Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB]

After several months, Ethan returned to State Island.

Compared to his last visit, the changes in him were drastic. The once frail fisherman boy had transformed into a mage apprentice, someone who had begun to grasp the mysterious forces of magic. His new equipment ensured that he could travel the Sea of Tranquility freely, no longer needing to constantly fear for his safety.

"So, this is State Island?"

Arthur stood on the ship's poop deck, looking out at the bustling port in curiosity. Behind him, Ethan was negotiating with the port's staff about docking and other formalities.

This time, Ethan had arrived with two ships. One was slightly smaller, and he planned to sell it back to the Adventurers Guild. The larger ship, which had once belonged to Angus, would be repaired and refurbished for his own use. He had already decided to rename it The Goddess of Dawn and register it under his name.

"This time, let's make it something that lasts a bit longer," Ethan muttered to himself.

Unlike his last fleeting visit, he knew he'd be staying on State Island for quite some time.

There was much to do. The cargo on the ship needed to be unloaded, sorted, and sold, which alone would take days. The larger ship, meanwhile, needed a thorough inspection and repairs. Ethan wasn't even sure how long Angus had used it without proper maintenance. The condition of the hull made it clear that it had been neglected for far too long.

He couldn't afford to risk sailing a poorly maintained ship. Out on the open sea, even minor problems could quickly turn fatal. Ethan decided he would spare no expense and have the vessel undergo a complete overhaul.

"And make sure the old name is removed," Ethan added to himself.

"Do you already have a new name in mind? And where should it be engraved?" asked one of the staff.

Ship names were usually engraved onto a removable wooden board and then affixed to a designated spot on the ship. This made it easier to change the name without damaging the hull itself.

State Island's shipyard handled all the shipbuilding, repairs, and maintenance work in the Sea of Calm. It was a monopoly, but one with a fair reputation. The prices were reasonable, and their craftsmanship was excellent—unsurprising, given that nearly every ship in the region was built there. Adventurers often lacked the skills to maintain their vessels themselves, making the shipyard indispensable.

As soon as Ethan's docking was cleared, the shipyard sent a young man in his twenties to meet him. The man, Margo, would oversee the inspection, confirm Ethan's requirements, and ensure everything was recorded properly to avoid disputes later.

Ethan appreciated the professionalism. "Seems like this shipyard actually knows how to do business," he thought.

"The name will be Goddess of Dawn," Ethan said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Engrave it on the stern. Oh, and there's one more thing."

Margo tilted his head slightly, waiting for Ethan to continue.

"I want a figurehead added to the bow," Ethan said. "A statue of a praying goddess."

Margo blinked in surprise. His expression, previously neutral and businesslike, finally shifted.

"Figureheads are purely decorative," Margo said cautiously. "Most people don't bother installing them anymore, and they do add to the cost."

"I know," Ethan replied with a faint smile. "But I still want one. Can it be done?"

Margo hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, of course. We can arrange it."

While figureheads had fallen out of fashion, they were still an option for those willing to pay. For most sailors, they were an unnecessary expense with no practical purpose, but Ethan had his own reasons.

For him, the figurehead wasn't just for decoration. Over the past few months, Ethan had learned and practiced a great deal at sea. Now, he wanted to take his experiments to the next level.

His plan was to inscribe magic circles onto the figurehead, turning it into a conduit for magical energy. If successful, it could grant his ship unique abilities—essentially transforming it into a magical warship. The figurehead was a test, a relatively safe component to experiment on without risking damage to the hull.

If the experiment worked, it would be a game-changer.

As Ethan explained his request, Margo couldn't hide his curiosity. For a shipbuilder, such a task was unusual, and he couldn't help but wonder why Ethan wanted something so specific. Still, it wasn't his place to question a paying customer.

"Understood," Margo said, pulling out a notebook to record the details. "Anything else you'd like to add?"

"Not at the moment," Ethan replied.

As Margo jotted everything down, he glanced again at Ethan, his initial routine demeanor now replaced by genuine interest. A ship with a custom figurehead, especially one as elaborate as this wasn't something he dealt with every day.

Margo couldn't help but feel a little surprised when he saw the ship—The Mad Dog of Angus. The vessel had a reputation on State Island, and as part of the shipyard responsible for maintaining nearly every vessel in this sea, Margo had seen it multiple times before.

Of course, while the Mad Dog was known, its reputation wasn't exactly stellar. To people like Margo, who were familiar with the sea's bigger players, the ship was merely average. It wasn't shocking to hear that Angus had met his end, whether due to bad luck, crossing the wrong person, or simply overestimating his strength.

