Chapter 803

Chapter 803: Setting Sail for the Second Trip to Kalimdor

Although the ghost that appeared made the past two nights of rest less comfortable, for Jesse, Greed, and Vereesa, the ghost was no longer a threat.

Of course, hostile spirits certainly didn’t dare to provoke them, especially with demons among them.

On the day of their departure, they woke up in the morning and looked out the window toward the sea. A big ship, about forty to fifty meters long, was docked at the pier. Several ogres with goblins on their shoulders worked hard loading cargo, and the goblins’ shouts cursing the ogres could be heard faintly even from far away.

The group packed their things, made sure they hadn’t forgotten anything, and left their room. They saw the goblins checking passengers’ identities with the ogre security at the dock.

Jesse turned to the succubus beside him and said, "You go first, Molofeel. Sneak onto the ship without them seeing you."

"That’s hard, Master," the succubus said sadly.

"Why?" Jesse asked.

She leaned in close and whispered, "These past two nights, feeling all that deep joy… I’m so happy for you all that I can’t steady my emotions to stay invisible. You know how much Shadow Magic needs control…"

"I didn’t make any noise, Sayaad," Vereesa complained.

Greed coughed and said, "I heard nothing!" Then he marched toward the dock.

"Many things can be felt clearly without sound, right, Master?" Molofeel said. Vereesa’s face darkened, and she hurried after Greed.

Jesse said coldly, "Just do as you’re told. Sneak on without causing trouble, all right?"

"Of course, Master," Molofeel replied, smiling at Vereesa’s back.

"One more thing," Jesse said. "From now on, you don’t need to guard Vereesa Windrunner anymore."

"Ah, that’s…" Molofeel looked at Jesse in surprise. After a pause, she added, "A big relief. After all, just guarding you alone has worn me out…"

"What?" Jesse asked. "Are you saying I’m foolish?"

"No, of course not, strong and wise Jesse Seso…"

Molofeel smiled briefly and vanished into the shadows, slipping toward the dock. Jesse sighed softly and jogged to catch up. When they reached the dock, Greed was already far ahead.

He’d been grumbling for two days about never coming back to this cursed Booty Bay, so he was eager to get on the ship.

Vereesa followed him aboard, and Jesse trailed close behind, showing their ticket. Nearby, a goblin boss shouted something, and an ogre stomped in front of Jesse, hands on hips, speaking in a rough Common accent, "You can’t pass!"

"Why?" Jesse looked at the goblin.

"What about that succubus?" the goblin jumped down from a crate. "Just now, I saw you with her, warlock. Don’t think I don’t know succubi can turn invisible."

"Big Mouth!" he yelled into the distance. "Get working!"

"Please call me Mr. Godabulros," a sharp, airy voice answered from behind a crate.

Jesse had never heard a sound like that; it wasn’t as empty as a Netherwalker’s but was sharper and hollower than a demon’s voice.

A small octopus-like thing popped up from behind the crate. It wasn’t big—probably no larger than an ogre’s head—but had a huge mouth full of sharp teeth, snapping and complaining to the goblin.

It had no wings or propellers, just floating in the air as it drifted closer. Jesse could tell it floated with void magic, but the Shadow Power didn’t come from a summon. Instead, it flowed from its body, wrapping around it and holding it up. Yet it wasn’t a pure shadow creature like a Netherwalker.

Compared to this little monster, Jesse’s shadow affinity… didn’t seem like shadow affinity at all.

Halfway there, a big eye opened on the mouth, with six or seven smaller ones around it. It looked first at the ogre, then at Jesse and the others.

Greed, almost on the deck, heard the noise and turned to look.

When he saw the monster open so many eyes, a shiver went through him. Not just him; Vereesa in front of Jesse froze in shock, her hand moving toward her bow.

Greed gave Jesse a wary look, like he wanted approval. Jesse slowly waved his hand, telling him not to act.

"What is this… could it be dangerous?" Vereesa asked warily.

"I’m not interested in fighting, as long as you don’t break Booty Bay’s rules, no one will get hurt," the strange demon said in fluent Common, drifting closer.

It was an Observer! A living Observer!

Observers are mysterious demons. Many Demonologists believe they originate from beyond the endless darkness rather than being born in the Twisting Nether.

Though their origins are unknown, their abilities are well-known. While not exceptionally powerful, their eyes can see through nearly all invisible creatures, pierce hidden planes, and expose concealed illusions.

Yet Observers are incredibly difficult to summon. How could these goblins have produced one?! No—this Observer wasn’t summoned by goblins at all.

Jesse recalled the two-headed ogre he’d seen earlier in Booty Bay. These goblins must have struck a deal with an ogre warlock capable of summoning Observers to station this one here as security.

"Find that warlock’s succubus, Mr. Godabulros!" The goblin pointed behind Jesse. "I know she’s hiding here! With me watching, no one’s sneaking aboard!"

