The night sky, studded with brilliant stars and strange celestial bodies, was swiftly torn apart like a curtain.
The blue sky, white clouds, and the sun, eternally suspended in the heavens, were revealed once again.
The residents walking along the street had already raised their hands to shield their eyes the moment the sky brightened.
To avoid the glare of the sun, which suddenly appeared in the sky.
They had long since grown accustomed to the sudden change from black to white.
From night to day.
Some things and behaviors on the island had also become more restrained.
Daylight brings sin to a halt.
A man wearing a brown flat cap and a gray-blue, form-fitting adventure suit was walking down the street.
His light blond hair cascaded from the brim of his cap, appearing slightly wavy.
He had arrived at a tavern not far from the harbor and dodged the staggering body of a drunk who rushed out. He held onto the creaking wooden door and walked in.
Seeing that the tavern was now empty, most of the remaining customers were somewhat drunk, mumbling incoherently, some louder and some softer.
‐‐ Jason nodded in satisfaction.
‐‐ He found his usual seat from a few days ago and sat down.
‐‐ A short while later, a bartender approached. It was the bartender who had provided Jason with information the previous time.
‐‐"Mr. Jason? Why are you here again today? It's getting light. What would you like to drink?"
‐‐"I ate a bit too much this morning. I'd like a refreshing fruit drink," Jason said after a moment's thought.
‐‐ The waiter nodded, bowing slightly. "Wait a moment."
‐‐ With that, he walked towards the bar.
‐‐ A middle-aged man pouring drinks at the bar saw Jason in the far corner and the approaching waiter.
He said with some envy, "That wealthy outsider is giving you money again?"
"Rather than giving money, I think it's more like asking for help. I want a Blue Ocean Heart."
The waiter, watching the bartender in front of him begin mixing drinks, muttered, "Yeah, yeah, help should be paid. I get it."
The waiter leaned against a nearby wooden pillar and said, "Besides, this guy should have connections to the Church of Our Lady."
Rafia said he saw this gentleman and two other outsiders being personally received and ushered in by the church's pastor."
Hearing this, the middle-aged man nodded and silently shut up, no longer teasing.
Clearly, he had to show some respect to this man, no matter what.
Soon, the waiter, carrying the prepared drinks, sat down next to Jason.
He placed the drink over.
"So, sir, what do you want to know this time? I'll tell you everything I know."
Jason took a sip of the wine in front of him, a cool, refreshing feeling washing over him.
"Wow... this wine is quite good."
He then turned to the waiter in front of him and said, "An Rui, let me ask you, do you know 'Ze Hai'?"
Hearing this, the young waiter named An Rui looked at Jason with a bit of surprise.
"Sir, I must warn you. Compared to the dangers and difficulty of reaching Ze Hai, the so-called Nafas family treasure is simply not worth it."
Hearing this, Jason piqued. Sitting up straight, he asked, "Oh? Why do you say that?"
"Many people have searched for the mage family's treasure. I've seen quite a few since I was a child, and many believe they've hidden it in the Marsh Sea.
But compared to the dangers of that sea and the hidden treasures it holds, the Nafas family's treasure is nothing."
Jason nodded at this.
In other words, the Marsh Sea is both dangerous and rich.
Compared to that, the Nafas family's treasure simply lacks the allure.
Or perhaps it's meaningless.
"No, we've simply given up on this so-called family treasure. We're more interested in this dangerous sea."
"Hmm, it seems you've come here from quite a distance."
After all, the legend of the Marsh Sea is recorded on the nearby landmark islands.
"Okay, then I'll tell you what I know. But you know, I've never left the Twin Islands chain in my entire life.
So this is just hearsay. I hope you're prepared."
"Oh, of course. Just tell me what you know." Jason nodded, nonchalantly.
"The Zehai is said to be an area of water even larger than the area surrounding a landmark island and its chain.
When it appears, everything in front of you will be blocked by this sea.
It's also called a landmass... Well, a landmass means an island as large as the sea. Have you heard of this term? It's said that such an island once existed."
An Rui thought for a moment and asked.
Jason nodded. He had heard a similar explanation from Alka on the boat.
An island as large as the sea is called a landmass. "Sir, you are truly knowledgeable." After a brief compliment, An Rui continued, "A swamp-like area has filled what was once an ocean. The islands that once existed are now safe areas within this swamp."
"Wait," Jason interrupted quickly.
"A swamp-like ocean? What does that mean?"
This made An Rui feel uncomfortable. He frowned. He rubbed his brows, trying to think of the words to describe it.
"I don't know how to describe it. Let me tell you about the descriptions of other guests. Many sailors and merchants have experienced that area."
