"It looks like a Noxus ship?"
Captain Lister used his monocular telescope to observe the massive vessel continuously approaching the Swordfish. Duke also activated Edith's long-range vision.
Edith instantly brought the entire view of the distant ship into Duke's sight.
The ship's sails were fully unfurled, and its waterline was not shallow. Its paint black hull, forged from steel, and its sharp, menacing ram, exuded a strong aura of iron and blood, all showcasing the Noxus style.
As for its speed, it was no match for the Swordfish. However, the Swordfish had just been attacked by a school of Jaull-fish, and its previously wind-splitting speed had now become a snail's crawl.
Moreover, it would take some time to regain its previous cruising speed.
This meant that the crew of the Swordfish watched as the Noxus vessel steadily closed in on the Swordfish. The closer it got, the clearer the images Duke captured became.
On the bow, elegantly dressed noble men and women were pointing at the Swordfish, their expressions filled with excitement and a faint sense of superiority, as if Duke and his crew encountering them was a stroke of great fortune.
"How is it, Duke?"
Jayce knew that Duke's sunglasses were extraordinary, and combined with his focused expression, Jayce deduced that Duke might have noticed something. Duke pushed Edith up his nose.
"It's a Noxus ship, but it looks like a cargo vessel, not a pirate ship or a Noxus warship. It's probably a group of Noxus nobles combining trade with a pleasure cruise."
"That's good. I can't take any more scares!"
"No scares, but perhaps some disdain!"
Noticing the expressions of the noble men and women at the bow, Duke curled his lips. "They're approaching us, probably to travel together, or to buy or sell something."
"But we're a research vessel. We don't have any live creatures to sell, or funds to buy anything!"
"That's you, not me!"
Duke glanced at Jayce. He carried hard currency and luxury goods worth 100,000 golden sea, specifically for paving the way in Bilgewater.
No matter how chaotic Bilgewater was, money always remained the most effective method.
Of course, these 100,000 golden sea worth of goods were also one of Duke's trump cards for extracting wealth value. Extracting wealth value and then using it to pave the way—killing two birds with one stone, comfortable and happy!
"You brought private goods?" Jayce raised an eyebrow, but then, recalling Duke's ability to store things in the void, he relaxed. If he had that ability, he would do the same.
Not making money when you can is a fool's errand!
"They're getting closer!"
Captain Lister had been observing the situation of the other ship. As soon as the Noxus ship approached their Swordfish, he immediately issued a warning, and at the same time, all the crew members took out weapons from the wooden barrels or corners on the deck.
Jayce noticed this scene, his expression somewhat dazed.
"This... this...."
"Don't talk about that now. If there's a conflict later, run into the cabin immediately. Don't look back. Leave the rest to me. You just focus on preparing for the experiment when we reach Bilgewater!"
Duke patted Jayce's shoulder, pulled him back, and made him stand behind him. At this moment, the Noxus ship also entered Duke's line of sight.
The other ship's flag was the Noxus flag, but the men and women standing at the bow (ajfa) wore uniform octopus brooches on their shoulders, exactly thirty of them.
And their faces uniformly carried a sense of superiority and condescension, as they pointed and gestured at the people on the Swordfish.
"This is a Piltover ship, isn't it!"
"It looks like a Piltover ship. Besides them, who else has special engines to drive their ships?"
"I heard Piltover is the City of Progress!"
"A bunch of money-grubbing people. My family has trade dealings with them!"
"I heard there are many artisans there, and new things are created every moment!"
"I attended Evolution Day in Piltover once. They really do have a unique advantage!"
"Is this ship a cargo ship?"
"It doesn't look like it to me!"
"Why think so much? Just ask them!"
....
The young noble men and women on the Noxus ship pointed at the Swordfish and discussed animatedly. While they were scrutinizing Duke's Swordfish, Duke was also scrutinizing them.
"The uniformly worn octopus brooches seem to be from the same faction, and there are exactly thirty of them!"
Noticing this, Duke took a deep breath, "Hiss, if it's really what I think, these unlucky fellows, could it be that..."
As Duke was pondering in secret, the Noxus ship slowly decelerated. Many young men and women on board retreated to one side, their faces showing respect and fanaticism.
A figure draped in a black cloak embroidered with silver threads came to the bow, and after removing the hood, revealed a captivating and enchanting face.
"Damn it!!"
