〈 Chapter 166 〉 Central Sea Route (1)

*

It was an unexpected situation.

I never thought there wouldn’t be a single mechanical ship moored along the coastline.

‘What’s happening here?’

According to Sung Yoo-rang’s knowledge, there should always be at least one ship docked along the coastline between the Leim Kingdom and the Central Sea System.

This had always been the case.

Even after the isolation policy had been imposed by the Leim Kingdom.

‘It was probably managed by the Central Sea System.’

But now, there wasn’t even a single mechanical vessel in sight.

‘Could the situation in the Central Sea System be that severe?’

I began to worry about Gwen, who would likely be arriving in the Central Sea System first.

And to ensure her safety, I needed to reach the Central Sea System as quickly as possible.

But to do that, I was faced with the dilemma of needing a ship.

“What now?”

Yusera, who had also grasped the situation, asked.

But I didn’t have a solution either.

“There’s nothing we can do but wait.”

Of course, there might still be mechanical ships at the coastline near the Hailen—Central Sea System Gate.

But it was too far to walk there.

So, it seemed there was no choice but to wait.

‘Damn it.’

I never expected to get stuck here.

‘If this drags on for too long…’

At that moment, as I glanced back at the coastline, something that seemed out of place caught my eye—a blue color.

‘What is that?’

It wasn’t water.

It was something covered in blue fabric.

And it was bobbing gently on the waves.

“Could it be a ship?”

“A ship?”

I began to run to verify its identity.

As I got closer, a growing conviction formed in my mind.

‘It’s a ship…!’

Based on its size and shape, there was no denying it.

It was a ship covered in blue fabric.

I dashingly approached the ship.

‘What if it leaves before I get there?’

But the worry seemed unfounded.

The ship showed no signs of movement beyond gently swaying on the water until I arrived.

“Whoa, why the rush…”

Yusera, who had followed closely behind, must have spotted the ship too.

I slowly walked up to the blue fabric in front of her.

‘This is…’

Just as I suspected, it was indeed a ship.

But it wasn’t a mechanical vessel that moved on its own.

Instead, it was a real ship with a steering wheel and various controls.

‘But where are the people?’

I had sensed something was off when it was covered in blue fabric, but there was still no one seen on the ship.

However, judging by the condition of the fabric and the ship, it didn’t seem to have been docked here for very long.

Then, it seemed likely that the ship’s owner had hidden it and gone somewhere for a bit.

‘But I don’t know how to operate this…’

Looks like I had no choice but to wait.

So I spoke to the God of Connection, no, Albert.

“Stay here.”

I placed my sword on the ship.

Then, I pulled the Relic Sacred Replicant out from my inventory.

­ Huh?

“I’ll search for Yusera in the area, so keep an eye out for me.”

I wasn’t planning on just waiting around.

“Can you let me know if the ship’s owner returns?”

­ I suppose that’s possible…

“Please.”

With that, I set off to search the nearby area.

There was a good chance someone was hiding in the ruins of the old port city close by.

*

Left alone on the deck was Ego Sword Albert.

Facing the salty sea breeze, he thought,

‘I’m a god, you know.’

But not a particularly impressive one.

Before the destruction, during the time when all the gods of this continent interacted with humans, he was just a small god living in a fountain.

He was merely a humble god who lived off the wishes contained in the coins thrown by people.

‘Though, the concept of connection isn’t that grandiose.’

Still, he was technically the god of connection.

At that time, even though he didn’t fully grasp the human concept of ‘connection’, he found it intriguing.

Sometimes feeling sad or angry about it, he found all those emotions fascinating.

That’s why when it came time to select the trial overseer for the officer academy, despite being a small god, he stepped forward confidently.

Even though his divine authority had been steadily diminishing because of contracts with the magic tower’s mages, he was content.

He was able to learn more about connection.

And the one who helped exponentially grow his understanding of that concept was none other than Allen Pleuk.

Though awkward in his expression of connection, he gradually grew and displayed new aspects.

When he finally completed his trials and departed, the god of connection felt it.

That a bond had formed between him and Allen.

He wanted to see his journey up close.

And so, he kept begging the God of Chains, which ultimately led to this moment.

Besides, he even got a name given to him.

‘I thought that was that…’

Now he was left alone again on the empty ship.

