51: Gain Ivy's friendship

Night fell, and the Lord's Manor on Iron Sand Island appeared exceptionally tranquil under the starlight and scattered torchlight. Linn came alone to the guest room where Aivi was staying, paused briefly, and gently knocked on the door.

The door was quickly opened. Aivi seemed not to have slept; she was wearing a simple dress prepared for her by Elise, her sea-blue hair was loose, and her face still carried a trace of lingering worry and exhaustion. Seeing Linn outside the door, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes, and she immediately stepped aside. "Lord Linn? Please come in quickly."

Linn entered the room, which was filled with a faint, fresh scent of the ocean. He motioned for Aivi to sit down and took a seat himself beside the table.

"Young Miss Aivi, I apologize for disturbing you late at night. I wanted to discuss the specific matters concerning the rescue of the Sea God Clan." Linn got straight to the point, his expression serious.

Hearing this, Aivi immediately straightened her back, her azure eyes fixed on Linn, as if grasping a lifeline. "Benefactor, please speak! As long as we can save my clansmen, we can discuss any condition!"

Linn organized his thoughts and slowly said, "I am willing to dispatch troops to help the Sea God Clan drive out the Orc invaders. However, I also have my conditions and goals." He looked at Aivi frankly. "I need to establish my own territory in the Shattered Star Archipelago, specifically on the Shattered Star Main Island where you are located, or a suitable nearby island. Furthermore, I hope to forge a strong alliance with the Sea God Clan. I promise that my forces will never invade or enslave you like the Orcs do; we will be equal neighbors and comrades, jointly guarding that sea region."

He did not hide his ambition, as this was fundamentally a transaction and a collaboration.

Aivi frowned slightly. Establishing a territory meant a long-term presence, which concerned the future living space of the Sea God Clan. But she quickly realized that this young Lord in front of her seemed far more reliable than the brutal Orcs. Moreover, given the Sea God Clan's current perilous situation, having such a powerful external helper was a stroke of luck.

"Establishing a territory... is acceptable." Aivi pondered for a moment and nodded solemnly. "As long as Benefactor can help us overcome this crisis and keep your promise not to encroach upon our clan's homeland, I am willing to represent my clansmen and form an alliance with you!" She didn't have much choice; Linn was her only hope right now.

To further gain trust and close the distance between them, Linn sighed lightly, his tone carrying a world-weariness that belied his age. "Aivi, you might think I am a glorious Pioneering Lord. But in fact, you, your clan, and I are similar in some ways." He paused, then continued, "I was also abandoned by my Family, coming alone to this perilous Storm Sea Region, starting from nothing, struggling to survive. I understand that feeling of isolation and having only yourself to rely on. So, I am willing to help you, not just for profit, but also because... I understand the hardship."

These words, half-true and half-false, were highly persuasive. Aivi looked into Linn's deep black eyes, feeling as if she saw a destiny trajectory similar to her own clan's, and a sense of closeness—like "fellow sufferers"—spontaneously arose. She already held great goodwill and trust toward Linn for saving her, and now felt that the distance between them had been significantly narrowed.

"So... Benefactor has also gone through such experiences." Aivi's tone softened, tinged with empathy.

Seeing the harmonious atmosphere and the initial establishment of trust, Linn felt it was time to show his sincerity. He carefully took out a Jade Box wrapped in soft silk from his embrace. Opening the lid, a small, gracefully shaped grass, radiating seven-colored light, lay quietly inside. The rich vital energy and strange energy fluctuations instantly filled the room, making Aivi feel a comfortable stirring in her Origin injuries.

"This is...?" Aivi's eyes widened. She could feel the vast and pure energy contained within this small plant, far surpassing ordinary medicine.

"This item is called 'Origin Grass'," Linn introduced, his tone serious. "It is extremely rare and precious, having miraculous effects on repairing Origin damage. Although consuming it directly will waste most of its medicinal power, it is enough to heal your injuries and perhaps even... help you break through your Bottleneck and reach a higher level of strength."

He pushed the Jade Box toward Aivi. "Now, it is yours. Recover your strength as quickly as possible so we can fight side by side more effectively."

Aivi looked at the shimmering Origin Grass before her, then at the sincere expression of Linn, and an indescribable warmth and emotion welled up in her heart. In her clan's time of crisis, this unfamiliar human male had extended a helping hand, not only promising to send troops and form an alliance but now even gifting such a precious treasure for her recovery... This debt of gratitude was truly immense.

"Linn..." She called him by his name for the first time, her voice slightly choked, and her sea-blue eyes glistened. "Thank you! This kindness, I, Aivi, and our Sea God Clan, will never forget it!"

She carefully accepted the Jade Box, holding it as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.

"No need to thank me, we are allies now." Linn smiled slightly. "Rest assured and recover here. I also need some time to make final preparations. Next spring, when the storms in the Storm Sea Region subside, and after I am officially granted the title of Baron, we will set off together for Shattered Star Island!"

Aivi nodded vigorously. Although she worried about her clansmen, she understood now. It was already November, and the weather in the Storm Sea Region was getting worse, making it unsuitable for large-scale fleet navigation.

"Young Miss Aivi, truthfully, I don't have many available personnel right now. Including myself, my territory only has two Gold-tier Professionals, both of whom are still Elementary. Therefore, we must strike unexpectedly and jointly eliminate one of the two Orc forces first. The remaining force will be more than manageable under the combined strength of our two parties. Which force do you think we should deal with first?"

"Linn, you can just call me Aivi." Aivi felt very close to Linn. "I suggest we deal with the Minotaur first! Although their population is much larger than the Orcs (Strong Orcs), their ordinary Minotaurs are generally low in intelligence. As long as we cooperate to kill their leader first, the remaining Minotaurs will be scattered sand and pose no threat." Aivi analyzed accurately.

"Alright, Aivi, it's getting late, you should rest. We'll make these preliminary arrangements and discuss the rest later."

Aivi watched Linn's retreating figure, tightly clutching the Jade Box in her hand. This young Lord with black hair and black eyes not only possessed great strength and courage but also a sincerity that made her feel safe and trusting. Perhaps the fate of the Sea God Clan would truly take a turn for the better because of meeting him. She no longer hesitated, sat down cross-legged, and prepared to immediately absorb the medicinal power of the Origin Grass.