"Who is the captain here?" The lieutenant commander's gaze swept over the White Gull.
Stepping forward, Frank said, "I am Captain Frank of the White Gull."
"A northerner?" The tone of the lieutenant commander turned grave.
"Yes," Frank responded with a nod and a smile, "The White Gull also belongs to the Kingdom in the North. It's but a minor asset amongst the vast treasures of Lord Rustwater of Rustburg."
"Damn northerners!" A junior officer behind the lieutenant commander spat disdainfully onto the deck of the White Gull.
Frank remained unfazed, clearly accustomed to such displays.
The lieutenant commander continued, "What's the story with that Death Ship trailing you? Did you find an abandoned ship at sea?"
Frank shook his head, "No, in fact, it came bearing two dark magi intent on plundering us."
"Fortunately, the esteemed Mr. Stewart on board managed to defeat these wicked magi and capture The Death Ship."
The scoffing officer sneered, "You northerners sure know how to spin a tale."
"He's not one of us, sir," Frank, removing his captain's hat, pointed towards Bairon, who stood waiting to disembark.
Bairon exhibited typical southern lineage.
The demeanor of the lieutenant commander and his subordinates softened considerably.
"Sir, may I have your name and affiliation to a Magus Tower?" he inquired.
Bairon replied, "Bairon Stewart. I was originally affiliated with the Sailport Magus Tower, under Chief Steward Rueel Stani. However, after leaving Sailport, I intend to resign from the magus guild."
"Resign?" Noticing that Bairon wasn't wearing the typical magus robe, realization dawned upon the lieutenant commander.
Bairon produced the two magus rings of the dark magi and handed them over, "These are their magus rings."
One of the officers examined the rings and gave a slight nod of acknowledgment to the lieutenant commander.
Dark magi differ greatly from regular magi.
Their magus rings are distinctly different, easily distinguishable by those with experience.
"Sir," Frank seized the opportunity to speak, "aboard the White Gull, there are numerous civilians we rescued from The Death Ship, as well as living pirates."
Bairon had entrusted Frank with these civilians.
The most beneficial move would have been to bring both the civilians and the pirates to Rustburg.
However, Frank didn't seem to lean that way.
He appeared to intend to use these individuals to persuade San Sorus harbor enforcers to forgo inspecting the White Gull, thereby concealing Donovan, who was bound beneath the deck.
Bairon surmised Frank's intentions but chose not to expose them.
This was a negotiated agreement between them: Bairon would hand over Donovan to Frank, and in return, Frank would keep the whereabouts of the Leaf of Rendil a secret.
Their deal wouldn't be breached over differing nationalities.
Bairon wasn't particularly supportive of the Provincial Alliance, just as Frank wasn't fiercely loyal to the Pangboton Kingdom.
Under the guidance of the White Gull's first mate, a subordinate officer unlocked the cabin doors holding the rescued civilians and pirates.
When the officer returned to report, Frank quickly added, "Their identities have only been hastily discerned. A passenger might not truly be a passenger, and a pirate might not indeed be a pirate."
"You needn't instruct me on such trivialities," the Major said coldly.
"The White Gull may dock as normal. We'll take custody of The Death Ship and the pirates."
"Additionally, we will take in the unfortunate souls, awaiting their families to claim them."
"Of course, sir." Frank bowed slightly, a hint of a smile touching his lips.
The Major didn't issue further orders to search the White Gull. Frank had succeeded.
Led by a pilot boat, the White Gull was granted preferential treatment, bypassing the usual docking queue and procedures, making its way into San Sorus harbor.
Bairon, with Evelyn and Seasoft closely trailing him, stood at the front of the disembarking line.
As the sole first-class passengers and with Bairon being the hero who saved the White Gull, this treatment was only fitting.
"Sir," Frank approached Bairon, "Thank you for saving the White Gull and all of us." He handed Bairon a heavy purse as a parting gift.
Bairon accepted the purse gracefully.
"May the Seven Gods protect you, sir." Frank touched his right thumb to his left chest and bowed slightly.
