Reina was the first to notice Jack. She stood up. Her eyes immediately went bright with relief.
"Dear!" She called out. Stepping toward him. She didn't run. But there was a visible tension leaving her shoulders.
Jack met her halfway. Wrapping an arm around her waist. "I'm back, Love. Is everyone alright?"
"We're fine." Reina said. Leaning into him for a brief moment before her practical nature took over. "Aella is sleeping in the tent. The others are here, resting mostly. But Leon is gone."
Jack frowned. Looking toward the others. Baroness Artheim was consulting a map with Ned and Moby. Don, Argust, and Barnaby were discussing something. Chloe was curled up with Sparkle, the kirin cub.
"Gone?" He asked. "Where?"
"He went scouting about an hour ago." Reina explained. "We've sent the survivors back into the city. But, the city itself wasn't completely safe. The area around the arena is a complete disaster. The City Watch guards are barely holding it together. Leon wanted to assess the situation."
Jack nodded. That sounded like Leon. Despite his antics, the man was a professional. He wouldn't just sit around a campfire if there was work to be done... or profit to be made.
As if summoned by the mention of his name, a shadow approached them. It was a man in dark leather outfit. Walking in confident gaits and grinning wide. It was Leon. He looked like a man who had just won a war.
"Captain!" Leon greeted once he spot Jack. "Glad to see you didn't get marooned in whatever hell-hole that specter brought that damned pearl to."
"I have my ways." Jack replied calmly. "What did you find in the city?"
Leon didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached for a large [Spatial Backpack] hanging from his shoulder. He unslung it and dumped its contents onto the grass.
As he did so, the crew gathered around. Even the sleeping Aella got awakened and came to see what happened. Their eyes were widening at the sight of the loot.
"The Great Game of Glory was interrupted before the awards ceremony." Leon said. His voice was calm and business-like. "The officials were either dead, sucked into that damned black hole, or fleeing for their lives."
"I've found the prize vault in the arena was cracked open by a stray blast from the illuminated battle." He explained. "I figured it would be a shame to let these fall into the hands of looters. They were our rightful prizes after all."
"Only ten?" Argust asked. "You don't take all?"
Leon shrugged his shoulder. "I'm a treasure hunter, not a dumb thief. I only take ownerless treasures... and what should rightfully belongs to me, or us, in this case. Taking more was just looking for trouble."
Jack looked down at the haul. Even in the dim light of the night, he could sense that the items were radiating a significant amount of power. He immediately activated his [Eyes of Judgement] and appraise the objects one by one.
First was the [Divine Wine Jug]. It was made of polished silver. Its runes were glowing golden in the dim light. Its main function was to turn ordinary alcoholic drink into a restorative wine that could heal internal injuries, purify common poisons, and dispel low level curses.
Next was the [Cloud Weaver's Mantle]. A gossamer cloak that felt like it was woven from actual cloud. It was a garment that could be activated to reduce the power of gravity up to one tenth of the original. Basically, a great item for enhancing jumping power and nullifying fall damage.
Then, there was a glowing, white-gold blade. Jack's appraisal told him that it was the [Sacred Angel Blade]. It was emitting a holy resonance that made the shadows at the edge of the campfire retreat. It was a powerful holy weapon designed specifically to slay undead, devil, and demon.
Beside it, sat the [Mighty War Drum]. A small, hand-held drum made of thunder-beast hide. Jack's [Eyes of Judgement] informed him that the beats of the drum could eliminate fear, bolster the morale, and significantly increase the physical strength of all allies within range.
"And this one is our main target, isn't it?" Leon pointed at a big, blade-like key.
It was the [Dragon Vault Key]. Despite its sabre-like appearance, it wasn't a weapon. It was a literal key to a legendary treasury hidden somewhere in Myriad Island Archipelago.
The next was, according to Jack's appraisal, the [Wyvern Scale Belt]. It was a dark green belt which offered a boost of massive vitality and resistance against elemental attacks.
Afterward, came the [Mystic Herb Pouch]. It was a simple looking, light green pouch. An enchanted herbal bag that couldn't just preserve the effect of any medicinal herbs kept inside it, but also increase their quality over time.
Then, there was the [Pure Heart Lantern]. A delicate silver lantern. Its light was able to dispel any illusions and drive away undead creatures and low-level, evil spirit entities.
"I think this one's for you, Don." Leon said as he pointed at the next item.
It was the [Celestial Gourmet Wok]. A heavy, dark iron wok that caught the firelight strangely. Jack's appraisal showed that it could enhance the magical properties of any food cooked in it. Assuming that the food had magical properties in the first place, of course.
