Shrouded Seascape

Staring at the steamships that filled the surrounding waters and the orderly rows of Divine Light Order followers on their decks, a shiver of dread traveled down Charles' spine. Instinctively, he knew something monumental, something truly horrifying, was about to unfold.

He was uncertain of the Pope's next move, but the only thing on his mind at this point was to stop the charlatan. After all, he had once sacrificed over ten million people to summon the Feaster; what was going to happen would definitely not pale in comparison.

Charles turned around and saw the four offerings lying quietly within the concentric circles. In the middle of the array was a rope. The hemp rope was as thick as a giant tree and was woven from blood, flesh, light, and shadow.

Taut and stretched, the massive rope laid across the floor and led toward the sea. It slowly retracted, seemingly tugging something with it.

Recalling the scene from earlier, Charles realized what was on the other end of the ropethe sacrificial ritual was incomplete. This revelation sparked a sliver of hope that the escape of the Light God might still be averted.

As soon as Charles took a step forward, the Pope swiftly turned his gaze toward the former. Instantly, Charles found himself unable to move.

Though Charles felt physically capable of movement, an overpowering reluctance seized him and rendered him motionless against his will.

Move! Come on! Move! Charles struggled desperately, but his mind and body seemed to be at loggerheads with each other.

"Charles, you always think you are capable of doing many things. Yet, in reality, you're merely a puppet, controlled and manipulated by others," the Pope remarked, his gaze returning to the rope.

"Why are you always suspicious of me? Are those really your own thoughts? If so, then why do you always cooperate with me and yet never guard against me? Are those your thoughts too? Your mind is riddled with contradictions.

"The Dioite named Anna and Project 177, Tobba, all their warnings are within my control and plans."

The Pope then turned his attention back onto Charles.

"Do you think I'm busy doing things just to guard against you? How naive. There are many more adversaries obstructing my plans, and they are far more terrifying than you. I've made many preparations for today. That's why they don't have the time to bother me."

Hearing the Pope's words, Charles stopped struggling. He lowered his gaze and looked at this hand, not in defeat but in thought about how the other could be manipulating his thoughts.

He can control my thoughts? Is it direct mind control? Or did he do it through words? How can I counter him? Charles thought to himself

He can control my thoughts? Is it direct mind control? Or did he do it through words? How can I counter him? Another voice echoed from beside him. It was the Pope's voice and he was speaking in Mandarin.

Charles turned toward the Pope, his eyes widening in astonishment. A slight smile spread across the Pope's countenance. "The great Light God is all-seeing and all-knowing. It's just a language from the surface, do you really think you can hide your thoughts from me for long? I can see all your thoughts clearly."

Just then, the waters next to them bulged upward, and water cascaded down to reveal the submarine Narwhale rising to the surface.

Charles stared at this vessel, and a sudden idea sparked in his mind. A smile crept onto his face as he looked at the Pope. "Everything is within your expectations? Then guess what I'm about to do now."

A sneer of disdain appeared on the Pope's face. "I've told you. I've considered all your relics and abilities. And what? A chalkboard eraser? What is that?"

No sooner had the Pope's words fallen, Charles turned toward the direction of the Narwhale and bellowed, "Dipp! Turn on 068!"

The Pope sprang to his feet, his features contorting into a grimace of fury. He raised both hands and the sixty-five-meter-long Narwhale instantly levitated into midair.

As he slightly closed his hands, the rounded hull began to cave inward.

Beep!

Suddenly, accompanied by the sound of a beep, Island 68 appeared on the water's surface without any forewarning. The resulting waves violently shook the Ronker platform.

"Do you think releasing 068 will be able to ruin my plan? What a joke!" Despite the Pope's defiant tone, the expression on his visage was far from calm. In fact, his brows were furrowed in evident tension.

"Then maybe, you might want to guess what else is inside 068, aside from the people living there."

No sooner had Charles finished speaking than the edge of the platform dipped, forming a triangle on the steel floor. A chilling sensation of being observed washed over himthe "chalkboard eraser" from a different dimension had made its entrance.

Charles could hardly have foreseen that he would be the one to order the release of the Chalkboard Eraser confined within 068.

"Say, if at this point, I, the sacrifice were to be killed by the 'chalkboard eraser' or taken to another perspective, then the entire door-opening ritual probably wouldn't succeed, right?"

A resounding crash followed Charles' words. A triangle that seemed to be encased in a transparent bubble materialized just thirty centimeters in front of Charles. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

But it ultimately could not overcome the defensive barrier encircling Charles and slowly retreated. The barrier served a dual purpose: it trapped Charles within while also keeping external forces at bay.

The next moment, two massive triangles manifested. This time, they were less than a centimeter from Charles. The "chalkboard erasers" would soon reach Charles.

Witnessing the scene, the Pope could no longer sit idly by. Raising his hands, the light that formed part of the rope surged back into his body.

"No one! Absolutely nothing can disrupt my plan!" The Pope proclaimed. A dazzling golden light burst forth from his body, revealing the presence of two elongated, distorted creatures forced into visibility.

Being on the receiving end of an attack, the "Chalkboard Erasers" swiftly shifted their targets and charged at the Pope.

Just then, there was a flash of white light, and Sparkle suddenly materialized beside Charles. "Daddy, Mommy sent me to save you."

Charles' heart skipped a beat at the sight of Sparkle appearing in such a perilous situation. "What are you doing here? Run!"

"I can teleport living beings now. I'll get you out now," Sparkle said and immediately grabbed Charles' hand. In the next second, the two materialized on the deck of the Narwhale,

The moment Charles escaped from the array, the black element that formed the massive rope disengaged and reattached itself to Charles' feet, becoming his shadow once more.

Sparkle flashed a sheepish smile, "Daddy, I'm still practicing. But don't worry. When I grow a little older, I can teleport you faster and farther."

Charles scanned the empty deck and was just about to speak when a shadow pounced on him and hugged him tightly. It was Anna. She didn't speak a single word, but Charles could feel her intense emotions from the trembling body pressed against him.