Chapter 137. Taste of Raw Meat ; First Encounter with Federation
The ship glided smoothly through the calm waters, its sails filled with the gentle ocean breeze. Lily walked along the deck in the middle of the night, enjoying the cool air and the serene sound of the waves lapping against the hull. The ocean stretched out before her, silent and deep, its surface shimmering under the pale moonlight. She looked up at the starry sky, her thoughts drifting along with the gentle rocking of the ship.
As she gazed at the stars, her eyes caught a glimpse of something unusual—a figure moving swiftly through the night sky, riding what seemed to be a flying sword. The figure, dressed in a black hooded cloak, was barely more than a silhouette against the stars, but it moved with purpose and speed.
"Huh... Some rats," Lily murmured to herself, realizing that this mysterious figure was likely an intruder. She watched as the figure flew off into the distance, disappearing into the darkness of the night sky. Satisfied that the figure posed no immediate threat, she turned and made her way back to her cabin, deciding to report the incident to Tyler in the morning.
Meanwhile, the figure in the black hood, now far from the ship, sighed. "Looks like they’re not an easy target," he mumbled to himself. The crew of Tyler’s ship seemed more vigilant and capable than he had anticipated. He adjusted his grip on the hilt of the flying sword, pondering his next move. Capturing Astrid was Captain Silver Eye’s problem, not his.
As the night wore on, the ship continued its steady course toward Rich Berg Island, unaware of the dark plans being hatched in the shadows. Lily, back in her cabin, fell into a deep sleep.
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The next morning, Lily found Tyler on the deck, discussing the day’s plans with some of the crew. She approached him, her face serious. "Tyler, we had a visitor last night," she said, her voice low. "Someone on a flying sword was spying on us."
Tyler’s eyes narrowed. "A flying sword? Probably some pirates," he mused. "Especially with her on board." He raised his chin, gesturing in Astrid’s direction.
Astrid, wearing a chef’s apron, was busy in the ship’s kitchen. She emerged with a plate of tuna, her face beaming with pride. "This is tuna, my childhood best friend’s favourite dish," she announced, setting the plate on the dining table where Mana and Silvia were already seated.
On the table sat a clean, white plate showcasing a dish of tuna. The tuna slices were a vibrant, deep red, indicating their freshness and quality. Each slice was cut thinly and precisely, with a sheen that caught the light, highlighting the fish’s delicate texture. The tuna was artfully arranged, each piece overlapping slightly for an elegant presentation.
Next to the plate was a small, stylish dish containing soy sauce, its dark colour providing a rich contrast to the bright tuna. The aroma of the soy sauce was salty and slightly sweet, complementing the subtle, oceanic scent of the raw tuna. A sprinkling of finely chopped scallions or a light dusting of sesame seeds was added on top of the tuna for a touch of colour and flavour. The dish exuded a simple, refined elegance, inviting diners to enjoy the purity and freshness of the tuna.