Above The Sky
Chapter 158 - 158 147 Labyrinth of Disaster 44 updated at w words asking for monthly passes~

158: Chapter 147 Labyrinth of Disaster (4/4, updated at w words, asking for monthly passes~) 158: Chapter 147 Labyrinth of Disaster (4/4, updated at w words, asking for monthly passes~) “Forgive me, but I find it hard to understand, Captain Senan…”

Exhaling deeply, the man’s brows furrowed as he tapped the table with his hand, asking patiently, “Our cooperation has been ongoing for nearly half a year, with the permission of the Elder from your tribe, and even the Viscount’s Mansion has granted us the exploration permit.”

“The reward has never been short, each voyage has met the standards, and any discoveries have been compensated fairly according to scale.”

“The credibility of the Platinum Iridium Workshop speaks for itself, which you certainly know.”

“So why today…

have you suddenly changed your mind?”

The man’s voice held a gentle cadence, yet it bore a condescending quality, as if a suitable reason from the White Folks’ captain was needed or unspeakable consequences might ensue.

“I…” Captain Senan opened his mouth.

He wanted to offer an explanation, perhaps a cover-up, but remembering Ian’s advice, ‘Prepare your lies in advance,’ he realized he wasn’t even prepared to tell the truth without stumbling over his words.

So, in the end, he just said with a very earnest and apologetic tone, “Recently my luck hasn’t been very good…

uh, I’m quite afraid of dying, I’m sorry, I really can’t handle this long-distance maritime mission…”

“I’ll add three hundred Talle.”

Knocking on the table, the blond middle-aged man intensified his tone, employing a tactic that had never failed him before, “I know that you, Captain, are not doing this to raise the price, but it’s troublesome to find someone else after such a long partnership—don’t worry about safety issues, the Platinum Iridium Workshop will guarantee your safety.”

“But don’t make things difficult for us either.”

This was a combination of a tempting offer and a veiled threat.

Senan’s breathing visibly grew heavier, a mix of greed and fear.

Three hundred Talle wasn’t a lot, but it wasn’t a little either.

In Harrison Port, that sum was enough to buy another small fishing boat.

Added to the mission’s reward, he, the captain, might just become the boss of a small fleet!

Moreover, the Frost Condensing Potion of the Platinum Iridium Workshop was an essential alchemical potion for all fleets on high-sea fishing expeditions to preserve their catch.

Seventy percent of Harrison Port’s Frost Condensing Potion was supplied by them; if they refused to sell the potion to him, then he might only be able to hover near the shore in the future.

Not to mention, the Marquise Family backing the Platinum Iridium Workshop…

But even so, Senan bit the bullet and refused, “I’m very sorry, I’ve broken the agreement…

I will pay the deposit as compensation!”

—Talle is good, but it’s useless without life to spend it!

He rather trusted Ian a bit more.

“Alright then, since you feel that way, I won’t press you too much…”

The blond middle-aged man was initially a bit irritated; with his status and influence, no one dared to reject him outright in the Imperial Capital, leaving no room for negotiation.

However, noticing the blond youth sitting opposite him, who was curiously watching his exchange with Senan, he just shook his head and sighed, “Really now, not a good thing on my first day in Harrison Port.”

No…

rather, his status and influence didn’t have as much effect here in Harrison Port, situated at the edge of the world where no one’s power could extend.

—Ah, what’s the point of taking issue with country folks?

They don’t understand anyway.

With that thought, he even felt somewhat disheartened, “No need for the deposit, Captain Senan.

If there’s a chance, let’s work together again next time.”

Senan apologized a few more times and, still feeling uneasy but resolved, left.

It was clear to see that as he walked out of the Platinum Iridium Workshop, his step was much lighter, and his gait more relaxed.

“…What’s going on here?”

From the second-floor window, watching Senan’s departing figure, the blond middle-aged man was puzzled, “When others hear about working with the Platinum Iridium Workshop, which one of them doesn’t scramble to get in front?”

“This Senan was also picked by El (Viscount Grant’s name) after consulting with the local fleets, selected for his honesty.

According to usual observations, he’s indeed quite brave, able to keep his mouth shut and known to be forthright; past cooperations have been very pleasant and smooth.

So why has he grown timid and backed out at this critical time?”

“Uncle Pat…”

At that moment, the blond youth who had quietly sat by, not saying a word, spoke up, “Is it possible that he knows about some kind of perilous premonition that he can’t speak of, which is why he’s unwilling to take the risk?”

The man referred to as Pat turned his head to look at his nephew.

Noting his uncle’s attention, the youth earnestly continued, “Mom said that if a person suddenly goes against his usual way of doing things, there must be a source compelling him to change—it could be an authoritative figure, or it could be a reason he believes in.”

