Navigator: I Have a Legendary Exploration Log

In Cherry's memory, the port of Simon Island had never been so bustling.

Waaaaah—

The armored fleet did not enter the port.

As they approached the port, the fleet sounded its horns to bid farewell to the Homecoming, and then headed toward the military port north of Simon Island, which was directly controlled by the governor.

As a result, thousands of curious eyes in the port focused on that seemingly ordinary little cargo ship.

As the Returning Home ship slowly approached the berth, dragging the enormous carcass of the giant whale, the chaotic exclamations and discussions on the dock reached everyone's ears.

People crowded around the railing, craning their necks and staring wide-eyed, their gazes shifting between the somewhat damaged ship and the enormous whale carcass, its form barely visible in the water.

Although the giant whale had been dead for a long time.

Although most of the body was submerged in the seawater.

Yet its enormous size and the thick stench of blood still created a suffocating sense of oppression.

"Good heavens... what on earth did they do?!"

"If I'm not mistaken, that should be the Gran Island fleet! They actually managed to get a fleet to escort them back!?"

"I recognize that ship's hull number. It's that guy Sartre's Tulip—no! It should be called the Homecoming now. I heard the captain's a young man..."

"Young people? How young?"

"Look! That guy with the black hair is the captain!"

"Huh? Now that you mention black hair, I heard the governor recently took a fancy to a young black-haired captain. Could this be him?"

"It really is...it's him! It's him!"

"That's no surprise! With the governor's backing, it's no wonder they can hunt giant whales and enjoy fleet escort!"

"But brother-in-law... I heard that it didn't work out. The young man rejected the governor's proposal."

"Shh...Are you out of your mind! It's their business how they spread rumors. We're soldiers, we get paid, if the higher-ups find out, we'll be out of a job! And what about the titles we use outside!"

"Yes, sir... Lieutenant!"

……

Thanks to the extraordinary perception of the extraordinary, Chalice could clearly hear the conversations that were nearby.

really……

Human nature is to gossip and enjoy watching the drama unfold...

The port staff on duty today are practically numb with worry as they watch the "Homecoming" ship steadily docked in its berth.

It's not that they've never seen the world, it's just that today's spectacle was a bit too much for them. It was like being hit by a bomb during a boring workday.

The staff looked expectantly at the secretary, who in turn looked expectantly at the highest-ranking leader present, a mid-level manager from the Navigators Association.

Chalice stood on the deck, leaning on the gunwale and looking down at him.

As a result, hundreds of eyes in the vicinity also focused on this manager.

"Sir, I...you...this...I mean..."

The middle-aged supervisor was drenched in sweat, and had never regretted so much that he had chosen to work at the port for the field allowance.

He knew very well that he was the most qualified person at the dock to handle the ship.

But the warships, the whale carcasses, and those unfounded rumors left him only able to look up at the curious-looking black-haired youth, open his mouth, but couldn't find the words to express himself.

Chalice noticed his embarrassment and awkwardness, but had no interest in helping him adjust his mindset.

"My crew members are injured, so let them disembark for treatment first."

At a critical moment.

A clerk bravely stepped forward.

Chalice looked at the woman who took the initiative to approach him.

A knowing glint flashed in his eyes...

Susanna bit her lip, mustered her courage, and flashed her most perfect smile, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "Captain Cherries, your hunting skills are truly unforgettable!"

She barely managed to maintain the association's dignity.

"Your request is reasonable. We'll arrange a fast track for you right away. However, according to procedure, we need to verify your identity and permission, as well as your connection to this end..."

Susanna looked at the enormous beast with a troubled expression, which almost made her legs go weak.

Born into a wealthy merchant family, she was pampered from a young age and even became a clerical clerk in the association through connections.

She had only heard of such horrifying scenes, but had never witnessed them in person...

Fortunately, a powerful spiritual pressure swept in from behind, shielding Susanna from the smell of blood.

Two figures were seen rushing towards them, and the crowds in their path naturally parted.

The newcomers were none other than Sartre, who looked anxious, and Jack, whose head was gleaming with baldness.

As a third-order inquisitor, Jack's domain is wherever the law prevails.

The more people he interrogated on Simon Island, the deeper the authority of the law he established became.

His mere presence is enough to make the crowd instinctively obey the rules or forcibly disperse.

Jack almost never needs to actively activate his extraordinary abilities.

"This kid..."

Jack glanced at the massive whale carcass bobbing in the water at the stern of the ship, a hint of appreciation appearing on his solemn expression.

of course.

This kind of "gentleness" will not be reserved for anyone else.

"What are you standing there for!?"

Jack turned his head slightly and said in a deep voice to the manager, whose forehead was beaded with sweat, "Clear the area immediately! Mobilize men to seal off this area, and disperse all onlookers to within fifty meters!"

"Yes...yes! Your Excellency! I'll take care of it right away!"

The manager felt as if he had been granted a pardon and hurriedly ordered the guards on duty to get to work.

Susanna turned around and glanced at Cherries several times.

She felt relieved, but also had some inexplicable regret.

But since things had come to this, she could only drag her somewhat weak legs and leave in a hurry.

Seeing that the bystanders had all dispersed, Sartre jumped directly onto the deck without waiting for the Homecoming to lower its gangway.

He looked Chairis up and down. "Are you injured?"

"No, I'm fine!"

Chalice gestured to the sailors to quickly lower the gangway so that Director Jack, who maintained his dignified demeanor, could also come aboard.

Jack boarded the ship, and saw Sartre pat Cherries heavily on the shoulder, as if he wanted to say something.

In the end, it all turned into a sigh.

The usually stern and unsmiling senior board member now had a complex expression on his face. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "What's going on with those warships?"

"We encountered sharks on our return journey..."

Chalice succinctly explained his encounters and experiences with the Seventh Fleet.

of course.

He did not mention the hidden reason why the fleet had him "specifically" broadcast the news.

There are too many people and too many eyes around here; it's not a good place to talk.

Although the officer did not avoid the other sailors and crew members of the Homecoming, he did not seem to care that the conversation was leaked.

But Chalice couldn't ignore it...

Jack frowned slightly, then said with approval in his eyes, "Your efficiency is truly amazing. Of all the captains who underwent the assessment, it's hard to say about their strength, but your speed of action is definitely the strongest."

"I was lucky, mostly just lucky..."

Chalice chuckled.

Jack's admiration grew even stronger.

He takes credit for others' work but is not arrogant; he takes responsibility but does not shirk it.

This young man... seems even more outstanding than I thought...

That old bastard Sartre really gave me a big surprise...

……