Chapter 138 - 114: The Dock Is in Utter Chaos!

Whenever the shipping routes changed, it indicated that the fleet had successfully reached the land near the route.

The dense fog silently dissipated, and the sailors on the lead ship skillfully lowered the sails and turned the rudder. Moments later, a wide and clear view opened up before everyone.

Molly instinctively turned her head back, only to find the path behind was a vast, cloudless seascape, and the narrow passage through the fog seemed like a bizarre dream.

Old Dean wasn’t focused on the change in the shipping route but was somewhat troubled by the scene along the shore.

The port of Seagull City was already in complete chaos!

At a glance, it was impossible to count the numerous cargo ships piled along the coast, like a forest floating on the sea.

Even before approaching the coastline, Old Dean could already hear the noisy shouting and swearing of the people.

Sailors were crowded on the deck, and the slaves carrying goods shivered in the cold wind. Countless small rowboats darted back and forth below the cargo ships like fish, and some were already fighting to vie for the narrow landing paths.

The proximity between the ships was enough to make Old Dean’s skin tingle. If someone took advantage of the chaos to start a fire, who knows what trouble it could cause.

Without a doubt, Ark Island had already become popular!

The news of Lord Roland standing against the Celestial Calamity had spread across the surrounding seas like a sea breeze.

Coupled with many Alliance merchants promoting the treasures of Ark, everyone wanted to come and witness this miraculous new country and see if they could make a fortune from it.

The world is not just comprised of the Alliance and the Empire.

The shore was crowded with ships of various styles.

Even though Seagull City had been constructing the port for the past two months, the newly built dock still couldn’t accommodate so many foreign cargo ships.

"Is this the legendary prototype against the Celestial Calamity, Ark Island? This godforsaken place doesn’t even have a decent dock! How long must I wait?"

The Rosa person, adorned in gemstone rings on his fingers and a turban on his head, made a disdainful remark, "We were clearly deceived!"

"Why is there no tavern here! Does the local lord not want to make money?"

The Red Nose Captain, with his thick beard, swayed his body and complained: "No alcohol, hic~ How am I supposed to relax?"

"Where’s the brothel? Where’s the brothel?"

A skinny man with sunken eyes shouted: "I finally got close to land, and there’s not even a place to relieve my pent-up energy!"

"Hey, friend, would you want to make do with the sheep on my ship? There’s a discount!"

"Get lost! Using livestock for pimping business? How can you even think of that!"

Amidst the laughter and cursing, someone nearby boldly dropped their pants as if they didn’t care about anyone else’s presence.

Even with such poor conditions, few would turn their ships around.

After all, in the twisted and chaotic seas, Ark standing firm against the Celestial Calamity for a long time is undoubtedly a shining golden signboard!

Everyone was speculating about Lord Roland’s origins and what kind of rare treasures he had obtained.

If the true cause of this isn’t understood and profits slip away right in front of their eyes, it would be gut-wrenching with regret!

Old Dean rubbed his temples.

He could already imagine Charles being busy and overwhelmed, and that he himself wouldn’t escape involvement, being the Ark’s financial minister, managing numerous affairs at the port truly fell under his jurisdiction...

"Whoa! Another Alliance fleet has arrived, making this place even busier!"

A sharp-nosed and thin-faced man squeezed his way over from between the cargo ships in a rowboat, rubbing his hands, his eyes rolling: "Oh~ there’s even Fes people on board."

"Friend, how about selling those two beautiful Fes girls to me?"

He laughed shrilly: "I’ll definitely offer a price that will satisfy you!"

Judging by the situation on the shore, it’s likely many navigators would have to spend the night on their ships. Ark Island doesn’t have a brothel, so taking advantage of the opportunity to do some flesh business could earn a fortune?

"You!" Yi Feng was already trembling with anger.

"Don’t bother reasoning with them, Ms. Yi Feng."

The fat merchant patted Yi Feng’s shoulder and calmly shook his head at the academy instructor: "You and Molly should go rest in the cabin; leave the shore matters to me."

Yi Feng nodded, pulling Molly’s small hand as they hurriedly left the deck.

"Hey! I’m talking to you!"

The man below the cargo ship was evidently impatient: "Are you deaf?!"

Old Dean didn’t respond, merely signaling to the sailors behind him.

A stout sailor immediately stepped forward, cursing loudly: "Back off! Mr. Dean is a tax-exempt navigator officially recognized by the Alliance! Don’t cause trouble!"

"Huh, what tax-exempt navigator, nobody buys that here..."

The man instantly recoiled, muttering a couple of soft threats, then obediently rowed away.

Old Dean paid no mind to the man’s calls; he squinted his eyes and quickly made a judgment.

Most of those gathered at the port were Bronze Navigators.

What is a Bronze Navigator?

These days, as long as one has a decent ship, anyone can register for the ’Bronze’ title at an official Alliance or Empire office.

Wherever there are ports, you’ll find them around, the Bronze Navigators are generally a mixed bunch, never short of swindlers, rogues, opportunists, and even undercover Chaos Pirates.

Expecting them to honestly adhere to the rules set by local managers is wishful thinking.

For them, actively causing trouble for profit, leveraging situations, and pushing limits are all perfectly normal.

Or perhaps, that is the norm for most ports.

This is an indispensable part of the Age of Exploration.

Each year, countless Bronze Navigators chase after treasures, only to end up buried at sea, and each year new Bronze Navigators emerge, continuing to write trivial and comical or extraordinarily meaningful stories on the ocean.

Facing them, one must be firm when necessary. Once weakness is shown in front of these people, they will reveal their teeth like sharks, and come together to prey on the weak without leaving a trace.

Old Dean didn’t use his power to forcefully create a path but chose to keep the ship in place, and arranged for two sturdy sailors to accompany him onto a rowboat.

He patiently approached the shore bit by bit, not forcibly contending with others for the path.

Keen-eyed navigators already spotted the few beautifully styled tall buildings in Seagull City.

"That must be the palace of Lord Roland..."

"Quickly invite us in! The fools managing the dock don’t know how to make money?"

"I hold a magnificent deal in my hand! I must see Ark’s lord!"

Impatient people began to shout, and Old Dean, observing and contemplating, couldn’t help but worry for Lord Roland.

Ordinary navigators wouldn’t care about the governing philosophies of the local lord; countless eyes are fixated here, observing how much weight Lord Roland truly holds.