Chapter 624: 624
 

Fireflies

The night was dark, but there were signs of light coming from the distant horizon. It was the darkest time before dawn. At three in the morning, the experts from the council arrived at the Far Harbor.

Even though they did not take Kant’s suggestion and warning seriously and were certain that the people of Aurora were up to something, the council still sent a powerful team of experts to Distant Harbor overnight in response to the invitation from the Dragon of Aurora.

This was because the living specimens that Kant brought back could provide valuable information. They would be crucial to guiding the Azure Fleet and Ocean Traveler’s operations.

Therefore, the Omniscient Tower directly ordered the use of a strategic teleportation circle to send a team of capable experts to the hidden fortress at the Goethe border. These elite scholars then set off on flying mounts and arrived at the distant port as quickly as possible to participate in the dissection and inspection of the sea monster’s living samples.

In the sky above Far Harbor, they witnessed the magnificent scene of several transport planes whistling down. The giant birds were like the Kun Peng in the legends of the Aurora. They were so huge that their flying mounts were as small as mosquitoes. In the airspace of Far Harbor, they encountered the first air control in the foreign world.

Under the escort or surveillance of the two dragons, they landed in the designated area. Then, under the escort of several off-road vehicles, they arrived at the temporary biological research institute that had been established.

” Master O’Malley, please ask the safety officers of the life department to guide and strengthen the protection work of the research institute.”

Hong San personally welcomed the scholars from the council.” Masters in charge of research, please follow me. The masters from the Empire and the Elves have arrived.”

The scholars of the council showed disapproving expressions. They looked down on their peers. They had always looked down on the so-called scholars of the Empire and the elves, and they were even more eager to suppress the pointy-eared country bumpkins of the Empire.

The temporary research institute was rather standard. The security measures and protective magic circles were not bad. The scholars commented on it and after passing the security check, they followed the mayor of the distant port into the temporary facility. At this moment, Hong San turned around and spoke in a solemn tone.

“Master O’Malley.”

“Mr. Hong.”

” I hope that you can discover valuable information from the samples brought back by His Highness Kant with your professionalism and high efficiency,” the mayor of Faraway Harbor said seriously.” This is very important.”

“Oh?” Master O’Malley chuckled and said,” Are the Skyquaking Dragons looking forward to my research results?”

There was a hint of mockery in his words. After all, news of Kant’s conflict with the Council had already spread. During the Qilin Horn disaster, he had insulted the envoy of the Council for the first time. The second time, he had even killed an envoy. It was a great humiliation for a powerful country.

But at that time, the Battle of Distant Harbor had just been settled. The Knight Astolford had appeared out of nowhere, suppressed the sea, killed the festered dragons, captured the three navies, and shocked the Arcane Council, deterring the other party from taking revenge. However, the grudge was not resolved because of this, but buried in the Council’s heart.

It was reasonable for Master O’Malley to mock him.

Humph, Forbidden Mage, Realm Legend, Master Alchemist, so there’s something you don’t know.

This smugness had just surfaced when Hong San coldly denied it.

” It’s not that His Highness is looking forward to Master’s research results, but that the arrogant councilmen of your council only believe in the judgment of their own people. Master, His Highness Kant is extremely furious about this.”

“Because there are enough signs that your side has sent a fleet and vanguard without permission, intending to investigate and take action against the deep-sea behemoths hidden beneath the Broken Islands. The only result of this reckless behavior was to provide food for the hungry giant beast, speeding up its awakening and destroying the current stable situation. Loyal soldiers will lose their lives because of this, and unpredictable dangers will occur. I hope your discovery will allow your arrogant and suspicious councilmen to make the right decision. Therefore, I hope everyone can hurry up.”

The scholars ‘expressions were extremely subtle, from disdain to dissatisfaction.

” The councilmen of the council are all wise men with great wisdom. They are old and experienced. They have experienced many great tests and participated in many great deeds.”

“Whether they are arrogant or not is not something a young man like you can judge at will.”

” Besides,” Master O’Malley said calmly,” I did not sense His Highness Kant’s anger. Instead, I sensed his anxiety. Even if it’s as you said, the reckless behavior of our people has accelerated the release of the monster, what’s there to worry about? Everyone knew that His Highness Kant’s Forbidden Spell was invincible. No matter what kind of monster it is, it can’t withstand a Forbidden Spell.”

” With His Highness Kant’s personality, he should be watching us mortals act arrogantly. After all, even if there are casualties, they are the Council’s casualties. He should be happy, right?”

Hong San stopped in his tracks, his gaze solemn.