But what intrigued Margo was the fact that this young man, Ethan, not only intended to keep the Mad Dog for himself but also planned extensive renovations. It was clear that Ethan wasn't just strong; he also had considerable resources at his disposal.

"Is there anything else besides the bow figurehead and routine maintenance?" Margo asked, his professional curiosity piqued.

He glanced around the ship. Though it bore the scars of battle, the damage was superficial and didn't require major repairs. Still, Margo saw an opportunity. If this young man had the funds, why not offer additional upgrades?

"What kind of modifications do you offer?" Ethan asked.

Margo's face brightened at the question. "Oh, there's quite a lot we can do," he replied enthusiastically. "I won't be able to list everything here, but if you're interested, I recommend visiting the shipyard in person. We have a detailed catalog, and we can even show you samples of the modifications. That'll give you a better understanding of what's possible."

Ethan was surprised by the shipyard's level of service but nodded in agreement. "I'll stop by after the cargo is unloaded."

Satisfied, Margo made a note in his ledger. Since Ethan was willing to visit the shipyard, there was no need to linger. For now, all he needed to do was record the necessary details and wait for the ship to be brought in after the unloading was completed.

"Well then, Ethan of the Dawn, I'll take my leave now."

"Goodbye," Ethan replied.

As Margo departed, Ethan returned to overseeing the unloading process. The workers hired by the port administrator had already begun moving the cargo—ore from the ship's hold—onto ox carts. Watching the workers, Ethan learned something new.

The ore he'd recovered was a type of raw ore containing multiple metals, including iron and copper. Though it wasn't rare, it was highly in demand. Even the islanders who didn't sail relied on a steady supply of these metals for daily needs, ensuring the ore's value remained high.

"If we unload all of this, we won't have to worry about money or supplies for quite some time," Ethan mused.

The ore was so valuable, in fact, that even the shipyard was willing to accept it as payment for repairs and modifications. While the total cost of the renovations depended on what Ethan ultimately decided to do, he was confident the ore would more than cover it.

"Are we sending all of it to the guild?" Arthur asked.

"Yes. It'll be stored there for now," Ethan confirmed.

The Adventurers Guild had already sent a representative to oversee the transaction. Such a large amount of ore naturally drew their attention.

"Do you want larger accommodations this time?" the guild clerk asked. He was a shrewd man and knew that someone bringing in this much material deserved extra attention.

"As long as it's close to the guild," Ethan replied. "By the way, does the guild have a place where people can train?"

"There's a public training ground," the clerk answered. "It's free to use, but it's a shared space, so it can get crowded. Sometimes, unpleasant encounters happen."

The warning was vague but clear enough. Ethan nodded. "That's fine. Just make sure our accommodations are close to the training ground."

"Understood."

The guild representative's job wasn't just to arrange lodging. He also recorded all of Ethan's property under his name and ensured it was logged in the guild's database. This allowed Ethan to use his stored assets to access guild services, purchase supplies, and trade for items he needed.

While the Sea of Calm's guild still relied on barter rather than currency, it was far more convenient than carrying everything personally.

"I'm glad I joined the guild," Ethan thought. The advantages were undeniable. Without the guild's resources, he would've spent far more time and effort managing his materials.

The more wealth an adventurer contributed to the guild, the more benefits they received. The clerk even explained some of the perks Ethan could now access: priority information, new ship availability, rescue assistance in emergencies, and basic materials to help recover from bankruptcy.

"The more you bring to the guild, the better the treatment you'll get," the clerk added with a smile.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "That includes information on the Sea of Storms and what lies beyond?"

The clerk's expression shifted slightly, and he leaned in, lowering his voice. "Yes. That's something you can access through the guild as well."

Ethan's interest was immediately piqued. He'd planned to gather information during his stay, but this revelation made things significantly easier.

"Interesting," he murmured. "I wasn't expecting such a well-timed opportunity."

Still, a question lingered in Ethan's mind. Why were the clerks so eager to share these details with him? This wasn't the first time he'd noticed a guild representative subtly feeding him useful information.

"What's their angle?" Ethan wondered. "Are they just being helpful, or is there something they want from me?"

Unable to puzzle it out, Ethan set the thought aside for now. By the time the unloading was finished, the ore and remaining supplies had been handed over to the guild for storage or sale. The leftover food and water were used to pay the laborers, and anything surplus was converted into longer-lasting goods and added to Ethan's account.

With everything handled, Ethan and Arthur headed to their assigned room for some much-needed rest.

"We'll check the guild's archives tomorrow," Ethan said after a quick shower.

Arthur nodded, and the two settled in for the night. As Ethan sat cross-legged on the floor, practicing his mental control, a wry smile crossed his face.

"I didn't expect Merlin to leave me another challenge, even in something like this."

***

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