Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six: Voyage and Arrival

As Oakley spoke, Lando began to grasp the trio's underlying objective.

The three individuals before him were mercenaries who had formed a squad called the Iron Wolves, nominally affiliated with the Adventurers' Guild. The structure of the Adventurers' Guild was quite complex, but it was generally divided into two categories: adventurers and mercenaries. It was notoriously difficult for an ordinary person to become an adventurer directly; they had to start as mercenaries and meet specific criteria before they could be promoted.

Unlike the various conveniences afforded to adventurers, mercenaries like them were not permitted to enter or exit the Black Domain freely unless they were on a contracted mission. According to them, they had inadvertently noticed Lando leaving the municipal administration office and observed his interest in the Black Tide Sea. Since they also happened to be heading toward the Black Tide Sea but lacked the means to access the Black Domain directly, they hoped Lando would hire them to escort him inside.

Lando remained noncommittal to their proposal.

Oakley continued, "This employment contract would only last until we reach the Black Tide Sea. We won't charge any fees."

Lando remained unmoved.

"Sir, this must be your first time entering the Black Domain. On the journey, not only can we ensure your safety, but we can also provide you with detailed information about the things we know regarding the Black Domain. If your destination is indeed the Black Tide Sea, please, help us out."

Lando asked, "How did you know this is my first time in the Black Domain?"

"You look like a novice at a glance; it's quite easy to tell."

"Are you mercenaries affiliated with the Adventurers' Guild?"

"Yes!" Oakley handed over their squad's mercenary credentials.

After reviewing them, Lando used Little Gray to verify the records provided by the Adventurers' Guild. The mercenary squad’s reputation was listed as good, which satisfied Lando. As for whether the trio was truly just looking for a free ride, Lando did not care much. He had intended to find a guide upon entering the Black Domain, and since he could not guarantee that any random guide would be a "good person," these three seemed perfectly suitable.

"Very well. Although my destination is not the Black Tide Sea, it is on the way. I wish us a pleasant cooperation. My name is... Dolan."

The three were overjoyed. The woman named Aileen looked at Lando with such intensity that she seemed ready to throw herself at him.

Next, Lando went to the Adventurers' Guild to formalize a specific employment agreement with the Iron Wolf squad. Once Oakley accepted, they immediately shifted into work mode, taking Lando to purchase various supplies needed for the Black Domain. Although most of these were just precautions, Lando was pleased with their diligence.

After the shopping was finished, Lando parted ways with the trio and checked into an inn for the night. The night passed without incident.

The following day, with his condition fully restored, Lando arrived at the teleportation point, where the three members of the Iron Wolf squad were already waiting. There was little to be said; after Lando showed the guards his credentials and the employment agreement, they were granted access to a special teleportation point—a void platform established outside the world of Press.

The void platform was vast. Those departing were full of ambition, while those returning were laden with spoils; it was a scene of thriving activity.

Oakley remarked with a sigh, "Countless newcomers set off for the Black Domain every year. Those who manage to return usually have something to show for it, but... how many actually make it back alive?"

The sentiment didn't quite match the bustling scene, but Lando found it profoundly true. The Black Domain was a true lawless zone—a graveyard for the weak and a paradise for the strong!

Lando and Oakley each deployed their own aerial ships. The Iron Wolves' ship featured a low-profile, triangular design, significantly larger than Lando's. Upon seeing Lando's craft, the trio’s eyes flickered. As seasoned veterans of Press, they knew that anyone capable of renting such a model must be of extraordinary status. They exchanged silent glances, their demeanor becoming even more enthusiastic than before.

Once aboard their respective vessels, Lando bluntly demanded that Oakley grant his ship secondary access permissions. When navigating the void between worlds, if multiple ships are involved, one must be designated as the lead ship, with others granting secondary access to synchronize their travel speeds; otherwise, they could easily become separated in the void.

After a moment of hesitation, Oakley opened the permissions. Lando smiled slightly and immediately had Little Gray take over control of their ship through the opened access. Unbeknownst to them, the Iron Wolf squad had lost primary control of their own vessel. It would be fine if they harbored no ill intentions, but if they dared to act with malice, Lando would make them learn the meaning of losing everything in a failed scheme.

Since the Black Tide Sea was relatively close, the journey would only take about three days. During this time, besides Oakley fulfilling his promise to explain the intricacies of the Black Domain, Aileen tried to get close to him under various pretexts—one day asking to visit Lando’s ship to "study," the next inviting him to her cabin to "play games." Lando sternly refused all these advances. Having already entered the Black Domain, Lando maintained a high level of security awareness. Seeing Lando’s firm attitude, Aileen eventually lost interest in inviting him to "play games."

Three days later, the two ships arrived at the Black Tide Sea. Looking out through his ship, Lando saw a cluster of worlds shrouded in a thin layer of black mist. This mist was an aggregation of negative elements like death, darkness, and destruction; the worlds within this cluster were perfectly suited for the development of corresponding races and professions.

"Alright, the agreement is fulfilled. Let us part ways here," Lando said to the trio via communication link. He then disconnected the synchronization speed. The unified pace of the two ships was broken, and without waiting for their response, Lando departed.

On the Iron Wolf squad's ship, Ponda shouted with lingering resentment, "Boss..."

Oakley shot him a cold glare, cutting him off. "This employer is not simple. Keep your petty thoughts to yourselves!"

Aileen giggled coquettishly, "I just wanted to have some fun with that young man, I don't have any petty thoughts!"

...

Lando watched the Iron Wolf squad drift into the distance. He was slightly surprised that they hadn't made a move, as he had clearly sensed their malice radiating from his mental space after leaving the world of Press. He had been waiting for them to strike, but in the end, they had done nothing.

Uninterested, he had Little Gray cut the connection to their ship. To Lando, this was merely a minor episode.

After another half-day of travel, Lando finally reached his destination: the world of Astraea.

It was a world enveloped in thick, dense black mist.