Chapter 42 · The Deal
"..."
"You're still pretending you don't know? You really think I wouldn't find out?"
Zephyr stared at Eiger with a dangerously amused smile.
"You actually told those merchants that I—Chief Instructor of Navy Headquarters—came to the Sibia River Islands in pursuit of fine wine?"
Just thinking about what happened at the port earlier made Zephyr want to laugh.
The moment he arrived, the merchants started pointing at him excitedly. Some even rushed forward asking if they could take a photo with him.
At first, he genuinely thought his identity had been exposed.
And indeed—his identity had been exposed.
But because this brat had spread it around himself.
Not only that—Eiger had even fabricated some ridiculous story about how the Navy's Chief Instructor had journeyed to the Sibia River Islands for legendary wine, tasted their green grape brew, and was so moved he decided to stay.
This brat's nonsense-spinning skills were on another level!
"Alright, talk."
Zephyr crossed his arms, staring openly at him.
"What explanation do you plan to give me? With my position, I've never endorsed anything in my life. If this gets back to Headquarters, I might lose face for the first time."
"Explanation? Explain what?"
"???"
Zephyr raised an eyebrow.
This brat still wasn't admitting it?
His eyes narrowed—but just as he was about to speak—
"You did come to the Sibia River Islands."
Eiger stood his ground, face perfectly serious.
"You did come here to drink. And you did end up staying. Those are all facts. Someone must've chatted a bit too loudly and word spread. That has nothing to do with me."
"..."
Zephyr froze for a moment—then burst into loud laughter.
"So that's your angle? Waiting for me to walk right into it, huh? Too bad—"
He lifted up the man dangling from his hand—Ginny—who looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole.
"I came prepared."
The moment he said that, Ginny lowered his head in shame and muttered,
"Sorry, Boss… our secretly photographed posters and flyers got discovered…"
"..."
Posters? Flyers?
Since when did they take those?
Who taught them?
Why didn't he know about it?!
"You brat. A Navy soldier on the surface, but secretly the head of a mafia group—your ambitions run deep, huh?"
Zephyr dropped Ginny to the ground and planted his hands on his hips triumphantly.
"Too bad! The truth's out now, right?"
"Mafia?"
Eiger blinked, completely unfazed.
"Taimé isn't a mafia."
"Kid, I caught you red-handed and you're still denying it?"
"I'm not denying anything. Mafias collect protection fees. Taimé doesn't collect protection fees. Without collecting protection fees, can you really call Taimé a mafia?"
Eiger looked Zephyr in the eye, a faint smirk on his lips.
"Ask Ginny if you don't believe me."
The moment he heard that, Ginny instantly understood the play.
He leapt to his feet like a resurrected chicken, wiping the shame off his face and replacing it with a smile.
"That's right! We are absolutely not a mafia. Ever since Boss took over, he strictly forbade us from charging protection fees. We wouldn't dare disobey him. If you don't believe me, you can go ask around Baiskaiborg Island—Taimé has never collected protection fees.
Of course…"
He tidied his rumpled suit and switched to a polished corporate smile.
"You may also refer to us as the Baiskaiborg Island Neighborhood Committee, or Property Management Association. Security Company works fine too. Or Exclusive Distributor of Sibia River Islands Green Grape Wine. We're a legitimate business!"
"What kind of nonsense is this…"
Zephyr twitched an eyelid.
But seeing Ginny look him dead in the eyes without a hint of fear… he realized the man was telling the truth.
They really hadn't collected protection fees.
"So you really didn't? Then why keep the whole mafia group around?"
Zephyr grumbled, then waved it away.
"Forget it. Just give me an explanation already. If you don't, don't blame me for being rough."
"Boss, I—"
"Just be more careful next time."
Eiger waved Ginny off before he could start rambling. Then he turned to Zephyr.
"Alright, what do you want? Should I go talk to the village chief and give you some advertising fee or something?"
"With my status, you think you can afford my advertising fee?"
"..."
Hearing Zephyr's words, Eiger narrowed his eyes.
That carefree grin on Zephyr's face… he suddenly understood something.
This old man… was waiting for him on purpose, wasn't he?!
Realizing this, Eiger sighed helplessly.
"Alright, out with it. What do you really want?"
"Hahahaha, nothing dangerous! No need to get tense."
Zephyr waved his hand casually.
"Old man isn't here to drag you off to Navy Headquarters."
Eiger's expression said he knew exactly what Zephyr was doing, which only made the old instructor laugh harder. He leaned in slightly.
"I just want to make a deal with you."
"???"
Eiger blinked. "A deal?"
"I'll allow the Sibia River Islands to use my name for advertising. And while I'm staying here, I'll even help train the kids on the island."
Zephyr spread his hands, smiling broadly.
"Well? Not a bad offer, right? Full of sincerity, yes?"
"?!"
It really was sincere.
But Eiger didn't relax—instead, he looked even more cautious.
"What do you want in return? And I'm telling you now—I can't join the Navy. You know exactly why."
"What nonsense. Old man knows nothing."
Zephyr waved him off.
"Relax. I already told you, I'm not dragging you to Headquarters. It's just a small matter—nothing more. And honestly, it'll be good for you."
He looked Eiger up and down, his tone becoming meaningful.
"With your current strength… it's about time you fought other strong opponents, isn't it?"
"You?"
"I am still a patient, thank you very much."
Zephyr rolled his eyes.
"You really want to fight a man on medical leave? Ever heard of sympathy?"
"..."
Weren't your punches looking pretty healthy last time?
Eiger sighed, exasperated.
"Fine. What is it?"
"Relax. Binz and Ain will go with you, and they'll handle most of the work. It's a very small assignment."
Zephyr took a deep breath, then his expression hardened.
"G-5 Base was attacked by pirates. Many villagers have been captured as slaves. The base commander was killed. It all happened too suddenly. So Headquarters is sending a small squad to investigate.
If you encounter the pirates—capture them.
If not—just survey the situation."
"G-5… That's in the New World."
"Exactly. You'll definitely find worthy opponents there."
"If I remember correctly, you are on sick leave."
Eiger raised an eyebrow, then quickly hid his amusement.
"And even while you're resting, the Navy assigns work to you?"
They were really that overworked?
"It's not from Headquarters. Some bastard who also ran off on a 'secret vacation' dumped it on me. Asked me to help."
Zephyr sighed helplessly.
"That idiot truly has zero sympathy for a sick man."
Then he looked at Eiger once more.
"So, kid—what do you think of the deal?"
As he spoke, something else seemed to occur to him. His lips curled into a sly, tempting smile.
"And if you accept… I might even drag the Hero of the Navy over to help advertise your wine.
And maybe—just maybe—old man here will agree to one favor from you, as long as it doesn't violate justice~"