[Genshin Impact] A world where only travelers are alone.

Chapter 43 Cargo Ship

In fact, Softlight Harbor is not an ordinary small port. On the contrary, it is one of the important ports for Fontaine's foreign trade, mainly responsible for the bulk trade between Sumeru and Liyue.

However, due to its remote location, Softlight Port has poor infrastructure and a small staff, making it easy for tampering to occur, and the problems may even start directly from within the management.

If those outsiders really did choose to leave Fontainebleau from here, they would definitely have made arrangements beforehand.

To prevent any communication between them, Leosley chose not to alert them. Instead, he secretly took Ventara to a place nearby to stay and quietly inquire about any suspicious activity recently.

Unfortunately, things have been extremely calm these past few days. It's the off-season for trade, and there aren't even many merchant ships coming and going. The few that do come are only small-scale transactions, which doesn't seem like a place where so many Merroses could be hidden.

Perhaps it's because they kidnapped too many Meloshen that they've slowed down, but it's also possible that they simply didn't choose this port at all, which is why it's been so quiet lately...

"Um... hello! Miss, I've noticed you've been here alone for a while. Would you like to join me for a drink?"

The man's sudden voice interrupted Ventara's thoughts, causing her to unconsciously frown.

But this guy was completely oblivious to her displeasure. Encouraged by his companions, he sat down opposite her and gave her a slightly shy smile.

He may not have had any malicious intent; perhaps he just wanted a romantic encounter, but the timing was really unfortunate.

At this moment, Ventara was in the Rusty Steed Tavern, not far from Softlight Harbor, disguised as an ordinary drinker, eavesdropping on the conversations of these guys while they were drunk.

When people are drunk, they often can't control their mouths and say things they shouldn't. This was the battle plan that she and Leosley agreed upon.

Wentara was left to stay in the area, while he searched the surrounding area for any suspicious traces.

Looking back now, I think we should have left that guy here. After all, someone his size probably wouldn't have encountered something like this.

However, this is a good opportunity; perhaps we can glean some information from this foolish guy in front of us.

If Ventara wasn't mistaken, he was wearing a navigator's uniform, so he must have just finished get off work and been dragged here without even having time to change.

She had been lost in thought for a while, and the man opposite her was starting to get restless, timidly asking, "I-I'm sorry, did I disturb you?"

He stood up abruptly, as if he wanted to leave, so Ventara stopped him, saying, "It's alright, please sit down. Drinking alone is quite boring. If you don't mind, you can chat with me."

She smiled gently: "My name is Ventara. What's your name?"

A blush immediately rose to the man's face, and he stammered, "My name is Vero! Miss Wintara, your name is so beautiful..."

"Thank you!" Ventara accepted his flattery, then called the waiter to order two more drinks, pushing one of them towards him.

It's easier to get things done after drinking.

With this in mind, seeing him drink it sheepishly, Ventara glanced casually at Softlight Harbor not far away and sighed, "It's really deserted lately, there aren't many people even in the taverns. I remember the last time I came here, there were all sorts of faces."

After gulping down several mouthfuls of wine, Vero was already a little tipsy, grinning foolishly, "I was wondering why I'd never seen you before. Turns out you've come from somewhere else. Perhaps you came during peak trade season last time. It's normal that there aren't many people around now, given the timing."

"Even in the off-season, is there not a single big deal?" Ventara sighed, looking like the entertainment she was hoping for was gone.

Desperate to win the beauty's favor, Vero racked his brains for something worth mentioning recently, and suddenly remembered what he had overheard a few days ago when he passed by the supervisor's door.

He glanced back at his companion and then awkwardly asked Ventara to come closer.

The latter moved his stool next to him in confusion, and listened intently to what he wanted to say.

"I heard there's a big deal going on, and the cargo ships are all ready, but for some reason they seem to be stuck hundreds of miles away from here, refusing to come into port, like they're waiting for someone. The manager is really angry about it, constantly grumbling about how slow they are."

They come to do business but dare not enter the port?

Ventara sneered. This was probably no ordinary business; it was an illegal and criminal business.

It seems Leosley was right; they chose Softlight Harbor as their evacuation route, and that cargo ship must have been waiting to pick them up.

With a clue, Ventara relaxed considerably and even took a sip of her drink: "Really? That sounds strange, but it looks like things are going to get interesting soon."

"Yes, yes..." Vero nodded hastily, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to the section of snow-white neck that was exposed at the neckline when she lowered her head.

Although it's not appropriate to talk about things you overheard from your boss, it's definitely worth it if you can win the favor of a beauty. Vero was secretly pleased and kept trying to find topics to talk to her a little more.

