"How else can we explore? Let's see how many islands there are on the sea chart. According to the distribution, let the exploration ships of other ships go to the islands to explore first. If they can't handle it, I will go up."
Since Charles has the power of the entire Hope Island behind him, he will of course try to maximize its use.
But the Pope was not satisfied with Charles' answer. He shook his head and said, "No, only you can explore these islands. No one else can go up there."
"Why?" Charles frowned.
"The Church of Light has issued a new oracle. You can only obtain the sea chart if you follow the oracle. Otherwise, we cannot give you the sea chart."
Charles was really annoyed with the God of Light mentioned by the Pope. He just didn't believe it. Without the help of the Church of Light, could he not find the surface of the earth
"I cannot abide by such conditions. If you want to give me the chart, then give it to me. If not, forget it. I will find another way."
The Pope showed a surprised expression on his face. Captain Charles, who had once risked everything to return to the land of light, could actually resist the temptation of the nautical chart
According to his judgment, this reckless young man would agree to his conditions.
Seeing that Charles was not joking, the stone sculpture of the Pope said, "Okay, I can tell you why the God of Light did this. Let everyone else leave. This matter is of great importance and only you can know it."
Charles snapped his fingers, and the others in the hall quickly retreated.
Hu En and other believers of the Church of Light also retreated quickly. Before leaving, he threw a ball on the ground, and something like a bubble quickly wrapped up Charles and the Pope.
The person and the statue inside the bubble opened and closed their mouths, but no sound came out.
Charles' expression in the bubble was calm at first, then shocked, then he excitedly refuted something, and finally his face turned gloomy.
The bubble lasted less than half an hour before disappearing. The stone sculpture was removed by the followers of the God of Light, and a box of sea charts was left on the ground in front of Charles.
Seeing Charles sitting there rubbing his head with a frown on his face, Charles' crew members quickly surrounded him.
Lily was the first to be unable to suppress her curiosity. She jumped onto his lap and asked, "Mr. Charles, what did he tell you?"
Charles touched her sky-blue hair with his hand and shook his head without answering.
After a few dozen seconds, he seemed to have figured something out and turned to look at the bandage beside him. "First mate, cancel the recruitment of all the explorers we have recruited and return the other exploration ships to the navy. This time, we will set out on our own."
"Captain, why?!" Everyone's face was filled with disbelief.
There is definitely a difference between a ship exploring an island and a group of people exploring an island. With other people leading the way, both efficiency and safety can be greatly improved.
Doing this is completely playing with your own life.
Charles looked at his excited crew and slowly said, "Everyone, do you trust me?"
Seeing them nod, Charles said again: "I can't say too much about this matter. I guarantee with my life that we have a good reason to go out to sea alone."
"Captain, what's going on? You can't even tell us?" Dipper asked with a confused look on his face.
"No, this is too serious, I have to do this."
Seeing the crew members' expressions gradually calm down, Charles smiled faintly. "Thank you for your understanding. Let's look at the map. Our target is hidden there."
The box was opened, revealing a huge sea chart. This sea chart was much larger than the one published by the Explorers Association, nearly three times larger.
The Second Laboratory, the Third Laboratory, New Territories City, and various islands of the Foundation are all on it.
Charles's Island of Hope was originally one of the most remote islands explored by humans in Earthsea, but what he never expected was that there were more islands further north of the Island of Hope.
Charles, with a frown on his face, looked at the nautical chart in front of him, looking for his next target.
The Foundation came down from the surface, so there must be an exit to the surface in these sea charts, but with so many islands, which one is the most likely
There are no clues at the moment, and Charles really doesn't know what basis to rely on.
Just as Charles was looking at the sea chart with a frown on his face, the fat man who had sent him the prosthetic limb came over with a box. "Governor, the things from Icha Island have been sent here."
In full view of everyone, the pillow-sized box was opened, revealing a metal box of similar size with all kinds of complicated and mysterious inscriptions painted on it.
"Please... please... kill... please..." A faint voice came from inside the box.
"Could the things in here be part of 1002?" Charles thought to himself.
Then he saw a piece of paper next to the box.
"Charles, long time no see. Where have you been for the past three years? I'm really worried about you. I'm on my way to your island now. Wait for me there. The following is how to use the activation box. First, dig a hole in the center of the ship's bottom compartment, then put the activation box in and weld it completely. Finally, break the stick, and the ship's hull activation is complete."
"Stick?" Charles looked around and saw a stick as thick as an index finger next to the activation box.
"Mr. Charles, what is this? Is there food in it?" Lily asked.
Charles glanced at his crew, picked up the box and walked outside. "Let's go to the dock."
In the dim cabin, under the illumination of the oil lamp in Bandage's hand, Charles used the black blade to quickly dig a small hole in the bottom of the steel ship and put the box in his hand.
A minute later, the dazzling welding light slowly disappeared, and the box was completely sealed inside.
"Stand back," Charles said.
Seeing that they were all watching from a distance, Charles took out the wooden stick. "Crack" the wooden stick was broken.
As the reverberating sound of an old man chanting a spell rang out from the stick, a buzzing sound came from above the bottom warehouse.
James exclaimed in surprise: "Captain, the vortex furnace started burning on its own!"
Listening to the sound like the breathing of the ship, Charles showed an excited smile on his face, "Let's go up and meet our old friend."
As Charles stepped onto the deck, the Narwhal began to sound a rhythmic whistle.
Watching the front deck gun spinning rapidly, Charles could even feel the excitement of his own ship.
Charles touched the edge of the boat with his hand, a faint smile on his face. "My friend, long time no see."
The harness rope twisted and rubbed against Charles' legs.
"Woo~~~!" The whistle sounded again, and Charles seemed to have heard the meaning behind it.
Charles patted the hand on the rope and took the chart from Dipper.
After looking at the chart for a few seconds, he pointed his index finger at the coordinate closest to Hope Island. "Here it is, Narwhal! Weigh anchor and set sail!!"
(End of this chapter)