"Hey, Master Stewart," called the Major from his warship. "Should you ever wish to join the military, mention my name at the recruitment office: Reno Regava."
"Understood, sir," Bairon replied casually, without any real intention of joining the army.
Frank watched Bairon with a hint of concern.
His instincts told him that if Master Stewart ever did join the Provincial Alliance military and rose in rank over time, it could spell disaster for the Pangboton Kingdom.
Bairon paid no heed to the lingering glances.
He descended the gangplank with Evelyn by his side.
The solid feeling of land beneath their feet seemed to improve the spirits of both Evelyn and Seasoft significantly.
Bairon felt the same.
Once ashore, Bairon drew out a piece of paper.
On it were written keywords of essential information:
Vivian;
Mrs. Howard of 66 Maple Lane;
Daniel Jona;
Magus Academy.
Among them, Daniel Jona was the owner of five shipyards in Sailport and the cousin of Councilman William Jona in San Sorus.
Bairon held a letter of introduction left in a gift box by Margaret Jona, and its recipient was Daniel Jona.
By etiquette, Bairon felt obliged to pay him a visit.
Approaching a newsstand, Bairon purchased a map of San Sorus.
He then turned to his companions and asked, "Would you prefer to eat first, or rest?"
"Lodging. A bath!" Seasoft replied immediately.
Evelyn nodded, "I'm not in the mood for food."
Travel-weary souls often found themselves lacking an appetite, coupled with overwhelming fatigue.
Flagging down a carriage, Bairon instructed the driver to take them to the nearest upscale inn outside the harbor district.
Half an hour later, the carriage pulled up in front of the Goethe Hotel.
Bairon settled the fare and led the two inside.
At the edge of the hotel's front desk, there was a notice pinned. It read:
"Magic within the range of the magus web is strictly prohibited!" the notice read.
"What's a magus web?" Seasoft whispered.
Bairon responded, "It's a spell apparatus, functioning much like a spider's web."
Seasoft smirked, "The largest city in the southern realm doesn't allow the use of spells?"
Bairon chuckled, understanding the sentiment. "There are so many magi in San Sorus, all with an array of peculiar spells. To ensure the city's stability, they've had to ban spellcasting in certain areas."
"It's frustrating to have spells and not be able to use them," Seasoft grumbled.
"If everyone could recklessly cast spells, the entire city would be in chaos. The Elf Kingdom fell over a thousand years ago; haven't you grasped this yet?" Bairon retorted.
Seasoft scoffed, "Realization or not, we don't need nations."
Hence, elves became the hunted, lurking in forests or city shadows... Bairon thought, shaking his head.
The receptionist, with an indifferent face, asked, "How many rooms for how many nights?"
Placing a quarter of a half silver coin on the counter, Bairon inquired, "Do you know how long it is until the Magus Academy's autumn admissions?"
Seeing the silver coin, the receptionist's demeanor warmed instantly, "The first entrance exam is the day after tomorrow."
"However, I'd recommend staying longer. The fall admissions span three sessions over half a month."
"Two rooms, one single and one twin, until the morning after the day after tomorrow," Bairon said.
The receptionist replied, "A single room is 2 silver coins a night, and a twin room is 4 silver coins a night, breakfast not included."
Opening the money pouch Frank had given him, Bairon counted around a hundred gold coins, a gemstone the size of a pinkie fingernail, and fifty silver coins.
He handed over 18 silver coins to the receptionist.
Handing two keys to Bairon, she pointed out the room numbers, 204 and 205.
As they ascended to the second floor, Bairon noticed Seasoft's curious glances around.
"Have you never stayed in an inn before?" Bairon asked.
Seasoft shook his head, "I've been to Aule Harbor a few times, but whenever I present gold coins, shopkeepers give me strange looks, and soon enough, a magus would trace me."
"Since then, I've dared not spend in human cities," Seasoft sighed.
Bairon paused, "What gold coins did you offer?"
"Just this!" Seasoft pulled a gold coin from his belt.