Dreams—one of the mainstream topics on these seas.
Due to the constraints of island environments, many people never saw the world beyond their shores in their lifetime. Even before the dawn of the Great Pirate Era, countless individuals set sail each year with hopes for the future.
Not all of them were pirates, but for any ship that ventured out without authorization, the World Government could label them as pirates.
Wealth, fame—beyond ordinary desires, some ideas emerged that seemed abnormal to the average person.
Like Kate's desire to become the worst villain, with her unique logic.
This was the first time Kate had voiced her thoughts.
Among the slaves, her race left her without friends, and the doctors on Zunesha had given her a grim prognosis.
In Zunesha's isolated environment, the few doctors held significant authority.
It was akin to a Mayan tribe member being declared unsalvageable by a priest, where the environment led patients to believe the priest's verdict was an unchangeable fact.
Captured by a slave-hunting team shortly after leaving Zunesha, Kate lacked enough understanding of the outside world and never believed anyone could change her fate.
Speaking these thoughts now was merely her way of ensuring they didn't vanish silently with her. At the very least, in her eyes, Oran still carried the label of a "good person."
"Fill your stomach first. A starving person can't achieve any dreams, especially one as challenging as yours."
The definitions of good and evil are rooted in societal moral standards and personal perceptions. Kate's idea, rephrased, was to eradicate all evil for the sake of absolute justice—a goal that fell into the realm of near impossibility.
Not to mention, the individual strength on these seas was extraordinarily exaggerated.
After a brief heart-to-heart to gauge Kate's current mental state, the group split up again. Able-bodied members transported supplies, a small group handled manual labor, and Oran took Shark, Kuma, and Kate to the location of his ship.
The sci-fi-styled ship left the three in awe, but Oran paid it no mind. To be precise, when he returned to the ship, his mood wasn't great.
"Oran, is this your ship? It's amazing! I've never seen a ship like this on Fishman Island. Is it made of iron?"
"Partially. It's not a big deal. Once we get to Fishman Island in the future, I'll show you an even better ship. It's just a shame about this old friend."
Running his hand along the ship's railing, Oran felt a pang of reluctance but quickly let it go.
Oran was a sentimental person. He held onto things he was used to, even if they were damaged. This ship was the first he'd funded and built in Piltover, having accompanied him on many voyages.
"Can't you teleport it out with us?"
They had all heard Oran describe the escape plan. According to him, teleporting the ship should be straightforward.
"It's possible, but it would take a lot of time. The teleportation process creates a big commotion. Teleporting it would delay moving some people. Compared to human lives, it's not that important.
Let this old friend deliver a grand gift to those Celestial Dragons on my behalf. I'll settle this score with them.
Kuma, Shark, help me pack up the stuff inside and move it out. Kate, come with me over here."
Oran had already resolved to abandon the ship. After all, he could build another with enough resources. Only a few irreplaceable, precious materials needed to be taken.
Before long, Oran led Kate to the engine room, the ship's core area, where the holographic projection equipment that hid the ship was also operating.
"Kate, if I'm not mistaken, one of the Mink Tribe's talents is generating electricity, right?"
"Yeah, the Mink Tribe's fur can generate special static electricity through friction. All Minks can do it."
"Excellent. Try grabbing this and generating electricity to keep this gauge steady at this level."
According to Oran's plan, he would soon begin modifying the core of the Hextech Teleportation Gate, which required a specific electromagnetic field to stabilize the Hextech Crystal.
However, some of the ship's equipment had been damaged during the crossing, and the backup power system was sustaining the holographic projection. The electromagnetic field could only be generated manually.
Kate's racial talent, however, could serve as a more stable power source.
"Like this?"
Kate's fur began generating static electricity through friction, and she channeled the current as Oran instructed. As the equipment converted the energy, a faint electromagnetic barrier formed around them, and the device indicated it was functioning normally.
"Yes, that's it. How long can you maintain it?"
"At this level… as long as I have enough strength, meow can keep it going indefinitely."
"Don't overdo it. Reserve enough safety margin. This electromagnetic field needs to stay stable."
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed from the distance. In the central area of the Valley of the Gods, a plume of black smoke rose, signaling the official start of the Celestial Dragons' slaughter.
Even from far away, Oran understood the meaning behind the cannon fire.