Naturally, his sword didn’t have legs, so moving on its own was impossible.

All he could do was shout as loud as he could.

‘The moment an outsider appears, I’ll scream immediately.’

Without a second of hesitation.

He would scream right away.

How could someone allow themselves to be robbed after joining Allen Pleuk on his journey?

‘Of course, it would be best if they returned before that…’

At that moment, the ship began to move.

It was an unnatural movement, unlike the wave’s motion.

And in the next instant, the deck beneath him lifted.

“Wait, why is the canopy…?”

At the same time, he screamed.

­ AAAAAAH!

*

­ AAAAAAH!

An agonized scream echoed from the ship’s direction.

That voice belonged to Albert.

‘Wind’s Power.’

Upon hearing the voice, I immediately wrapped the Wind’s Power around my legs.

Then, I kicked off the ground and dashed towards the dock.

“Albert, what’s wrong?”

As I landed on the dock where the ship was moored, I spotted someone standing on the deck, clutching Albert.

“Hey!”

With the Relic Sacred Replicant aimed at them, I called out.

“Put Albert down.”

Now that I looked closer, the person was wearing a hood that represented a hero.

‘Are they a hero?’

If that’s the case, then there might be a way to communicate.

“That’s my relic. If you’re a hero, you should know not to handle someone else’s relic casually.”

The figure replied, “If it’s registered as belonging to the church, then yes. But Albert, was it? I find it hard to believe that this talking sword really belongs to you.”

A woman’s voice.

The silhouette, which had been shrouded in a cloak, revealed her gender clearly.

However, what she said didn’t sit well with me.

“What did you say?”

“Well, you seem too weak to possess a sword of this level of divine power.”

Weak, huh?

There’s not much I could do about that. It definitely could have appeared that way based on my stats.

Then I had no choice but to show her that I wasn’t simply weak.

“Well then, let’s see what you’ve got.”

I gripped the Relic Sacred Replicant and jumped onto the deck.

However, the figure didn’t seem intimidated at all and stood firm.

Though her face was hidden, the slight curve of her mouth suggested she was even smiling.

Just as a battle seemed imminent, Yusera’s voice suddenly rang out.

“Allen! Stop!”

For some reason, her voice made the figure flinch.

“Yusera? But this guy has Albert…”

“The owner of the ship could be right here. What’s more important right now? The ship or Albert?”

That was obviously…

“The ship is more important.”

Just like Yusera.

She knows how to judge correctly when it truly matters.

So, I sheathed my sword.

­ Hey… Master?

Hearing Albert call me Master as he was held by the figure made me feel less inclined to help.

“Alright, then let’s start with this. Is this your ship?”

Instead of answering, she asked me a question.

“Allen… Allen Pleuk. Are you that Allen Pleuk?”

I nodded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“And?”

Then she slowly scrutinized me before bursting into laughter.

“Puhahaha!”

Just as I was about to be caught off guard by her laughter, she pulled down her hood.

Finally, her face came into view.

With blue hair and blue eyes that resembled the sea.

“Well, it seems you’re not lying. If it were a lie, only someone like Allen Pleuk could be so brazen about it.”

“Lie?”

“There’s such a thing.”

How on earth did rumors about me spread like this?

From what she was saying, it sounded like I was some grand deceiver.

“Anyway, this ship is indeed mine.”

Without a care, she started operating the ship’s controls to start the engine.

The ship began to vibrate with a dull roar.

“You’re trying to head to the Central Sea System, right?”

I nodded at her question.

Seeing me, Yusera asked, “Is it really okay to trust her this quickly?”

I replied to her, “It’s not like we have any other options. No one knows when another ship might come.”

“Well, that’s true…”

I had no way to explain it to her, but I already knew who this person was.

With her blue hair, blue eyes, and that consistently calm demeanor.

‘Lucy Terashia.’

A playable character and the owner of the fourth inheritance stigma.

She casually gripped the ship’s helm and said, “If your sister is coming along, get on quickly. You both seem pretty urgent.”

“Sister?”

At the mention of ‘sister’, Yusera reacted unusually strongly, and I reached out my hand.

Ignoring her anger, Yusera took my hand and climbed aboard without a word.

After Yusera got on, I turned to her, who was at the helm.

“Yeah, we’re in a hurry. So let’s set sail already.”

To the Central Sea System.

*