C7 The Merchant Ship Heading to the Middle Continent

The Middle Continent, also known as Sudimantra, boasts a long and storied past, with legends of an advanced prehistoric civilization. However, the truth behind these tales is unverifiable, as no remnants of such a civilization have been discovered—only the legends of their once-great existence remain. Currently, the only means of travel to Sudimantra is by sea.

Prince Ostar, the Third Prince, ventured forth incognito as the scion of a wealthy merchant family, accompanied by his three beautiful attendants: Chris, Yulia, and Sofia. They embarked on the "Victoria," a renowned international merchant vessel bound for business in the Middle Continent. The Victoria was a celebrated super merchant ship from the West Continent, its hull spanning over a hundred meters, dedicated to maritime trade. Many merchants sought to seek their fortunes in the Middle Continent, with a single passage costing ten gold coins. Prince Ostar, who had brought along a hundred gold coins, found himself with only sixty remaining after boarding.

Though the fare was steep, it was not extortionate, roughly equivalent to the cost of a luxurious ocean liner voyage. Once the ten gold coins were paid, all other onboard expenses were included. This fare encompassed the entire cost of the journey. The exchange rate in this Strange World Continent has consistently been 1:100—one gold coin to a hundred silver coins or ten thousand copper coins. By local standards, a ten-gold-coin ticket was quite extravagant, marking it as a premium expenditure.

Ostar was unconcerned about the forty gold coins he had spent. In reality, just having Chris, Yulia, and Sofia as his maids and guards was sufficient, as they required no wages and implicitly considered themselves part of Prince Ostar's retinue. Carrying more gold coins would be pointless, for the civilization of the Middle Continent was largely in a primitive state, a time of darkness before the dawn of agricultural society. The inhabitants were simple hunters and fishers, and wealth held no sway there. The Middle Continent had no established standard of value, with most residents unfamiliar with gold coins, much less the concept of monetary trade. To engage in commerce, one had to resort to the most basic form of exchange: bartering goods.

The other princes were required to amass a hefty sum of gold coins, primarily to pay the soldiers they brought along. In the West Continent, the Human Clan kingdoms typically adopted a conscription system, recruiting full-time soldiers. With enough funds, an employer could even hire War Mercenaries to bolster their ranks. However, Ostar had no such needs. He didn't bring a single troop, just three top-tier combatants—three sisters were all he needed, so there was no necessity for a large quantity of gold coins. In the Middle Continent, trade was conducted through bartering, and gold coins were often rejected by the majority of its indigenous people.

The "Victoria" set sail from Loxno, the largest eastern port of the Oberiske Empire, heading directly towards Magyr Port, one of the few colonial docks on the western coast of the Middle Continent. Magel, a renowned sailor and adventurer from the Human Clan, was among the first to discover the Middle Continent. To honor his significant achievements and discoveries, a port city there was named after him—a testament to his legacy.

On this voyage, the Victoria carried over two hundred passengers. Aside from the crew, the majority were merchants intent on trading in the Middle Continent. There were hardly any genuine tourists aboard, as the vessel was a merchant ship, lacking the amenities of a dedicated cruise liner. Prince Ostar had initially hoped to travel on a luxury cruise to the Middle Continent, but with no cruise routes available, he reluctantly opted for a merchant vessel instead.

The "Victoria" served not only as transport for its crew but also as a freighter, loaded with grains and other agricultural produce. The Middle Continent's residents, part of a primitive society reliant on hunting and fishing and without animal husbandry, were eager to trade for food from other continents.

"Lord Ostar, are you comfortable? Should I ease up a bit?"

"No need, Chris, this pressure is perfect."

"Lord Ostar, would you like me to go deeper?"

"Cough, cough, Yulia, this position is fine as it is."

"Lord Ostar, the fruit is prepared. Please enjoy."

"Much appreciated, Sofia, thank you for your help."

Aboard the "Victoria Maria," Prince Ostar was savoring a rare moment of leisure in a luxurious room, a perk he'd secured by slipping an extra ten gold coins to Captain Aristotle. Despite the hefty price gouged by the portly captain, Ostar considered the expense worthwhile. The room's opulence rivaled that of a presidential suite in any upscale hotel, truly a value for the money.

The sea's temperature was scorching, a stark contrast to Earth's oceans. Ostar, clad only in black boxer shorts, reclined on a blue and white striped lounge chair reminiscent of a beach lounger. Though not on an actual beach, the prince's current indulgence was tantamount to a seaside summer retreat.

