William absorbed the information, understanding the power dynamics at play. In this world, strength was the currency that dictated one's status and influence.
The fact that they were approaching a place ruled by diamond-rank combatants intrigued and unnerved him simultaneously.
Yet, it was an essential step toward understanding the complexities of this society they had become a part of.
With their ship adjusted and their travel itinerary laid out, William felt a sense of purpose.
The prospect of reaching a human settlement filled him with trepidation and excitement.
As they continued their journey, he knew they would need to navigate not only the physical challenges of this world but also the intricate social dynamics that governed it.
"We'll proceed as planned, Athena," William said, his voice laced with determination. "Prepare the ship for our accelerated travel.
Let's make sure we reach that island swiftly and safely."
Athena acknowledged his command,
The ship responded with a subtle hum, indicating its readiness to set forth on this new leg of their journey.
As the ship surged forward, slicing through the vast expanse of the ocean, William stared out of the control room's window, watching the waves part before them.
He couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something significant, something that would shape their understanding of this world and their place within it.
-------------------- A week later--------------
As the ship continued its swift journey across the ocean, William and Athena were immersed in thoughts of the impending arrival at the baron territory.
The anticipation of reaching a human settlement filled the air with both excitement and tension.
"Athena," Willliam began, his eyes fixed on the vast expanse of the ocean, "how much longer until we reach the baron's territory?"
Athena responded with a hint of amusement, "Master, this is the nth time you've asked about our arrival today."
"We'll be reaching the baron's island territory by this evening. If not for your insistence on docking at those smaller islands along the way, we could have arrived sooner."
William grinned, his eyes reflecting the satisfaction of their gains. "But we've profited from those detours," he pointed out.
"We've mined a substantial amount of black iron and bronze-ranked metals, along with significant quantities of silver and gold-ranked materials."
"Not to mention the precious wood we obtained earlier, and let's not forget the encounter with the diamond-rank ocean monster, and the gains from that battle were substantial."
Athena nodded, acknowledging the value of their diverse haul. "Indeed, Master. Our resources have expanded significantly during this journey."
"The diamond-ranked monster core and its accompanying material are valuable. The fresh meat, bones, skin, and scales we acquired from various ocean creatures can be utilized for various purposes, including trade or sustenance for ourselves."
William's mind churned with plans. "When we reach the human settlement, we should approach as traders," he suggested.
"It's a subtle way to gather information without drawing undue attention. We need to understand this world better before revealing our true capabilities."
Athena agreed, her interface displaying a map of the ship's resources. "I concur, Master. Presenting ourselves as traders will allow us to interact freely and establish connections. It's a prudent approach given the current circumstances."
With their strategy in place, William shifted his focus to the goods they had amassed. "Let's conduct a detailed analysis of our inventory,"
He proposed. "We need to know exactly what we have for trade, down to the last detail."
"Additionally, we should categorize the materials based on their rarity and value. It will help us negotiate better deals and maximize our profits."
Athena processed his request swiftly, displaying a comprehensive list of their resources. The materials were organized meticulously, from rare metal/monster materials to common-rank metal/monster materials, each item cataloged with precision.
"Which consists of a hundred tons of black iron and bronze-ranked metal of each. Five tons of silver and one ton of gold-ranked metal."
Due to the sudden attack from the monsters, after solving the sudden attack, they got one diamond rank core with corresponding rank materials and 100 kg of meat, three platinum rank cores, 300 Kg of meat, and the corresponding rank materials. 100 gold and silver-ranked cores with the corresponding rank materials, 250 Kg of gold-ranked and silver-rank meat, and 500 bronze and black iron-ranked cores and materials with 500 Kg of each rank meat.
"Aside from trading, we should consider crafting essentials," William suggested. "Weapons, tools, and equipment could be in high demand. If we can provide high-quality items, we'll have a competitive edge in the market."
Athena nodded and updated the inventory to include potential crafting materials. "Noted, Master. I will prioritize the necessary resources for crafting essential items."
"We should also consider recruiting different types of craftsmen and create a separate section for specialized requests from potential buyers."
"Customization could significantly enhance our trade prospects."
"We should also prepare a designated workspace for our production department," William suggested. "We should equip our ship with necessary tools, forging furnaces, and crafting stations. Efficiency and quality will be our top priorities."
Athena then projected a layout on the ship suitable for establishing workshops for the craftsman joining them in the future.
The control room buzzed with activity as they fine-tuned their plans, ensuring they were well-equipped and well-informed for their future interactions in this world.