Chapter One Hundred and Four: The Ambush

Inside the room, Xius heard Vili’s voice and knew it was time to leave and take a look at the continent of Arcli.

“Sir! Do you want to return to the clan with me?” Vili, seeing they had arrived, still couldn’t let go and asked once again.

Hearing Vili’s words, Xius stopped in his tracks and stared straight at him.

Vili broke out in a cold sweat under Xius’s gaze, silently scolding himself for being so rude earlier.

“Si-sir…” Vili looked at Xius uncertainly, unable to guess what he was thinking.

“It’s nothing,” Xius said inwardly displeased with Vili’s approach, but since they had reached Arcli, he decided to disembark and leave immediately.

“Y-yes, sir, this way please!” Vili felt reassured upon hearing this. The two months spent with Xius had made him somewhat confused about his own status.

Xius took his belongings and stepped out of the room, gazing at the scenery outside.

It was only around eight or nine o’clock, the weather was clear, and the sunlight was gentle. Many birds circled above the ship. Xius noticed they were already quite close to the dock.

“Sir!”

“Captain Vili seems a bit off!” A crew member ran over to find Vili. Seeing Xius nearby, he hurriedly greeted him.

“What’s going on? Why haven’t you prepared to dock yet?” Vili looked at the crew member and then at the distance to the dock, scolding him sharply.

“It’s not that, Captain. The brothers are hesitant and don’t dare to sail in recklessly!” The crew member, anxious at Vili’s rebuke, worried about his wages being docked.

“Don’t rush. Let him finish!” Xius looked at the man in front of him. He knew these sailors traveled with the ship, and if they hadn’t chosen to dock, there must be a reason.

“Did you hear that? Speak up!” Vili heard Xius plead on the crew member’s behalf and didn’t say more, only urging him to explain quickly.

Having been on the ship for two months, the crew saw how politely Vili treated Xius and were even more respectful. Many onboard had memorized Xius’s face, and knowing the young man helped them, they cast grateful looks at Xius before speaking slowly.

“Captain, it’s not that we refuse to dock, but there’s something strange near the pier.”

“What’s strange?” Vili, not sensing much, waited for an explanation.

“Captain, look for yourself. There’s not a single person on the dock. At this time, even in the morning, there’d usually be quite a few people. Look around—our ship is the only merchant vessel here. So the brothers are unsure and sent me to ask you.”

“Indeed, something’s off,” Xius agreed. Everything around seemed eerily quiet.

Not only Xius but Vili also noticed the absence of anyone at the dock nearby and felt a chill run down his spine.

“Sir, look at this,” Vili said fearfully. He had sailed many times but never encountered such a situation.

As the crew member said, just the emptiness of the dock was a major problem. Arcli was densely populated; many lived by the sea. Such a scene was unheard of.

“Approach the dock,” Xius ordered without hesitation. They had come this far—why would they take a detour? Ridiculous.

“This...” The crew member looked troubled, gazing at Vili, who was the captain.

“Approach the dock!” Vili gritted his teeth, glanced at Xius, and without hesitation agreed.

Though unsure why the once bustling dock had become so deserted or what dangers might await, Vili trusted Xius. Even if danger lurked, he believed Xius wouldn’t stand idly by. He resolved to entrust his life to Xius’s hands.

“Yes, sir!” The crew member, despite all reluctance, had no choice but to comply.

After notifying the others, Vili wore a grim expression. Why had he encountered such a predicament now, especially when the ship carried items crucial to the clan?

He glanced at Xius, who remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic.

Xius wasn’t particularly interested in the matter. To him, those who could hijack merchant ships or fishermen here were hardly formidable.

The ship soon began to draw close to the dock, and Vili’s anxiety grew.

In no time, the ship was securely moored. Xius led the way, followed closely by Vili. The two disembarked first.

“Have you found anything?” Xius asked Vili as they stood on the dock.

“What? Here, sir...” Vili quickly sniffed the air, detecting nothing but a faint salty sea scent.

“There’s a metallic, bloody smell!” Xius focused intently on the breeze.

“A bloody smell?” Vili was startled by Xius’s words. He knew Xius wouldn’t lie, but where could this blood be from?

“Everyone, get off the ship!” Vili decided to call everyone down. After all, strength lay in numbers.

The crew disembarked cautiously, one by one.

“Captain, look here!” Suddenly, a crew member shouted, beckoning Vili.

“What is it?” Vili hurried over upon hearing the call.

“Found it right here!” The crew member carefully handed something to Vili.

“This is...” Vili examined the item and immediately recognized it.

“Sir, look!” Vili quickly showed it to Xius.

Xius looked at the clump of brown fur stained with blood. Recalling what he knew, he formed a judgment.

“This must be orc fur,” Xius said after close inspection.

“Exactly! I’m sure it’s orc fur. I’ve seen many of this color at auctions. Looks like this place was attacked by a band of orcs!” Vili said grimly.

“I-I don’t want to stay here!” A crew member from afar suddenly panicked and ran back toward the ship.

“This...” Vili watched the man flee toward the ship and glanced at the spot he left. What he saw nearly made him sick. Xius also took a look, his face darkening.

Three dismembered bodies lay among the rocks. The sea had washed away much of their features, and their organs were scattered everywhere.

“How could orcs come here?” Vili stepped away from the corpses, struggling to suppress the dreadful thoughts, trying to feel better.

“Are orcs rare?” Xius approached, noticing Vili’s uneasy state.

“Orcs aren’t uncommon in Arcli, but they’re rare in this area. Most avoid living here. Being caught by the patrol means death,” Vili explained.

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