Chapter 446: Chapter 347: Am I That Charming?

Looking at the silent captain, Shire’s lips curled. "I know what you’re thinking. Business ultimately comes down to whether both parties are willing, but you can at least hear me out first."

Seeing that Captain Byron hadn’t said anything, Shire continued, "I know that in the shipping industry, a few metrics are crucial: shipping volume, delivery volume, and turnover rate."

"I still have a large amount of cargo piled up at the docks in Yangjiao Town. Transporting it all into Darren Lake by ourselves would cost a great deal of time and manpower, but it would be much faster with your ship. The volume is massive—I imagine it would be enough for your ship to make many trips. And since this waterway isn’t long, you can make runs back and forth. Once spring begins, I’ll start shipping out some of the forest’s products, and you’ll be able to maintain a very high turnover rate."

Upon hearing Shire’s words, the look of resistance in Captain Byron’s eyes faded. He lowered his head and began to seriously consider the offer.

"Of course, I know the routes from Yangjiao Town to Black Lion City or straight to Torch City are also quite good, but you’d have a lot of competitors. I hear that ships have to start queuing just to unload at the docks in Yangjiao Town now. But on this forest waterway, yours is the only ship." Shire continued speaking slowly, his tone as calm as if he were chatting with a friend. "Opportunities like this are rare. Besides, I’m a sentimental person."

He looked at Captain Byron and grinned, revealing several sharp teeth that glinted with a "friendly" light.

"I suggest you give it some serious thought. While I can’t promise you’ll get rich overnight, I can guarantee a steady stream of transport jobs. That’s far more reliable than fighting with other captains over contracts."

"I... I need to dis-discuss it with my crew," Captain Byron stammered. He couldn’t deny that this goblin boss had a point. His ship was no match for those of wealthier captains, and he often had to wait long periods just to land a contract—and it was always for undesirable cargo.

"Yes, you certainly should discuss it." Shire wasn’t bothered by the captain’s excuse; it was best if everyone on the ship agreed, as even a single dissenter could cause trouble. "In that case, you can see your crew now. Have a good chat with them. I’ll be waiting for your answer."

"Oh, right," Shire recalled. "If they’re willing, they can come ashore for a couple of drinks. I’ve prepared Light Beer this time, not that bitter Ball Algae Wine from before. That stuff is their concoction."

He smiled and pointed at Pazani, who frowned and twitched his fleshy barbels. "Ball Algae Wine is a unique craft of us Naga."

"That stuff... it isn’t poison?" Byron asked, stunned. Although the goblin had previously claimed the green beverage with a mere hint of alcohol was wine, no one on his ship had believed him.

"Of course it’s not poison. A single barrel of Ball Algae Wine takes over half a year to make. Besides, the ball algae itself is very difficult to cultivate. We of the Naga Race spent a great deal of time adapting it to grow in Darren Lake." Pazani tilted his head back, speaking with great pride.

"Right, right, right," Byron said, immediately forcing a cautious smile. He was terrified of the brawny "monster" beside him.

"Go on, go see your crew." Seeing the continued bustle of activity near the cargo ship, Shire waved an arm and called out, "Little John, take the captain over there."

Little John, who had been looking around from a distance, immediately turned his head. He had been helping the Magic Artisan, Marshall, transport various tools and materials from Torch City to the Clothing Workshop, and had only just now gotten free to explore the abandoned city.

"Boss, you called me?" Little John asked, jogging over to Shire’s side.

"Take Captain Byron to see his crew. If you’re with him, the other goblins won’t cause any trouble." Shire gestured to the nervous captain beside him. If Byron were to go alone, he might attract unwanted attention from the other goblins. They were already familiar with Little John, so it wouldn’t be a problem.

"Alright." Little John nodded and said to Captain Byron with a smile, "Follow me."

With that, he started walking ahead, not even checking to see if the captain was following.

But just as they had taken a few steps, a piercing cry echoed from above. As everyone looked up at the sky, a dark shadow dove straight toward them.

WHOOSH! Before anyone could react, Pazani instantly formed several thick, short Ice Cones and hurled them into the air.

The Ice Cones shot toward the dark shape, about to make impact. But then, with a series of CRACKS, a figure rose from the shadow’s back. Wielding a sword in each hand, they swung, and the Ice Cones shattered into pieces before they could even reach their target.

"Attack!" Little John drew his Longsword and looked to the sky as the figure on the dark shadow WHOOSHED down, leaping to land directly on the ground.

"So you’re the ones who captured my comrades." The newcomer flicked her high ponytail back, leveling a sword at the towering Pazani. "Hand over the Paladins."

"It’s you," Little John said, stunned as he got a clear look at her. It was the same "Three-blade Style" girl he’d met in Torch City. "You’re that... that Commander?"

"Grand Commander of the Holy Order Army," Diana corrected, her face cold. "So you are involved. You wicked Swordsman."

"Me? A wicked Swordsman?" Little John’s cheek twitched as he pointed at himself with a wry smile.

"Talk! What was your plot in bombing the Life Church?" Diana demanded coldly. The memory of being chased all over Torch City by the guards like a scared rabbit made her anger flare. "If you won’t talk, I can beat it out of you."

’The Grand Commander of the Holy Order Army?’ Shire frowned, glancing at the girl. She was only about as tall as Red Eyes. She held two Longswords, with a third still at her hip. ’How could she possibly be the Grand Commander of the Holy Order Army?’

’Either the Holy Order Army is full of perverts, or this girl with the high ponytail is something special.’

"A goblin? One that speaks Common Speech?" Diana shot a glance at Shire. "Interesting. To go so far as to teach a goblin Common Speech... what sort of trick are you planning with him?"

’Me? A trick?’ Shire was taken aback. ’This girl hasn’t even given me a proper look. She’s been completely focused on Pazani, as if the towering Naga is the real ’boss’ here.’

"What are you planning, Naga? What conspiracy is behind all this?" Diana raised her other Longsword, pointing it at Pazani with a menacing tone.

"Me? A conspiracy?" Pazani pointed at his own face, then looked down at Shire. "Brother, what conspiracy are you planning? I don’t know anything about it."

"There is no conspiracy," Shire said with a frown. He thought about his recent activities and came up with nothing. ’Well, if I had to name one, would tricking the Demon Lord, Lust, into helping me deal with the Feathered Serpent God count?’

"You called him... brother?" Diana faltered, hearing Pazani’s words.

"That’s right," the Naga Prince said, puffing out his chest. "He’s my brother."

"He’s my boss," Little John chimed in.

Captain Byron, who was hiding behind Little John, also stammered, "B-Boss."

He was just mechanically repeating the word. The dark shadow from the sky had landed and was now on the ground—a Black-Feathered Griffin, pawing restlessly at the earth and watching everyone with wary eyes.

"You... are the boss?" Diana froze on the spot. "But you’re just a goblin. How is that possible?"

"Perhaps I’m just very charismatic. They all joined me willingly." Seeing the girl’s blade shift toward him, Shire couldn’t help but take two steps back.

"Either I’m going crazy, or the world has," Diana snarled through gritted teeth. "But it doesn’t matter. Dealing with you is just as good."

"Hand over the Paladins!" she shouted, raising her Longswords and leaping forward to charge at Shire.

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