Unfortunately, Ventara had already obtained the clues she wanted and was completely uninterested in the following conversation. She would often space out, wondering where Leosley had searched to, and she responded to everything he said with a lazy attitude and casual replies.

To everyone's surprise, the man suddenly jumped up, his face beaming with joy: "Really?! You really agreed to go on a date with me tomorrow?!"

Ventara: Huh?

She hadn't heard what Vero had just said at all and had no idea what was going on, so she didn't speak immediately out of caution.

As a result, Vero interpreted this reaction as her being too shy to speak again because of her modesty.

His companion, who had just hidden away because he was about to strike up a conversation, came out to cheer him on, urging him to be more proactive and let the beauty see his determination.

Vero's face turned bright red, but he still mustered up the courage to try and hug her, encouraged by them.

As Ventara was about to dodge, a hand suddenly cut in from the side and pinned Vero down.

"You two seem to be in a great mood—" Leosley stepped between the two.

The hand on his shoulder was incredibly strong, and Vero was a little intimidated, but he didn't dare lose face in front of Ventara, so he forced himself to speak: "Who are you? What's it to you?"

"Oh, you're saying it's none of my business?"

Leosley's expression was unreadable. He took a step back, and just as Vera was overjoyed, thinking he had given up and was about to leave, he wrapped his arms around Ventara's waist and buried his face in her neck: "Ventara, do you also think I have no right to interfere in what's between you and this gentleman?"

His tone was incredibly sarcastic.

Ventara helplessly patted his head.

The two clearly knew each other, and their intimate behavior indicated that they were definitely not just ordinary friends.

But even with the facts so clearly laid out before him, Vero still refused to believe it and relentlessly tried to grab Ventara's hand, only to have it evaded.

Leosley chuckled softly.

Even though it was just a very soft sound, Vero still caught it. He immediately lost his composure, his eyes filled with resentment as he looked at Ventara, as if he were looking at a heartless woman who was toying with people's feelings. Then he ran away without looking back.

His companions immediately gave chase.

After everyone left, Leosley laughed even more unrestrainedly.

Ventara rolled her eyes at him.

"Looks like you're not happy with my performance?" Before she could nod, Leosley hoisted her onto his shoulder and headed out without stopping, completely ignoring her astonished expression. "I'm sorry, but no returns. You'll probably have to make do with me for the rest of your life."

Ventara never expected him to act like a bandit, and she was both amused and exasperated.

However, Leosley knew that such a gesture would make people uncomfortable, so he put her down after walking a short distance.

With no one around, it was the perfect time to share clues. Ventara, still concerned about his anger, took the initiative to explain how she had struck up a conversation with Vero and mentioned the cargo ship he had mentioned anchored outside the port.

Of course, Leosley knew there was a reason for it, but it was a rare opportunity to openly get angry and make her coax him. It was actually quite interesting.

The smile in his eyes was almost impossible to hide. Ventara explained softly for a while, but when he still didn't react, she finally couldn't help but look up at him. As a result, she met his gray-purple eyes and immediately realized that she had been tricked.

"Now is the time to get down to business, Your Grace," she rebuked expressionlessly.

Leosley had no choice but to surrender.

The situation has reversed, and now it's his turn to appease Ventara.

He hadn't said more than a few words when Ventara interrupted him, "Let's get down to business. Have you found anything over there?"

Leosley sighed, "...It's similar to what you found. I patrolled around Softlight Harbor and found a lone ship, which should be the cargo ship you mentioned."

Because of Navelette's warning before departure, he did not take action directly, but instead sneaked onto the ship to investigate carefully. He discovered that the group seemed to be merchants from Winter, planning to buy some novelties in Fontainebleau to take back and sell at high prices.

There was no evidence on board to prove that the "new gadget" they were talking about was Meloscin, and their boss didn't seem to be there either. There was no way to arrest them directly for the time being, so they could only take it one step at a time.

However, it is certain that they will meet in Ruodian Port in the near future; all they need to do is wait and wait for them there.

*

Meanwhile, Vladimir and his party finally arrived at Softlight Port.

For safety reasons, he did not personally carry the "goods" with him, but instead had his subordinates transport them in several batches, so he was the first to arrive.

Even though he was extremely anxious, he couldn't just leave and could only wait here for his people to meet him.

Having finally settled down, they naturally wanted to relax.

Ashpar, in particular, had long been fed up with the guy's bossy attitude and didn't want to be with him at all. Now that he had some free time, he naturally slipped away early, completely ignoring Vladimir's furious shouts behind him.

Pshaw, he still needs to buy some souvenirs to take back to the little one at home—

(End of this chapter)

The author says: Speaking of which, most of the clothes worn by the Gold Plating Brigade are quite revealing, it seems like they could be used for some kind of fun (thinking).