Chapter 627: Interview

Above the Montes Sea.

Against the salty, bitter wind and the sticky sea breeze, the dock of Coral Bay slowly sank below the horizon.

"So first, let's return to our initial question, Mr. Rod."

The recording stone in the sea elf Laura's hand floated up above her head.

In her hands, she held a notebook and a feather pen—two recording methods for safety.

"Is this escort mission merely a cover? Is your real goal to legally capture one or two sirens or ghost pirates as maids?"

It is well known that illegally enslaving non-human races in Athelon carries a minimum sentence of five years' imprisonment. Have you ever registered with any official non-human race protection association?"

If not, can we assume your female companions in the forest are all guilty of illegal bigamy?"

Rod looked utterly exasperated.

Protecting navigation safety around Coral Bay is something worth promoting.

That's why he agreed to let this Miss Laura ride along on the 【Group Flight Technique】.

The number of people who have recently moved into and settled in Coral Bay has indeed increased.

But it hasn't yet reached the necessary level—population growth is an unavoidable topic for development.

More publicity can never hurt.

"Laura? I remember you—you're the adopted daughter of the owner of the Coral Bay Times. Your father left the Snow Hill Evening Post to seek other opportunities. I recall my assistant waived at least three months' rent for you."

Laura frowned.

"Are you playing the emotional card, Mr. Rod? I am a fact-based journalist."

"I'm merely telling you that slandering me won't benefit Coral Bay or its operations."

"Hmm, okay, scratch that. Let's start over."

The girl manipulated the recording stone above her head, deleting the previous footage.

She restarted it.

She cleared her throat twice: "We all know Coral Bay has deep ties with Shi Ying Town, and you, Mr. Rod, are the forest warden of Shi Ying Town. This mission even includes Shi Ying Town's administrator, Miss Dimia, traveling with you. Is it true, as rumors suggest, that the two of you are romantically involved?"

Rod blinked in confusion. "Relationship? What relationship?"

The witch Dimia, who had been smirking beside him, froze.

"Reliable sources report that you, Mr. Rod, have repeatedly escaped through the window of Miss Dimia's villa on Xin Lanke Street in Shi Ying Town. Local residents believe you two are secretly meeting."

"Nonsense. We're friends."

Laura looked skeptical. "Really? Then check the footage."

She reached into her bag.

She pulled out a recording orb, tapped it to activate, and a scene appeared—backdrop: Xin Lanke Street in Shi Ying Town.

Immediately, a man in a constable's uniform walked into the frame.

—Constable David.

Laura's off-camera voice said: 【Constable, hello. We're doing an interview. Do you know the forest warden, Mr. Rod?】

Upon hearing Rod's name, David stopped dead: 【Oh! Of course! We're best buddies! When he wasn't busy, he drank with me every day at the Violet Rose Tavern!】

【Hmm, hmm. Do you know anything about his romantic life?】

【Well, it's not right to pry into someone else's privacy.】

【Understood. Then what about the witch Miss Dimia of the city hall and the forest warden Rod? Do you think they're involved?】

David hesitated.

After a moment's thought, he asked: 【Can you blur my face? Just obscure my appearance.】

【Of course. We're professionals.】

At that moment,

a late-appearing black stripe covered David's eyes on-screen, making him look like some criminal from a wanted poster.

He lowered his voice: 【Of course they're involved! Rod has told me multiple times—he thinks Miss Dimia is adorable and has an amazing figure! He even said he'd trade ten years of his life to marry her!】

The footage paused.

Laura stared at him with a questioning expression.

Rod's face twitched. David, you bastard, you're slandering me.

The dog-woman Sharon flew over beside him, watching him with amusement: "Oh? Ten years of life, huh?"

"This is clearly pure fabrication."

Rod turned to look—Miss Dimia's face was flushed red. She hid behind Tally, struggling to peek at him over her shoulder.

"."

Don't take it seriously!

Hmm… though honestly, even if you did, it wouldn't be so bad.

The sea elf Laura glanced at Sharon, sensing the teasing and jealousy on her face, and seized the moment to ask:

"Who is this? Is she also one of Mr. Rod's romantic interests?"

Rod answered first: "She's Sharon. She's my girl."

This remark eased Sharon's mood. She snorted softly, her tail swaying gently.

Laura suddenly understood: "Sharon? Oh! Dimia's roommate and best friend from Bahadur Academy!"

"You know that?"

Rod was genuinely baffled.

But she ignored Rod and immediately pressed on: "Your boyfriend confessed he'd trade ten years of his life to marry your best friend. What do you think about that?"

Sharon crossed her arms, looking utterly unconcerned.

"Not really. Men being lecherous needs no explanation."

"Young Lady Sharon is so open-minded. Then, do you approve of your best friend's relationship with Rod? They once met in secret!"

"Strictly speaking, no. I've been staying at Daphne's house all along. Rod came to find me."

"Oh! I see!"

Laura's eyes lit up as she scribbled furiously in her notebook: 'Best Friend's House as a Bedroom, Glass Sisterhood Confirmed.'

Rod's face darkened; he reached out and tore off that page.

Laura jumped in fright but dared not resist.

She asked again, "Then what if Daphne has feelings for your boyfriend? You know, Mr. Rod is a celebrity here."

Sharon spread her hands: "That's not bad either. Daphne is soft; I like holding her to sleep. As for Rod... not bad either. At least he's comfortable. It would be even better if I could hold two at once."

"Sharon!"

Daphne shouted in anger.

"What? I'm just speaking my truth."

"But you can't say things like that! She's from the newspaper!"

Tally, standing nearby, also blushed slightly: "Comfortable... Young Lady Sharon speaks so boldly."

"..."

Sharon pouted, then pushed Rod openly: "What about you? What do you think?"

Rod shrugged: "Actually, what David said isn't entirely rumor."

Daphne's face turned completely red: "Rod! Why are you joining in with her?"

Laura scribbled furiously in her notebook, her pen moving like a dragon.

Her face was full of excitement.

"Immediately moving to the next question, Mr. Rod. As everyone knows, you have countless female companions. What are your insights or reasons?"

"None. It's all thanks to my great physique."

"Have you considered endorsing a yang-tonic potion? I know three potion companies have approached you."

"No."

"Cloud Elf singer Lyla Star-Song is about to arrive at Coral Bay to launch the 【Peace Concert】. None of your girls are Cloud Elves. Are you considering pursuing Lyla Star-Song to win her heart?"

"... No."

"With so many female companions in the forest, which one are you most satisfied with and like the most?"

The moment this question was asked.

Sharon, Daphne, and Tally all perked up their ears.

Rod refused to answer such a question: "... Come on, can't you ask some proper questions?"

But the girls were clearly unsatisfied with this answer, their gazes dimly fixed on him.

At this moment.

A strange anomaly rippled through the spiritual sense carried by the sea breeze.

Rod turned his head and saw a semi-transparent ghost ship not far away, riding the wind and waves, charging toward another stranded ship with a broken mast.

On its deck, dense crowds of ghost pirates brandished knives and screamed strangely.

Rod was overjoyed and quickly changed the subject:

"Interview over. Let's get to work first."

(End of this chapter)