After hearing Charles' explanation, Lily nuzzled her furry face against the former's open palm. "Alright then. I'll forgive you this time. I'll help you to build your new home, Mr. Charles. But, you must promise not to pinch me again. It really hurts…"0
"I promise," Charles said and reached out his other hand to gently stroke her head.0
Just as Charles was comforting his gunner, a hand wrapped in bandages suddenly rested on his shoulder. Only one person among the Narwhale crew was dressed in such attire.0
Charles turned slightly and met the gaze of his first mate. Bandages didn't speak a single word, but Charles could clearly feel his strong concern.0
"I'm fine. Don't worry. I've weathered through so much all these years. A little setback like this won't break me," Charles offered his assurance.0
"Can…you… share with me… about… your past?" Bandages asked with his words drawn out as usual.0
Charles stared at the face covered with bandages for a few seconds before he nodded. "Sure."0
He stood up and recounted his story to the subterranean world. As he dived into his memories over the past nine years and narrated them, it suddenly dawned on him how deeply intertwined he had gotten with this realm. His footprints were everywhere.0
When Charles finished his tales, Bandages remained silent for a few seconds before he cautiously asked, "Captain…Are you…sure that… the world above… is your world?"0
"I'm sure!" Charles replied with absolute certainty. "Not just because I fell into the sea when I arrived here. Even the Foundation's records hold crucial evidence. They mentioned names of places that exist in the surface world. For instance, Edinburgh is where they found 157, the relic that replicates everything. And 1002, that gray mass, had mentioned that the Foundation's headquarters on the surface is in Washington. Those places aren't where I live, but they’re in the world where I’m from!"0
Bandages looked up toward the fissure above as a profound confusion stained his gaze. "Then… do you think…perhaps… I might be from above… like you?"0
Charles was taken aback by Bandages' question. As he recalled the mysteries surrounding Bandages, it seemed to be a plausible hypothesis.0
Charles smiled and patted Bandages on the shoulder. "When we get up there, take a look around, and perhaps familiar sights might trigger your lost memories."0
Bandages turned to look into Charles' eyes. "Alright…Let's find a way… up."0
"Yes."0
The moment their conversation ended, Charles found himself in an unusual silence. He turned around and realized that the other captains had already arrived and were quietly listening to his conversation with Bandages.0
Charles cleared his throat and instructed, "Let's head to the captain's quarters. There's been an intelligence glitch, and I need to discuss the countermeasures with everyone. Linda, join us too."0
With that, Charles headed toward the cabin, and the other twelve captains swiftly followed after. With the captains gone, the deck suddenly felt rather empty and spacious.0
***0
"So that's the story. Because Earth has stopped spinning, some sort of change has happened to the world above, and it will probably never turn dark. We'll need to find other ways to get up."0
Feuerbach raised his right hand, seeking permission to speak.0
As Charles' gaze landed on him, Feuerbach rubbed his nose before he parted his lips. "Mr. Charles, you claim to be very familiar with the Land of Light. But do you truly know it that well?"0
"What do you mean?" Charles frowned.0
Feuerbach took a step forward, distancing himself from the group of captains. "I don't mean to doubt you, but I am merely curious about something and was hoping that you could enlighten me."0
He took a breath and continued, "Just like in this world, no one can claim to have explored and know about every island within the four seas. You mentioned that the Land of Light is much vaster than below. Perhaps there's a place that you aren't aware of where it never turns dark?"0
"How would there be a place on Earth where the Sun—"0
Charles was quick to retort instinctively but abruptly stopped. A sudden realization dawned on him. It hadn't occurred to him earlier, but Feuerbach's question had reminded him that such places existed on Earth0
The Arctic and Antarctic regions experienced the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun. If the fissure above them led to the Arctic or Antarctic regions, then there might be a chance that the Earth hadn't stopped spinning.0
A wave of hope surged within Charles. If that was the case, then everything above was still functioning as normal and modern society still existed.0
"Bro, I doubt so. The sun was so warm and bright. The Arctic and Antarctic are sooooo cold. How would they have such warm sunlight?" Richard sounded ever skeptical.0
"How are you so sure? Have you been to the Arctic?"0
Richard rolled his eyes. "Are you really asking me that question? We haven't even left our province before. How would we know what the Sun is like in the Arctic and Antarctic regions?"0
Feuerbach's inquisitive gaze remained on Charles, forcing the latter to push aside the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind.0
"Perhaps. But that's not our main concern right now. Regardless of what causes this perpetual sunlight, we have to find an alternative solution for it. Anyway, the Bat Mirror can't be used because of the sunlight."0
