Throughout the day, as our ship sailed closer toward the pirate island, the three of us just chilled out. We ate good food, relaxed on the deck, and actually talked to each other. I even found myself telling them the embarrassing story of how I completely messed up my very first trial as a slave, and how I eventually stumbled my way into the Guild.
This quiet, simple peace was all I ever really wanted—not some grand, terrifying cosmic destiny. Sitting there on that ship with Arthur and Sera, the only two true friends I had made after spending my entire life completely alone...
I realized that this was, honestly, one of the happiest moments of my life.
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Then, the captain's gruff voice echoed across the damp deck, making an announcement to the entire ship.
"We have finally arrived at the pirate island of Blackwater Roost!" he shouted over the crashing waves. "Keep a close eye on the changing weather, and an even closer eye on the scum surrounding you!"
As he said that, I stepped up to the wooden railing, pulling my coat tight against the sea breeze and looking out at the wretched, sprawling harbor ahead of us.
The moment the captain announced it, I stepped right up to the railing of the ship, peering into the thick mist hiding the city of Blackwater Roost.
So that's what this island is called, I thought to myself.
As we drew closer to the docks, something caught my eye. I had fully expected this lawless pirate haven to be a rundown, filthy slum with zero development—just a bunch of wooden shacks and drunken cutthroats. But as the heavy fog finally rolled back and our ship eased into the harbor, I saw something completely unimaginable.
The city was startlingly modern. A massive, breathtaking cathedral rested calmly in the absolute center of the island, its grand stone spires seemingly piercing the sky. There were wide, perfectly paved roads with proper sidewalks. Horse-drawn carriages trotted smoothly down the streets, illuminated by perfectly spaced streetlights. I could even see neatly trimmed, vibrant little gardens lining the main avenues.
It was genuinely beautiful.
"Isn't it funny, Lucian?" Sera's smooth voice broke my concentration as he stepped up to the railing beside me.
I was still completely dumbfounded by the view. I blinked, pulling my eyes away from the city to look at the disguised Angel. "What's funny, Sera?"
He offered a mild, amused smile, leaning his forearms against the wet wood and looking out at the sprawling, elegant architecture.
"Well, you see... this city is significantly more developed than our London, or even the neighboring kingdoms, for that matter," Sera pointed out, his eyes reflecting the glow of the streetlights. "I was just saying—isn't it hilarious that a lawless pirate island manages to be more civilized and advanced than entire empires ruled by absolute Kings?"
"Have you been here before, Sera?" I asked, my eyes still fixed on the shockingly pristine cityscape.
"No, I haven't," he replied smoothly, adjusting his coat against the wind. "To be completely honest, this will be my first time as well."
"Oh, really?" I murmured. Apparently, even Arthur hadn't been here before.
As we finally gathered our bags and started walking down the gangway toward the wooden docks, I glanced over my shoulder. "So, can someone actually tell me why we're here again?"
I had tried asking Arthur earlier, but since the man was practically sleepwalking half the time these days, he hadn't exactly filled me in on the details. He had just vaguely mumbled that we had to go to an island to find something called 'Steles.'
"Yes, that is correct," Sera confirmed gracefully.
Beside him, Arthur let out a massive, jaw-cracking yawn. His dark-circled eyes were barely half-open as he dragged his heavy boots down the wooden ramp.
"We're looking for someone in particular," Arthur grumbled, his voice thick with exhaustion. "Someone who has information about a specific Stele. I told you about them, right? Steles are ancient artifacts that hold the lost information for advancement rituals, and they dictate exactly what type of Ether Crystals are needed to rank up."
He rubbed the back of his neck lazily. "Knowing what crystal to use isn't even the important part. It's the ritual information that makes them priceless. And this Stele supposedly has the ritual details for a very particular Sequence that has been lost to time."
"Maybe we'll figure out exactly what Sequence it is once we get a look at it," I suggested, trying to sound casually interested.
Arthur shot me a tired, sidelong glance. "Don't get your hopes up, Luci. There won't be anything on that Stele for your specific pathway."
Hmm. He knows something, I thought to myself, my internal alarm bells ringing slightly. Arthur might be exhausted, but he was still a Tier 5 Grandmaster. He clearly suspected that my Sequence wasn't standard.
I kept my face perfectly neutral and just shrugged. "Okay. Don't worry about me."
As we walked away from the docks and deeper into the city, I suddenly felt a strange, heavy tug. I couldn't tell if it was in my head or my chest, but it felt exactly like someone was trying to cast a line directly into my soul.
Then, the whispering started.
"The whisper in the tides." "The womb of a thousand forms." "The primordial monarch of the velvet deep, born of desire."
"We found him."
Sigh. I really don't want my honorary title permanently linked to the Velvet Monarch's weird desire and tentacle themes. I am definitely going to have to change that someday.
I instantly knew the message was from Luxuria, the Sin of Lust. But how was I supposed to answer her right now while walking down a busy street with two other people?
[Notice: You can enter your domain mentally while your physical body remains outside. Also, you can change your title. I will help you with it later.]
Sure. Pull me into the Cenotaph.
[Entering the Cenotaph of Pride. Domain of one of the Seven Deadly Sins.]
When my vision shifted, I was sitting alone on my massive obsidian throne at the head of the dark table. The chair designated for Lust to my left was empty, but a wisp of glowing, pink Ether hovered directly above the stone seat.
I reached out and touched it. Instantly, Luxuria's sultry voice echoed through the grand hall like a recorded message.
"My Lord, I have found the Sin of Greed. But... we have a problem. Or, perhaps I should say, good news."
A problem? Good news? I frowned, leaning forward.
As much as I wanted to hear the rest of the message, a sudden, jarring force violently yanked me out of my own soul.
My eyes snapped open. I was sitting right on the paved sidewalk.
Sera was crouched in front of me, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. His amber eyes were narrowed in sharp, scrutinizing concern. "Luci, is something troubling you? You just collapsed."
Sigh. I didn't even get to hear the rest of it.
I quickly forced my expression into a relaxed, tired smile, pushing his hand away and standing up from the ground. "No, it's nothing," I lied smoothly, dusting off my coat. "I'm just exhausted from the trip. Let's find our hotel and get some rest for now."