38: A different kind of dinner (thanks to hclv827 for the monthly ticket)

Dinner wasn't as good as Olaf boasted; the food was barely palatable.

Perhaps for those who had lived on ships for a long time and were accustomed to plain fare, this meal was indeed delicious.

But Arthur still ate unhurriedly, savoring each dish, trying to prolong the time as much as possible.

His only purpose tonight was to attract the attention of the people on the ship, which was also why he brought the Orc here.

Even if Drax stood still, he would still make people feel threatened.

Sure enough, the Captain arranged for some sailors to watch over the Orc to prevent him from causing trouble.

Whether in his previous life or this one, Arthur never lacked topics for conversation at the dinner table.

He started with witty and humorous jokes, then livened up the atmosphere with various absurd hearsay stories and bizarre adventures.

As the other two drank enough wine, the topics at the banquet gradually shifted towards vulgar and lewd noble scandals and unspeakable songs.

Long before the main course arrived, Airo had already gone to the underside of the Barracuda.

She followed the current, beginning to swim towards the other side of the ship.

The setting sun was slowly sinking, the river surface was coated with a layer of liquid amber, and the shimmering waves rose and fell with the current.

She and Philip had observed all day; most of the crew and sailors on the Barracuda had returned to the ship.

Including the Imperial Knights, the ship's overall guard strength was not much different from when it first docked.

Airo knew this infiltration would be much harder than last night, but she liked challenges.

She swam to the stern, pressing her body tightly against the hull to avoid being swept away by the current.

When the main course arrived, Philip appeared—or rather, a floating board.

He only surfaced from the water when the floating board drifted to the stern.

He spat out the water in his mouth and took a deep breath.

"Are you alright?" Airo asked.

The water ghost panted heavily, nodding, "Another trip won't be a problem. How do we get up?"

Airo untied the leather armor from her body and placed it on the floating board.

Then, like a spider, she began to climb upwards.

This was also the Half-Blood's talent—Spider Walk.

Some high-level Half-Bloods could even move on vertical surfaces as if on flat ground.

Philip finally understood why Airo had successfully infiltrated last time without any ropes.

He couldn't help but exclaim softly, "My Waukeen, this is truly an eye-opener."

Airo climbed in through a small window on the third deck, without making much noise throughout the process.

During her previous infiltration, she had already roughly familiarized herself with the overall layout of the Barracuda.

She climbed into the Captain's private toilet, a place not usually frequented by many people.

She listened behind the door for a while, ensuring no one was outside, before pushing the door open.

Then, she quickly disappeared into the shadows.

The sun was almost completely set, and soon the entire deck and cabin would become extremely dark.

A few oil lamps wouldn't do much.

Large patches of darkness would be her best hiding place.

Now, all she had to do was wait quietly for the signal to appear.

The signal arrived quickly, when the ship's lamp lighters began to light the oil lamps.

Airo decisively emerged from the shadows and quietly walked towards the Captain's cabin.

"Alright, my friend," Olaf said with a burp, "I told you I'd compensate you.

"But before that, I need to know if you mind doing something illegal?"

Arthur's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

"It depends on the extent. For example, I don't mind sleeping with other people's wives.

"I also don't mind seducing those hot nuns at the church."

His words made the Captain and the Knight Captain burst into laughter.

After the laughter subsided, the Knight Captain asked seriously, "Seriously, fellow.

"You don't mind buying some salvaged goods, do you?"

Arthur immediately put on an eager expression: "Salvaged goods?"

The Captain explained, "Yes, honored sir. On our way here, we encountered several wrecked ships.

"May Waukeen bless us, we not only rescued some people but also salvaged many goods from those ships.

"You know, we have a responsibility to return these goods to their owners, but..."

Arthur nodded knowingly, "How unfortunate.

"However, as long as the price is reasonable, I never ask where things come from."

"Hahaha, what did I tell you, Captain Bellowock? I said Lord Arthur is one of us."

Olaf was clearly very satisfied with this answer.

"So, what did you two salvage?"

"Mainly medicine," the Captain said, "all kinds of medicine. I can take you to see it."

Before coming, Arthur had Old Hutu list the medicines needed for the journey.

"Why not? I can use them on the way," Arthur said happily.

So, accompanied by two Imperial Knights and three sailors, the three went to the lower deck.

The Captain's cabin door was not difficult to open; Airo almost instantly pried it open with her tools.

She tiptoed into the dark room.

Using her ability to see in the dark, she cautiously searched her surroundings.

After confirming the room was empty, she closed the door and quickly went behind the desk.

The box containing gold and emeralds was under the desk.

Airo still remembered her first mentor saying she was a born thief.

Because she had incredibly nimble hands.

Airo didn't like being a thief; it was far from her ideal of a Paladin.

But after being transformed by the Dark Lord, she began to accept her destiny.

Nimble hands, limbs that could climb walls, eyes that could see in the dark...

It seemed her destiny was already sealed.

With a "click," the huge metal padlock was pried open, just as smoothly as her last visit.

Airo spread a canvas on the floor, then took out a tinderbox and lit the candle on the table.

By the dim candlelight, she began to select from the pile of artifacts.

Catherine and Old Joe had previously given her a crash course in Chult ancient civilization.

All she had to do was take the most valuable items from the box.

According to Arthur's plan, they could only take at most one-third of the items in the box.

Although Airo didn't understand why they had to do this.

But she knew that she just needed to follow the plan obediently.

"You're here," she murmured softly, taking a snake-shaped bracer from the box.

This was something Arthur specifically asked her to find.

Boxes of medicine were stacked in the deepest part of the ship's hold.

On top of the boxes were sheets of sheepskin used for disguise.

Arthur became increasingly convinced that such an elaborate drug smuggling operation must be related to the recent series of events.

However, now was not the time to investigate the truth.

He recalled the names of the medicines on the list in his mind while listening to the Captain and Olaf boasting beside him.

These two obviously regarded him as an inexperienced second-generation rich kid.

They thought they could easily manipulate him.

This was good news.

Arthur told them the medicines he needed.

Except for two types of medicine, everything else was available here.

However, the price quoted by the ship's clerk made Arthur quite dissatisfied.

He pulled Olaf aside and whispered, "This price isn't much different from the market price."

"My friend," the Knight Captain advised earnestly, "Trust me, the price we're offering is fair and reasonable.

"Those unscrupulous merchants on the market won't give you such good quality medicine."

Arthur sneered inwardly and whispered, "You and the Captain discuss it.

"Tell him I only accept this price."

As he spoke, he quickly gestured with his finger.

Olaf couldn't help but laugh: "Fellow, this price is too ridiculously low, he won't accept it."

Arthur naturally wouldn't believe his nonsense.

The price he offered was close to the black market price, so the other party could still profit.

"Alright, then forget about it," Arthur shrugged, feigning regret.

Seeing the deal about to fall through, the Knight Captain quickly said, "Don't be in a hurry, the price can be negotiated further.

"How about this, I'll have the Captain give you this price."

Arthur glanced at the number the other party offered, pretending to think for a moment.

Then he said, "I'll have that noblewoman accompany you tonight, and you can do whatever you want with her.

"How about you lower it a bit more?"

Olaf licked his lips, a lewd smile appearing on his face, "It's a deal."

Arthur also laughed, "It's a deal."