Charles stood on the deck of the Narwhal, looking at the increasingly prosperous Giant Pit Fortress in the distance.
Compared to being just a fortress before, it is now the size of a small city.
A steady stream of airships, like an elevator that runs day and night, take turns delivering the collected supplies. All supplies are provided by the islands in the Earth Sea.
Amid the cars coming in and out of the gate and the sporadic shuttling of amphibious ships, the explorers' equipment was constantly being upgraded as the number of factories increased.
Among them were some tall figures. They were members of the Haik tribe and did not ride in cars, but drove horse-drawn carriages that suited their physiques.
The people of Dihai are using all their strength to survive.
"Captain, I need to go back to Hope Island to install two prosthetic limbs." Dipper, who was leaning on crutches under his arms, moved to Charles' side and said.
"No, the Explorers Association will take care of it. They should have considered the issue of Explorers' broken limbs and called those companies over long ago."
Hearing this, Dipper was relieved. "That's great. I was really afraid of going back in such a miserable state. My wife would be worried about me."
Charles looked down and saw Dipper's empty trouser legs from his calf joints down. His legs were left at Site 4 forever.
"Thank you for your hard work." Charles patted him on the shoulder.
"It's okay. I just lost two legs. If you hadn't saved me, I would have died. Compared to those who died, I am very lucky. By the way, Captain, how is your injury?"
Charles stretched out his fingers and pressed on his bandaged face. The hard touch indicated that it had scabbed over, but the skin did not seem to have returned to normal. He could already imagine how horrific he would look after the bandages were removed.
"I'm not sure, but I'm pretty good at replying, so it shouldn't be a big deal. If I can't reply, that's fine, it'll just be a little embarrassing. I'm not a woman, so it doesn't matter."
Dipper smiled, but gradually the smile on his face dimmed. "Captain, you say... can we really save Earthsea? If it is really the guy who killed the God of Light who took away the darkness, then is it really possible for us to take it back from him?"
His confidence seemed to be shaken.
"Yes!" Charles answered firmly. "We have no choice. Either we go back and wait for death, or we risk our lives. We can only choose the second option!"
Hearing Charles' words, Dipper nodded vigorously. Confidence appeared on his face again. "Yeah!"
The noise in the distance gradually grew louder, and they were approaching the entrance to the Giant Pit Fortress.
Charles thought about it and then looked at the young man who had been with him for more than ten years.
"Dipper, I've already told the first and second mates. After thinking about it, I think it's necessary to tell you that if I die, no matter how hopeless the situation is, you must continue exploring."
"Captain, what are you talking about? How could you possibly die? You haven't died in more than ten years. How..."
"Don't interrupt me. I'm telling the truth. I'm also an ordinary person. Idiq's identity as the Chosen One has left with my shadow."
"If I really die while searching in the darkness, maybe this ending is better than dying of old age on Hope Island." Charles' words were filled with calmness about death.
Dipper, with a serious expression, walked to Charles' side with his crutches and nodded vigorously. "Okay, I promise you."
As the Narwhal entered the gate of the Giant Pit Fortress, the crew was notified that they had five days of rest.
Although there is no special whispering sound like in the deep sea, but when it comes to life-threatening matters, the string in your brain will easily break if it is stretched for too long.
Fortunately, various relaxing places have been opened in the Giant Pit Fortress, so they can release stress to their heart's content.
As soon as he entered the Explorer Hall, the huge map appeared in front of him, but the explorers' exploration direction seemed a little wrong.
However, he should have followed the plan he had made and conducted a range exploration around the God of Light, which would have been more efficient.
But now the map shows that all explorers have begun to explore in large numbers towards the west.
Just when he asked this question to the head of the Explorers Association, he got an unexpected answer.
"Governor Charles, you can ask those big men stationed in the Giant Pit Fortress. It was their god who told us to do this."
"Simon? The god of the Hek tribe?" Charles immediately remembered the warning Anna had given him before she left.
The other party was interfering with his layout in the Giant Pit Fortress. Charles noticed this vigilantly. This might be a test. If he did not take action, the other party would immediately make further advances.
Thinking of this, Charles quickly rushed out of the Explorers Association.
The Haik tribe's stronghold is very easy to find, especially because their height of more than three meters is very conspicuous. They occupy a corner of the giant pit fortress and build their own whale skin tents.
As soon as Charles approached their base, he was stopped by a Heike with a giant sword on his waist. He was taller than the average Heike, almost four meters tall.
"Our God has been waiting for you for a long time, please follow me."
Walking on the slightly trembling ground, Charles followed him into the tent.
In the center among the many simple tents was a magnificent dome temple. Charles was surprised how they built it in such a short time.
"Which god are you here for?" Charles asked.
The sword-wielding giant continued walking forward without even turning his head, and said in a cold tone: "I don't know him, go ask him yourself."
The giant's strides were so great that Charles had to trot to keep up with him. In a few minutes they arrived in front of the strange temple.
Watching the giant next to him draw his sword and stick it on the ground, Charles walked inside.
It was unexpectedly bright inside, with whale oil candles as thick as arms everywhere.
The moment Charles walked into the room, he felt the gazes shining through the walls.
Several four-limbed monsters with evil, reflective skin were lying on the wall like geckos. They had trumpet-shaped suction cups, lizard-like bodies, and limbs that were stiffly bent at the elbows. They were messengers of God.
Charles felt the hostility in their eyes and couldn't help but become alert.
At this time, a man in colorful cloth came over. "Mr. Charles, the wise Bogro is waiting for you. Please ignore them. They treat everyone like this."
"Really? I've seen them before, and they didn't have this attitude then."
Charles ignored the messenger on the wall and followed the Heike man into the depths of the temple.
The tall walls are very clean, with no reliefs of gods or inscribed murals, so neat that they don't seem like a religious place.
"Creaky~" The heavy wooden door opened, and a creature floating in the air appeared in front of Charles.
(End of this chapter)