The last object was a mixture of a torch and a mace. Completely dark crimson in color. It was the [Crimson Torch Mace]. A weapon that enhanced fire manipulation significantly.
"Ten artifacts." Jack noted. His voice was impressed but still calm. "Great job, Leon."
"Yeah!" Barnaby agreed. A wide smirk appeared across his face. "You've got a nice time for looting these items."
"Technically, we won the tournament." Leon replied. Crossing his arms. "They rightfully belong to us. I just helped with the logistics of the delivery."
"Alright! Pack it up." Jack commanded. "We'll divide it later when we're back to the sea. For now, rest! We'll stay here until dawn. Then, we'll head back to the coast."
"Don't we need to go to Marevale, Captain?" Aella reminded him. "You want to buy some mystic animals, don't you?"
"That's right. I almost forget about that." Jack replied. "Let's take the route passing through Marevale later. The Mirror Mansion had the ranch and grassland expansion. It will be a pity not to use them."
"Alright everyone. For now, rest!" Jack gave the command again.
...
Next morning... The air was cool. Carrying the sweet scent of the island's grass and wild flowers.
"Everyone, inside!" Jack commanded. The surface of the hand mirror he held rippled like water as he used his [Mythical Mirror Realm] power.
He didn't need to explain the logistics. Moving with more than a dozen people across the island was slow. Even when all of them were transcendent people. And to make it worse, they had no mounts or other means of transportation.
To reach the destination as fast as possible, they could only use the old trick. Utilizing the Mirror Mansion.
One by one, Baroness Artheim, Aella, Barnaby, and the rest of the crew moved toward the mirror and were sucked inside. Disappearing into the reflective spatial gate.
Once the portal closed, only Jack, Reina, and Rune remained in the meadow.
Rune hovered near Reina's shoulder. Her body pulsed with a steady, soft yellow glow. A silent signal of readiness.
Jack summoned his [Lightning Hoverbike] from the system inventory. The machine materialized instantly. Hovering on air. It was a masterpiece of runic engineering. Dark, sleek, yet robust.
The hoverbike's runic engine hummed with a low, almost silent, vibrational frequency. The runic inscription all over the vehicle's body was emitting a pale purple glow over the grass in the meadow.
Jack swung his leg over the seat. Reina climbed up behind him. Wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Her warmth pressed against his back. A grounding sensation amidst the chaotic plans running through his mind.
"Ready, Love?" Jack asked. Turning to Reina.
"Anytime, Dear." Reina replied. A faint, contented smile appeared on her lips. "Let's get to Marevale as fast as possible."
With a twist of the throttle, the hoverbike rose higher the ground. The soft hum escalated into a sharp, electric crackle.
Jack didn't waste time on a slow take-off. He pushed the throttle hard. And the machine shot into the sky in a blurry speed.
...
The journey to Marevale Town was swift. It took them through the foothills of the western part of the Northcoast Mountains.
The scenery was actually incredible. Dense forests of dark-green-leafed trees. Followed by jagged cliffs of granite that seemed to glow in the sunlight.
Using a flying hoverbike, they bypassed the mountain passes. Ignoring the winding route that would have taken land-based vehicles days to navigate.
By mid-afternoon, the lush, rolling hills of the Marevale region came into view.
Jack guided the hoverbike down toward a secluded grove of willow trees on the outskirts of Marevale Town. The machine touched down smoothly. Its engine settled into a quiet hum before Jack shut it down and returned it to his system inventory.
"A clean ride." Reina noted. Smoothing down her wind-swept hair. "We make a good time."
"Indeed." Jack agreed. "Let's get the others out."
Jack took out his hand mirror and opened the portal to the Mirror Mansion. The crew stepped out from it. Stretching their limbs and squinting against the bright afternoon sun.
"Ah, fresh air of the real world!" Barnaby exclaimed. His lute was slung over his shoulder. "Though I must say, Captain. Your mansion is getting more comfortable by the day."
"It's still too empty though." Jack replied. "Time to fill it with useful animals. Come on! We have three ranches to visit... 'Enchanted Pastures', 'Emerald Ranch', and 'Mystical Spring'."
The crew fell into line. Baroness Artheim walked beside Jack. Her scholarly curiosity piqued. "Are you looking for specific traits in these beasts, Captain? Or simply for populating the new expansion?"
"Both." Jack answered. "The ranch expansion of the mansion has a lot of empty space. If we are going to be at sea for long periods, we need a self-sustaining ecosystem inside the mansion. Fresh milk, eggs, meat, and raw materials."
He looked at the other crew members. "And many of you will likely need mounts for land travel. We have enough wealth from our previous treasure hunts. Time to exchange it for useful livestock and mounts."