17: Arrival at Iron Sand Island

The next day! All supplies had been loaded onto the ships. The slaves were driven onto the cargo vessels early in the morning. Ocean's injuries had improved significantly, and he stood behind Linn with the others.

"Set sail! Head for Iron Sand Island!" Linn gave the command from the bow of the sea wave.

Barton, the sailor, adjusted the angle and set sail in the direction of Iron Sand Island! The sea wave was followed by the Blood Claw and six small boats.

The following five or six days of sailing were quite calm compared to the previous heart-stopping experiences. Aside from encountering a small storm that passed without danger, which the fleet navigated safely thanks to the rich experience of Barton and the others, no other major setbacks occurred. This allowed everyone on board, especially the unsettled slaves and the newly joined, a precious chance to catch their breath; morale gradually recovered during the smooth voyage.

On the afternoon of the sixth day, the lookout Hebrew's incredibly excited shout came from above: "Land! I see land! It's Iron Sand Island!"

It had been nearly a month since they departed from Tianhai City, and on this day, August 10th, they finally reached their destination.

Everyone swarmed to one side of the deck, gazing into the distance. Where the sea met the sky, the outline of a landmass gradually became clear and enlarged. It appeared to be a fairly vast island; initial estimates put its area at least thirty square kilometers, matching the Kingdom's information. The center of the island consisted of rolling hills covered in dense, dark green vegetation, acting like the island's sturdy spine. On one side of the hills, towering cliffs faced the sea, with waves crashing against the base into white foam; the other side sloped gently, extending into large areas of flat land and tidal flats. Looking from afar, several bays were visible, some of which seemed to have calm waters suitable for future ports.

"Finally here..." Linn muttered under his breath, a flash of barely perceptible excitement and gravity in his eyes. This place would be his true starting point in this other world.

The fleet chose a bay that appeared to have sufficient depth and less wind and waves to approach cautiously, dropping anchor in safe waters a distance from the shore. Since there was no existing dock, landing required using small boats for transport in batches.

"Clay, take the first squad and land first to scout the shore conditions and ensure safety."

"Karl, your second squad follow up, control the beachhead, and establish a perimeter."

"Angus, the reserve unit is to stand by, ready to support at any time."

Standing at the bow of the "sea wave," Linn issued a series of orders in an orderly fashion.

The elite soldiers took the lead, rushing onto the beach in small boats and quickly fanning out, alertly searching the nearby woods and rocks. After confirming there were no beasts or potential threats, the subsequent ships began to transport personnel, tools, and supplies ashore.

When Linn stepped onto the solid ground of Iron Sand Island, beneath his feet was fine golden sand, behind him was the busy and noisy landing scene, and before him was the dense and unknown jungle. The sea breeze blew, carrying the fresh scent of plants and the fragrance of earth.

Linn did not waste time indulging in sentiment and immediately gathered all core personnel.

"Morton."

"Young Master, your old servant is here."

"You will oversee the overall situation, responsible for the allocation of all slaves and supplies. Once the landing is complete, immediately organize everyone capable of movement to prioritize inventorying our food and tools, and distribute them as needed. Build temporary shelters that can at least provide cover from wind and rain. Settle here temporarily until a permanent residence is built."

"Yes, Young Master!"

"Clay."

"My Lord!"

"Your first squad is responsible for the outer security and patrol of the entire temporary camp. We know very little about this island; we must guard against possible beasts, or... other uninvited guests. Draw a simple map of the surrounding terrain."

"Understood!"

"Karl, Angus."

"Here, My Lord!"

"Your two squads will assist Morton in maintaining order within the temporary camp and participate in the initial clearing and construction work."

"Yes!" Karl and Angus responded in unison.

"Elise."

"Young Master." The elven maid stepped forward.

"You are meticulous and have a keen perception of plants. Take a few people and find a safe, drinkable source of fresh water near the temporary camp. This is one of the most urgent tasks. Also, keep an eye out for edible wild fruits or magic plants."

"Leave it to me, Young Master."

"Ocean."

"My Lord! Please give your orders!" Ocean Jack immediately straightened his back, his blue eyes full of drive.

"Your injuries are not yet fully healed, so do not participate in heavy physical labor for now. Follow Barton with a few people who are familiar with the water to scout along the coastline, looking for a more suitable location for a long-term port, and assess the conditions of the nearby waters."

"Mission guaranteed!" Ocean responded loudly; being assigned a task related to the 'sea' made him exceptionally excited.

"Barton, the voyage was hard work. But now is not the time to rest. The port's location concerns our future access and development, so you must be cautious."

"Rest assured, My Lord, your subordinate will certainly investigate carefully," Barton replied respectfully.

Orders were issued one by one, and everyone was clear about their responsibilities. After the brief meeting ended, the entire landing site immediately turned into a massive construction zone.

Under Morton's shouting and the command of his whip (mostly for deterrence), the slaves and soldiers began to work together to fell trees around the temporary camp and clear the underbrush. Morton's scolding, the sound of chopping, and the panting from carrying heavy objects rose and fell. Thick logs were brought to serve as the skeleton for building shacks; large leaves and waterproof canvas were spread over them to form crude roofs. Although rough, they at least provided a place to stay.

Elise led two slaves holding wooden spears and cautiously walked into the edge of the forest next to the camp. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath; her elven talent allowed her to perceive the subtle differences in moisture in the air and the life rhythms of plants. She pointed in one direction: "That way, the vegetation is more lush; there might be water underground." Sure enough, under a small slope not far away, they found a small stream of mountain spring water seeping out, the water quality clear. She marked the location and had people start digging a water storage pit. Although fresh water was constantly flowing out, storing water in advance just in case was the right move.

Ocean and Barton boarded a fast boat and began to sail slowly along the island's coastline. Ignoring his injuries, Ocean stood excitedly at the bow, pointing at several seemingly calm bay mouths and discussing water depth, wind shelter conditions, and the possibility of future expansion with Barton.

Time passed slowly, and the sun set, dyeing the horizon and the sea surface a magnificent orange-red. When night fell over Iron Sand Island, a crude and simple camp already stood at the junction of the beach and the jungle. Dozens of shacks were scattered like mushrooms, and in the central open space, several huge bonfires were lit, dispelling the darkness and chill, and roasting caught sea fish and brought dry rations. The air was filled with the smell of smoke, the aroma of food, and the scent of sweat.

People sat around the fires; though exhausted, their faces held less confusion and more a sense of groundedness. They now had a place where they could temporarily rest.