” If things really develop as we fear, you will have the chance to witness His Highness Kant’s wrath.” He said,” Also, there’s something that needs to be said in advance.”

” I’m not urging you to be anxious, but I’m warning you. We’ve already issued several warnings to the Council. These have been recorded and will be shown to the reporters, nobles, and kings of various countries. If the foolish actions of your people lead to a disaster, His Highness Kant can indeed use a forbidden spell to solve the problem. However, before that, the Council will be responsible for the casualties and losses caused by the revival of the sea monsters.”

“We will hold them accountable,” Hong San said coldly.

The atmosphere was tense.

It was not Hong San’s style to threaten the Council and get into a conflict with them before the incident happened. However, since His Highness Kant was already so furious, it was true that he had to express his gratitude to the Council and the dynasty.

Moreover, the latest conversation that had taken place an hour ago had made Hong San realize that his Lord had changed in some way. When he mentioned the Council and the Empire, his expression and tone were different from before.

It was as if they were talking about something that could not be avoided… Obstacles.

Hong San’s words had infuriated the scholars of the council. However, they were in Far Harbor, Kant’s territory. The huge flying device they had seen earlier had shocked them. Furthermore, they had received orders from the council. That was why they did not leave in a huff. However, they still expressed their hatred.

“I will convey your words and attitude to the council.”

“Welcome.”

Hong San did not want to waste any more time. He led the unhappy scholars to the central research room. Two fully-armed Valentan guards opened the door, and the lights inside were bright. The mages guarded the wall, and the scholars from the Empire, the elves, and Goethe surrounded the dissection table and the examination box with solemn expressions.

Master O’Malley saw the sample in the center.

The long and twisted black tentacle seemed to have its own consciousness. It whipped and twisted, and the mouthpart at the edge of the tentacle let out a hissing scream.

His heart trembled.

“This is…”

At the same time, in the deep sea of the shattered sea.

The Great Ocean Traveler had been sinking along the trench where the sea monsters had emerged for a long time. The rift in the sea was extremely long. After passing through the rift, there was an extremely vast water area below.

Sailing in the sea was actually extremely boring because there was nothing in the sea. The deeper the area, the lower the density of creatures. There was only cold seawater and darkness.

The submarine could only open the portholes in shallow waters, and they could see the beautiful and dreamy wonders of the sea. However, in deeper areas, they could only sail quietly and dully, using spells, magic devices, and spiritual power to sense the surrounding terrain. Just like now, it was boring and filled with fear.

Because not too far ahead, endless sea monsters were charging into the water like tornadoes.

“Gods…”

” How many of them are there?” A crew member looked at the red light sheet of the life detection system. Since the dive, the number and scale had hardly changed. Who provided for them?”

This huge number made them feel uneasy, not because of the number, but because of the source. They clearly came from the deep sea, but the poor ecosystem and low biological density of the deep sea could not support such a large number of predators. Extreme rebellion meant terrible danger.

“We will know the answer.”

” Be careful,” the captain said.” Continue diving. Pay attention to the surrounding environment and increase the sensing range…”

He sat on the Mind Platform, increasing his spiritual power and paying attention to his surroundings. Captain McCulver hid his uneasiness. He wanted to become the pillar of support for the sailors. This was his mission.

Finding the origin of these sea monsters was also his mission.

The Council’s hint was obvious enough. They wanted an answer, and they could even give up the Ocean Traveler for it. This meant that the captain had to strike a balance between the safety of the crew and the completion of the mission. They had to go to dangerous places to obtain enough information. Then, when danger came, they would rely on the top defense system of the Ocean Traveler to create an opportunity for the crew to teleport.

The atmosphere in the submarine was frighteningly oppressive. Even the Spell Casters, who had been through hundreds of battles and had excellent mental fortitude, felt unprecedented tension and pressure. They were in the boundless dark deep sea, and not far from them were swarming beasts. Once they were discovered, they would be hunted down by countless monsters. Even though the Ocean Traveler’s protection measures were the best, they still felt extremely uneasy.

“The life density of the enemy beasts has increased…Ah, there’s no difference.”

The red dark clouds on the detector connected into one, from bottom to top, densely packed, with almost no gaps.

In the silent submarine, there was only a simple report and explanation.

” The beasts are calm. We haven’t been discovered yet.”

” The surrounding environment is empty. No physical boundary found.”

“The instrument is working well.”

“Continue diving.”

” The depth has broken through 1,600 meters.”

” The stability of the runes on the submarine’s outer armor is good.”