Hearing this, Jason nodded. "It's an area of sea completely unnavigable for large ships. Just beneath the surface, vines tangle and entwine, folding and entwining like a dense web.
Small boats carrying too many people sometimes become immobile, and in most places, even people can walk on them.
However, some of these tangled plants have holes. If you're not careful, you can fall into them and fall into the endless abyss. The surrounding plants will entangle you, making it impossible to climb out."
Hearing this description, Jason nodded.
He probably understood it, but he couldn't quite imagine it yet.
It was an endless sea, completely dominated by greenery. From afar, a green line could be seen on the horizon.
Sliding past it, it felt like sailing along the edge of a grassland.
Alka, sitting in a corner of the cathedral library, quietly flipped through a book.
Looking at the words written on the book.
This was an extremely thick book, as large as Alka's chest when laid flat.
It contained a variety of intricate illustrations, detailing Alka's description of the region known as the Marsh Sea.
"Marsh Sea Journey" was written by a joint expedition team from the Church of the Holy Mother and the Church of the Holy Machine.
This sea area is estimated to be approximately three times the size of the area formed by the Twin Islands and their surrounding island chains.
The expedition team divided it into three zones, each named after its characteristics.
First, the largest of the entire area, containing the largest safe zone, or island within normal waters.
The islands were in a state of considerable chaos, and many of the indigenous people worshipped a deity known as the "Emerald God."
This was an undocumented being, perhaps simply some powerful creature.
The main body of the creature was not discovered, but remnants of its power were detected.
I suspect it's the offspring of a powerful god, or perhaps someone about to ascend to godhood.
This island boasts a truly unique natural wonder: a gigantic, towering tree, almost larger than the entire island.
Its lush branches and leaves form a canopy, sheltering the entire island beneath.
Therefore, we named this area the Giant's Roost.
The other two areas are of equal size, separated by two sides.
Together, they form the other half of the Marsh Sea.
On one side, souls, evil spirits, and undead mingle with thriving plant life, creating an extreme chaos.
Here, death and life blend, forming a region and monsters of the most evil.
All life here is abnormally distorted and chaotic. We dare not delve deeper, only daring to peek at the outer edges.
The deadly threat from the depths oppresses us. The stronger we are, the more we sense that deadly threat.
That's the pressure of biological instinct.
For safety's sake, with the bishop's consent, we abandoned further exploration.
Many members of the Church of the Holy Machine attempted to penetrate deeper, risking their lives.
This action reduced the number of members of the Church of the Holy Machine in the exploration team by half.
You have made us realize the depth of the Church of the Holy Machine's curiosity.
The other area is much better, and it's also the best landing point.
Here are the densest concentration of islands in the entire marsh sea. Although these islands are small, they are connected by underwater vines.
They form a large island with a unique ecosystem.
It's lush and green here, a paradise for all kinds of plant life.
What a pity.
We don't have the resources to include this area in the Land of Our Lady's Blessing.
Because this place has long been a firmly entrenched place of worship, we suspect it might be the site of a deity's imminent resurrection.
The Virgin Mary also gave us revelations here.
We are allowed to roam freely here, but we are not to take any hostile actions without cause.
Alka carefully examined the important information in the records.
"Little sister, you look like a powerful individual. But I must warn you: don't be too curious about that area; it could be harmful."
In a shop, a hunched old woman looked at Sofia in front of her and gave her a serious warning.
She explained to her how dangerous this area was.
In the Holy Machine Church's great library, nearly an entire wall was devoted to various studies on the Zehai Sea.
Faced with such a vast and peculiar area, the already curious members of the Holy Machine Church and various scholars explored nearly every possible area.
Of course, this came at a heavy price.
But the results were quite encouraging.
Simon, like a sponge, frantically absorbed this ocean of knowledge.
He absorbed nothing but information about the Zehai Sea.
"Friend, are you also interested in the Zehai Sea?" a woman dressed in strange mechanical gear, her face still stained with oil, asked Simon, who had been immersed in this area for a long time.
She had been observing this place for a long time.
Simon, reading with great interest, glanced up at the person who had spoken to him.
Then he lowered his head and continued reading.
He said perfunctorily, "Yes."
"Are you interested in joining us? We're planning to form an exploration team and head to the Zehai Sea to explore."
Simon, completely immersed in this recorded knowledge, waved his hand perfunctorily.
"Sorry, I already have a team."
"Alright." The woman nodded without regret and left.
...
When the sky was once again covered by the curtain of stars and the world fell into deep night, Simon rubbed his slightly swollen head and returned to the Voice of Dawn.
"You're back? It's been so long, it seems you've gained a lot of information." Jason, who was in the observation room, poked his head out and looked at Simon on the deck.
Simon nodded at this, looking somewhat pleased.
