Book 2: Chapter 223
Book 2: Chapter 223
Lukas looked at the man in front of him, wondering if he was working together with the old man from earlier to scam him.
But after thinking that, he felt that his attitude was a bit strange. Instead of enticing him, it felt like the man wanted Lukas to go find someone else to take him to his destination.
“…Temple Island.”
The captain muttered in a soft voice and went out to the deck once more.
Then, he stared out at the endless ocean for a while.
—After a few minutes,
The captain returned to the cabin and spoke in a blunt tone.
“We’ll leave in three days.”
It really seemed like an arbitrary decision.
This was especially so for Lukas, who was currently in an urgent situation.
The captain continued.
“If you don’t like it, you can find someone else.”
“I’ll be back in three days.”
“…”
The captain frowned before walking to the end of the cabin. Then, as if he was telling him to leave, he said.
“I’ll collect your money then.”
“Enjoy your rest.”
With those words, Lukas got off the boat.
Click.
The sound of the door closing followed him.
* * *
That evening.
Lukas was having dinner at an inn in Akad. Perhaps it was because it was a port city, most of the dishes available were seafood. This meant that there was marine life in this strange ocean that existed above the clouds.
Tuduk, tuduk…
Suddenly, he heard the sound of rain from the outside.
This gave Lukas an incongruous feeling.
‘The sound of rain?’
With a strange expression on his face, he turned to look out of the window. And sure enough, a stream of water was hitting the window hard. Of course, it wasn’t strange that it was raining, what was strange was that it was raining in this place.
This was the Heavenly Realm. A world that floated above the clouds. How could there be rain in this place?
Bang!
At that moment, the door to the inn swung open roughly, and a group of people rushed in. They were all soaked as though they had just come out of the shower.
“Dammit! My luck is so bad!”
The man in the lead shook his body while cursing loudly.
The innkeeper, who was covered by the water flying off his body, scowled.
“Do you want me to kick you back outside?”
“I’m sorry, boss, I was only thinking about going back to my room and getting a change of clothes. I’ll wipe up all the water I scattered, so please forgive me.”
The innkeeper’s expression softened a bit.
“…I’ll let it go this time. Rather than that, would you like to have some hot stew?”
“I’m a bit hungry, so please add plenty of meat.”
The innkeeper then asked the chef to make 10 portions of stew.
“By the way, what’s going on? Is it a Skystorm?”
“The worst one this year.”
“What’s the damage like?”
“Our departure has been delayed. We managed to notice it earlier and turn back, but it wasn’t enough. Those ships that departed earlier in the morning are basically done for. Two ships sank, and most of the cargo on them had been swept away. If I was to estimate the damage to property and personnel as well as the compensation, we’re almost bankrupt.”
“Your luck really is bad.”
The innkeeper let out a soft sigh.
“…this isn’t the first or second time that sailors have been lost while traversing the vast ocean, but this time is different.”
“It can’t be helped. There are no more than five Flying Captains in Akad who can foresee the coming of the Skystorm.”
The man spoke with a troubled expression.
“No one can even dream about leaving the island for at least three days. There were a lot of customers who were intending to come to the island for the Championship. I’ll be scolded.”
* * *
Three days later.
Lukas headed to the place where the small boat was moored.
As if the ship had been separate from everything that happened the past few days, there seemed to be nothing different about the boat or its surroundings.
No. There was one thing different.
Unlike the last time, the captain was standing on the deck. He was smoking a pipe while looking out at the horizon.
Lukas stepped onto the deck.
Creak!
Like a bell, the deck of the ship announced his arrival.
‘Hoo’, the captain, who spat out a puff of smoke, looked back and said.
“It’ll take about four days for us to get to Temple Island.”
“That’s longer than I expected.”
“…”
The captain seemed to be thinking about something. Lukas felt like he had an idea of what the captain was thinking about.
He was probably thinking about whether he should recommend him to another boat or not.
Of course, now that he had confidence in the captain’s skills, he didn’t intend to take any other boat.
“…the waters in that area are particularly dangerous.”
Seeing that Lukas didn’t intend to change his mind, the captain explained in a weak voice.
“As far as I know, there is only one risk-free route to the island.”
“Understood.”
“Ships cannot remain anchored outside of Temple Island for more than two days. If you think you’ll take longer than that, then please tell me in advance. As long as there isn’t any unusual weather, I’ll find a way to wait for you until then.”
Nevertheless, Lukas’ business was not on Temple Island.
Instead, his goal was to access Death Island from it.
Death Island was one of the largest of the Seven Islands that made up the Heavenly Realm. However, because most of the land was polluted with death energy, it was difficult for Dragonmen to live there.
Naturally, there was no one he could ask for Sedi’s whereabouts, so it was impossible for him to know how long it would take for him to find her.
“I’ll find my own way back.”
So Lukas had no choice but to answer in that way.
“I won’t lower the price even if it’s one way.”
That had never been a problem in the first place.
He didn’t intend to brag, but money was the least of Lukas’ worries.
Without saying anything, he simply held out the money bag he’d prepared.
Contrary to his seemingly unyielding attitude, the captain didn’t check the money before putting it away.
“Meals will be served twice a day, but don’t expect them to taste good.”
“I brought my own food.”
“You’re well prepared.”
As he said that, the captain sucked on his pipe.
“Then let’s set sail.”
It was at that moment,
[Warning!!]
[Death Island is an incredibly dangerous place! Entry is not recommended!]
He’d heard this message hundreds or even thousands of times since he had decided to go to Death Island. The contents of the warnings were slightly different every time, but the general meaning was always the same.
“…”
And like before, Lukas ignored the voice ringing in his ears.
He already knew it was dangerous.
And he already knew that he might die.