"Go to hell," Clover muttered, swiftly cutting off Sakuta's hands and feet with his blade, leaving him as little more than a helpless stump. He tossed him into the sea, ignoring Sakuta's desperate wails.
Yoru stood frozen, shocked by Clover's ruthlessness. As he returned, she quickly retreated into the cabin, hoping he wouldn't notice her stare.
After sheathing Ryu no Ha, Clover rummaged through the enemy ships. Before long, he emerged with a bag of gold, silver, and money, placing them on his boat. Then, hopping aboard the last remaining ship, he set the others ablaze, watching as they were consumed by flames.
"Let's take your ship," Clover said, motioning to Yoru in the cabin.
"Well… it doesn't really matter," Yoru mumbled, poking her head out shyly.
"A larger ship's better," he insisted, pulling her from the cabin and carrying her to her boat. After transferring his treasure, he stored his own vessel within the ship's hold and took the helm of Yoru's boat, navigating toward Matea Island.
As they approached, Clover noticed a battalion of soldiers lined up at the dock, led by a middle-aged man with long hair, dressed in armor and armed with a katana at his waist.
"Ryan!" Yoru called, waving to the man.
"Your Highness, Princess!" Ryan leapt onto the ship, but upon seeing Yoru's attire, he turned a wary eye toward Clover, suspicion etched in his expression.
"Wait, Ryan! He did nothing but protect me and help recover my boat!" Yoru quickly reassured him.
"Then, Princess… why are you dressed like this?" Ryan replied, eyes widening as he took in her improvised attire.
"I… fell overboard. He saved me, and I didn't have proper clothes," Yoru explained.
"Ah, I understand now…" Ryan's tension eased as he removed his hand from the sword hilt.
Clover, watching the exchange, stepped forward, clapping Ryan on the shoulder. "If not for her, I'd have no problem dealing with you. After all the gap between you and I is like the tip of Mt.Tai and the very dirt you walk on " he said, smirking.
Ryan's face tensed, but he kept his composure. As the kingdom's strongest guard, he knew he would have challenged Clover if not for Yoru's intervention.
"Hurry and prepare proper attire for the princess!" Ryan barked at the soldiers.
Soon, Yoru returned, now adorned in a luxurious gown and glittering jewelry, every inch the royal princess she was. As she prepared to leave, she turned to Clover.
"Are you sure you won't come with me?" she asked softly.
Clover shook his head, retrieving his own vessel. "Not much for me there," he replied. "Oh, and here—your kingdom's funds, no doubt. Take them."
"Consider it a reward," she said, waving him off. "It's about 300 million Beli, set aside for the auction. It's yours."
"Then, thanks," Clover accepted, pocketing the money without hesitation.
"Your Highness, we should go," Ryan prompted.
Yoru nodded but looked back at Clover several times as she left, only to see him busy organizing his gear, uninterested.
After packing his bounty into his storage, Clover donned a mask and cloak before stepping onto Matea Island.
"This really is an island that never sleeps," he murmured, glancing around. Matea Island wasn't quite as advanced as some modern cities, but the port opened up into a square lit with colorful lights, bustling with activity even at night.
"Do people work at night and sleep by day here?" Clover yawned, making his way into the lively town square, hoping to find a currency exchange. When he had no luck, he decided to find a quieter spot to rest.
His wandering eventually led him to the island's outskirts, a stark contrast to the lively town. The lights dimmed, and he found himself among silent ruins. In the shadows, he could make out homeless figures lying about, some scavenging for food, even battling over scraps with stray dogs.
"Seems like poverty and wealth aren't unique to any one place," Clover muttered, tossing a gold coin to a nearby homeless man and turning to leave.
Almost immediately, a fierce scuffle broke out behind him as others fought for the coin. Soon, only one man remained standing, bloodied and clutching the gold.
"It's mine… mine!" he gasped, clutching the coin to his chest as he disappeared into the night.
Unaware of the havoc he'd unintentionally caused, Clover returned to the island's brighter side, eventually finding a hotel to stay in. After a chaotic night, he was eager for sleep, but Matea Island barely quieted down for more than three hours before dawn broke, and the bustling resumed.
"…I really want to kill them all," Clover growled, rubbing his temples. Although tempted to leave the island at once, he reminded himself of the auction—an event too valuable to miss.
"Maybe I should just take everything myself." Clover chuckled, recalling the information he'd gathered on the streets. The auction would begin in three days, and these next few days were set aside for the auction house to prepare the items.