Hearing no response, Charles continued. "Our main concern now is finding a way to get up. Once we reach the realm above, all our doubts will be resolved. However, time isn't on our side. The Sottom pirates might come over at any moment to collect sunlight."0
While it was possible that the fissure above could lead them to either the north or south poles, the Sottom pirates were not going to offer Charles the luxury of time to wait for the shift from perpetual day to night. After all, waiting out the phenomenon would take six months. Even then, the Midnight Sun was just a speculation.0
Hearing Charles' final sentence, a solemn atmosphere descended upon the group. Before they arrived at this new island, they had ambushed Skywater Island, which was occupied by the pirates. If they were to have another encounter with those pirates, it would be a disaster for them.0
"You're the leader now. What's our next step?" Golden Hook asked while staring at Charles.0
With his brows pressed together, Charles drummed his fingers against the tabletop rhythmically. He was in a bit of a difficult situation. He had trouble going up, and he couldn't make the return journey either. On top of that, the Sottom pirates were a ticking time bomb.0
The ship's cabin was thick with tension, and everyone's gaze was locked onto Charles. As the leader of the fleet, he felt the burden of having to take a direction.0
"Do any of you have a special means to communicate with other islands?" Charles finally broke the silence.0
A captain, with his expression still and cold, stepped forward. "I do. However, it's too far out here. If my ship sails three hundred nautical miles to the west, I can establish contact with my father, who is on the island."0
"Will you be able to transfer items?" Charles asked as his right hand rested on his prosthetic limb.0
"Yes, but only small items. There's also a chance that they might go missing during transmission."0
"Will your father be able to send these items to the main island of the Divine Light Order?"0
"Yes. He's not too far from the Divine Light Cathedral."0
"That works. Linda, I remember that Kord has a camera, doesn't he? Is it still on the ship?"0
Thinking that she would just be acting as a backdrop in the room, Linda was startled by the sudden question thrown at her. She hadn't expected there to be a task for her.0
"Yes, he brought it. It's stored in the secret room within the Divine Radiance," Linda answered.0
"Great. Bring me that camera. I would need to take a few photos of this island."0
Charles had devised a plan for them to get out of their predicament.
After hearing Charles' explanation, Lily nuzzled her furry face against the former's open palm. "Alright then. I'll forgive you this time. I'll help you to build your new home, Mr. Charles. But, you must promise not to pinch me again. It really hurts…"0
"I promise," Charles said and reached out his other hand to gently stroke her head.0
Just as Charles was comforting his gunner, a hand wrapped in bandages suddenly rested on his shoulder. Only one person among the Narwhale crew was dressed in such attire.0
Charles turned slightly and met the gaze of his first mate. Bandages didn't speak a single word, but Charles could clearly feel his strong concern.0
"I'm fine. Don't worry. I've weathered through so much all these years. A little setback like this won't break me," Charles offered his assurance.0
"Can…you… share with me… about… your past?" Bandages asked with his words drawn out as usual.0
Charles stared at the face covered with bandages for a few seconds before he nodded. "Sure."0
He stood up and recounted his story to the subterranean world. As he dived into his memories over the past nine years and narrated them, it suddenly dawned on him how deeply intertwined he had gotten with this realm. His footprints were everywhere.0
When Charles finished his tales, Bandages remained silent for a few seconds before he cautiously asked, "Captain…Are you…sure that… the world above… is your world?"0
"I'm sure!" Charles replied with absolute certainty. "Not just because I fell into the sea when I arrived here. Even the Foundation's records hold crucial evidence. They mentioned names of places that exist in the surface world. For instance, Edinburgh is where they found 157, the relic that replicates everything. And 1002, that gray mass, had mentioned that the Foundation's headquarters on the surface is in Washington. Those places aren't where I live, but they’re in the world where I’m from!"0
Bandages looked up toward the fissure above as a profound confusion stained his gaze. "Then… do you think…perhaps… I might be from above… like you?"0
Charles was taken aback by Bandages' question. As he recalled the mysteries surrounding Bandages, it seemed to be a plausible hypothesis.0
Charles smiled and patted Bandages on the shoulder. "When we get up there, take a look around, and perhaps familiar sights might trigger your lost memories."0
Bandages turned to look into Charles' eyes. "Alright…Let's find a way… up."0
"Yes."0
The moment their conversation ended, Charles found himself in an unusual silence. He turned around and realized that the other captains had already arrived and were quietly listening to his conversation with Bandages.0
