Chapter 590
The city, shrouded in a dim sea fog, was just as filthy as he had expected. A stench of salt mixed with rot assaulted his nose the moment he stepped onto the docks.
Clip— Clop—
There were no inspections or searches. The group followed Sanford and his men into the city. Brennen, Ian, and Mukapa rode alongside the carriage, taking positions on the left, right, and rear. They had no trust in this city’s security, and it seemed the crew of the Black Wave, including Sanford, felt the same.
Sanford, at the head of the group, walked with a leisurely pace, his hand resting on the sword at his hip as if his arm weren't injured at all. It looked like he was taking his time, but he was actually matching his pace to the sailors who were supporting the wounded. Of course, the sailors with blades at their waists were acting as guards.
At the very back, Hashim, sharing the load of a metal lockbox with another sailor, clutched a drawn dagger, his face grim as he scanned their surroundings.
Residents were emerging from the muddy alleyways between the crude wooden buildings. Every one of them looked as if they had lived a life far from honest work, but Ian’s eyes swept over them without concern.
"It’s quieter than I thought. Maybe because it’s morning," said Thesaya from the slightly open carriage window. The pained-sounding breaths belonged to Simon, who was suffering from land sickness.
Watching the whispering residents with a gloomy expression, Ian replied, "Or maybe the healthy ones have all been dragged off to the archipelago."
The proportion of children, women, the elderly, and those with missing body parts was unnaturally high. There were many with missing fingers, or who were one-eyed, or whose noses had been cut off. Not a few were missing a hand or wore a crude prosthetic leg. Even the ships docked were mostly fishing boats.
"Aha, right. They must have been conscripted for the expedition," said Thesaya with a snort. Her face, briefly visible through the window, wore a cold sneer. "I should tell them they all became fish food."
"They might be watching because they’re curious about that very news," Ian replied indifferently.
Thesaya, after a short gasp, added, "Then I shouldn’t tell them. Let them wonder."