"Time's tight. Let's do a test first. If you feel tired, speak up."
Inside the ship's cabin, Oran began his work. Outside, Ivankov and Ginny also heard the cannon fire from the center.
"Hurry up! One hour from now, the Celestial Dragons' massacre will begin. This is our last window of safety!"
Ivankov, his face wrapped in cloth, waved his gun like a bandit, urging the craftsmen forward. Unfortunately, many were traveling with families, slowing their pace.
Still, things were relatively orderly. From the moment the Celestial Dragons announced the event, the island had descended into a lawless zone.
The king, killed first, fueled fear in people's hearts. What was once a cohesive Valley of the Gods had crumbled almost instantly, leaving people scattered like loose parts with nowhere to go.
Yet a small portion of them had been brought together with Oran at the core, forming a rough but functioning group.
The holographic device had been repositioned, creating a screen at both ends and above the canyon, temporarily shielding them from distant gazes.
Observation posts were set up on nearby hills to monitor the surroundings, ready to issue warnings if anyone approached.
Oran took time to explain the blueprints to the craftsmen, and a large-scale assembly project began in the canyon. Meanwhile, with Kate's assistance, Oran worked on modifying the Hextech Core.
Silent and oppressive, faced with the threat of death, they desperately clung to this last straw.
As the sun rose and set, the massive machinery took shape, but the atmosphere in the canyon grew increasingly heavy, especially when blood began seeping into the cave's water source, pushing the tension to its peak.
"I'm telling you, can that guy really get us out? It's been days, and since he explained the blueprint details, I haven't seen him at all."
Two men carried a massive beam toward the partially constructed Teleportation Gate frame.
The people on these seas generally had stronger constitutions than normal humans. Workers accustomed to heavy labor could move hefty objects by hand even without lifting equipment, speeding up the project.
Still, their hearts were filled with anxiety about the future.
"Do you think… he might've run off on his own?"
"Shut up! You guys take shifts working, but Mr. Oran hasn't slept in days. If he wanted to escape alone, he wouldn't bother with you lot! He even gave up his ship for you strangers!"
No one in their group responded, but a scolding voice came from nearby.
The people here were only temporarily united, bound by a common goal but lacking deep trust.
Those who joined later hadn't seen Oran for days, so doubts naturally crept in.
But those Oran had personally saved trusted him more. Over these days, they had been maintaining order, keeping things relatively stable. Shark was one example.
He couldn't forget the first human to praise him and took it upon himself to defend Oran.
"Enough, stop talking. Hurry up and deliver the stuff. The project's almost done."
A teammate nudged him, stopping the argument with Shark, but Shark could tell the man was still unconvinced. Just as he was about to confront him, Kuma, drawn by the commotion, stepped in.
"Shark, now's not the time for arguments. Oran said we can't afford infighting at a time like this."
Whoosh.
Before Shark could respond, a tree on the nearby hilltop suddenly fell, causing Kuma and Shark to freeze. This was one of Oran's warning signals. Its collapse meant Celestial Dragons had entered the area and were approaching their gathering spot.
"I'll go draw them away. I have the highest points value, so I should be able to get their attention."
"Kuma, you—"
"I don't want to see anyone else die in front of me. Tell Oran and Ivan for me."
Kuma set down his load, ready to act as bait, but halfway there, he ran into Ginny, who was rushing over.
"Kuma! Good news! The pirates have finally arrived! Once they stir things up, we can execute Plan B and steal those prizes!
Have you seen Big Brother Ivan? Oran's been working so hard, it's time for us to act!"
Ginny, who had been monitoring the Den Den Mushi communications, rushed over the moment she received the news but didn't see Ivankov. Just then, Ivankov appeared alongside Oran.
"Hee-haw! I'm right here! Let me share some good news. Oran's finished converting the core. Once the frame is complete, we can get out of this hellhole!"
The Celestial Dragons were approaching the canyon, the pirates were about to land, and the Hextech Teleportation Gate's core modification was complete. With these three events aligning, and facing the impending chaos, Oran chose not to wait idly.
"I hadn't decided where to nab a Celestial Dragon yet, and now one's practically walking into our hands. Perfect timing, isn't it?
Let's go, everyone. Our stage is about to open.
If you have the courage for it."