Sami stepped down from the deck and walked toward a small room at the entrance of the sterncastle deck. Nailed beside the door was a crude wooden sign with the words "Navigation Room" carved into it with a knife.
He pushed the door open.
The room wasn't large, but it was fairly tidy. Several massive sea charts had been pieced together and pinned across the walls. On the desk lay an open navigation log and a notebook, while Hans sat hunched over them, frowning as he compared various markings.
"Yo, Hans. Busy, huh?" Sami greeted him, leaning against the doorframe. "If I remember correctly, the next island is called Drum Island, right?"
Hans looked up and adjusted his glasses.
"Yes, Boss. Based on the direction of the Log Pose and the intelligence provided by Mr. Crocus, the next island should indeed be Drum Island. It's said to be a medical nation famous for its advanced medicine."
"Oh? A medical nation?" Sami became interested. He walked into the room, his gaze sweeping across the charts on the wall. "Tell me more. What information do we have about Drum Island?"
"I'm sorting through it now," Hans replied, immediately digging through a stack of documents while muttering to himself. "Drum Island… Drum Island… Ah, here it is!"
He pulled out several yellowed sheets along with a few newer notes and began reporting.
"Drum Island is a winter climate island, ruled by the Potimosros family. The current king is Potimosros Jiabo, known as the Iron Wall King."
"According to our intelligence, during his reign he has aggressively recruited and sponsored doctors from all over the world in the name of the royal family. He also built something called the Tower of Physicians."
"This tower is meant to gather and protect valuable medical knowledge and doctors, shielding them from Drum Island's harsh weather as well as outside interference."
"At the same time, he ordered royal scholars and doctors to collaborate in compiling a vast system of medical texts. They've also collected rare medicinal herbs and samples from all around the world."
Hans's tone grew more serious.
"Additionally, the king's foreign policy is extremely tough."
"In the face of pirates and the ambitions of other kingdoms, he established a very efficient defensive force. Rumor says the king himself is also a formidable warrior. That's where the title Iron Wall King comes from."
"Under his rule, Drum Island has not only become a renowned center of medical scholarship, but the island itself is also extremely orderly and prosperous."
"I see… advanced medical technology…" Sami rubbed his chin.
His right fist lightly tapped into his left palm.
"Perfect. I've always felt our ship's doctor is a bit lacking. He can only treat basic sword wounds. If someone gets sick or poisoned, we basically have to rely on their own body to tough it out."
"That problem became especially obvious during the year we spent on Little Garden."
"We definitely need to recruit some real doctors for the ship. At the very least, we should learn some proper medical techniques."
Hans looked somewhat uncertain after hearing this. He adjusted his glasses again.
"Boss… Drum Island is a famous medical center. The doctors here have high status, comfortable lives, and are protected by the state and military…"
"They probably wouldn't be willing to give up their stable lives to become ship doctors on a pirate ship."
Hearing Hans's concerns, Sami simply grinned carelessly and cut off his analysis.
"Who cares? Let's get there first and see what happens."
"If polite recruitment doesn't work…"
"We'll just have to use the less polite method."
Sami stopped at the doorway and turned half his face back toward Hans.
"Don't forget, Hans—"
"We're pirates."
"Lower the pirate flag. Prepare to dock!"
Hans's voice echoed across the deck.
The Jellyfish skull flag was lowered, replaced by an ordinary merchant flag as the Swordfish slowly approached the snow-covered harbor of Drum Island.
Unlike the warm climate of Little Garden, the air here carried a biting chill. The roofs of the harbor buildings were buried under thick layers of snow.
The ship had barely stopped and the gangplank had not even fully lowered when a port official in a thick uniform came jogging over, clutching a registration board.
"The usual procedure," Sami said, nodding toward Hans.
"Understood, Boss."
Hans immediately put on the smile of a seasoned businessman and walked over to negotiate with the official.
Before long, the registration was completed, along with the payment of a rather expensive docking fee.
Hans returned to Sami and lowered his voice, his expression somewhat serious.
"Boss, their inspections are stricter than any island we've encountered before. They asked detailed questions about identity, cargo, and origin."
"I registered us as a merchant ship from the West Blue, mainly dealing in… specialty crafts and overseas goods."
"Well done." Sami nodded.
"Send a team to bring some of the cargo we don't need from the hold. We'll take it ashore and sell it at a shop."
"Pass the word—everyone watch their mouths. Right now we're merchants from the West Blue here to do business. Don't slip up."
"Yes, Boss."
Sami only brought Aldo, Cahero, a few other officers, and a small elite team carrying more than a dozen crates of fairly decent-looking goods onto the streets of Drum Island.
The moment they stepped ashore, Sami immediately felt how heavily guarded the island was.
Patrol teams armed with spears and muskets constantly scanned every ship docking at the harbor and every person coming ashore.
Even the tall watchtowers had soldiers standing guard.
However, upon closer observation, it became clear that while the inspections were strict, the guards seemed more focused on maintaining order on the island.
Several other merchant caravans had just arrived as well. Many of their members looked fierce, with bulging belts that clearly concealed weapons.
At a glance, it was obvious they were hardly ordinary merchants—most likely pirates disguised just like them.
Yet the patrol teams only conducted routine inspections of their cargo manifests.
As long as their documents were complete, they carried no forbidden contraband, and behaved themselves at the port without causing trouble, the guards simply turned a blind eye.
It seemed that no matter where you came from, as long as you obeyed Drum Island's rules and didn't cause chaos here, the Iron Wall King silently allowed this kind of gray trade to exist.
"Tch. The Iron Wall King… the title isn't exaggerated. The place is managed very well," Cahero commented quietly as he straightened his tie, making himself look more like a successful merchant.
"As long as we don't cause trouble first, we should be fine."
Sami grinned.
"Then let's find a place to sell these 'local specialties' first. We'll restock the ship's supplies—then we can take a proper look around."
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