“Uncle, you may see Captain Senan as someone who seems to have backed down, appearing weak, but he’s indeed quite daring.

Facing your threats, he still stood by his views…

In the Imperial Capital, such daring is not commonplace!”

“That indicates that the information he has received is far more credible than what we offer—at least to him, it is far more reliable.”

The youth concluded as such.

“Ho…

that’s true too.” Pat was not foolish, he had just been a bit angry earlier and hadn’t thought of this aspect.

The middle-aged man stroked his chin and nodded slightly, “What we’re about to do is somewhat dangerous…”

“After all, when has anything to do with the Labyrinth not been dangerous?”

Thinking of this, he noticed something else.

The man looked down at the sack Senan had placed on the ground, “Fluorescent Algae…

right, today we gave a portion of the harvested Fluorescent Algae to the captain as a down payment, while also wanting him to appraise it and share the data with us.”

“Now it seems there must have been a problem with the appraisal.”

It wasn’t hard to deduce…

If it wasn’t a problem with appraisal, what else could it be?

The other party had a complete 180-degree change in attitude from morning to afternoon in such a short span of time; it must have been because some authority involved issued a warning.

“It’s a harbinger of a Labyrinth disaster.”

With his eyes lowered, intently observing the Fluorescent Algae that increased the brightness of the reception hall by two levels, the blond youth confidently speculated.

Yisen Gard·Ailun turned his head to look out at the overcast sky and the heavy rain, “Isn’t our task this time to come to Harrison Port and search for the newly-rumored Magical Beast, the ‘Glinting Crystal Clam’?”

“The sudden emergence of this naturally formed Elemental Crystal creature must surely be a Magical Beast that accompanies a Great Labyrinth.”

He stared excitedly at the downpour and lightning outside the window as if he had never seen such a scene before.

After watching for a while, the youth belatedly remembered he was in conversation with others and cheerfully continued, “Uncle, it all makes sense now—if the Labyrinth is indeed about to experience anomalies recently, no wonder the captain doesn’t dare to set sail!”

“A rather powerful Appraiser, while appraising a sample of the Labyrinth Algae, discovered signs of a Labyrinth disaster—he must be acquainted with that captain and so, he warned him!”

“That’s why the captain refused to sail!” the youth said with conviction.

“Interesting.”

Patrick·Ailun narrowed his eyes, murmuring thoughtfully to himself, “This wild place in Harrison Port has an Appraiser who can discern omens of disaster?”

After pondering for a moment, the man raised his head, his expression becoming solemn, “It’s not us, it’s you.

“Yisen, don’t forget, this is the task your mother secured for you—the Royal Alchemy Association and even His Majesty himself are paying close attention, which is why they chose our Ellen Family, the most distinguished Biologist family of The Empire, as the executors.”

He reminded seriously, “I am only responsible for bringing you and your Teacher to Harrison Port, I will not interfere with anything else…

I can arrange for the local workshop to support you with resources, but that’s as far as I can go.”

The man also bearing the ‘Erlen’ name lowered his voice, “After all, this is a matter for your generation to handle.”

“I won’t, don’t wish to, and will not help either side.”

“Hmm.” Hearing these words, the blond youth named Yisen Gard’s gaze couldn’t help but dim, as he thought of his two brothers, one sister, and little sister, as well as the strife within the family.

Yisen couldn’t help but sigh deeply, “I…

Understand.

Uncle.”

“Good that you understand.”

Pat clapped his hands, summoning two attendants to clean the table, and spoke calmly, “Let’s go greet Teacher Gossay next.

Also, inform the old gentleman that your offshore research plan is clearly going to be delayed.”

“Don’t keep the old man waiting.”

“Mhm, mhm!” Rising to his feet, the energetic blond youth trotted out of the reception hall, clearly heading straight for the old professor.

The middle-aged noble watched his nephew depart with a smile, and after a long while, his expression slowly returned to normal.

“Omens of disaster…

huh?”

Pat frowned slightly, sat back in his chair, and mused, “I really didn’t expect there to be such a perceptive Appraiser in Harrison Port.

It seems I shouldn’t underestimate country folk after all.”

“No.

Thinking about it carefully, the group of White Folks who were banished en masse, seems to have been sent here—this would also make sense.”

“But it’s also an opportunity…

Hmm, it looks like I have to visit that guy Ailes after all…

even though I really didn’t plan to get too involved.”

After a long silence, he shook his head, speaking with irritation, “Really, complications out of nowhere.”

Meanwhile,

Ian, who had unwittingly become the topic of conversation, had just stepped out from the Elder’s Hall.