Chapter 1 The Beginning

"Bang!"

The file in his hand was slammed onto the desk, and Lister suddenly stood up from behind his desk—in fact, he almost jumped up—the Port District Defense Commander stared at his subordinate with wide eyes: "Say that again?! What did you say happened to Dagger Island?!"

"Dagger Island... Dagger Island, it's gone!" The soldier who came to deliver the message stuttered, obviously finding it difficult to control himself even as a well-trained warrior, "Just now, we observed a series of explosions on Dagger Island, suspected to be the last remaining people on the island detonating various facilities... Then the fleet performing guard duty on the nearby sea watched as the island rapidly sank and disappeared into the sea."

"The fleets weren't affected?" Lister frowned immediately, sensing something was wrong.

"No," the soldier shook his head, "Dagger Island's sinking caused almost no changes to the sea surface. The report from the front said... the island seemed to melt into the sea silently."

Lister's face became extremely grim. He was silent for a few seconds, then looked up at the gatekeeper still standing in the office: "Ms. Agatha, in your knowledge, are there any known divine arts, miracles, or extraordinary items that could cause this phenomenon?"

"No," Agatha shook her head without hesitation, "An abnormal change of this scale is beyond the scope of magic and should be classified as a miracle—or some kind of strange phenomenon."

"...Anyway, we're in big trouble. The investigation hasn't even started, the situation on Dagger Island isn't clear, and the island has completely disappeared into the sea. The city hall won't like this news," Lister frowned, tapping the table with his fingers. Then, as if remembering something, he suddenly looked up at the soldier, "By the way, what's the Hai Wu (Sea Mist) Fleet's reaction?"

"They're still in their old position, not crossing the offshore warning line," the soldier replied immediately, "But after Dagger Island disappeared, two of their fast ships briefly approached that area—stayed for about ten minutes, then quickly returned."

"Sounds like they're observing the situation... Looks like this is beyond their expectations too," Lister said slowly, "Damn it, looks like we have to talk to that great pirate."

"The Cathedral will also take action," Agatha added, "Now, the exploration plan for Dagger Island is meaningless. We will shift our strength to a comprehensive investigation of the city. The Guardians have already found some clues about the Annihilation Cultists and several possible strongholds. I will personally lead a team to deal with them."

"I hope you have some success, Gatekeeper," Lister looked up, looking at the black-clothed goddess in front of him, "Things are getting out of control, and we need the help of the supernatural realm more than ever. But the Cathedral's investigation progress has been very slow."

"We will do our best."

Agatha nodded slightly, then picked up her cane and tapped it lightly on the floor twice. With the sound of the cane tip hitting the ground, her figure suddenly turned into a gust of gray wind, then spiraled and sank into a pale crack that appeared out of nowhere in the floor.

Lister looked at the place where Agatha disappeared. After the crack closed, he sighed and sat heavily back in his chair, instructing the soldier, "Go out and close the door."

Next, he had to quickly write a "flash report" to the City Hall to explain the strange things that happened at the city-state's doorstep.

The staff at the city-state's port were guiding ships to dock. Those wearing black or blue uniforms stood on the concrete-paved docks, doing their jobs in the cold wind, not communicating much with each other, appearing silent and busy.

In the slightly farther area, other ships could be seen docked. Those ships seemed to have been docked here for a long time. Only a few people could be seen moving on them. Their loading, unloading, or resupply operations had ended, perhaps waiting for the next departure procedure.

Farther away from the dock area, the main road leading to the city could be seen—the wide road extending to the towering buildings in the distance. The gas lamps on both sides of the road had not yet been lit, but because the time was approaching night, not many pedestrians could be seen on the road, only occasional carriages hurrying along the gradually darkening road.

Laurence stood at the edge of the deck, looking at the distant city-state buildings.

