Skill Extraction: Exploring Dungeons
Chapter 901 - 779: Return Voyage
The teleportation gate, as if forcefully tearing open space, provided Kane and his companions with a less than pleasant experience.
They walked in the crevices of this space, feeling as though their bodies were being compressed, dragged along with the twisting of the space.
Like a humanoid blob of clay, sometimes flat, sometimes elongated.
It's not that their bodies were truly being pulled apart in such a manner.
Rather, it was an illusion created by the contortions of space affecting their sensations.
Although it was an illusion, the feeling was very real, causing extreme discomfort.
It was like an unstable teleportation platform; even this short distance felt more uncomfortable than long-distance teleportation.
There was indeed a certain standard required for physical endurance.
Kane sensed that without reaching gold level, such space teleportation would be unbearable.
Moreover, it definitely couldn't be done multiple times in a short period.
As for Steel Bone and his kind, being undead, they barely felt any discomfort.
Unless it targeted their souls, it had little effect on their bodies.
Because their sensitivity to themselves had long been reduced to the minimum, they always relied on their souls for keen perception.
No wonder Steel Bone used teleportation so roughly, he couldn't experience the unpleasant sensations himself.
In this wobbling, twisting space, they walked for about a minute.
Steel Bone disappeared through a white rift ahead.
It seemed they had reached their destination.
Kane and his companions followed closely through the light gap.
"This feeling is rather unpleasant, isn't it?"
Longbei stood on the ground, stretched his body, and then rubbed his head.
He felt dizzy now.
Kane and the others shared Longbei's sentiment, feeling equally dizzy.
For intelligent beings, it was indeed quite uncomfortable.
They looked around at their surroundings.
They were now in a courtyard, next to a house built of white stone.
The roof was made of orange-red tiles.
A flag with a lantern emblem was planted on the roof, indicating the territory's ownership.
They could clearly hear the sound of waves, and the salty sea breeze brushed across their faces.
Kane walked to the side of the courtyard and looked outside.
From there, he could directly gaze at the nearby port, which remained largely unchanged from the one Kane had originally created.
It was evidently expanded outward, with some areas being fortified and renovated.
After all, the port that Kane hastily constructed before was indeed somewhat rudimentary.
Just a simple framework that could be barely used.
Now, they continued building based on Kane's previous port framework.
This was where the refugee camp used to be, the place where ocean-going ships landed.
The refugee camp now was far from being propped up merely by tents.
In a short amount of time, it had grown into a large town.
Various low houses were neatly arranged from the port outward.
Compared to the former refugee camp, it was now not only an important town but also a significant trading place.
Caravans and merchants from various factions of the Holy Light Alliance gathered here.
Initially, they came for Kane's goods, and now it's become a very promising platform.
Large machines at the port continuously transported all kinds of cargo from the biggest ship's storerooms.
Alongside were various workers, some from nearby cities, others were refugees who stayed here.
The volume of cargo handled at the docks provided many job opportunities here.
It was foreseeable.
This place would continue to grow, as the demand for Kane's goods increased with the frontlines advancing.
Almost every return voyage, the cargo carried almost filled the holds.
"In just over a month, such a vast area and port have sprung up," Kreya remarked as she came to Kane's side, marveling at the city.
Since Kreya was already deep behind enemy lines at the time, she hadn't witnessed the arrival of the first ocean-going ship with Kane.
"Let's rest in the room for a while. Once this ship finishes unloading, we'll head back together," Kane said to the group, eyeing the enormous ocean liner on the sea at the far port.
No one disagreed with this, and they entered the nearby white house for a temporary rest.
The officials, who had been waiting for some time, immediately started arranging Kane and his companions' return journey.
Kane looked over at Steel Bone and the others, pondering for a moment before saying, "Do you mind if I temporarily alter your appearance? The returning ship is almost full of refugees, and their impression of the undead isn't good."
Kane's words were quite tactful.
If these refugees saw the undead, they would only feel two extreme emotions: fear or anger.
After all, their current plight was entirely caused by the undead, and it would be difficult for them to accept a few undead as allies.
Time could only gradually heal the wounds in their hearts, allowing them to slowly accept this rapidly changing world.
"No problem, we understand some things," Steel Bone had no objections to Kane's request.
Upon hearing his response, Kane nodded and then gestured with his hand.
Sturdy thin armor encased Steel Bone and the zombies.
In an instant, both were transformed into elite knights in full armor.
The simple patterns on the armor could effectively block the undead aura they emitted.
At the very least, deceiving ordinary civilians would be relatively easy.
Kane then turned his gaze to the Evil Spirit and Eye Demon beside him, frowning as he contemplated.
