"That's quite typical," Ticky whistled, no longer putting on the airs of a noble around him, jokingly said, "After all, it's a costless transaction."

Hiring those Lizardmen doesn't cost anything.

Just like when he ran a tavern by the seaside, all you need to pay them with is something called Joss Paper.

Captain Kaidesen closed the ledger after checking it, and handed it over to Ticky with a face full of emotion.

"I could toil on the Vast Ocean for a hundred years without food or drink and still not earn this much... being by your side is truly eye-opening."

Ticky chuckled and said.

"Isn't that obvious? That thing isn't meant for you to buy; if you could afford it, it wouldn't be priced at that."

"You're really a Demon!" Captain Kaidesen couldn't help but curse.

Ticky used his pinky finger to clean his ear.

"What did you say? I didn't catch that."

Kaidesen's expression stiffened, and he quickly corrected himself.

"What I meant was, you're practically a Divine Envoy sent by Saint Sis to save us poor shipwrecked souls."

That's more like it!

Though it was completely untrue.

Ticky's face bore an approving smile as he patted Kaidesen on the shoulder with the hand he just used to clean his ear, waving the ledger in his hand.

"I'm glad you think so... In any case, I'll leave this to you, if anything unexpected happens, you know how to find me."

"Oh right, don't forget that there's a share for you in this money, so keep up the good work."

With that, he instructed his lifeless-looking soldiers to load the boxes full of silver coins onto a cart, then mounted a horse and ambled towards the castle on a nearby hill.

By the way—

This purebred highland horse was also picked up cheaply from a failing merchant guild as debt settlement, and it's said to sell for tens of thousands of silver in the New Continent.

Kaidesen respectfully bowed his head, watching the departing noble with ostentatious flare.

Not for anything else, but for that phrase "a share for you," this esteemed Baron deserves the title of "Divine Envoy."

At least, that's how he felt in his heart.

Besides, these days, the sailors of the Traveler aren't clamoring to leave.

With Captain Kaidesen becoming Baron Ticky's Steward, the de facto Governor of Withered Wood Port, their status rose with the tide. Although they still worked, the work was much lighter than before; each became a foreman, and even got their own wooden cabins... though they built those themselves.

However, that's not the point. What's important is that the people disembarking at Withered Wood Port aren't just stranded sailors, but also immigrants from the Old Continent.

Among them are frightened young ladies or newly widowed women in need of a shoulder, in this isolated and helpless environment, these well-paid and housed sailors from the Traveler have unexpectedly become quite the sought-after bachelors.

It's like that single-plank bridge effect.

Normally, no decent woman would fancy a bunch of drifters who could end up feeding fish at any moment.

Even though they themselves mostly couldn't make it in the Old Continent, which is why they boarded a ship to the New Continent.

These rough men have never seen such happenings, and they capitulated in no time.

Some have already informed Captain Kaidesen of their plans to settle down in Withered Wood Port and told him not to take them when he leaves.

From now on, they consider themselves Gana people.

...

The setting sun cast its golden light on the rooftops of the wooden huts in Withered Wood Port, turning the moldy wooden planks into glittering gold mines.

As Kaidesen was directing the foremen to distribute a new batch of grain rations, a pigeon with immaculate feathers and its leg band wrapped in a silver magic pattern quietly landed on the window sill of the "Governor's Office."

"Coo coo—!"

It showed no fear of people, cooing at Kaidesen.

Kaidesen didn't have time to deal with it and impatiently waved his hand to shoo it away.

"Shoo shoo, where did this sea bird come from... get lost, or I'll stew you."

The pigeon, seemingly more intelligent than expected, wasn't frightened and instead stood upright, tapping the nearly wind-torn window with its claw, even knocking loose a nail that wasn't secured properly.

Only then did Kaidesen realize something was off with this bird, hurriedly taking it from the window sill, and soon discovering the message tube tied to its leg.

He removed the tube and carefully unwrapped it, quickly pulling out the letter inside.

The crumpled paper was slightly damp, and at its end, there was a golden military insignia embossed—a scepter and sword crossed over a pointed-roof castle.

"... Saint Yil Castle? General Hamoldon?"

He unfolded the letter and, after reading just two lines, was frozen in place.

[Esteemed Prince Rocksey Colin:

I, Hamolden Joseph, on behalf of the Aus Empire's Vast Ocean Fleet, extend our sincerest gratitude to you and Baron Ticky Cosia at Withered Wood Port!

Thanks to your port's protection of the Grace, the soldiers and sailors from Saint Yil Castle were able to safely rest and return home.

To express my gratitude for your assistance in our time of need, I will set out in seven days to personally offer my thanks!

I hope my visit does not disturb you.

—Hamolden Joseph.

]

General Hamoldon!

The commander of the Seldo Port landing operation!

A legendary general awarded the title of "Imperial Griffin" by the Imperial Regent King!

He's coming in person?! Here? To this rundown place?!

Captain Kaidesen's breathing quickened in an instant, his face blooming in a rosy glow as if he'd seen a newspaper idol.

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