Duke, who had cursed inwardly, knew what was going on with this ship, and at the same time, lamented his incredibly bad luck.
Earlier, due to oversight, he had left Pride and Vali in the cabin, and their overflowing magical aura attracted a Jaull-fish school. That was one thing, but how could he encounter such a venomous individual right after the Jaull-fish school left?
That's right, Duke had only one evaluation for the enchanting woman who had just appeared before him: venomous!
Camille, who personally strangled her own brother, was like a little sister in front of this person!!
The woman before him was someone who, for hundreds of years, had constantly lured people from Noxus to the Shadow Isles to feed the bugs, relying on her beauty, vicious heart, and ruthless methods.
She was—the Spider Queen: Elise!
An ancient Noxian noble, in pursuit of a legendary dark magic artifact, went to the Shadow Isles and was instead transformed into the Spider Queen by She Who Hungers, the giant spider.
For her eternal youth, beauty, and immortality, she continuously sent many who were infatuated with her to the Shadow Isles over several centuries, where they became food for She Who Hungers.
Duke hadn't expected that on this trip, he would coincidentally encounter Elise, who was delivering food to She Who Hungers on the Shadow Isles.
As thoughts churned in Duke's mind, he noticed the respectful and fervent expressions on the faces of the followers Elise had deceived and lured, and a faint pity arose in his heart.
However, pity did not mean Duke would rescue them; he wasn't that much of a saint. Besides, Elise had the Black Rose, established by LeBlanc, the Deceitful Magician, as her backer.
In fact, over these past few centuries, many sacrifices were even provided by the Black Rose at LeBlanc's behest.
Compared to Elise, the cruel and ruthless Captain Gangplank was just a little child!
Whether in terms of methods or age, Gangplank truly was just a little child.
Dealing with this woman required absolute vigilance!
"Excuse me!" Elise's voice carried an innate grace and nobility, along with a unique sweetness, like spider venom—once bitten, one would involuntarily fall into its trap.
"Is your vessel from Piltover, the City of Progress?"
"That's right!"
Duke immediately stepped forward, taking control of the conversation on the ship. Behind him, Jayce gazed obsessively at Elise's face; both her face and voice carried a magic that captivated hearts.
"Cough!" Duke coughed lightly, giving Lister a look to drag Jayce into the cabin, but to his surprise, Lister also showed a dazed expression.
Oh no, a useless teammate!
If Elise had ill intentions towards them, then these ordinary people, who lacked the magic talent to resist Elise's captivating ability, would be like pigs waiting to be slaughtered.
Ahri possesses the power to charm hearts, but that is her innate talent, something she cannot control even if she wanted to.
But Elise is different; over hundreds of years, she has transformed charming magic into her instinct. Every word, every action, every glance is a weapon she uses to charm and control others.
Especially in her background story, a certain sacrifice, realizing something was wrong, broke free from control due to Terrify and tried to escape, but with just a few words from Elise, he became like a wooden puppet and delivered himself to She Who Hungers's mouth.
"Then, may we travel together?" Elise leaned over the ship's railing, her cloak inadvertently revealing a heart-stopping curve.
"Cough, cough..." Duke, coughing twice, went to Lister's side. As he put an arm around Lister's shoulder, he also channeled his magic to Lister, hoping to help him regain consciousness.
At this moment, he needed someone to play along with him. Elise was far too dangerous; he didn't want to travel with her. What if he was sent to a spider's nest to become food if he wasn't careful?
Although fully unleashing his combat power, Duke might not necessarily fear her, and he even had an advantage in a sea battle, he couldn't disregard the lives of others on his ship.
"That would certainly be a pleasure!" Duke feigned politeness with Elise while trying to awaken Lister to play along. Why not choose Jayce?
That guy might not cooperate with Duke.
Besides, Jayce hadn't received such training.
Under the influence of Duke's magic, Lister quickly sobered up. Recalling what had just happened, Lister broke out in a cold sweat. Lister looked at Duke in terror, wanting to speak, but nothing came out.
Duke patted his shoulder as comfort, then stepped forward and said to Elise on the other side, "It might be a bit inconvenient, esteemed lady!"
"We're all sailing to Bilgewater, so why would it be inconvenient?"
Elise spoke languidly, her palm supporting her chin, her eyes slightly narrowed, exuding a breathtaking allure.
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