"Welcome to Bilgewater!"
Miss Fortune drew her flintlock pistol and used the barrel to tip up her hat. Her ship, the Siren, trailed closely behind the Swordfish, keeping watch for any potential threats.
Here, power spoke louder than reason.
As long as your fists were big enough, you could go wherever you pleased.
So long as you didn't ask to be killed.
With her fiery figure, Miss Fortune drew plenty of eyes, and Duke, standing beside her, was like a lightning rod for attention. Curious gazes swept over him, as if trying to assess what kind of man deserved to be at her side.
But the old sea dogs of Bilgewater quickly looked away.
Only a fool would stare at Miss Fortune too long, that was just asking to die young.
Not to mention, with the Siren escorting the Swordfish, it was obvious this ship had powerful backing. Only idiots would risk provoking it.
"Tsk tsk, the Siren providing escort? What's the story with this ship?"
"Miss Fortune isn't even on her own ship. That must be some serious background."
"I thought she was hunting down Bloodfin Sean?"
"Bloodfin Sean's done for. His signature Axefin Shark flag is hanging from the Siren. What do you think happened to him?"
"Who's that kid beside Miss Fortune?"
"Pretty boy. Think he's her boy toy?"
"Hahaha..."
...
Amid the vulgar chatter, Duke glanced sideways at Miss Fortune. She remained calm, only tossing him a casual glance.
"Idiots are everywhere. If I wasted time dealing with them, I'd go broke just buying gunpowder," she said coolly. "Learn to adapt, kid."
"I'm not bothered. But have you thought it over?"
Duke's voice was low, meant only for her ears. Miss Fortune rolled her eyes at him, her tone lazy and flirtatious.
"Don't be impatient. Patience is a virtue."
"Since you plan to conduct experiments, at least get past the City Hall. They're mostly for show, but we still have to play by the rules."
As they neared the docks, the Siren suddenly overtook them, rudely edging out the surrounding ships and lowering a boarding plank toward the Swordfish.
"See you later, little guy!"
With a wink, Miss Fortune grabbed the box she had placed on deck and walked across the plank to her ship.
"That thing I gave you is just a consumable. Don't treat it like treasure. If it breaks, come find me."
She stumbled slightly, but regained her balance and disappeared onto her ship.
Duke shook his head. Even after becoming rich, people who'd known poverty tended to stay stingy.
"Captain Lister."
"Yes, Mr. Duke?"
Lister stepped beside him. Duke, gazing forward, issued a quiet order:
"Find a hotel. I'll be going ashore to explore Bilgewater. Leave someone behind to wait for me. Once I'm done, I'll meet you at the hotel."
"Do you need guards, sir?"
"I'm not so weak that a few street thugs could take me out."
He felt the tremble as the Swordfish docked and glanced at Jayce.
"Better keep an eye on Jayce. Don't worry about me."
"Understood, sir."
Once fully docked, Duke unbuttoned a few fasteners on his coat. Unlike Piltover's damp, chilly winds, Bilgewater's air was stiflingly hot, and reeked of something foul.
The closer they got to port, the stronger the stench became.
It came from the Butcher Docks and Bonepier Coast, where sea monsters were hauled in and dismantled. Not a single piece went to waste. All of it got sold off as valuable goods.
No one but monster hunters dared venture to the Butcher Docks, a vile place where blood-stained planks were permanently soaked in gore.
There were even Bilgewater Wharf Rats, vicious, amphibious rodents with razor-sharp teeth. Greedy and bold, they'd stalk lone travelers, waiting for a chance to pounce.
After a short wait, the Swordfish received clearance. It passed under the Butcher's Bridge into Bilgewater's main thoroughfare.
And that was when Duke finally saw the city's chaotic splendor.
Rough, barbaric buildings rose up both sides of the cliffs, cobbled together from stone, planks, and the massive bones of sea creatures. It all looked like some twisted beehive.
Even more insane were the towering spires and towers perched on cliff edges, stacked so high it looked like the next strong wind might blow them down.
Bilgewater embodied the philosophy: if land is scarce, build upward with brute force.
They passed the enormous sea serpent carvings, remnants of ancient civilizations long since lost. Every settlement in the city was built atop the ruins of the old world.
There weren't many roads between houses either. Instead, rope bridges, pulley lifts, and a labyrinth of stairways connected the city.
"This place is worse than Zaun!" Jayce muttered, gazing at the divided city split by the Butcher's Bridge.
Duke rolled his eyes. "Please, like you've even been to Zaun."
"You're from Zaun, right? So what's the difference?"
"Instead of comparing Bilgewater to Zaun, compare it to Piltover and Zaun together. Those two cities are twins. They can't be separated."
"As for my opinion? Bilgewater's lower city is wilder than Zaun. At least Zaun still has traces of civilization. Here..."
They had just witnessed a murder. A man got stabbed in the neck, his belongings stripped, and his body kicked into the canal, where hungry fish devoured him in seconds.
Jayce turned pale. Duke patted his shoulder.
"Here, people talk less with words and more with blades. Watch yourself. Lister will assign you a guard. Carry a weapon. Best to keep your life in your own hands."
The Butcher's Bridge connected Bilgewater's upper and lower cities. The lower district was a notorious slum, its maze-like canals blending seamlessly with the sea. Some homes opened directly onto water. Shark fins occasionally breached the surface before vanishing again.
"This place is awful," Jayce muttered, nauseated.
Duke stood at the railing, ready to leap.
"But it's charming in its own way, don't you think?"
"Where are you going?"
"Sightseeing."
With that, Duke vaulted over the railing and landed lightly on the dock.
"Captain Lister, I'll be on my own now. Take care of Jayce."
"Yes, sir," Lister replied, bowing respectfully.
"See you around."
Duke waved and walked off, the hem of his coat fluttering.
"Ugh!"
Jayce rushed to the side and vomited over the rail.
Captain Lister handed him a pistol.
"Mr. Jayce, you'll need more than science to stay safe here."
Jayce wanted to refuse, but after what he'd seen, he silently took it and stuffed it into his coat.
"Should've picked Noxus or Ixtal as the testing site," he groaned.
...
"This place really is a melting pot of cultures."
Wandering through the city, Duke kept his hands in his coat pockets. Giant rats glared from alleyways. Gangs lurked in the shadows.
He noticed many shops had people outside weaving something from plants.
Curious, Duke approached a woman working on one of the crafts.
"Excuse me, sorry to bother you."
She glanced up but didn't answer.
Clink.
A golden coin flicked from Duke's hand.
"Just a quick question."
She snatched the coin, bit it, and grumbled, "If only it were a Sea Demon doubloon. Piltover coins are hollow. Damn Piltover snobs."
"What are you making? Is that... Queen's Grass?"
"Queen's Grass?" Duke's brow lifted. Bilgewater folk believed weaving it into candles with whale oil would protect them during Soul Erosion Night.
"So it is coming..."
"Fifteen days left," she muttered, suddenly more cooperative after another coin.
"Outsider, you came at the worst time. If you've got any sense, leave while you still can."
End of chapter...
To be continued...
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