"There's a special bookcase in the Great Library that stores information about the Marsh Sea. They've conducted very detailed exploration and research on that sea area."
Hearing this, Jason's eyes also lit up in the observation room.
This meant that Simon's gains were undoubtedly the greatest among them.
"Wait a moment. Alka has been waiting for you for a long time. I'll let Pororo take over my shift."
Soon, the two of them headed to the captain's cabin.
In the captain's cabin, Alka and Sofia were already seated at their respective seats, discussing matters concerning Zehai.
Seeing the two enter, Alka nodded.
"Simon, tell me about the intel you found. It's taken you so long to get back, so the haul must be significant."
Simon smiled and sat down.
"Of course, I won't let you down. I'm sure you'll find this wait worthwhile."
After briefly exchanging some information that everyone knew,
Simon said, "After repeated explorations of this area, we suspect it's a relic from the divine war. Multiple gods must have fallen here.
According to the Church's research, a deity representing life or associated with plants must have fallen here.
According to the Mother Mother, one of the fallen gods must not be completely dead and is still recovering."
"This area of recovery is probably the only relatively safe place in the entire swamp sea. It's safe because you might be here."
"Oh? Why do you say that?" Jason asked curiously.
"Because that area isn't very friendly to us, specifically the Church of the Holy Machine.
Explorers from the Church of the Holy Machine who wish to explore there must bring along several members of the Church of the Holy Machine to safely remain there for a while."
Hearing this, Alka nodded.
What he had just described, and what he had read in the book, was indeed true.
From what the others had just said. Only the Holy Mother Church considered that area a safe landing zone.
The book was intended for members of the Holy Mother Church, and it was never intended for outsiders to see it.
It was an internal book.
Jason then explained some other related information.
After everyone finished their conversation, Alka propped up his head and pondered.
After a moment's thought, he took out the map and spread it out in front of him.
The three areas had already revealed their names and information.
The names were based on those of the Holy Mother Church and the Holy Machine Church.
Click on the largest area.
[Giant's Roost]
[Treasure Quantity: White - Large, Blue - Large, Gold - Small, Orange - Trace.]
[Area Difficulty: Insane]
[Area Description: The site of the Six Gods' decisive battle. The ancient Emerald God was severely injured here. One-third of it has been lost.
After the fall of the Emerald God, the shattered one-third that remained here transformed into a terrifying evil spirit, infecting the entire area.
? ? ?
Reading this introduction, Alka was completely bewildered.
There was only one word that made him feel uneasy.
Six Gods Art
Battleground.
This sentence could be taken literally, but that simple meaning is enough to terrify.
Six gods fought here, and judging by the results, many were seriously injured or killed.
A battleground for the gods.
Hmm…
Alka pondered, wondering what he was thinking.
Let's check out the other areas.
He reached out and touched the area below.
[Border of Life and Death]
[Treasure Quantity: White - Large, Blue - Small, Gold - Trace, Red - Trace]
[Area Difficulty: Insane]
[Area Description: The site of the Six Gods' decisive battle. Where the Dragon of Dread fell, He cursed all things.
Life and death intertwine here, chaos reigns, and order collapses.]
As expected, a region containing crown-level treasures is simply outrageous.
Look at what's written in this world. A god has indeed fallen. Judging by the name, it seems a mighty dragon, ascending to godhood, perished here.
Cursing all things, one can only imagine the horror of this place.
This is the area seen in the book where half of the members of the Church of the Holy Machine perished.
It is a place they are not qualified to touch for the time being.
Alka watched, silently turning his gaze elsewhere.
He pointed at the last area.
It is the only area relatively friendly to the Holy Mother Church.
It is also the only area they may be able to explore at this stage.
[Land of All Spirits]
[Treasure Quantity: White - Large, Blue - Large, Orange - Trace.]
[Area Difficulty: Insane]
[Area Description: Battle of the Six Gods, Brilliant Fragrance - The Place Where Matilda Fell.
The god is not completely dead, and the Holy Mother is helping her to revive. The difficulty level in the area for members of the Holy Mother Church will be reduced to Normal.
This place looks much better.
It's exactly as the intelligence indicates; it's a safe place for them.
The difficulty level has been reduced to Normal.
Although this is also the site of the fallen god, it's clearly an ally of the Holy Mother, and the Holy Mother personally helped revive her.
This area will allow them to explore with relative safety.
The so-called Normal difficulty level means that as long as Alka and his companions don't violate local rules, they won't be in any danger.
Compared to the other two areas, this area is far more friendly to them.
Thinking of this,
Alka looked at the others and said, "Call the others for a meeting... Never mind, let's talk about it tomorrow."
Considering it was already late at night,
There was no rush.