Crimson Servant

"John, your methods are still so clean and neat, and they look pleasing to the eye." The two of John walked on the road to the seaport city of Levipool, with Barnes walking in front, chattering non-stop.

"You don't have to flatter me, Barnes." John looked at the captain in front of him. His appearance was almost unchanged from a few years ago, "I just paid the reward we agreed on, and now it's your turn."

Barnes rolled his eyes and moved his fingers back and forth, "We haven't agreed, and I haven't agreed yet! Now I think about it carefully, John, I have decided to refuse your help. I will not go to the Chaotic Sea, that world. The border is too dangerous and no one ever goes back."

The corners of Barnes' mouth curved upward, looking like a cheeky fox in John's eyes.

John said helplessly: "I regard you as my friend, Barnes. You have helped me several times. You know that I will not speak harshly to my friends."

Barnes laughed even more wildly.

John continued, "But this is not your chance to act rogue, Barnes. I won't hurt you, but Francis will. You know he hates untrustworthy bastards the most."

Barnes's expression became very ugly. He covered his head, leaned back and scratched his scalp, rubbed his arms and straightened his hat, and whispered in a deep voice: "I should have thought of it... nothing good will happen to this kid. He That black-skinned, pointy-eared, control-freak adoptive father must have set his sights on me, it’s over! I’m done!”

John added, correcting Barnes' whisper, "Francis is not my adoptive father. Neither he nor I have admitted that."

Barnes sneered and lifted up his clothes to reveal a bowl-sized scar on his waist and abdomen.

"That cruel dark elf left me this scar just because I gave you a ride on the boat. His desire to control is beyond that of the devils in hell! Come on, he just does whatever he wants. madman!"

"Don't confuse right and wrong, Barnes! It wasn't as simple as taking a boat that time! You, a shameless cheater, got caught, and ended up running away, leaving me alone to face a dozen tall thugs. .Francis would never fight for me, he beat me quite a few times, you must have pissed him off somewhere else and got stabbed, don’t put the blame on me!”

Barnes retorted confidently: "That's because I didn't know you were a Crimson God Warlock at the time! If I had known earlier, I would have stood bravely with you!"

Barnes excitedly raised his hands and waved them in the air.

"That dark scourge, I actually used to be friends with him, but he stole my things and came after me!"

John was stunned for a moment by Barnes's excited venting. He had never heard of this before. The lion and the fox had a history of being friends. John couldn't believe that the dark elf who kept his word would be friends with this smooth-talking human. . As for stealing, object reversal makes it more believable.

"Then tell me what Francis stole from you?"

"...I forgot." Barnes showed embarrassment as if his lie had been exposed, and rambled on, leading the topic elsewhere.

The gate of the harbor city of Levipool slowly became visible during the conversation between the two.

They met the guards, reported their false names, and walked towards the bustling city center.

"As for the rules, this is not the first time you have boarded my ship. There is no need for me to repeat the price of those stupid young people who are self-righteous. Action comes before thinking, and obedience is better than self-discipline. This is not difficult for you, Mr. John."

"As you command, Captain." The two of them tacitly bypassed the fact that Barnes had given up on Francis and participated in John's actions, and gave this troublesome middle-aged man a little respect. This is the best way to get along with Barnes. The premise is that he does not transfer the conflict to harm you. Barnes is the destined lone star predicted by Francis. His destiny is like a one-way street one foot wide. Trouble and danger will be like a resentful water ghost, sinking everyone around him into the water one by one, and he He miraculously escaped. This is one of the reasons why John Camp doesn't hate Barnes. In John's eyes, their experiences are so similar that they are almost like the same kind. As for the trouble that Barnes attracted, John Kemp thought he could handle most of it.

Barnes took John to the seaport. Due to the recent continuous stormy weather at sea, ships of all sizes were docked at the pier. There were stevedores on the deck constantly moving goods. The maritime trade market displayed exotic goods, and cars and horses were passing by. Continuously.

They came to an arched building with a blue roof and white walls. A bright gold anchor emblem hung on the door. Barnes introduced, "This is the branch of the Norbrion Shipping Merchants' Guild. They come from the south and carry out various shipping trades in Levipool. The prices are affordable and reasonable. We can rent a big ship here and then go on our own." Recruiting people.”

John lowered his head and looked at Barnes' fingers tapping lightly on his elbow, "Since they are willing to rent a ship, they should also be able to recruit sailors."

"Of course not!" Barnes refused, "We can't hire people from the Chamber of Commerce, let alone let them find out that the leased ship will sail to the chaotic sea and never come back."

Is that why you rent instead of buy?

John asked, "Can't you lead us safely back from the Chaos Sea?"

"No, no one can come back from the edge of the world."

"But I remember you went to that sea area."

"Yes! I have been to that raging sea where the storm never ceases. The hurricanes and waves there are so fierce that they are trying to kill each other, and the only result of the ship being involved is to be crushed. I suffered there. I persisted for three days and used up the last bit of food and the last crew member..."

"And you weathered the storm?"

"Then I used a summoning ritual to escape to hell, and lived an elusive life under a duchess. Look in my eyes, that's the price I paid for the rent. She didn't let me back out of love, but because she knew I was Living would bring endless trouble to her rivals.”

John's mouth dropped, staring at Barnes who seemed to be showing off.

"So you never thought about how to bring us back alive from the beginning."

Barnes feigned surprise.

"Didn't we agree to take you to the Chaos Sea? My ship sells one-way tickets. I thought you already knew that."

"I feel more and more that Francis must have a reason for pursuing you. You must have done something bad that harmed others and yourself."

"Don't slander your honorable Captain Barnes. Watch your tone, Crewman John."

Barnes pushed open the door of the Norbrion Ship Merchants Guild and waved for John to follow.

"I hope you have prepared enough rent, employer. Chartering a ship also requires a lot of money. Don't look at me. My money has long since sunk with the ship, otherwise I wouldn't be boarding with the kind port hostess. Home.”

"Okay, Mr. Captain, do you have anything else to say?" John asked angrily.

"Also, be smart. Norbrion's group is very powerful. Be careful not to provoke them."

John stared sideways at the serious Barnes, "Yes, Captain Barnes."