” Air elemental circulation normal.”

Time passed by.

Suddenly, the navigator shouted,” We’ve found the rocky boundary…” No, it’s not a rock!”

His tone suddenly became extremely agitated.

“A regular and flat shape! No, this looks like a building!”

The crew members ‘spirits were lifted. The captain immediately connected to the Mind Platform and spread his spiritual power. His spiritual perception spread through the cold seawater to the outside world and soon touched a solid object. It was a solid object that was rough and covered in mussels, but he could still touch its shape. Its surface was flat, and there was a slope upward. The entire shape was something that could not be formed naturally in the ocean environment.

It was a minaret.

“1,600 meters underwater!” The navigator shouted excitedly,” Traces of civilization! That’s right!”

” It’s not a building that fell into the sea. It’s a complete palace!” He was so excited that he was about to cry. His spiritual power spread out without restraint. Gods! This is the arched door, this is the city wall, this is…”

The captain was also shocked and excited to sense this extremely important discovery. If such ruins were discovered during an ordinary mission, the council would definitely be ecstatic. He thought of some bits and pieces of information he had seen in the archives about the exploration and clues of the marine civilization. This building originated from the sunken land, or…

“Captain!” The weapons officer shouted,” The enemy beasts seem to be approaching!”

The captain suddenly came to a realization. Reality was cold to his brain. He thought of his current situation and mission. Not only were there mysterious ruins here, but there were also terrifying monsters.

At the thought of this, he suddenly shuddered. Was this ruin, the civilization that had perished, because the land had sunk, or…

At this moment, the navigator suddenly screamed,” AHHHH!”

The spellcaster’s body arched like a fish that had come ashore. His eyes turned red from the blood, and traces of blood seeped out of his eyes. Then, he screamed crazily.

At the same time, the submarine suddenly shook.

” Captain!” The weapons officer immediately raised his staff and pointed it at the navigator.” Captain!”

Ocean Traveler shook violently.

“The herd is approaching-they’re not spreading out! It’s still in its original form!”

“We seem to be entangled by something!”

” Captain, do you wish to initiate evacuation procedures?”

In this sudden and strange attack, the crew remained as calm as possible. They asked questions and were ready to take action at any time.

“Dimension Stone, warm up! Prepare to activate evacuation teleportation!”

” Prepare to activate Haizan’s protective shield!”

“Send him away first! Then, follow the evacuation order!”

“Open the partition and light up the powerful lights!” The captain looked at the vice-captain.

“Huh?” The other party was stunned.

“Open it!” The captain said firmly,” We should at least know what it is!”

Gritting his teeth, the vice-captain unlocked the elemental lock and pulled a lever. The hull shook again, and the partition at the head of the submarine slowly moved up, revealing a transparent crystal plate that had been carefully cast, enchanted, and reinforced. The tough runes ensured that it was sturdy under the water pressure of the deep sea, and the energy stored in the deflecting crystal was released.

A strong beam of light shot out, illuminating the sea that had been in endless darkness for thousands of years.

They saw snow.

Countless snowflakes were dancing in the sea, just like the snow in winter. Under the bright light, they shone with dazzling white light. It was the sea snow, a wonderful scene that only existed in the sea.

They saw the palace in the sea.

Under the corrosion of the seawater, the original luster and glory of the city that sank in the deep sea showed its once glorious and magnificent outline under the shining strong lights. The towering spires and the surrounding city walls, a small part of it was revealed under the light, and most of it was hidden in the dark.

Finally, they saw an eye.

The area illuminated by the searchlight was an eye. It was shining from afar, facing the strong light and watching quietly. It was the only thing that the searchlight could clearly illuminate. Everything else was hidden in the darkness, behind the palace, the mountains under the city, and the dark, dead, and cold sea.

In this secret, lightless, and deathly darkness, a huge shadow swayed faintly.

They only saw one eye.

Under the surface of the ancient dark water, a strong light lit up, briefly illuminating the world that was completely buried by history, conspiracy, and evil. In the falling sea snow, in the larger, endless, and silent dark waters, an eye and a submarine quietly looked at each other.

It was like a person looking at a firefly.

Violent screams and roars sounded from the submarine.

The captain wailed as he fell to the ground. He rolled around and covered his head. He felt everything in him boil, his soul being torn apart in blood, and a terrifying power cruelly invading him. All his secrets, life, experiences, and memories were like looted property, placed in front of unimaginable power. His mission, his origin, his mission, and…

The Azure Fleet’s location.

“No-”

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The second update…Sleep, sleep.