Chapter 382: Loop
The semi-liquid rubber quickly solidified, sealing Past Charles. However, Future and Present Charles weren't done just yet as they sent their tentacles to wrap around the rubber coffin.
Past Charles writhed and struggled against his restraints, but Bandages' thick tree roots reinforced the rubber coffin, creating three layers of restraints: rubber, tentacles, and Bandages' tree roots. Under the three layers of restraints, Past Charles soon ceased all movement as if he had been sealed in cement.
Present Charles was about to ask about how to get Past Charles on the rooftop with the searchlights when he felt a sense of weightlessness washing over him.
The two Popes joined forces, pumping their palms forward, creating a powerful blast of air that went hurtling toward Present Charles.
Present Charles' head was flung backward as he streaked across the skies at high speeds. The wind blew so hard against Present Charles' skin that the fat on his face fluttered violently.
When Present Charles came back to his senses, he found himself flying toward the rooftop. It was no wonder he reached the rooftop in the proverbial blink of an eyeit turned out that he had been flown over to the rooftop.
Just like that, the power of the two Popes sent Future Charles, Present Charles and Bandages flying over to the rooftop along with the rubber coffin where Past Charles was sealed.
The combined power of the two Popes was terrifying, and Present Charles felt like he had become a plane hurtling through the skies. Soon, the rooftop where the colossal searchlight was located appeared not too far away below them.
Present Charles saw Future Charles waving at him with his prosthetic hand, and the former nodded quietly. Then, the two proceeded to transform their hand into an anchor hook before swinging it toward the wall of the building right in front of their destination.
Their prosthetic hands screeched as they used it as brakes to descend safely onto the rooftop down below, along with both Bandages and the coffin where the struggling Past Charles was sealed.
Just then, Present Charles' tentacles radiated pain. He turned and found that a black dagger was sticking out of the huge rubber coffinPast Charles was about to escape!
Present Charles cast an anxious gaze at Bandages, and the latter retracted his tree roots in response. Present and Future Charles then retracted their tentacles, and the man-shaped rubber coffin was quickly torn open by the sharp Dark Blade.
The three joined hands, and their six hands hurled the rubber coffin away, sending Past Charles crashing on top of the colossal searchlight.
A tearing noise echoed afterward as Past Charles destroyed the rubber coffin, but before he could stick his head out and take a look outside, the three rushed toward the edge of the rooftop, intending to jump down the building.
Just then, alarm bells blared in Present Charles' mind, warning him of the oncoming danger from behind. Upon sensing the danger, Charles instinctively twisted his right foot, allowing him to avoid a fatal injury.
Unfortunately, the Dark Blade managed to slash Present Charles in the waist. Blood dripped onto the floor, creating a tiny puddle of blood in the proverbial blink of an eye.
One in three chance, but it still managed to hit me! Present Charles grabbed the Dark Blade and jumped toward the dense forest down below.
Present Charles landed gracefully moments later, but an anxious Future Charles rushed over to him, saying, "Go back! You forgot to throw the note!"
"What?!" Present Charles felt around his pockets and instantly found the note. He looked up and saw that the Past Pope was already flying toward the rooftop.
Present Charles had to put the note on the rooftop before the Past Pope could reach the rooftop. Otherwise, the timeline would get completely messed up!
"Go up quick" Several tree roots burst out between the gaps of Bandages' bandages, and he slapped the wall hard with his right hand. Bandages' fingers then transformed into green vines that formed a ladder straight to the rooftop.
Present Charles didn't dare to waste any more time. He rushed up the ladder, and as he got closer and closer to the rooftop, Past Charles and the Past Pope's conversation started to become louder in his ears.
"What's up with that injury? Did you fight them?" Past Charles asked.
"Yes, and I'm no match for them. Those two figures dressed in black are very strong," the Past Pope said in a gloomy tone.
Present Charles heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing that, as it meant that he had made it in time. Present Charles flicked his prosthetic finger, and the Invisibility Ring appeared on the same finger.
The invisible Charles peeked out of the edge of the rooftop and flicked his right hand, sending a paper ball rolling onto the rooftop.
"Haha, it seems that they've left us a message."
Present Charles let out a big sigh of relief as he descended slowly using the ladder made out of green vines. The three waited patiently in the nearby forest. Soon, a giant pillar of light burst out of the rooftop and took to the skies.
Future Charles and Present Charles exchanged gazes; a smile appeared on their countenance. Present Charles couldn't see whether Bandages was smiling or not, as the latter's face was covered in thick bandages.
"Ah, right, give me that dagger. You're not going to need it later, anyway," Future Charles said, snatching the Dark Blade out of Present Charles' hand.
Present Charles merely watched as Future Charles slotted the Dark Blade into his prosthetic limb. He had no qualms handing over the Dark Blade to Future Charles, as he would soon be able to snatch another Dark Blade from the next Charles.
"Let's go. I made Bandages lead the others somewhere," Future Charles said.
Present Charles nodded and followed Future Charles into the depths of the dense forest. The two had been walking for a few minutes now, and Present Charles finally noticed something amiss.
Present Charles took out a compass to see which direction they were walking toward before looking up and staring at Future Charles. "Are we not going to our ships?"
"No, of course not," Future Charles replied with a smile. Then, he pointed at his tattered clothes and said, "You will have to experience what I've gone through, or you won't be able to get out of this island. This island really isn't that simple."
Present Charles' heart sank at the remark. It seemed that what was about to happen was the reason behind the disappearance of Weister, his sailors, and the three bald followers of the Divine Light Order.
Present Charles made a sidelong glance at Bandages, but he didn't say anything and continued on following Future Charles.
Present Charles looked down at his compass and found that they were heading deeper into the islandmore specifically, they were heading toward the center of the island.
Present Charles had many burning questions in mind, but he decided not to ask any questions. The one standing at the helm was none other than his future self, after all.
"Stop overthinking. Your burning questions will soon have answers," Future Charles said without looking back.
They walked for about two hours until Present Charles heard rustling noises up ahead. However, he didn't take on a stance and prepare for battle, as he could hear Weister excitedly talking to someone.
The two groups soon met each other, and they quickly split into both present and future groups.
"Can you start talking now?" Present Charles stared at Future Charles.
Future Charles looked around briefly before walking up to a tree and pinching a wood ear mushroom growing on the tree's trunk. Future Charles then gave it a gentle twist, and the ground in front of them abruptly collapsed, revealing a pitch-black steel staircase underneath.
The flickering red lights inside looked extremely familiar to Present Charles.
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