The senior crew members and Gauss ate relatively well.
Cured meat, cheese, dried fruit, and even a few apples and oranges.
Breakfast ended amidst the rising sunlight and the sounds of sailors loudly drinking.
Fully sated, the sailors quickly tidied up and took their positions.
"Raise anchor! Hoist the sails!" Captain Fern stood at the helm and issued commands loudly.
The winch turned, lifting the heavy iron anchor with a splashing sound.
The sailors shouted in unison, pulling the ropes together as the massive sails slowly rose along the masts, catching the gentle morning sea breeze.
The Seagull began to move again.
Some time later.
Gauss looked at the reefs not far on either side of the ship, displaying concern on his face.
The huge black reefs, jagged and overlapping, rose several meters above the sea, resembling twisted spires, while most of their mass lurked underwater, revealing ominous shadows only when waves swept past.
The waves crashed between these reefs, creating countless white foams and whirlpools visible to the naked eye, sufficient to overturn small boats.
The Seagull rocked back and forth amidst the waves.
Gauss’s feet seemed to be rooted to the deck, firmly anchored.
But his concern wasn’t for himself, but for the ship.
"Captain Fern, is it really safe to sail here?"
Gauss glanced again at the rushing undercurrents.
Even if the ship faced some mishap, he had several ways to escape, but those were stopgap measures; it was best to pass through safely.
"Don’t worry, Mr. Gauss, this route looks dangerous, but we often sail here and are very familiar with it."
Fern could understand his concerns as a first-time passenger onboard.
But they were indeed professional.
Under Gauss’s vigilant gaze, the Seagull slowly advanced through the dense reef area, and indeed, no accidents occurred.
The crew’s professional skills were perfectly demonstrated, under Fern’s precise command and the continuous position adjustments reported by the lookout sailor, the Seagull, like a nimble dancer, skillfully navigated through the maze of jagged reefs.
"Tighten the foremast sail, port side receiving wind, we need to pass close to that rock."
"Prepare to turn! Full rudder to starboard! Let go of the main sail! Free wind!"
....
With the close cooperation of the crew, the Seagull finally navigated through the dangerous reef area smoothly.
Reaching a relatively calm sea.
Gauss finally relaxed.
The Adventurer’s Guild was reliable; the contacted fleet was highly professional.
He thought that if he had arranged the ship himself, either he would encounter no response or run into some rash person, steering the ship and sinking it in this sea.
While he marveled silently, ahead, a massive island silhouette gradually became clearer.
Unlike the small islands and reefs seen before, this island was vast with towering terrain in the middle, steep edges, and large areas of exposed black reefs visible along its edges.
Facing their direction, the island had a huge cleft resembling a chop from a giant axe.
Sea water steadily rushed into it; that was their destination—Tide Cave.
"We’ve arrived, that’s Tide Cave," Captain Fern pointed toward the cleft where waves surged.
"The tide is currently rising and not suitable for entry. We should anchor at a sheltered spot on the island’s leeward side first. It will be safer to move after the tide recedes in the afternoon."
Gauss decided to heed the advice of the professionals.
The Seagull sailed around half the island, finally anchoring in a shallow bay. From the anchorage spot, they could hear the dull roar of waves crashing against the island’s cliffs elsewhere.
During the waiting time, Gauss and his team carried out final battle preparations.
Checking weapons, organizing equipment, confirming battle plans.
Soon, it was afternoon.
In the afternoon, the tide, as Fern had said, began to recede slowly, and the sea became calm.
The tidal flat at the Tide Cave entrance became wider.
Some areas previously submerged by sea water now exposed their surfaces.
Gauss picked up the telescope, spotting the Beach Goblins frolicking recklessly on the tidal flat.
Plenty of goblins also pushed small boats and rafts out from the cave.
With the tide receding, the goblins began to become active.
Finally found them!
Putting down the telescope, he looked at Fern beside him and nodded.
"The time has come."
Once everyone confirmed their battle readiness, the Seagull began to smoothly sail toward the Tide Cave.
The approaching ship quickly alerted a few goblin pirates near the cave.
On the shore, some goblins with keen eyesight kept pointing towards the ocean, excitedly talking with their comrades.
Soon, more and more Beach Goblins noticed the Seagull.
To them, this was like a pie falling from the sky; they were just about to venture out from the reef area to see if they could bump into passing vessels.
Who would have thought, just leaving home, a beautiful big ship coincidentally passed by?
Afraid of missing this oncoming big gift.
Under the leader’s assembly, the Beach Goblin pirates rapidly swarmed out of the cave like ants with small boats and rafts.
Although each small boat and raft was small, only able to accommodate 2-4 goblins, their sheer number made them spectacular, floating on the sea.
Lightweight watercraft swiftly moved with the waves, aided by the goblins’ proficient aquatic skills, speeding across the sea.