Chapter 718: Flowers and Rumor

After careful consideration, Angor came to the top level of the s.h.i.+p and entered Romans room.

He examined the room before when Roman was killed, and he found nothing other than common books used for pa.s.sing time. It was obvious that Roman had taken away all valuables when escaping.

He came here again because he remembered there was a book about Devils Water left behind.

Soon, he found what he was looking for on a black wooden bookshelf, The Sea of Devils.

The book didnt tell him who wrote it. But the back cover suggested that it was a public edition made by the White Clam a.s.sociation.

He spent half a day to fully read it, which contained comprehensive intelligence regarding charted areas and routes in Devils Water, as well as limited info for the remaining regions such as Gearwheel Grave and Sirensong Sea where s.h.i.+ps tended to disappear for no reason.

But the book didnt mention anything related to what Lucas described.

Is Lucas an actual liar then? But his s.h.i.+p did end up in Devils Water, and it doesnt look natural

With nothing to go by, he called Helen to him.

Helen, during all the years you spent at Devils Water, have you heard of a place full of flowers?

Um? Do you mean a flowerbed grown on an island, sir?

No, flowers on top of the sea.

Flowers on the sea Helen muttered. I dont think I know anything like that. However, Devils Water has many more areas that weve yet to explore. Perhaps there is such a wonderful sight somewhere I dont know.

I see Angor nodded. Thank you, you can return to work.

After Helen left the room, Angors lips twitched as he stared at the logbook.

I must be mad, to think that the story was trustworthy

But instead of burning the book up, he still decided to keep it in his bracelet for now. Even if not to consider Lucas stories, the ghost s.h.i.+p had many strange elements worth inspecting, which meant the logbook might be useful in the future.

Next, he took out his draft and continued to work on his flying boots.

After leaving Angor, Helen headed to the dining hall of the s.h.i.+p.

It wasnt the right time for meals so there were only a few sailors with her. She took her share from the chef, found a random seat, and quickly dived in. Devils Water could surprise them with unexpected danger at any second, so there was no time to enjoy meals. Getting the food into her stomach was enough.

Two individualsErwin and his lieutenantsuddenly entered the hall and sat across from her.

Havent had yours yet, Capt? Helen asked as she swallowed her last bite. She was a bit confused since she saw Erwin heading here when she went to answer Angors call, which meant Erwin should have done eating by now.

I went to check our water storage. We dont have rain in this fog, and water is running low. Man it wouldnt have been such a big issue if we can find water from Silver Palm.

The lieutenant chipped in, We always trusted Mister Roman, and he actually wanted us dead for his own gain? What a loser! It serves him so right to get eaten by a monster.

Quiet, Tulu! Erwin scolded. Mister Roman might be ill-advised this time, but we cant deny the fact that he saved The Limpet from danger many times before.

Lieutenant Tulu was an 18-year-old young man with a keen sense when it came to predicting the weather. Erwin recruited him from a fis.h.i.+ng village.

Youre being way too faithful to him, captain. Tulu made a duck face. I mean, everybody on the s.h.i.+p would agree with me, that were still breathing all thanks to Mister Padt.

Helen interrupted their talk before Erwin could say anything further. Hes right, captain. Roman guarded The Limpet because it was his job in the a.s.sociation. And when he disregarded his job, he almost got us all killed. We have proof of it. We should not deny his crime now.

Tulu threw his hands in the air and winked at Helen. Nice one, Officer Helen!

Oh, stop it. Kids these days Helen complained.

Alright alright, lets not argue about that anymore. Erwin chuckled. Seriously now, well have a serious problem if we cant find water or rain soon.

Should we talk to Mister Padt? said Tulu.

Lets try not to bother him unless necessary, hes not a member of the a.s.sociation after all. Hes not obliged to a.s.sist us. Hey, Helen, Mister Padt just called you, so what was that about?

He asked me a very weird question and sent me off.

A question? Tulus eyes gleamed. About that ghost s.h.i.+p? Hey hey, tell me!

So you can show off your smarta.s.s-ness to your buddies? Helen thought about Angor again, who was of a similar age as Tulu but always displayed a completely different character.

Yeah, heh heh Tulu scratched his head. Chief Naki also wanted to know more. Well, we both do.

No, Mister Padt didnt mention the ghost s.h.i.+p, its something else, Helen said as she looked at Erwin. Capt, have you heard of a place on the sea that grows flowers? Like, flowers directly on the water?

Mister Padt asked you that? And no, I dont think I have.

Neither have I. Helen shrugged. Maybe something to do with other mighty wizards. Its just right that we dont know.

Helen waited for the others to finish their meals, collected their dishes, and walked toward the command room together.

Tulu, something else on your mind? Helen asked when she noticed that the boy was looking at the floor.

Im thinking about that question earlier

Which question? The flowers on the sea? Wait, dont tell me you know something?

No. Tulu shook his head. But there was this story pa.s.sed around by the fishers in my village

Angor, who was believed to be a disciplined gentleman by Helen, just finished a gla.s.s of milk and was fiddling with a quill out of boredom.

When he heard someone knocking on his door, he quickly put away the gla.s.s of milk, dropped his quill, and pretended that he was working.

Helen and Tulu entered the room.

What is it? Angor feigned a cold look.

Apologize for the intrusion, Mister Padt. Just now, Tulu told me about a story about flowers. I dont know if it has something to do with what you asked, but I still brought him here, just in case.

Angor looked at the young man beside Helen who looked very nervous. You knew about this flowerbed?

Tulu shook his head. Its only a rumor told by my grandmother. Im not sure if its what youre looking for, sir.

Angor crossed his arms. Lets hear it.

Um, during my childhood, my granny often told me bedside stories before I slept. But she cant read well, and she didnt know many stories. One of them was called Nayah the Charmer.

Its a pretty brief story. That there was this viscountess called Nayah, who came from the Age of Silver. Shes beautiful, shes kind, and she had a perfect husband who loved her. But her twin sister set up a plot and ruined her face, then sold her to a slave s.h.i.+p. Then that evil sister took on her looks and enjoyed everything she had.

From that day, Nayah the Charmer became Nayah the Stinky. One day, she couldnt bear the misfortune anymore and decided to give up her life. Standing on the prow of the s.h.i.+p, she told her sad story to the other slaves. Her tears fell into the ocean and caused flowers to suddenly grow. Then she jumped into the water and disappeared, along with the flowers.