remained silent.
“Hmph, still trying to fool me? Let’s see what other lies you can spin!”
Being recorded was definitely a slip-up on Anthony’s part.
His expression shifted, but he quickly regained composure and calmly replied, “Sir, I only did this for your own good.”
“For my good?”
The red-bearded man scoffed, clearly not believing him.
Anthony, seeing that he hadn’t been outright accused yet, knew he still had room to talk.
The corners of his mouth curled slightly behind his beard.
“Indeed, for your sake.”
“You know the purpose of your nephew, Captain Jann’s, expedition—seeking the Sea God’s Treasure. Now that the ruins have been breached, the treasure must have appeared, but it’s nowhere to be found. Guess who took it?”
The red-bearded man narrowed his eyes.
“You mean that female captain and that little chef?”
Anthony nodded.
“Among those people, only the two of them survived. I’m certain the Sea God’s Treasure is hidden with them. But at the time, I couldn’t search directly, so I planned to bring them back for your judgment.”
After a moment’s thought, the red-bearded man looked up and questioned, “Let’s set that aside for now. Your lies haven’t been forgiven yet. I think you’re trying to keep the Sea God’s Treasure all to yourself, aren’t you?”
“How could that be?”
Anthony feigned terror.
“My loyalty to you, my lord, is evident. I kept silent to mislead others.”
“Oh?”
Anthony smoothly continued, “Sir, think about it. The escape of Su and Kadi is irreversible. To retrieve the treasure, we must capture them. They killed Captain Jann, which gives us a legitimate reason to pursue them.”
Seeing the red-bearded man starting to believe him, he pressed on.
“I lied to prevent more people from knowing the treasure might be with them. I didn’t tell you to avoid raising suspicion.”
The red-bearded man wasn’t a fool.
Seeing Anthony completely clear himself, he sneered.
“You’ve washed your hands clean, but can you say you’re without selfish motives?”
He didn’t press the matter further; the location of the Sea God’s Treasure was the real priority.
“So what now? Several of us senior officials know about the recording stone. There’s no longer any justification to arrest them.”
Anthony said, “Then the treasure’s whereabouts must be revealed. Once the treasure is in your hands, you still have a chance—after all, your nephew, Captain Jann, died for it. You have both moral and legitimate claim. But if the treasure falls into the wrong hands, then it truly won’t concern you.”
That made sense. The red-bearded man thought for a moment before asking, “True enough, but where are those two now? I checked on the man who delivered the recording stone—it was just a low-ranking foot soldier. There’s no lead at all.”
Anthony, ever calculating, said, “Sir, I have a suspicion. That Captain Su may be in Arvis waters.”
“The Arvis family? How could those two punks be involved with them?” the red-bearded man asked.
Anthony knew this because, when he last discussed matters with Su Lesi, they agreed to seek refuge in the territory of that family.
He figured Su Lesi had no other choice.
But he couldn’t say that outright to the red-bearded man. Instead, he explained, “They disappeared near the Arvis family’s sea territory. I believe they sought help there. If they bring news of the Sea God’s Treasure, the Arvis family would likely shelter them for their own benefit.”
Hearing this, the red-bearded man wearily rubbed his temples and waved a hand.
“Enough, you can go now. I’m letting this one slide.”
***
The next day, Su Lesi and Kadi finally received news.
Anthony had indeed been summoned to headquarters for questioning, but their wanted notice was not withdrawn.
In fact, new charges were added—murder, robbery, and theft of the treasure.
Hearing this, Kadi asked in disbelief, “Captain, did you bring the wrong recording stone?”
Su Lesi couldn’t help but laugh with anger, shaking her head.
“That old fox Anthony must have struck a deal with the guild. How did I not see it coming? The Albatross Guild was never a good organization to trust! Putting hope in such a guild—what was I thinking?”
At that moment, Aiden also received the news and hurried over.
“Su Lesi, are you okay? I’ve heard about this. I don’t know what those old men at the Albatross Guild are playing at. Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding. I’ll go ask around for you!”
“No need.”
Su Lesi interrupted, her anger cooled, replaced by her usual smile.
“The Albatross Guild is acting deliberately. Anthony is smart; he’s using the Sea God’s Treasure to turn the situation around, so the guild continues to hunt me.”
“But you didn’t kill anyone, right? And the treasure might not even be with you.”
Kadi asked, puzzled.
Before Su Lesi could answer, Aiden spoke up, “No, for a guild like this, it doesn’t matter whether Su Lesi actually killed anyone or is innocent. What matters is the treasure she might have in her hands. That’s more important than her innocence, more important than her life.”
He said this with a face full of mockery, as if he had seen this kind of ugliness too often and detested it deeply.
Su Lesi raised an eyebrow, surprised that Aiden was so perceptive about this.
Noticing her gaze, Aiden softened his disdainful expression and said resentfully, “Why are you looking at me like that? I’m the young master of a great family—I’ve learned all these things, of course!”
Su Lesi laughed and nodded.
Aiden’s sudden tsundere attitude lightened the mood considerably.
She felt a bit sorry and said to Kadi, “Kadi, I’m sorry. I was hoping to clear your name, but it seems unlikely now. You might not even be able to return to the East Sea.”
Although the Albatross Guild wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful, it was still the number one guild.
Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse—it would be easy for them to crush two little nobodies like Kadi and Su Lesi without backing.
Kadi widened his eyes, anger flashing.
“Why are you apologizing to me? This is the guild’s problem, not yours. How could I blame you? What do you think I am?”
Su Lesi apologized again, “It was wrong of me to think ill of you just now.”
Then she sighed.
Offending a major guild—what were they going to do next? Moving to another sea region would cost a lot.
Just as the mood sank, Aiden looked up and said, “If you two have nowhere to go, why not stay in Arvis waters? Our family is way stronger than that Albatross Guild—they wouldn’t dare challenge us directly.”
After saying that, he suddenly blushed and cleared his throat.
“Not that it’s for you two, of course. I’m just….”
Su Lesi smiled and cut him off, “You’re just doing it for the justice in your heart, disgusted by the Albatross Guild’s shameless acts. Am I right, Young Master Aiden?”
Su Lesi finished his sentence for him.
Though she teased him, Su Lesi seriously considered the feasibility of this idea.
Compared to the Albatross Guild, the Arvis family was at least equal if not better.
If they wanted to protect themselves, she wouldn’t have to worry.
The Arvis family’s territory was quite good; staying here was definitely better than with the Albatross Guild.
However, this probably meant marriage alliances for mutual benefit—a concept she wasn’t very comfortable with.
Aiden seemed to see her hesitation and said with a hint of pride, “You’re my friend, so no one will trouble you. Once you get stronger and bring benefits to our family, no one will talk behind your back.”
What a little angel, Su Lesi felt almost touched.
Before she could say anything, hurried footsteps sounded outside.
A sailor entered. Seeing Su Lesi and Kadi there, his eyes lit up.
But upon seeing Aiden, he hesitated.
Su Lesi noticed he had come looking for her and asked, “What is it? Is there something you need?”
The sailor said, “Miss Suria, our master requests that you and that crew member come with him.”
“Master” was the Arvis family patriarch’s term for the clan head.
“My dad?”
Aiden was stunned.
“What does he want with them?”
The sailor shrank his neck and whispered, “Young master, I don’t know either.”
Aiden’s expression darkened.
He said to Su Lesi, “He might be difficult this time. This visit may not be good news. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure he lets you stay. After all, I’m his son—I have some say!”
He didn’t really believe his father would willingly accept them.
Su Lesi smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, then waved to Kadi.
“Kadi, let’s go. Let’s see what’s going on.”