When can’t one read books? I’ve spent a lifetime reading while I was alive; can’t I do something else after death?
"I’ve finished reading it," Alka stated. "This is a travelogue of the Endless Sea. If the author couldn’t return, how could this travelogue have been written, published, and ended up in our hands?"
Of course, that argument doesn’t really hold, Alka mused. There are countless ways for such a book to be passed on, like getting gods to lend a hand once one is powerful enough. The documents clearly show that the teachings of the Four Gods have long spread across the Endless Sea. This isn’t strange at all. This book isn’t finished; it’s highly possible the author is still alive and sailing on the Endless Sea. Of course, it’s also possible that he and the others only obtained a single volume.
However, Alka, having read the entire book, had more solid evidence.
In front of everyone, Alka flipped through the book until he reached page 136.
Aside from Pororo and Julia, both Chadite and Jason had skimmed through this book, as Lucilia sometimes used it as a textbook. It was used for learning other languages and was written in the White Crocodile Language.
On the page Alka pointed to, it was written:
"In a tavern in Solakron, I overheard an exploration team discussing an underwater current that flows in reverse. By following this current, one can return to other sea regions.
"This current is no secret to many powerful individuals; it’s the last resort for those lacking the will to strive forward.
"They seem to want to profit from this current. Heavens, are they fools? That’s the exclusive domain of the Four Gods; there’s no way They would allow such casual passage.
"And they think they’re the only clever ones in the world? Honestly, no matter where you go, or how strong or weak people are, there are always enough fools around to make my wisdom stand out."
Everyone saw the words written in the book.
Alka gently tapped Lucilia on her head. "See? It’s not as bleak as you thought. We can go to the Endless Sea, and when we no longer wish to sail, we can return through this current."
Moreover, Alka knew that in the Realm of Pitch Darkness, the blood-red evil spirit was connected to Cultists from the Ocean of Enlightenment. Perhaps there were other ways back; they just didn’t know them yet.
Despite what the text said, everyone could tell from its tone that this current wasn’t easily usable. The powerful knew of it, but few would ever use it. It was an unspoken understanding. A glance at the Homeland Sea was enough to know that very few ever returned this way. But at least it was a path, not a complete dead end. For Lucilia, who longed to return to the Sea of All Life for a visit, this meant something.
Everyone had finished reading the information. Alka stared at them.
His voice tinged with seriousness, he asked, "Have you all decided? Do you want to join me on the journey to the Endless Sea? It’s a road of no return."
"As you’ve seen, even with the current as a final retreat, it’s clearly not something just anyone can use."
"More likely, you’ll never be able to come back."
"But you don’t have to answer me now. Let’s first complete the mission the Church assigned us. We can make a formal decision then, how about it?"
This wasn’t a matter they could decide immediately, and Alka intended to give them ample time.
Hearing Alka’s words, everyone nodded, indicating they had no objections.
The information indicated that the next time the world rift stabilized would be in one year, during a period known as the Convergence. The Convergence arrived randomly and without warning. However, there was at least a ten-year interval between occurrences, with the longest recorded gap being over thirty years. Therefore, such a prime opportunity was not to be missed.
One year should be enough time for them to complete their mission and for everyone to decide if they were willing to go.
However, only Chadite and Jason were still wrestling with the decision. The others were largely indifferent to the risks, some even eager to depart.
Alka tapped the coffee table and asked, "Is anyone willing to go with me to the Church’s shipyard? I need to arrange for the Music Ship’s repairs."
Chadite, who had been lost in thought, raised her head. "I’m familiar with that place. I’ll go with you."
As she spoke, she extended her arm, and Lucilia, with a few nimble hops, landed on her shoulder.
The three of them then left the villa, following the path to where their ship was docked.
The Music Ship, immense but dilapidated, looking like a derelict vessel, was moored at a huge berth. Its peculiar appearance always attracted onlookers.
Fortunately, Alka had made special arrangements, so the Music Ship didn’t exhibit any of its usual strange behaviors. Moreover, the Church’s guards at the port kept a constant watch over it, preventing any uninformed individuals from disturbing it.
As dusk fell, the three of them boarded the ship.
The Music Ship automatically sailed out of the berth, navigating around the Island to a large, chiseled-out gap on its rear side. It looked as if a massive section of the Island had been gouged out. This was the Church’s shipyard.
Alka gazed at the incredibly vast complex before him. The area surrounding the shipyard was devoid of residences; it was entirely dedicated to storing various materials.
An immense, arched structure covered the entire gap, and several ships could be seen stationed within it.