Situations similar to his appeared among those crew members, who also longed for a plunder to turn their fortunes around.

Even the old man stood up shakily, facing the sea breeze, as if he had returned to those days, to the final moments of plundering Hamlet!

Piles of Gold Coins, women whose skin seemed to glisten with moisture, wild and reckless slaughter... just thinking of these made his dry, tree-like body shake uncontrollably, his face twisted into a sinister grin.

But suddenly, the ship's tremor brought everyone back to reality.

"What's happening?"

"Did we hit a reef?"

"No! What's in the water?"

Someone noticed a fleeting shadow on the surface of the sea.

The captain hurriedly leaned over the edge to look down, but there was nothing on the water.

"Damn it! Where's anything? Say something out of line again, and I'll cut you down!"

At this moment, a more intense jolt came, followed by people running out of the cabin shouting.

"The hull is breached; water is rushing in!"

"Everyone, escape quickly!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Seeing land so close, the captain would not allow this hastily assembled crew to collapse now.

He immediately drew his sailor's knife and slashed at the loudest shouting person.

"Everyone shut up and speed up; once we reach the shore, we'll all survive!"

This set of actions seemed to have some effect, but not much because...

"Monster! Ah!"

A piercing scream came from the cabin but was abruptly cut off, and chaos spread even more, with some unable to resist jumping into the sea, desperately swimming towards the land.

Unfortunately, in the next second, they all vanished beneath the sea, only some shadows swimming in the water could be seen, along with the blood-stained sea.

This ship was already in disrepair, punctured from beneath, and seawater flooded in, causing it to tilt within just minutes.

In such a situation, even after the captain cut down three people, he couldn't control the situation, finally standing helplessly in place, looking desolate.

Could this really be a curse?

In truth, he hadn't sustained losses from encountering a storm but rather... glug, glug...

The water surging into the cabin finally reached the ship's limit, causing a sudden collapse, splitting in the middle, pulling everyone down into the water before they could react, the wreck forming chaotic currents that revealed the sea's frenzy, swallowing everything.

The ship quickly sank entirely into the sea, leaving only a few drifting wood fragments and the gradually dissipating traces of blood.

The only sign of life remaining were the continually rising bubbles, fragile enough to burst on their own.

Glug, glug...

Meanwhile, the port of Hamlet Town welcomed a fleet of ships.

The Romani's ship was nothing notable, but the other ships looked suspicious.

One ship didn't resemble a merchant ship but rather a refined passenger vessel; saying it sails this route could be comprehensible, but a passenger ship...

Ordinary people traveling would follow merchant ships because the cost accompanying them is much cheaper, and in the current era, it's hard for a few passengers to support the transit expenses.

Usually, only the Nobility or those with certain status can afford to, and seeing the Serpent Staff Flag displayed, it's clear it's an Association of Healers' ship.

The remaining ones were merchant ships, but they felt off as well.

"Feels like they're not here with good intentions..."

Amanda looked at the ships at the dock, feeling a sense of foreboding.

Standing beside her, Grendel could also understand this sentiment.

Because these merchant ships weren't the ones they had previously collaborated with, their purpose in coming here was evident.

Who doesn't have a hidden agenda behind them? Count Bastia controls the mountain trading caravans, and even Totnes has its own.

Clearly, various forces were using the merchant ship's name as a guise to probe Hamlet.

However, since Lance decided to gradually bring Hamlet to the forefront, it means he's not afraid of these minor maneuvers.

The Lord is unafraid, so why should they be?

"Let them come; this is instead a good opportunity for Hamlet to step out," Grendel said rightly because even though the troops have been redeployed, the current state of these militiamen is decent enough to conceal their true strength.

"I'll handle the Romani's affairs." Amanda didn't want to delay because the Lord left her specifically for the Romani dealings which needed her negotiation.

Regarding this, Amanda was somewhat displeased; she was aware of how important this action could be—if she performed well, she would gain more favor from the Lord.

Blame that vile woman, coming neither sooner nor later, preventing her from following the Lord's side and accumulating achievements.

This resentment brought about a certain oppressive demeanor in Amanda's expression.

Compared to her, Grendel was much calmer and became the backbone for Hamlet, at least on the surface; even if pressure was felt, she couldn't show it, otherwise, they'd be thrown into disarray themselves.

"The Lord values this transaction greatly; otherwise, he wouldn't have kept you here, as only you can deal with them."

These words made Amanda feel more valued, "I'll gather their information swiftly."

Without further ado, Amanda strode forward.

As for where she would obtain the intel on those people? Naturally from her fellow countrymen.

With her familiarity with the Romani system, also being in Totnes, she likely knew all the details while accompanying the ship.

Grendel watched Amanda's retreating figure with some curiosity; was she showing loyalty or disguising something?

This woman is not simple; if truly impulsive, she would abandon all lineage-based background and chose to stay in this place, Hamlet. Why?

Grendel understood that handing over this matter entirely to her still constituted Lance's test.

I hope you don't fail the Lord's expectations; after all, he seems to quite like you...

Amanda could make appearances, but she couldn't, so she didn't follow her out.

Instead, she turned away and summoned people to instruct them, preparing to deal with those individuals.

Here in Hamlet, she will steadfastly execute the Lord's policies, and no one can disrupt the order...

Previously, as the Romani representative in the Empire, she was blocked by two guards, without even seeing anyone.

But at this moment, having shed the representative's identity, those people dared not obstruct her in the slightest.

Because now she embodies that man's interests, which is why Amanda chose Hamlet.

A powerful person doesn't even need to exert much effort; they can conquer some merely with their presence—that's the allure of power.

"Where's Sela?" Amanda now completely abandoned her prior tolerance, striding boldly onto the ship and started interrogating those Romani crew members.

"The Lord is waiting for you inside."

A guard close to Sela approached and gestured; Amanda knew what she was thinking by observing the person's timid demeanor.

It's the survival rule among Romani, for their internal conflicts are severe, necessitating stringent governance; if one is too weak, it's possible to be overlooked by subordinates.

That's why Sela didn't come out, instead, she sent out a guard, equating to presenting a scapegoat for Amanda to vent on.

Previously, Amanda would certainly humiliate the person, instructing them on how to handle her while also jeering at those behind the person.

But now she didn't need those absurd acts to uphold her authority; she had learned some things from Lance.

That man always had a smile on his face and didn't need to rebuke or belittle others to obtain authority.

"Suit yourself."

Amanda didn't make things difficult, merely gave a calm look at the person before walking away.

Leaving the guard who was braced for scolding or even beating in bewilderment.

The crew members cautiously watching, anticipating drama, were all a bit confused too.

Normally, they were bullied by those two guards and wanted to see Amanda make a fool of herself.

"What are you staring at? Have you no work to do?" The guard swept a glance over those around and hurriedly followed Amanda.

If the guard had received negativity from Amanda, it would eventually have vented onto them.

However, the guard merely issued a rebuke, in a way Amanda saved them.