Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Seraphina and the others were undoubtedly worried, given William's sudden disappearance hours ago. After discussing future plans with the king, William decided to depart using the ring he had received.

[Mermaid's Tide (Epic)]

[A unique ring belonging to the mermaid race. It allows the user to travel between the various entrances of the mermaid kingdom.]

The Epic rank classification indicated it was one of the most powerful items available, and William was thrilled to possess it. He activated the ring, focusing on the entrance he had used to access the mermaid kingdom. A portal shimmered into existence, and he stepped through.

He materialized on the island, but the entrance had deactivated, leaving only the stone pillars. It was already morning, and he soon heard the crew's frantic calls. They had been searching for hours, diving underwater and scouring nearby islands.

Seraphina led the search party, her water magic proving invaluable, enabling the crew to breathe underwater.

"William! William!" their voices echoed across the water.

Just as their hope dwindled, William appeared on a nearby island and shouted back, "I'm here!"

Relief washed over them, especially Seraphina. She had been entrusted with William's safety, and his disappearance had placed her in a precarious position.

William prepared to swim back to the ship when Seraphina materialized beside him, using her magic to allow him to walk on water.

"What happened?" she inquired as they approached the ship.

"I found a mermaid and obtained the Tear!" he declared triumphantly.

He showed her the shimmering pearl, and Seraphina gasped. "What? Truly? This is incredible! I anticipated at least a month's search."

The sight of the Mermaid's Tear silenced Seraphina's questions about William's whereabouts and activities. This suited William perfectly, as he couldn't divulge his encounter with the underwater kingdom. Establishing a relationship with the merfolk would require a formal meeting between the two kings.

With William safely back on board and the crew celebrating his return, they set sail once more. Their next objective was the fire blossom flower, a rare specimen found only near volcanoes.

"I'll be in my quarters," William announced to Captain Hemlock and Seraphina, exhaustion finally catching up with him.

He retreated to his cabin, eager for rest after a long and eventful night. He needed to sleep before his weary body gave way.

The moment William's head hit the pillow, he was asleep. Exhaustion had finally claimed him.

He awoke hours later, his stomach growling. He climbed to the deck in search of food. Enjoy new chapters from empire

"Look who's finally awake," Captain Hemlock greeted him with a grin. "How was your rest?"

"Excellent, and much needed. How is the voyage progressing?" William inquired.

Hemlock's expression turned serious. "So far, so good, but there are pirates in these waters. We're proceeding cautiously and hoping for the best."

"Are you concerned about pirates?" William asked.

"Not particularly. With the mages we have on board, pirates stand little chance. However, they could still damage the ship, delay our journey, or even injure some of the crew. It wouldn't be ideal," Hemlock explained.

The king had anticipated potential problems, hence the powerful crew accompanying William. The antidote was his priority, and he spared no effort to obtain it.

William fetched food from the galley and ate on deck while admiring the endless blue expanse. They were surrounded by water, no land in sight.

"How long until the next major island?" William inquired.

Hemlock, with his extensive nautical knowledge, replied, "About three days, assuming no unforeseen delays like storms. We'll make a brief stop to replenish our supplies before continuing."

The ship's stores of food and water were still plentiful, but Captain Hemlock preferred caution. Resupplying at a large, inhabited island was wiser than risking a shortage.

William understood and didn't press the matter further. He found a quiet spot on deck to immerse himself in the books Orgnar had lent him – the ones detailing the history of demons.

He prioritized learning about demons and his own powers over studying new spells. Attempting to learn spells during the voyage would be impractical anyway, given the limited time.

The books revealed fascinating insights into the demon race. Apparently, they were prominent seven to eight thousand years ago.

Demons weren't an entirely distinct race. They resembled humans but possessed a unique bloodline and their own kingdom. They were generally peaceful, focusing on magic and hunting, particularly skilled at hunting and taming powerful beasts. This explained the taming abilities of William's demonic sword; ancient demons likely possessed similar powers.

