Chapter 191 - 179: Tress’s Aid

In the spacious cabin, the candlelight flickered unsteadily in the sea breeze.

The dim candlelight intertwined with the moonlight filtering in, casting a hazy, faintly shimmering ribbon of light within the cabin.

"Well?"

Glancing at Pikachu Tress, who was standing on the table cowering with a look of bewilderment while gently rubbing her arms, Roland poured a glass of water and handed it to the silver-haired woman sitting in a wooden chair.

"Can we trust what this little one says?"

At his question, Teresa’s slightly vacant gaze sharpened.

She accepted the glass, murmuring her thanks. She took a small sip of the cool water and nodded gently.

"There’s no issue at all, Mr. Roland. It’s just as this Miss Tress has said..."

As she spoke, the silver-haired woman offered a gentle smile to the Pikachu before her.

Tress’s tense nerves relaxed slightly, and she tried to return a friendly smile.

But when she glanced at the still-expressionless Roland, her budding smile immediately vanished.

Teresa’s cool voice continued.

"She is indeed from Cuiyan Forest. Of course... that place has now become part of the Land of Mist."

"She came here seeking help to save her home, and beyond that..."

As the silver-haired woman’s red lips parted, Tress’s deep-red eyes gradually widened. Her small lips fell open, and the lively expression on her face was slowly replaced by a dazed look.

"You... How could you possibly..."

Listening as the strange woman before her recounted her life story, word for word and without a single mistake, Tress narrowed her eyes to carefully scrutinize Teresa’s face.

Once she was certain that this was the first time she had ever met her, she couldn’t help but cry out in astonishment.

"Who... who are you?"

"Me?"

Looking at the adorable little creature, a faint smile blossomed on Teresa’s normally impassive face as she slowly extended a slender finger.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tress. You can just call me Teresa."

"Miss... Miss Teresa? Hello..."

Tress cautiously extended her tiny hand, quickly tapped Teresa’s fingertip, and then immediately snatched it back.

Then, she nervously shuffled back a few steps, moving closer to Roland.

In her eyes, although the handsome young man beside her seemed a bit cold, he was clearly much safer than the beautiful woman who could see right through her.

"In that case..."

After hearing Teresa’s report, Roland gave a slight nod. He then leaned down slightly, his gaze locked on Tress’s deep-red eyes.

"Welcome aboard, Miss Tress."

"Th-thank you, Mr. Roland..."

Although Roland’s expression seemed to have softened, the memory of that sharp glint of his sword on deck still lingered in the tiny Pikachu’s mind.

Seeing her cautious demeanor, Roland decided to ease the tension and changed the subject.

"So, Miss Tress, why don’t we first discuss... the ’aid’ you mentioned earlier? What exactly does that entail?"

"Well..."

Tress’s gaze drifted to Roland’s left wrist, and her voice was barely a whisper.

"Mr. Roland, I can sense the flow of Magic Elements from you. I presume... you’re a Caster, right?"

"A Caster?"

Teresa, standing to one side, exclaimed in surprise.

In all the time she had spent with Roland, she had never seen him perform any Magic.

"Just a few simple Tricks,"

Roland explained in a low voice, sensing Teresa’s gaze, before turning to Tress and nodding.

"Your Perception is very keen."

Seeing Roland admit it himself, the tiny Pikachu let out a long sigh of relief.

She gave a slight bow, then began to flutter the crystalline butterfly wings on her back, hovering lightly in the air.

Then, she closed her eyes.

In an instant, a faint but incredibly swift pulse of Energy radiated from her tiny body.

The next moment, Roland’s pupils contracted.

He clearly perceived that the Magic Elements in the surrounding air, which had been as still as stagnant water, had suddenly come "alive." Like the surface of a placid lake disturbed by a pebble, they began to ripple.

The dormant Elements seemed to stir, once again brimming with life.

"How... marvelous."

Roland murmured in wonder, feeling the Magic Elements surging through the air.

With a mere thought, the Spell Patterns on the Keel on his wrist lit up.

It was completely different from the usual sluggishness he felt when drawing on Magic Power.

This time, the Magic Elements were like ice melting into a flowing spring, pouring into the Keel without obstruction before spreading throughout his body.

Roland gently closed his eyes. An irrepressible joy welled up in his heart as he realized that channeling this Power consumed a negligible amount of his Spiritual Power.

He didn’t understand how the little creature did it, but having her around meant his Casting speed would increase dramatically, and the mental strain from it would be significantly reduced.

The battle with the Pirates was imminent. While he might not need to resort to his Tricks, having this little creature with him was undoubtedly an extra safeguard.

At this thought, Roland nodded.

"This is some very useful aid. However..."

He opened his eyes and pointed to the butterfly wings on Tress’s back, which were still trembling slightly.

"To avoid unnecessary trouble, it’s best if no one else sees you while you’re on the ship. You’ll stay in my cabin for the time being. Any problem with that?"

"Of course. Thank you, Mr. Roland."

Hearing Roland’s request, Tress nodded happily and landed back on the table.

As the strange pulse emanating from her body faded, the active Magic Elements in the air returned to their dormant state.

"And... no mischief."

"Er... yes."

After a few more words, Teresa turned and left the room. Once Tress was settled, Roland lay back down on his soft bed.

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but Tress’s presence seemed to alleviate the grogginess and mental fog caused by the high concentration of Magic Elements in the Land of Mist.

So, Roland rose from his bed the next day just as the sky began to lighten at dawn.

He took a deep breath. The long-lost clarity of mind was invigorating. He stretched his limbs and was about to go find some food when a crisp knock sounded at the door.

At the sound, Tress, who had been in the middle of a yawn, vanished without a trace.

Seeing this, Roland raised an eyebrow slightly before calmly calling out.

"Come in."

The door swung open, revealing Hobbit’s short figure.

"Mr. Roland."

The Half-Elf gave a slight bow, his voice clear and concise.

"We’re less than half a day’s sail from Wailing Gorge. The scouts I sent ahead have already spotted the Pirates."

"Is that so?"

Hearing this news, a sharp glint flashed in Roland’s eyes.

He immediately forgot about breakfast, placing a hand on Hobbit’s shoulder as they walked out the door together.

"How many Pirate Ships are patrolling outside Wailing Gorge?"

"Three."

"Three, is it..."

Roland stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze turning to the sky.