Emergency Departure

Emergency departure at sea

"Extra number! Extra number!"

"The Governor is cracking down hard on organized crime in the port area!"

"Ninety-six serious incidents solved! More than 520 gang members arrested!"

Chalice ate breakfast while reading the morning paper.

His suggestion worked.

The order in the slums was completely overturned.

The deeply entrenched underworld forces were all "visited" by the governor's guards, and all the big bosses were taken away.

The Blood Hands Gang is no exception.

Because Chalice couldn't guarantee that there weren't any Fallen agents among this group.

Compared to other gangs, he did have some connection with the Blood Hand Gang.

But a gang is a gang, don't get your hopes up too high.

However, the crackdown on organized crime that has just swept across Simon Island is temporarily irrelevant to him.

In Jack's office.

Chalice received a confidential document.

"In distress — out of contact — urgently need to be investigated —"

He looked up. "How serious is the situation?"

"The ship itself isn't that important, but the reason for attacking it and causing it to lose contact is."

Jack said in a deep voice, "It has been a long time since any of the Association's captains have gone missing in the waters near Simon Island."

"Although the captain of this ship is only a first-class officer, he is very experienced, so it is impossible for him to run aground or get lost by accident."

"Moreover, he went missing after investigating a suspicious area where several merchant ships had gone missing. We have ample reason to suspect that a powerful sea monster or even pirates have appeared in that area."

"That sounds dangerous—"

Chalice countered matter-of-factly, "Director Jack, I've been promoted to Silver Navigator, shouldn't you show your appreciation?"

"I knew you wouldn't miss this opportunity."

Jack pulled open the drawer with annoyance and took out a strangely shaped, grayish-white stone engraved with runes.

"This is a sound transmission stone. This special stone, when infused with spirituality, can be crushed and will produce a halo that transmits your words to a stone of the same origin."

"Speak while the ball of light is still warm after you crush it, and I'll hear you. It's a one-way transmission and can't be reused, so don't waste it."

"Is that so?"

Cherry pretended to pinch him, which startled Jack, who quickly stood up and scolded, "Don't play around like that! This isn't cheap!"

"take it easy!"

Chalice weighed the stone in his hand and put it away.

"What about the others?"

"Isn't that enough?"

"Don't be so stingy!"

Chalice said matter-of-factly, "When I was promoted to Bronze Navigator, all I got were upgrades in various permissions."

"We can't just reach the Silver Navigator level and then only get a promotion, can we? We have to be realistic!"

"Hmph! Do you need to urge me?"

Jack pulled out a document and slammed it on the table.

"This mission might encounter some tough targets. Your cannons are fine for dealing with ordinary targets—I've approved ten alchemical shells for you, which are military-grade controlled items!"

"You are only allowed to use them. Not a single one is allowed to be left out. Each one has a serial number. If these deadly weapons are found on the black market, you and I will both be dismissed!"

"If anything goes wrong, you have to sink them in the sea! This level of ammunition must never fall into the hands of malicious people, do you understand!?"

"I see."

Charys sensed Jack's seriousness and his tone became more earnest as well.

Seeing that Cheryl really listened.

Jack then explained calmly, "This mission, besides tracking down the missing ship, is also for your benefit."

"What do you mean?"

Chalice was somewhat puzzled.

"Recently, the big and small gang leaders in the port area were invited back for coffee, and they did dig up a lot of clues. It can be determined that the bastard hiding behind the scenes is most likely hiding in a factory."

"However, our high-profile operation will inevitably alert him. If he decides to take a risk, something big is about to happen—"

"You are also a key link. This mission sent you out to sea is also to try to fish out other Fallen Ones, and with your strength, it shouldn't be a problem."

Jack smiled slightly. "After all, besides you, a second-tier appraiser, there's also a seasoned third-tier extraordinary individual on the Homecoming, right?"

Chalice was somewhat surprised.

"You know that?"

"Don't underestimate the power of the law!"

Jack said confidently, "I have an instinctive sense for powerful outsiders who are out of step with the local legal network of Simon Island. How could someone who was once an indispensable helper in the emperor's rule of the kingdom not have something to offer?"

"Amazing! Amazing!"

"Three incendiary grenades, three Holy Light grenades —"

The quartermaster staff quickly verified the information.

Please accept this. Wishing you peace!

"Thank you, goodbye."

Cherries arrived at the Homecoming, which was undergoing maintenance in the dock, carrying cannonballs.

Old Wright was imparting his experience and lessons learned in various aspects of ship repair, modification, and upgrading to young Wright.

Armed ships represent a qualitative leap compared to cargo ships.

However, this qualitative change is not a one-off deal; it requires long-term investment in maintenance and upkeep.

Even if the gun barrel is protected with tarpaulin during normal times, it will still cause some corrosion and wear when it goes to sea.

Therefore, the navy is extremely expensive, especially in maintaining a regular fleet.

We want to ensure that the fleet can be deployed at any time and immediately engage in combat.

Officers and sailors alone are not enough.

Every penny saved on equipment maintenance increases the risk of total annihilation.

Moreover, the navy is the most "risky" branch of the military.

Building a fleet requires not only massive resources, but also a mature industrial system and research and development teams, and even more specialized expertise.

Naval officers and soldiers.

Let alone the loss of an entire fleet, even the loss of a single escort vessel can cause a fleet commander great distress.

This is one of the reasons why local governors were willing to grant armed forces to groups such as the Navigators' Association.

Compared to their own elite forces taking risks.

Sometimes, getting other forces to provide personnel and ships is a good way to solve the problem.

"Captain, another new mission?"

Little Wright came running excitedly, seemingly annoyed by his father's nagging.

Young people are all like that.

Once they've grown up and are ready to take flight, they want to go out and explore the world.

Chalice smiled and nodded, which drew cheers from Little Wright.

He then greeted old Wright.

Unbeknownst to me—

Chris has become a reliable adult that parents can entrust their children to.

The story of their previous demands for an explanation has already spread.

The sailor family's testimony made Cherries' reputation resound throughout the sailor community!

Every sailor confident in their abilities would love to board that wonderful ship called Homecoming!

Jack personally selected the items this time.

They were afraid that someone might bring "dirty things" onto the ship again.

With everyone working together as one,

The Homecoming was ready in less than an hour.

Cheryl stepped onto the familiar deck.

I don't know when.

He had also gotten used to the rocking of the waves.

The slight swaying sensation under his feet invigorated him.

Chalice's gaze swept over the proudly standing crew members one by one.

"Checking the equipment's operational status, we will officially set sail in ten minutes!"

"Yes, Captain!"