Silver Sand Bay.

Territory of Glosa, one of the three giants of the Western Islands, the center of the Islands' slave trade.

A large ship without obvious markings is currently docked at Silver Sand Bay's port, though this is not considered unusual.

Many people who come here prefer not to reveal their identities; hiding any ship markings that may expose one's identity is not considered out of the ordinary.

However, no one else knows that there's actually a human hero onboard this ship.

In a room on the second floor of the ship's building, the blond Heroic Sofia gazes out the window through the curtains.

"I thought you wouldn't dock on such a large island."

The priest Samuel respectfully responds, "Lady Sofia, the next place to visit is the Underground City located at the bottom of the sea, and some necessary items can only be purchased on such large islands."

Sofia nods, understanding his meaning.

She needs to level up discreetly, trying not to attract attention.

Previously, shooting some Lost Souls at Mist Edge helped her reach level 22, but that's already the limit.

There are indeed more high-level troublesome creatures in the mist, but entering the mist is too dangerous and not within consideration.

The new destination is an Underground City called Tide Sanctuary, as Samuel said, this Underground City is located underwater.

The special location leaves this Underground City in an awkward position.

Although it possesses rich resources, the extremely difficult access conditions directly block most adventurers.

It wouldn't be wrong to call it the most unfrequented Underground City.

And this is precisely what they need, Sofia has no objection to this.

Sofia's gaze sweeps over the dock outside.

The scorching sun heats the ground, groups of slaves wearing ragged clothes, wrapped only in old burlap, transport heavy goods under the overseer's swinging whip.

The piercing sound of whips occasionally rings out, and even she can faintly hear it here.

Another group of slaves is being driven, dragging chains on the ground making a dull sound, they're boarding a slave ship docked by the shore, unknown where they'll be transported.

Gazing at this scene, Sofia suddenly speaks, her voice expressing no emotion, "Is the owner of this island also one of the humans I need to protect?"

This time, Samuel rarely doesn't immediately answer her question.

After a long while, the priest's voice comes from behind her:

"Lady Sofia, I understand what you mean.

But unfortunately, yes.

At least for now, yes.

The Church also opposes slave trade.

However, no matter how bad the forces on the Archipelago are, at least now, they are standing on the side of humanity as a whole.

Facing the powerful Empire, we have no choice but to unite all forces."

At least for now, yes.

Sofia understands Samuel's meaning and can make sense of the reasons he articulated.

But, the scene below still makes her difficult to bear.

...

When the guards returned with purchased items and the ship was preparing to depart, an unforeseen event occurred.

"Lockdown the dock! No one is allowed to move! All ships are prohibited from leaving the port!"

A thunderous roar instantly shattered the port's clamor!

Accompanied by heavy footsteps and the clanging of armor, a massive figure akin to a meat mountain, Silver Sand Bay's Gold Level Defense Commander, marched aggressively onto the dock with a large group of fully armed soldiers.

The entire dock fell into dead silence, workers froze in place, merchants showed panic on their faces, and slaves huddled together in terror.

"Listen to me, all of you! I am Oruk, the Silver Sand Bay Defense Commander! By Lord Glosa's order, we're hunting the assassin who murdered Lord Horn! That damn bastard is hiding on the dock or aboard one of the ships!"

The Horn he mentioned, is precisely Glosa's top confidant and secretary, the number two person in Silver Sand Bay!

The news of this person's death was like a bomb thrown on the dock, causing a tense uproar.

"From now on!" Oruk swung the intimidating giant Wolf Fang Club, smashing it heavily onto the stone slab, sending debris flying, "All ships, immediately halt loading and unloading, prohibited from leaving the port! Undergo thorough inspection, anyone dares to defy, kill without mercy! Not a single fly is allowed to leave!"

The soldiers pounced on the docked ships like hungry wolves, rudely driving away crowds, forcibly boarding and inspecting. The ship owners and sailors were furious but didn't dare express it; facing Glosa's fury and Oruk's ferocity, no one dared to stir trouble at this moment.

In the chaos, Sofia's unmarked large ship was quietly pulling up its anchor chain, the sailors started methodically untying the ropes, preparing to depart.

"Stop! Didn't you hear what I said?! Don't leave the port! Undergo inspection!" Oruk's roar halted the "sailor" who was pulling up the gangplank.

The "sailor" stopped moving, his hand silently resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist, his cold gaze piercing Oruk.

An invisible, suffocating pressure instantly enveloped the Defense Commander, causing his fat body to tense up momentarily.

A master!

Oruk's warning bells were going off wildly in his mind.

He forced himself to maintain his demeanor, bringing up authority, "Lord Glosa is thoroughly investigating the felon! Are you defying Lord's order?"

The "sailor" on deck did not respond at all, only his gaze became sharper, his hand on the sword hilt as steady as a rock.

What alarmed Oruk even more was that silently, seven or eight more figures appeared by the side of the ship, their gaze calmly focused on him.

Oruk's instinct screamed with panic—the threat from these people was almost equal to that "sailor"! None of them seemed weaker by much!

What the hell is going on with this ship!?

Just as he was in a dilemma, a middle-aged man dressed in dark casual wear, with an aura as steady as a mountain, appeared at the edge of the ship's deck.

He didn't look at Oruk, only gestured decisively to the "sailor" on deck.

The "sailor" instantly understood, completely ignoring Oruk who was blocking the front, his face turning blue, cleanly and efficiently retracting the gangplank completely.

The sails filled with wind, the massive ship slowly started to move, calmly, irresistibly pushing away the water ahead.

"Bastard! Stop now!" Oruk roared, raising the Wolf Fang Club, his arm muscles bristling.

But ultimately, that heavy weapon didn't smash down.

The middle-aged man at the edge of the ship—Captain of the Guard—though he didn't deliberately exert pressure, Oruk's instinct as a Gold Level Warrior madly warned:

Smash down, will die!

Will definitely die!

Oruk's face turned ashen white, his fat body stiffened in place, forced to watch as the mysterious large ship, with an almost dismissive and unquestionable attitude, slowly sailed away from the chaotic Silver Sand Bay dock.

Coming to his senses, he could only unleash impotent rage towards the distant ship's silhouette, pouring his fury onto his subordinates and other unlucky souls on the dock:

"Search! Keep searching! Every inch of deck! Every cargo box! Dig up three feet if necessary to find the assassin! Lockdown the entire port area! Violators, kill!"

...

About half an hour after departing the port, the ship had entered the sparkling sea.

A hand grabbed the ship's railing, and soon a soaked girl climbed back up.

If Dylan were here, he would certainly rush over to hug the girl, hug his long-missed daughter Bella.

But at this moment, in front of Bella were only the Captain of the Guard waiting for her, and Sofia standing at the edge of the ship's deck, scrutinizing her.

Bella did not seem surprised to be discovered, her pupils shimmering with silver light, she tentatively asked, "You all... are from the Church, aren't you?"

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