Chris stood behind him, her delicate fingers working magic as she massaged his arms and shoulders, careful not to apply too much pressure. Her stunning silver hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes, a captivating silver, gazed adoringly at him. She was dressed in a peach-red bikini that screamed sensuality. The top featured a butterfly knot design with revealing cutouts, while the bottoms were playfully adorned with a string of pearls that tantalizingly concealed the final view, exuding an irresistible charm.

In front of Ostar, Yulia attended to his legs, her touch relaxing his muscles as her deep purple eyes hinted at something more profound. Despite her usual icy demeanor and distant expression, her posture as she served her master could easily be misconstrued from a distance as offering a more intimate, unmentionable type of service rather than a simple leg massage.

Yulia's attire was a black bikini made from sheer, high-transparency fabric, paired with black silk thigh-high stockings held up by garters—a favorite among connoisseurs of elegance. In terms of allure, Yulia's presence was on par with Chris's. While Chris's swimwear was overtly provocative, Yulia's was subtly seductive, a departure from her typically reserved exterior. Her cold expression only amplified the tension, especially when she hinted at moving her hands higher in a suggestive manner. Ostar had to intervene promptly. Any further movement of Yulia's hands up his legs could venture into very sensitive territory, risking a dangerously close encounter.

Sofia was positioned beside the chair, meticulously slicing fruit for Prince Ostar, her hands working on a fruit known as the "Hulas Demonic Fruit." This fruit was essentially the Strange World Continent's version of a watermelon, with a fanciful and ostentatious name that belied its familiar taste and nature.

Her golden locks cascaded effortlessly down her smooth, alabaster back, and her captivating golden eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. Her expression was so seductive that Ostar couldn't help but wonder if she was doing it on purpose. Leaning forward slightly, Sofia presented a silver platter adorned with neatly cut pieces of the "Hulas Demonic Fruit," ready to feed them to her master. She wore a pure gold bikini with an intricate, gold-threaded hollowed-out design, clearly more opulent than the bikinis worn by Chris and Yulia. While the other two exuded a sexy allure, Sofia's presence was a blend of sensuality and grace.

The Human Clan of the Strange World Continent had advanced certain technologies, including the development of bikinis and lingerie. Ostar had initially suggested that Chris and the others wear swimsuits, considering a bikini to be a great privilege. However, to his surprise, they bypassed swimsuits altogether, appearing in lingerie instead. The lingerie, bearing the trademark of the "Beauty Market" known for its intimate apparel, was clearly not intended for swimming. As Ostar indulged in the view, he reminded himself that these three were of a different race, not human, and he must not act rashly. It was a bittersweet pleasure.

"Chris, that's not a swimsuit, is it?" Ostar inquired.

"Lord Ostar, Queen Marguerite III advised that when serving you in your room, it's best to wear this outfit. She personally gifted it to us," Chris explained.

"You guys... You don't have to follow every order... But I must admit, it's not bad," Ostar conceded, momentarily at a loss for words.

The enticing bikinis had been handpicked by Queen Marguerite herself and given to Chris and the other two. She had even specifically instructed the three stunning girls to wear them while attending to her son. She was, without a doubt, a doting mother. Yet, Ostar couldn't fully enjoy the moment. It wasn't a matter of his own desires; rather, he couldn't simply claim the three exotic beauties without understanding their true feelings and intentions. Despite their forwardness, Ostar knew he had to exercise restraint for now.

As a transmigrator, Ostar didn't have the usual "golden touch" that his peers seemed to possess. For him, Chris, Yulia, and Sofia were his most significant assets; each possessed combat skills that were off the charts. Navigating his feelings for these three stunning beauties required careful thought.

Empress Marguerite III orchestrated these arrangements primarily because she noticed her son frequented pleasure houses with the Seventh Prince, yet no scandals surfaced. Worried that her son might be impotent or uninterested in women, she grew anxious but couldn't broach the subject directly. Eager for grandchildren, she arranged three betrothals for Ostar with her family's help. Additionally, she hoped that Chris and the other extraordinary beauties could provide some... inspiration for her son. Her efforts were nothing short of painstaking.

At the time, Prince Ostar was oblivious to his mother's deep concern. He hadn't grasped that his fellow princes had already had their share of experiences with the palace maids at a young age. Meanwhile, he had been in the company of the exquisite Chris for years without a hint of gossip. That no one mistook his preferences was a stroke of luck amidst the misfortune.

"Why is it so loud outside? That scoundrel Aristotle is taking money without lifting a finger!"

"Lord Ostar, it appears a pirate fleet is nearing. Shall we obliterate them?"

"Hold on, Yulia. Let's assess the situation before we act!"