Disguising these two undead simply wouldn't be easy.
The Evil Spirit wasn't too difficult, being a kind of spiritual body.
Kane created a mechanical puppet for it, allowing it to reside within temporarily, operating from there.
But this Eye Demon is making things difficult for Kane.
The Eye Demon itself knows that its appearance is somewhat exaggerated, completely non-human now.
Thin threads floated beside Kane, and the Eye Demon's voice sounded in Kane's ear.
"Don't worry, Lord Kane. I can enter a simple slumber for more than 10 days."
Hearing the Eye Demon's words, Kane could only nod: "Then I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
After saying that, he constructed a cylindrical container.
To serve as the Eye Demon's temporary dwelling when boarding the ship later.
The Eye Demon merely used its enormous eyeball to glance at the Ghost familiarizing itself with the mechanical body, and then entered the container, slowly going into slumber.
"Why do you insist on having me carry you? It's really annoying."
The Ghost complained while operating the mechanical body.
But still, it came over to lift the container and placed it outside the house.
Everyone also took a brief rest inside the room.
Until all the cargo on the ocean-going cruise ship had been completely loaded and unloaded.
An official from the Lantern Territory knocked on the door and entered.
"Your Majesty, my lords, the ship is ready."
Upon hearing this, Kane stood up.
"Alright, lead the way."
The official then led everyone to the port, and then the ship's crew took them onto the cruise ship.
They were accommodated in a few of the best rooms.
And the Ghost-operated mechanical body continuously carried the large cylindrical container.
"This period has been non-stop, finally, we can have a good rest."
Kane lay on the bed, speaking to Kreya beside him.
Then the two of them directly entered the Guild Hall.
Although the ship's quarters were pretty good, they were still much inferior to the Guild Hall, not to mention the better personal spaces there.
...
The cruise ship started moving slowly as the sun rose.
Carrying refugees filled with hope, and the core of the entire force.
Returning to the Lantern Territory.
At this moment.
In the meeting room on the second floor of the Guild Hall.
All the important members still residing in the Holy Light Alliance area had gathered.
They still needed to eliminate the remaining undead, which would all count as contributions, not to be wasted casually.
Meanwhile, Kane and his party, who were leaving, were also present.
Kane's departure required some simple arrangements for those remaining in the Holy Light Alliance.
"Firstly, nearly all threats among the undead have been eliminated; the remainder poses no life threat to those present."
"After I leave, I won't be there with the resurrection to back you up, so whether it's you or the soldiers you lead, you must be vigilant."
He then said sternly, "If you die, there won't be my resurrection spell, and the opportunity from the Spring of Rebirth comes only once."
"Furthermore, if excessive deaths occur among soldiers due to your actions, I will hold you accountable."
Kane can't always provide a safety net for these people; the threatening targets have mostly been dealt with.
Now, keeping a certain level of alertness will result in minimal casualties.
If someone still carelessly dies at this point, they can only blame themselves.
He can't be their babysitter, following them everywhere.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Hearing their response, Kane just nodded.
"Although we are leaving, we must not let go of the interests we are entitled to, and it's up to you to decide which ones to hold firmly and which to strive for."
"I won't interfere in these matters. I hope you won't disappoint me."
As he spoke, Kane's gaze shifted to Baijiao and those behind her.
Seeing Kane's look, they quickly nodded, saying, "We will not fail your expectations, Your Majesty."
This time, though they took on a task from Facundo, they also completed the elimination order from the Mist.
They indeed expended significant manpower and resources to assist the Holy Light Alliance, helping them without taking heavy losses.
Helping them reclaim lost territories.
This assistance is tangible, even if the initial aim wasn't this.
So the benefits deserved from this won't be relinquished.
After all, now they are a large force, requiring resources and financial support in many locations.
They can't behave as they did before during the Dungeon exploration era, doing whatever they wanted.
Fortunately, Kane is not familiar with this aspect but is willing to delegate power.
As a leader, he only needs to learn to use people, placing the right individuals in the right positions.
He is not too worried about betrayal from his subordinates.
Because such betrayal would likely result in greater losses for them than for Kane.
Some minor details still required discussion with those present to conclude.
There was also the establishment of relations with the Bihai Empire, needing thorough communication and confirmation.
Once all discussions concluded.
"That's it for now. When you return, I'll organize a grand celebration for you. Meeting adjourned."
As the meeting adjourned, everyone faded from the original location one after another.
And Kane returned to the ship.
Watching the refugees on the deck who had never seen the ocean before.
Their eyes filled with hope and apprehension.
Toward the front.
The destination for which the ship was heading.