Looking at the book introduction to the island in his hand, Charles learned the origin of the island in front of him.
Iron Statue Island, an old island explored four hundred years ago.
On the island stands a huge metal human-shaped statue whose head almost touches the rock above. No one knows who built this almost miraculous thing.
Although this island seems to have a curse that anyone who lives here will not live past the age of 47, the island's iron specialty is so tempting that no one can refuse it.
So the first explorers settled there and began cutting the metal from the statues and selling it.
It was sold more than four hundred years ago, and the entire huge statue was cut into only half.
Most of the materials used to build most of the steamships in Earth Sea were provided by the two islands, Iron Statue Island and Volcano Island. It can be said that this huge sculpture of Earth Sea's shipbuilding industry made an indelible contribution.
"Wow! Mr. Charles, this is more interesting than the long stick-like island we saw before! Who do you think this statue belongs to?"
Lily looked down with curiosity in her eyes, and the rat's tail behind her kept wagging.
Charles thought of his previous plan. After knocking on the window frame for a few seconds, he grabbed Lily and put her on his shoulders, then turned and walked towards the cabin door.
"Let's go down and take a look. I hope there are still people in the Explorers Association on this island."
The aggressive Hope Island fleet slowly approached the dock.
When Charles stood in the sun and looked towards the dock, he didn't see anyone. The entire dock was very messy with various scattered metal blocks piled up, but there was no one there and it seemed very deserted.
"No way? The iron statue casts such a huge shadow, so it shouldn't be as completely extinct as on other islands." Charles muttered to himself as he looked up at the oppressive giant legs in the distance.
Lily plucked Charles's clothes with her little claws. "Mr. Charles, do you want me to send the mice to explore?"
Charles shook his head slowly. "No, we're not exploring an unknown island. If there were any dangers on this kind of island, they would have been destroyed by the previous islanders long ago."
Under the leadership of the Governor of Hope Island, everyone slowly approached the island.
Although Charles did not give any orders, under the brigadier general's order, everyone loaded their bullets to prevent any emergencies.
"Captain, this island was inhabited not long ago. The footprints on the ground were from no more than four days ago. He was wearing leather shoes, he was a male, and he was overweight," Dipper knelt on one knee and analyzed the footprints on the roadside.
"Get up. I didn't bring you here to judge the case." Charles continued walking forward.
Under the commodore's order, the navy quickly began to search the entire dock, but no one was found after searching the entire dock.
When Charles walked out of the dock, he saw young banana sprouts planted in the fields, and he realized that the island had also received shining seeds.
"Is this a ghost? Where have all the people gone?" Charles muttered to himself.
"Mr. Charles, is it time for my mice to go out? They can really do it!"
Charles touched his chin and thought for a while before saying, "Forget it, let's go back. No matter what happens to the people on this island, it's none of our business anyway."
However, just as he was about to leave, a figure walked out from the shadow of the huge iron statue in the distance, and she shouted from afar: "Is it Governor Charles?"
Under the watchful eyes of a group of people, the person came in front of Charles. As soon as they saw the octopus tattoo on her face, everyone knew her identity.
"Governor Charles, you are finally here. The officiants are waiting for you." The old woman said to Charles with a smile, her tone very polite and intimate.
Charles recalled what he had just read in the book, looked up and said to her: "I remember that this island should not belong to you, Futan? What are you doing here?"
"The population of God's descending land is insufficient, so the high priest sent us to gather residents." Just as the old man finished speaking, thousands of people formed a long line and walked towards this side from under the shadow of the huge iron statue.
They were holding black umbrellas with confused expressions and looked very scared. Judging from their clothes, these people were the previously disappeared islanders.
"So it's you who are trafficking in human beings. So? But you want to sacrifice all these people to your powerful one?" Charles showed a hint of understanding in his eyes and turned to walk towards his airship.
"No, no, no, the chief priest has issued new rules prohibiting sacrifices. Compared to death, their more important mission is to give birth. As long as the first menstruation comes, every woman must have a child in her belly."
"This is not only for our Futan religion, but also for the hope of mankind! Whoever gives birth to a child will be rewarded."
"Tsk." Charles quickened his pace and waved casually at the neatly organized navy in front of him, "Let's go, and continue on our journey."
The Futan believer walked quickly to Charles' side and said politely again: "Governor Charles, please allow us to lead you. The sea has been a little unsettled recently. The black whirlpool has started to increase the number of green-tailed fish. It will be troublesome if we encounter them."
Charles glanced at her and said, "Okay, hurry up."
Hearing this, the old woman smiled slightly, and as she raised her hands towards the sea, the water suddenly bulged up, and several dilapidated shipwrecks rose from the bottom of the water.
She began to order her subordinates to push those people towards the sinking ship.
"Mr. Charles, should we help rescue them? They look so pitiful." Lily's ears drooped and stuck to her golden hair.
"Why save them? The Futan Cult won't kill them. They are just replenishing the population."
“But…but…” Looking at their miserable appearance, Lily almost burst into tears.
"There's nothing to worry about. Even if we save them temporarily, we can't save them forever. The East Sea was originally the territory of the Futan Church. Without the suppression of the Church of Light, they are now the real masters of this sea."
"But don't worry, I still have a score to settle with them. They won't be causing trouble for much longer. Just based on their ruthless attitude towards me, I will solve this trouble sooner or later."
Charles covered Lily's eyes with his hands and got on the airship.
The huge fleet began to leave the port, and led by the sunken ships, began to move towards the depths of the East China Sea.
During this time, they encountered one or two sunken ships from time to time. They also quickly joined together and let Charles, who was in front, lead the way.
These ships also seemed to be used to transport islanders. It seemed that the Futan Cult wanted to gather all the people from the entire East China Sea together.
Soon everyone noticed something unusual. As the fleet went deeper and deeper, the rock formation in the sky got closer and closer to the sea surface.
(End of this chapter)