This was not his first time in Frost, but it had been many years since his last visit. The long time gap, coupled with the decline in memory after aging, made him unable to remember what the city looked like back then. Now, looking at the spires and towers standing in the twilight in the distance, he only felt extremely unfamiliar.

But in any case, the White Oak had finally docked safely in this city-state—although the weather had been particularly bad along the way, they had not encountered terrible situations like storms.

Footsteps came from behind. The old captain turned around and saw his first mate.

"The inspection is almost over," the first mate said. "Everyone asked me to ask if they can enter the city today? They've been cooped up on the ship all the way."

Laurence looked up at the sky. Although the World Scar had not yet appeared, the remaining twilight in the sky had faded to the point of disappearing. He frowned and shook his head, "It's too late. There's a curfew in the city after nightfall, and there's nowhere to go ashore now. Just stay on the ship obediently—I'll go to the port affairs bureau myself to complete the remaining procedures later, and others can go ashore tomorrow morning."

"Okay, I'll tell them the news," the first mate smiled, then casually asked, "But you're going alone? Should I send two people with you?"

"No, I can see the gate of the port office—right next to the pier," Laurence waved his hand, pointing to a light not far on the shore, "Pay attention to checking all the warehouses on the ship again after the port inspectors leave, especially the bottom cabin where the sacred objects are stored and the several sealing rooms, in case some careless guy touches the settings."

"Yes, Captain."

The first mate left. Laurence took a light breath in the night wind. The cold wind from the northern sea rushed into his lungs, making him sober up a bit.

Then the old captain shook his head, complained slightly about the terrible climate here, and walked towards the stairs not far away.

A figure was standing at the entrance of the stairs, standing with arms crossed in the dim light, calmly looking at Laurence.

Laurence stopped hesitantly, recognizing for a moment before hesitantly opening his mouth: "...Martha? What are you doing here?"

"If I were you, I shouldn't have any extra questions at this time, but immediately set off and leave here," the female navigator with her arms crossed stared at the old captain in front of her, her tone with helplessness, "Your vigilance has decreased, Laurence."

"Martha, I..." Laurence took a half step forward subconsciously. He vaguely felt that something was wrong, but he was blocked by thousands of words, and he could only sluggishly reach out, "I miss you a little... How have you been lately?"

Martha did not answer him. The female navigator just cast a calm gaze, but her sight seemed to focus on a farther place. In the gentle sea breeze and the sound of fine waves, she slowly sang—

"Raise the sails, raise the sails, the sailors who leave home continue to move forward...

"In the wind and waves, in the noise, we are only a plank away from death.

"Reef the topsail, spread the mainsail, release the cables, hold on to the舷——we have come to the middle of the sea..."

Martha's voice gradually lowered. She finally stopped, her sight focused on Laurence, and said in a soft voice as if talking to herself: "Laurence, be careful, you have come to the middle of the sea."

Laurence suddenly took a breath, and the cold air made his head shake. Then, as if remembering something, he hurriedly reached into his chest, groping in his pocket quickly but messily.

Martha started walking and slowly walked towards him.

"Laurence, how did you get so old?" The female navigator reached out her hand, her voice hoarse with a trace of softness. She still looked young, although her face had some of the wind and frost brought by sea life, she was still as beautiful as Laurence remembered, "It's been many years, hasn't it? You're not young anymore... Me too..."

"Martha..." Laurence's throat wriggled, he felt that his fingers were about to touch the small bottle, but he missed it several times.

He could almost smell Martha's scent—that familiar scent, with a little lemon flavor, it was her favorite scent.

He touched the small bottle.

"Martha..."

He held it in his hand, but his feet were rooted on the deck. He watched the person in his memory reach out to him, just like he had seen in countless dreams. That hand had a familiar temperature, touching his hair a little bit, and he saw the person in his memory laugh, as if to tell him a long-lost thought...

"Martha, sorry."

Laurence clenched the medicine bottle and poured the bitter potion into his mouth.

Martha disappeared.