The Bog Island Heist: A Peculiar Gift

Arthur chuckled. Du Chen's questions, far from unsettling him, only stoked a flicker of proud self-assurance.

"Everything unfolds as anticipated!"

Rising, Arthur pointed to the map, his spirit soaring. The demeanor of a Grand Marshal was already subtly manifesting in the nineteen-year-old youth. "As one of Reno's most formidable adversaries, our high command established a dedicated intelligence division solely to study Sea Emperor Thanes's operational style, temperament, and character! Years of research reveal that while Sea Emperor Thanes's temper has remained unchanged for the past decade, his methods of operation have diverged significantly from his past. Thus, we suspect a new, ruthless individual, wielding immense influence over the Sea King, has joined his inner circle!"

Du Chen slammed his palm onto the table. "I knew it! No wonder I've always found that fellow peculiarly unsettling!" He raised an eyebrow with a grin. "Since you've identified something fishy about the Sea King, I presume you've already prepared a contingency plan?"

Arthur smiled. "My Guardian Battle God, General Leonardo, and the stalwart pillar of our Renault Empire, Lancelot, the Elder Prime Minister, will aid us in clearing this obstacle!"

Du Chen gestured to the map, prompting Arthur to continue.

Arthur resumed, "Furthermore, my grandfather believes our Renault plan might not completely elude Yonker's notice! However, that stubborn old mule's temperament is remarkably predictable. Even if he discerns our plot against his allies, he will likely turn a blind eye. Thus, Emerald City poses no issue either!" He shrugged, spreading his hands. "Do you have any further questions?"

Du Chen rubbed his nose. "Since you've arranged everything so perfectly, shouldn't I just sit back and wait for the profits to roll in? Heh heh!"

"Excellent! Then the grand plan is settled! Contact Miki and the Great Triangle Navy as swiftly as possible!" Arthur gripped the hilt of his greatsword tightly, his expression dark. "This time, I shall use the Sea King's very blood to legitimize myself, this 'worthless' Crown Prince of Reno!"

Du Chen laughed. "In seven days, Crown Prince Arthur's name shall echo throughout the realm. My congratulations in advance... It's a pity I won't be able to witness the battle personally!"

Arthur fixed him with a gaze of both curiosity and expectation. "Do you not wish to see with your own eyes the formidable power you've bestowed upon me?"

"I do! But I must return to Bog Island within these seven days to retrieve the contents of that Purple Satchel, and moreover..." Du Chen offered a mysterious smile. "I'll arrange a slight convenience for the Lionheart King's military operations!"

"How do you intend to do that?"

Du Chen snapped his fingers, and a rabbit hopped out from the doorway, bouncing merrily. It reached Arthur and, with a soft 'thump,' transformed into an exact replica of the Sea King, without the slightest discrepancy!

Arthur was dumbfounded.

The rabbit, now in the Sea King's form, dramatically thumped its chest, mimicking the Sea King's voice, "I, Seins, have foreseen Reno's machinations, and thus have secretly returned to Bog Island to orchestrate the grand strategy! Darick, immediately rally the forces and deliver them into the Lionheart King's jaws for consumption, then swiftly retrieve the contents of the Purple Satchel from the crypt!"

Arthur stared blankly for a long moment, then suddenly snatched a wine cup from the table, chugging it down before bursting into laughter. "Splendid, truly splendid! With Snoopy impersonating the Sea King on Bog Island, our grand scheme is assured of success!"

Du Chen gently raised his own wine cup. "To our triumph! However, I too must go to Bog Island, while Dus will impersonate me here! He cannot speak, so Beibei will conceal herself in his mouth to voice his thoughts. Please look after him for me!"

"You can rest assured on that front!"

"Very well! Seven days from now, when your duel with Seins commences, that shall be my cue to act on Bog Island!"

...

The Millennium Celebration of Emerald City had begun, a spectacle of grandeur and extravagance. The Batuk family's two-thousandth birthday had become one of the Grand Delta Sea's most exceptional events in recent memory. Within fifty li of Emerald City, ships adorned with celebratory fireworks dotted the waters, and from the very first day, the city itself, both inside and out, was awash with festive cheer. Streets and alleys were festooned with lanterns and banners, thronged with vast crowds!

Amidst this atmosphere, Du Chen spent his first five days in relative tranquility, presenting gifts, enjoying performances, and engaging in secret discussions with key figures of the Batuk family... He did what most guests would do. Yet, witnessing it firsthand, Du Chen deeply felt the formidable power of this millennia-old Fallen Gods family, a power far eclipsing any foundation he had accumulated over several years.

Emerald City, though named a city, comprised vast stretches of island wilderness beyond its central district. Strictly speaking, it was a small island nation with a population of two million six hundred thousand. Emerald City alone boasted a regular army of three hundred thousand, supplemented by an elite Thunder Legion established through esoteric Reno's Secret Technique. Furthermore, the Batuk family's trade routes, spanning the Three Continents, controlled an untold number of Mercenaries and caravan guards... The precise figures remained unknown, but even a fool could discern that the number must be calculated in units of hundreds of thousands!

These were merely the visible aspects, the things Du Chen could perceive on the surface!