Charles cleared his throat and instructed, "Let's head to the captain's quarters. There's been an intelligence glitch, and I need to discuss the countermeasures with everyone. Linda, join us too."0
With that, Charles headed toward the cabin, and the other twelve captains swiftly followed after. With the captains gone, the deck suddenly felt rather empty and spacious.0
***0
"So that's the story. Because Earth has stopped spinning, some sort of change has happened to the world above, and it will probably never turn dark. We'll need to find other ways to get up."0
Feuerbach raised his right hand, seeking permission to speak.0
As Charles' gaze landed on him, Feuerbach rubbed his nose before he parted his lips. "Mr. Charles, you claim to be very familiar with the Land of Light. But do you truly know it that well?"0
"What do you mean?" Charles frowned.0
Feuerbach took a step forward, distancing himself from the group of captains. "I don't mean to doubt you, but I am merely curious about something and was hoping that you could enlighten me."0
He took a breath and continued, "Just like in this world, no one can claim to have explored and know about every island within the four seas. You mentioned that the Land of Light is much vaster than below. Perhaps there's a place that you aren't aware of where it never turns dark?"0
"How would there be a place on Earth where the Sun—"0
Charles was quick to retort instinctively but abruptly stopped. A sudden realization dawned on him. It hadn't occurred to him earlier, but Feuerbach's question had reminded him that such places existed on Earth0
The Arctic and Antarctic regions experienced the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun. If the fissure above them led to the Arctic or Antarctic regions, then there might be a chance that the Earth hadn't stopped spinning.0
A wave of hope surged within Charles. If that was the case, then everything above was still functioning as normal and modern society still existed.0
"Bro, I doubt so. The sun was so warm and bright. The Arctic and Antarctic are sooooo cold. How would they have such warm sunlight?" Richard sounded ever skeptical.0
"How are you so sure? Have you been to the Arctic?"0
Richard rolled his eyes. "Are you really asking me that question? We haven't even left our province before. How would we know what the Sun is like in the Arctic and Antarctic regions?"0
Feuerbach's inquisitive gaze remained on Charles, forcing the latter to push aside the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind.0
"Perhaps. But that's not our main concern right now. Regardless of what causes this perpetual sunlight, we have to find an alternative solution for it. Anyway, the Bat Mirror can't be used because of the sunlight."0
Hearing no response, Charles continued. "Our main concern now is finding a way to get up. Once we reach the realm above, all our doubts will be resolved. However, time isn't on our side. The Sottom pirates might come over at any moment to collect sunlight."0
While it was possible that the fissure above could lead them to either the north or south poles, the Sottom pirates were not going to offer Charles the luxury of time to wait for the shift from perpetual day to night. After all, waiting out the phenomenon would take six months. Even then, the Midnight Sun was just a speculation.0
Hearing Charles' final sentence, a solemn atmosphere descended upon the group. Before they arrived at this new island, they had ambushed Skywater Island, which was occupied by the pirates. If they were to have another encounter with those pirates, it would be a disaster for them.0
"You're the leader now. What's our next step?" Golden Hook asked while staring at Charles.0
With his brows pressed together, Charles drummed his fingers against the tabletop rhythmically. He was in a bit of a difficult situation. He had trouble going up, and he couldn't make the return journey either. On top of that, the Sottom pirates were a ticking time bomb.0
The ship's cabin was thick with tension, and everyone's gaze was locked onto Charles. As the leader of the fleet, he felt the burden of having to take a direction.0
"Do any of you have a special means to communicate with other islands?" Charles finally broke the silence.0
A captain, with his expression still and cold, stepped forward. "I do. However, it's too far out here. If my ship sails three hundred nautical miles to the west, I can establish contact with my father, who is on the island."0
"Will you be able to transfer items?" Charles asked as his right hand rested on his prosthetic limb.0
"Yes, but only small items. There's also a chance that they might go missing during transmission."0
"Will your father be able to send these items to the main island of the Divine Light Order?"0
"Yes. He's not too far from the Divine Light Cathedral."0
"That works. Linda, I remember that Kord has a camera, doesn't he? Is it still on the ship?"0
Thinking that she would just be acting as a backdrop in the room, Linda was startled by the sudden question thrown at her. She hadn't expected there to be a task for her.0
"Yes, he brought it. It's stored in the secret room within the Divine Radiance," Linda answered.0
"Great. Bring me that camera. I would need to take a few photos of this island."0
Charles had devised a plan for them to get out of their predicament.