However, demons faced a significant challenge: low birth rates. They reproduced far less easily than humans or other races, resulting in a population even smaller than that of the elves, who also suffered from low fertility.

Elves, however, were immortal, at least in terms of aging. Demons also had long lifespans, ranging from 600 to 1000 years, though some lived even longer.

William felt enriched by the knowledge gleaned from the books, and he hadn't even finished them yet. He was eager to uncover more secrets of the demon race.

The remaining days of the journey passed swiftly and peacefully. Soon, they arrived at the island Captain Hemlock had mentioned.

Hemlock anchored the ship near the port and instructed his crew. "You're free for the day while I arrange our supplies. Tomorrow, I'll need your help loading the ship."

This granted everyone some free time, including William. He decided to explore the island alone, despite Seraphina's offer to accompany him.

His desire for solitude wasn't a reflection on Seraphina; he simply craved some personal time. The constant company on board the ship had become a bit overwhelming. Seraphina, understanding his need for space, didn't object.

The island boasted a sizable, bustling city, a popular stop for merchant and other vessels navigating the area. Pirates, cleverly disguised, roamed the streets, but the city's unique laws prevented their arrest simply for being pirates. It was a haven for all, though committing crimes within its boundaries still carried consequences.

William strolled along the cobblestone streets, drawn to the lively music spilling from a nearby bar. He decided to indulge in a drink and enjoy the tunes.

A man with a guitar sang with impressive skill, captivating the audience. William savored the moment, sipping an unfamiliar alcoholic beverage. It brought back memories of his college days, seeking solace in bars to escape the pressures of life. Though perhaps not the healthiest coping mechanism, it had brought him a sense of peace at the time.

Several women approached William, drawn to his handsome features and fine attire. However, he politely declined their advances, his focus fixed on the mission.

After a few drinks, he continued his exploration of the city. A particular establishment caught his eye, nearly bringing him to tears. It was a small restaurant with outdoor seating, and the food they served resembled hamburgers. They weren't exactly like those from Earth, but the similarity was enough to stir a deep craving within him.

He secured a table and eagerly awaited the waiter's arrival, hoping the menu would offer the culinary comfort he sought.

The waiter, a friendly young man with a cheerful grin, presented William with a menu handwritten on a weathered piece of parchment. William scanned the offerings, his eyes lighting up when he spotted the "Grizzly Burger."

"I'll take the Grizzly Burger," he declared, his stomach already growling in anticipation.

"Excellent choice, sir," the waiter replied, scribbling the order onto a small pad. "And what would you like to drink?"

William pondered for a moment, then decided on a local ale. He leaned back in his chair, enjoying the warm afternoon sun and the lively chatter from the nearby market.

The burger arrived, its aroma making his mouth water. It was a hefty creation, a juicy patty nestled between two thick slices of crusty bread, topped with melted cheese, crisp lettuce, and a tangy sauce. William took a bite, savoring the explosion of flavors. It wasn't exactly like the burgers back home, but it was a delicious and satisfying meal nonetheless.

As he finished his meal, a commotion erupted from the nearby market. A group of rough-looking men, their faces obscured by scarves and their hands gripping weapons, barged through the crowd, shouting threats and demanding valuables.

William watched with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. He had heard tales of the city's lax laws, but witnessing such brazen lawlessness firsthand was unsettling. He debated whether to intervene, but ultimately decided against it. He was a guest in this city, and involving himself in local disputes could jeopardize his mission.

William, choosing to ignore the commotion, sought a tavern for the night. The scene in the market was unsettling, but he felt powerless to intervene.

He selected a decent-looking tavern from the many available, secured a room, and went straight to bed.

"I think I drank too much..." he mumbled, the effects of the alcohol catching up with him.

The pleasant buzz had faded, leaving him feeling unwell. He lay down, attempting to sleep, but woke up several times throughout the night to vomit.

The next morning, he awoke with a pounding headache and a churning stomach. He regretted his indulgence the night before. He needed to be sharp and focused for the journey ahead, and his current state was far from ideal.