Arcane: Begging for Help in a Parallel Universe!

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The heavy rain showed no signs of letting up, pouring down in relentless sheets.

Link stood on the deck, watching the gang leaders leave, his face expressionless.

When the last leader disappeared from view, Link turned and headed back into the cabin.

Seeing Link leave, Miss Fortune naturally didn't plan to follow. She was about to slip away to find a quiet spot to drink some strong liquor and smoke a cigar to calm her nerves, which were still on edge.

But then, Link's voice drifted out from the cabin.

"Sarah, come with me."

Miss Fortune's expression shifted. Despite her reluctance, she quickly followed.

Once inside the captain's cabin, Link sat in the chair that once belonged to Gangplank. Miss Fortune nervously asked, "Boss, what did you need me for?"

"Graves and Twisted Fate—I'm giving you one day to bring them to me. Don't give the others a chance."

Link pulled out his plan from his inventory, detailing the steps he had laid out to prepare for the Harrowing and to conquer Bilgewater.

"Boss, why do you need them?" Miss Fortune was puzzled. She was very familiar with Graves and Twisted Fate.

If Link hadn't intervened, Miss Fortune would have secretly set a trap for the two, using them as bait to draw Gangplank's attention.

She would have then launched her revenge, sending Gangplank and his ship to the bottom of the ocean.

Unfortunately, these plans were just ideas that never came to fruition before she was recruited by Link.

"The Harrowing will reach Bilgewater in less than ten days. I need as many hands as possible."

Link placed the plan on the table and looked up at Miss Fortune.

Her full red lips were pressed into a thin line, a sight that sparked imagination.

"You've been in Bilgewater for years. You know these gang leaders better than I do."

"Getting them to bully others, fight over territory, and squabble over scraps is easy."

"But when it comes to facing the Harrowing, the Black Mist, and the undead, they'll be the first to run."

Miss Fortune nodded in agreement, her chin moving with a graceful arc. She fully agreed with Link's assessment.

Those good-for-nothings only had room in their heads for women, gold, and territory.

When there was work to be done, it was all about killing. When there wasn't, it was drinking and... other activities.

Even the rats scurrying around the docks lived more purposeful and disciplined lives than they did.

"So, for my plans, and for you—" Link's words made Miss Fortune look up in surprise.

"For me?"

"Yes, as my white glove, as the person I'm putting forward to manage Bilgewater, you—" Link interlaced his fingers, resting his chin on them, his elbows on the table.

His eyes reflected Miss Fortune's figure. "You will become the Pirate Queen of Bilgewater."

"Me? The new Pirate Queen..." Miss Fortune's lips parted slightly, revealing her pearly teeth and pink tongue in surprise.

"Did you think I recruited you for your looks or your... provocative figure? No, not at all!"

Link shook his head, and Miss Fortune blinked, glancing down at herself.

She was confident in her figure, but did he have to describe it as "provocative"?

What's wrong with this kid?

Shouldn't most young men feel admiration or at least some kind of longing when they see a beautiful woman? At the very least, they'd fantasize about her during long nights.

But why are you so calm?

Why?!

"Rein in those little thoughts of yours complaining about me," Link rubbed his temples. What was going on with this woman?

Just a few words from him, and her mind was already racing with all sorts of thoughts.

So troublesome!

As a lifelong science-and-craft guy, he couldn't understand how women's minds worked.

Miss Fortune quickly straightened her thoughts, not letting any more of those little ideas surface.

"Sarah, what I value is your mind, your patience, your ruthlessness, your skills, and your ability to stay calm under pressure!"

Link tapped the table in front of him. "In other words, I value your intrinsic worth, not your external appearance."

"Personal ability is worth a thousand times more than looks."

"So!" Link leaned forward slightly. "Don't disappoint me, Sarah."

"Carry my will and dominate Bilgewater, conquer the seas, and become the Pirate Queen of Bilgewater!"

"This is the great expectation I have placed on you!"

By the time Link finished speaking, Miss Fortune felt as if a sledgehammer had hit her head, leaving her dizzy.

Ever since she had set foot in this city, the most attention she had received was for her looks and figure.

That's all anyone ever noticed. Men would shamelessly stare at her, captivated by her appearance, while women would envy her and whisper behind her back, calling her a slut.

No one, on the first day of meeting her, had ever focused on her abilities or personal value.

Even her trusted first mate and crew had initially followed her because of her looks, only later being won over by her skills and intelligence.

But this young man was the first to ignore her appearance and focus solely on her abilities.

This feeling... how should she put it...

It was strange, but also complicated.

It made her want to live up to his expectations and hear his praise.

"So—" Link tapped the table again, speaking calmly. "Don't let me down, Sarah."

"I'll be waiting for the day I crown you."

Miss Fortune stared at Link, then suddenly smiled.

"Of course, Boss!"

Link was taken aback. Why did her smile suddenly have a different flavor to it?

"I'll live up to your expectations."

Miss Fortune turned and left, pausing at the door to wink at Link before closing it behind her and striding away.

Link listened to the sound of her footsteps fading, then leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs.

The "carrot and stick" approach might be a bit crude, but it worked surprisingly well.

However, Miss Fortune's reaction was beyond his expectations. Why did it feel like she had gone from being timid and anxious to suddenly overjoyed?

That shouldn't be the case, right?

She's almost thirty—shouldn't she be more composed?

Did I make the carrot too big?

Or was the sweet treat I gave her too sweet?

Tsk, women!

Shaking his head, Link pushed thoughts of Miss Fortune aside and picked up his plan again, checking for any oversights.

When his focus was at its peak, time seemed to blur.

By the time Link snapped out of it, the rain had stopped, and dawn was breaking outside.

Standing up from his chair and stretching, the young man walked to the window and looked out.

Nice weather, perfect for a walk.

And also perfect for setting up an ambush.

Straightening the wrinkles in his clothes, Link pulled a nutrient drink from his inventory and downed it.

Time to go fishing.

I wonder how many people will take the bait.

As Link stepped out of the captain's cabin, he ran into a spy.

"What is it?"

Seeing the spy, Link frowned slightly.

The spy bowed slightly, his voice respectful.

"Sir, the Gray Lady has arrived."

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 140 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 110 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.