The Observer’s teeth clicked as it floated toward Jesse. It scanned the area before speaking in Demonic: "That Sayaad on the ship was summoned by you, human. She boarded early, but she can’t hide from my sight."

"Will you expose me to that goblin?" Jesse asked in Demonic.

"My master ordered me to obey that goblin. He commanded this inspection, and I’m fulfilling it. But…" Godabulros drifted past him, still scanning while murmuring in low Demonic, "He didn’t require me to report everything. I avoid trouble. I won’t provoke you, and I certainly won’t provoke that Sayaad. Just ensure she—and that imp—aren’t discovered aboard. Or my master will be furious. Give me your word, and I’ll pretend I saw nothing."

"Is finding that Sayaad so difficult?" shouted the goblin nearby.

"I give you my word," Jesse replied in Demonic.

The Observer whirled toward the goblin, jaws gaping wide: "Nothing here, my green friend!"

"Impossible!" the goblin roared. "I saw her myself!"

"I’m an honest man, sir," Jesse said, raising his hands.

Greed snorted and spat into the sea. Vereesa shot Jesse a scornful look. He flicked her long, pointed ear, making it quiver.

She gasped, clutching her ear as she glared at him. "How dare you—" she hissed in the Sayaad Language.

"Dare what? Get moving!" Jesse commanded, holding her gaze.

Vereesa glanced at the goblin supervisor watching them below before stomping up the deck in a huff.

The *Moving Pandaria* was a sizable freighter with cabins for hundreds. The Reliquary had purchased berths with private quarters—cramped spaces where one couldn’t stand straight or stretch fully, but private nonetheless.

Jesse had been surprised they knew of Pandaria. Later he learned tales of the mysterious continent had circulated among sailors and fishermen for ages.

After storing their gear, they watched from the deck as the crew raised anchor. The ship’s motion startled flocks of white seabirds perched high on the masts.

Waving crowds, the shrinking docks, the massive upside-down hammerhead sharks and equally enormous pike—none eased Jesse’s unease. Leaving Booty Bay for Kalimdor felt far tenser than his last voyage.

Though stronger now and wiser about this world, the challenges ahead…

His previous mission was simple: track an unknown Highborne warlock. With Vereesa and Greed helping, it proved manageable—especially since the Reliquary only wanted leads, not the warlock himself.

Of course, he hadn’t expected to meet Princess Maraudon nor nearly be strangled by a demon wielding infinite power deep beneath Eldre’Thalas.

But this time?

Jesse leaned on the railing, unrolling his copied report on Dethmoora. His eyes traced the Ered’ruin letters and his own notes.

Ulthalesh, the Deadwind Harvester.

This was far more perilous.

Even if the scythe-like magic wand awaited him untouched, its inherent danger dwarfed that posed by Dethmoora, the Doomguard leader.

Since deciding for Kalimdor, Jesse had questioned whether claiming this artifact was wise. This wasn’t a game—binding one’s soul to the weapon wasn’t a matter of right-clicking to equip.

Ulthalesh had been soul-forged by one of the Twisting Nether’s mightiest Dread Lords.

Its prior wielder, Satael—whose soul it also harvested—was the mad witch who dared target Sargeras himself.

Her inevitable failure didn’t diminish her power; Sargeras entrusted Ulthalesh to her, and she held it for centuries.

Now the whispers in Demon Fall Canyon suggested Ulthalesh had resurfaced. Guardian Skywynn’s seal was clearly failing—even the strongest guardian couldn’t foresee eight centuries ahead.

Jesse could help Skywynn reinforce the seal… or… His hand tightened around the Chain of Will at his throat.

Nearby, Vereesa and Greed leaned on the railing, bickering as they pointed at distant islands to the north. They seemed carefree.

"Don’t loiter here, human," a goblin sailor barked from behind. "Stay clear of the ropes unless you fancy drowning. No one’s fishing you out."

Jesse stepped aside. "How does one travel from Gadgetzan to Everlook?"

"Take the airship," the goblin snapped, hands on hips. "Two flights weekly from Gadgetzan. Takes about a week to Everlook and back."

"What’s the fare?"

"How should I know?" The goblin scratched his chin. "Not my destination. Surely cheaper than crossing the Great Sea."

"Any airships ever crashed en route?"

The goblin bristled. "Nonsense! Steamwheedle Cartel airships are the world’s safest! None compare! Worry more about surviving Winterspring than our airships! Move along, you oaf! Paying passage doesn’t make you our boss! Baseless accusations like yours waste time and keep this world backward!"

"Just asking…"

Jesse retreated further, watching the goblin storm off to organize tools. His question seemed to hit a nerve.

Besides, wasn’t the Steamwheedle Cartel the sole airship maker? The rant proved useless.

Booty Bay goblins were Cartel loyalists—they’d never criticize their own.

Better to ask Gadgetzan residents unaffiliated with the Cartel for honest answers.