Chapter 205 Chapter 205: Those Who Bear the Same Fate
Chapter 205: Those Who Bear the Same Fate
In the outer seas of Gran Faro, a solitary large ship drifted beneath gloomy, overcast clouds.
Lacking the guidance of a lighthouse, the great ship had long since lost its way.
Stultifera Navis—perhaps those with knowledge could still find its other name in the annals of history—
"The Fool's Ship."
"The reaction and the light... have both vanished."
The captain's uniform he wore still faintly reflected its former glorious splendor. Although he maintained the most basic human form, his right arm was densely covered with scales—a symptom of mutation after consuming Seaborn.
Alfonso didn't know how much longer he could maintain this clarity of mind.
Next month? Next week, or perhaps the imminent tomorrow?
With the disappearance of the observation point, the light in Alfonso's eyes seemed to be fading bit by bit.
In this sunless sea, most of Stultifera Navis's instrument dials had long been damaged by the tides over the sixty long years.
He had long since lost his sense of what is called "time."
That despairing darkness had persisted until today. The only remaining, functional "Lighthouse Beacon" on the Fool's Ship detected a brand new signal.
But unfortunately, this new signal lasted only a few minutes before extinguishing completely, failing even to stir Alfonso's numb heart.
"The morning sky heralds the sea's turbulence... Even as time flows, faith shall not be forgotten..."
He sat back down in the seat belonging to the captain, softly chanting an ancient song. The captain's cabin gradually fell into silence.
————————
Inside the church,
"Please, have a seat."
The Saint led everyone into a noble and elegant hall. Judging by its style, it seemed to have been modified from a refectory used by church personnel for meals.
"The Inquisition's resources are limited; there isn't much we can offer as hospitality."
Carmen sat at the head of the table. A long white tablecloth, very much in the church style, was laid out with many dishes.
Bread, scale meat, several bottles of tumor-beast milk, along with a little pork and some vegetables.
From the cooking methods of these dishes, one could tell:
The Inquisition's chef had tried his best to diversify the menu, but the limited ingredients clearly did not allow him to do anything impractical.
"Rest assured, this scale meat is clean and has no relation to the Seaborn."
As if sensing everyone's concerns, Carmen demonstratively forked a piece of scale meat and put it into his mouth to chew.
Iberia no longer has many waters uncontaminated by Seaborn, and even fewer where fishing is possible.
Everyone took their seats separately. As if intentionally arranged, Kevin sat in the first seat on the left, while Kal'tsit sat directly opposite him.
All ate their meal in silence; the dining table was as quiet as a tranquil sea.
Only Specter picked at the vegetables on her plate. After putting a piece in her mouth, her little face immediately scrunched up like a bitter gourd.
Not tasty. Feels even worse than Aegir's individual energy bars.
Better eat meat! She looked at the pile of meat dishes and grinned ferociously, opening her maw wide towards them!
"If it's not enough..."
Skadi watched her teammate's astonishing eating manners and silently pushed her own portion over as well.
Specter never refused anything offered and never knew whatpoliteness (politeness/hesitation) meant.
Seeing her eat so quickly, FrostNova even pushed her own portion over too.
"You're a good flopper-person."
Specter grinned widely, food residue still stuck between her teeth, but her smile was indeed quite infectious.
As the main figures of this banquet, the three seated at the left, center, and right heads of the table remained silent.
The old man ate very slowly, as if waiting for something.
Midway through the banquet, Irene finally hurried in from outside, clutching a stack of report papers in her hands.
"Ca... hah, Mr. Carmen, the test reports... are... are out."
She was panting heavily, clearly having run all the way without stopping.
"Don't rush, Inquisitor Irene."
"Yes! Mr. Carmen."
Carmen picked up a glass of water. The little bird first handed the reports to him before somewhat overwhelmed by the honor accepted that glass of water.
"I believe you can rest assured now."
Kal'tsit looked up; beneath her eyelids was an inscrutable expression.
The Inquisitor had brought back soil samples from Saltwind City; Kal'tsit certainly knew that.
Even though Iberia has declined to its current state, it wouldn't lack even a testing instrument.
Carmen didn't answer, just turned the pages of the report one by one.
"Kal'tsit, I permit your Rhodes Island operators to move on Iberian soil. Of course, that includes these three as well."
He slowly closed the report and uttered these words in a low voice.
"The changes in Saltwind City's soil have no connection to Rhodes Island, Your Excellency Carmen."
Kal'tsit didn't want Kevin to develop ill feelings because of this matter.
Whether in the past or now, this was not a worthwhile deal.
"I am well aware. So it is merely out of respect for your contributions in resisting the Seaborn that the Inquisition retains the right to observe you. As for... could we speak privately for a moment? Sir Kevin."
Carmen extended an invitation to Kevin.
"Just you."
......
Two men stood beneath the towering spire pavilion of the church.
Their indifferent silhouettes and the aura they carried were somewhat similar, though after having a family, that aura on Kevin seemed somewhat diluted.
It was a kind of aura commonly present after bearing something heavy.
"Thank you."
Without bureaucratic formalities, the old man's words were concise and clear.
"If there is anything you need, you can tell me directly. Iberia will fulfill your requests."
He didn't understand what this man before him wanted.
He could only hand over the initiative to him.
"I initially 'came' here only to investigate those 'creatures' that frequently disturb me."
"The Seaborn?"
Carmen did not know where Kevin came from.
"They possess astonishing potential..."
Even far exceeding yours.
Kevin did not voice the latter half of that sentence.
"I will not help you transform other cities."
But his next words were clearly even more brutal. Kevin did not want to leave Carmen with any false hope.
"That is understandable. But my promise remains valid, Sir Kevin."
From the moment he first laid eyes on him, the old man had already roughly guessed the outcome in his heart.
He was the same kind of person as himself. Or rather, he once was.
But this man had already extricated himself from that heavy burden of responsibility. Only the Saint himself remained trapped within it.
"Alright."
Kevin didn't feel there was anything this other party could help him with.
Saltwind City was merely a whim. The "payment" he should take—that lantern—he had already analyzed it.
Regardless of whether this transaction was equal in a universal sense, if Kevin felt it was worth it, then it was worth it.
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Iberia, Inquisition Headquarters, inside a medical room.
"With our current medical capabilities, it is impossible to cure Specter's condition."
This was one aspect where Kal'tsit was easily misunderstood. Her inflexible syntax always gave a feeling akin to reading a death notice.
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