Time afforded Du Chen no further opportunity for deeper investigation. On the dawn of the sixth day, as everyone eagerly anticipated tomorrow's main event—the duel between the Sea King and Arthur—he concealed himself within the Precious Lotus Scripture, taking only Snoopy, and quietly departed Emerald City. However, immediately thereafter, an inseparable "Francis"—a joint impersonation by Dus and Beibei—appeared by Arthur's side!

Everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly. Yet, not long after Du Chen left Emerald City, a twin-masted ship slowly sailed into the outer reaches of the Grand Delta Sea. On its bow stood a woman with white robes and black hair, a sparrow-like bird perched upon her shoulder.

It was Xue Ji!

Sword Slave stood behind Xue Ji, holding a small casket. "For this gift, we've indeed been delayed considerably! I presume Marshal Batuoke's birthday commemoration must have begun days ago..." Though she grumbled, Sword Slave wore a pleased expression. She was quite satisfied with the meticulously prepared gift, confident it would not tarnish Water's Embrace Lake's prestige!

Xue Ji turned and offered a slight smile. "Sword Slave, it's fine! I've heard the Batuk family has many intricate customs. Though the celebration has commenced, the most crucial commemoration ceremony likely won't take place until the end of the month..."

"Aow!" As she spoke, the Dragonfinch on Xue Ji's shoulder let out a low draconic cry, its delicate little face filled with displeasure. "Sword Slave, take your 'gift' further away! I detest this fellow!"

"Heh heh!" A peculiar cackling sound emanated from the casket. Their prepared gift was, astonishingly, a living creature! "Dragonfinch, do you think I don't detest you? I was swimming freely in the deep sea, yet you, relying on your Innate Racial Power, captured me! Hmph! And now you intend to give me away as a gift? Do you think I'm as spineless as you, eager to serve humans as a slave!?"

Incensed, flames flickered around the Dragonfinch. It coldly snapped, "You've already signed the Deed of Ownership, so behave! Sword Slave, did you not hear me!?"

This Dragonfinch was Margaret's Divine Pet, and Sword Slave dared not show her any disrespect. With an apologetic smile, she handed the casket to a Sword Maid to put away. Yet, no matter how far it was taken, it couldn't leave the ship. The Dragonfinch's extraordinary perception still made it feel as if the 'gift' was right beside it, prompting it to complain, "Damn dirty thing, why did you think of using *this* as a congratulatory present?"

Sword Slave chuckled. "Marshal Batuoke's two-thousandth birthday, such a momentous occasion! If Water's Embrace Lake were to send only common gifts, wouldn't we be looked down upon? Emerald City is surrounded by the sea, and Marshal Batuoke's descendants live by it. This 'gift' offers them immense benefit. By presenting it, we truly showcase our divine prestige!"

She paused, then added with a smile, "Moreover, our Goddess mentioned that in recent years, Yonker and the Sea King have been amicable on the surface, but inwardly at odds. By bringing this 'gift'—which has a history with Sea Emperor Thanes—we are also explicitly demonstrating Water's Embrace Lake's full support for the Batuk family, and simultaneously issuing a warning to the Sea King..."

Hearing the Sword Slave and Dragonfinch engage in such scheming against others, Xue Ji subtly frowned, interrupting them. "Enough, let's not dwell on this! Sword Slave, now that we've entered the Grand Delta Sea, should we first proceed to Bog Island to eliminate Francis, or go to Emerald City for the tribute?"

Sword Slave considered it. "I'm concerned Francis might also have gone to Emerald City... Miss, perhaps we should first check Bog Island. If Francis is there, we'll dispatch him immediately! If he's already in Emerald City, then we'll devise another plan—the Batuk family's rules during the celebration are notoriously troublesome, and if Francis is already within Emerald City, it might prove quite problematic!"

Xue Ji nodded, then asked curiously, "But if we bring that 'gift' to Bog Island, won't it provoke the Sea Clan? After all, as you said, our 'gift' has a history with Seins!"

Sword Slave shook her head. "It won't matter! Even if the Sea Clan is unhappy, they wouldn't dare lose their temper with those from Water's Embrace Lake!"

With their deliberations concluded, the twin-masted ship beneath their feet adjusted its course, slowly setting a new heading for Bog Island, cutting through the waves with sails unfurled.

...

Late on the sixth night of Marshal Batuoke's birthday celebration, Du Chen had quietly infiltrated Bog Island, making his way to the administrative pavilion near the Goddess's Palace. Inside, lights glowed, as Darick, the diligent Old Turtle, was diligently buried under thick stacks of official documents.

Du Chen and Snoopy, concealed within the Precious Lotus Scripture, arrived at a corner outside Darick's door. Peeking into the room at the Old Turtle, Du Chen rubbed his nose and chuckled, "Snoopy, it's all up to you now! I'll stay hidden on your person and speak as little as possible. You, too, rein in your temper lest you give us away!"

Snoopy jumped up. "This Master is a rabbit, and Master has never messed things up!"

With a 'poof,' he transformed into the Sea King's exact likeness. Donning the Sea King's clothes within the Precious Lotus Scripture, he carefully hung Du Chen, still hidden in the Golden Lotus, from a pocket's edge. Then, swaggering, he pushed open the door.

"Darick, I'm back!"