"Thank you!" Luna blushed as she took Luosen's hand and stood up.
Before he could fully appreciate the softness of her touch, she spoke in an unfamiliar language, making Luosen sigh inwardly. So not everyone here speaks Chinese.
His earlier seamless communication with Carol had misled him into thinking the entire world used his native tongue. Now, the language barrier was undeniable.
Suddenly, a gilded arrow streaked through the air, embedding itself into the ground inches from Luosen's feet. The impact cracked the earth, radiating violent energy waves. A blond archer glared at him from a distance:
"Hand over that core. That's our prey."
[Name: Keth E. Nightfall]
[Strength: 1210/1000]
[Health: 1397/2000]
[Phys. Resist: 1901/2000]
[Magic Resist: 981/1000]
[Stamina: 1329/2000]
[Speed: 1382/2000]
[Spirit: 121/200]
[Mana: 329/200]
Luna whirled toward the archer, furious: "Keth! How dare you?!"
Keth sneered: "That Abyssal Serpent was already crippled by us. He's just a scavenger."
"You think your arrows could've killed it?" Luna retorted scornfully. "Without the Captain shattering its scales, you couldn't even scratch it. Look at those wounds—they were nearly healed! Every fatal injury came from the Captain!"
As Keth bristled, a commanding voice cut through: "Enough!"
[Name: Alan E. Nightfall]
[Strength: 2100/3000]
[Health: 2597/3000]
[Phys. Resist: 2301/3000]
[Magic Resist: 1291/2000]
[Stamina: 1622/3000]
[Speed: 2611/3000]
[Spirit: 381/500]
[Mana: 421/500]
The middle-aged man approached Luosen and bowed formally: "I am Alan E. Nightfall, Captain of the Crimson Empire's Royal Knights. Thank you for your aid."
Though the archer was hostile, Luosen returned the courtesy with a clasped-fist salute.
Luna interjected: "Captain, he doesn't understand us."
Keth seized the chance to mock: "Can't even speak Common? Must be a forest savage. Just kill him and be done with it."
The Endless Sea Forest's depths housed primitive tribes—uncivilized but occasionally producing physically gifted individuals. To the Empire, they were barely above beasts, unfit even for slavery.
Luna's glare could melt steel: "Captain, even if he is a tribesman, he saved my life!"
Alan chuckled: "Luna, don't tell me you've taken a liking to him?" His tone turned assessing as he studied Luosen: "Though his strength is extraordinary. I'm considering recruiting him."
Luna's cheeks flushed: "Captain! I'm just grateful! That serpent would've torn me apart!"
Keth protested: "Captain! That lowborn trash isn't fit for the Order! The Emperor would never allow—"
"I'll handle the Emperor," Alan said sharply.
Meanwhile, Luosen—utterly lost—debated fetching Carol for translation. He dismissed the idea; the demon lord needed recovery time.
The contract ensures he can't run anyway.
As they argued, a massive airship descended. Crewmen disembarked, bowing to Alan, who gestured for permission to harvest the serpent. Luosen nodded.
Soon, skilled butchers dismantled the carcass, extracting valuable parts. Under Alan's enthusiastic invitation, Luosen boarded the ship. Despite the language gap, gestures and expressions bridged communication.
Inside, the ship's interior defied logic—expansive beyond its outer dimensions.
Luna explained (needlessly, given Luosen's confusion): "It's spatial magic."
Keth scoffed: "Why bother? The savage won't get it."
"He'll learn," Luna snapped.
A loud growl erupted from Luosen's stomach. His face burned—he hadn't eaten all day.
Luna mimed eating: "Hungry? Food?"
Luosen nodded sheepishly. In this world, he'd mostly consumed raw or hastily roasted prey, though his constitution prevented illness.
At the mess hall, whispers trailed them:
"Knightess Luna brought that filthy savage here? Disgusting."
"Brutes like him belong in the labor pits."
"Should've locked him with the monster carcasses."
Only Luna's status shielded Luosen from outright hostility. To them, he was just another half-naked tribesman—albeit one with striking features that might shine if cleaned up.
Alan arrived with a tray: "Luna, you should've bathed him first."
"But he's starving! Watch him, Captain—I'll get food." She dashed off.
Alan called after her: "Extra portions. Tribesmen eat like direwolves."
Glaring knights reluctantly retreated when Alan sat opposite Luosen.
Luna returned with a mountain of food that made even Alan twitch: "I said 'extra,' not 'bankrupt us.' Ship rations aren't infinite."
Luosen devoured plate after plate. Ten servings later, he paused—not from fullness, but politeness. (He'd once eaten a 100-meter dragon and stayed full for a week.)
Alan groaned: "At this rate, we'll need to detour for supplies before the capital."
Watching Luosen eat was physically painful. Common tribesmen-slaves ate cheap gruel, but these were premium ingredients.
Had they known Luosen was merely "lightly snacking," they'd have thrown him overboard instantly.