Chapter 453: Found
The journey stretched way longer than Charles' anticipation. After fifteen days, they still hadn't located the island that housed the key.
The island didn't move in a straight line; it would occasionally take twists and turns and even draw loops under the water's surface. Not much distance was covered but a great deal of time was invested on Charles' end.
Nonetheless, the Narwhale had to continue her advance. They had already expended so much effort and time. Giving up was not an option.
However, a new problem soon surfaced when First Mate Bandages placed a piece of document before Charles. It was a chart indicating that they were running low on supplies.
Before the voyage, Charles had already made the preparations and stored extra food and fresh water for emergencies. However, even he wouldn't have anticipated a moving island.
"We must conserve our supplies for the return journey" Bandages reminded Charles.
"I know, I know. Let me think." Charles held up the chart in one hand and scratched his head with the other as he walked toward the Captain's Quarters.
Of course, they could return now and devise another strategy before coming over again, but then they would have to waste a few more months in between.
Brows furrowed, Charles locked himself in his quarters, letting the cogs in his head run for a solution. After several hours, he actually managed to come up with one.
"Look. We are moving south at thirty nautical miles per hour. If we take half of our return supplies to continue exploring, we can last another 23 days if we ration them carefully," Charles proposed.
"But with half the supplies we won't make it back Unless we kill half the people on board," Bandages replied from across Charles' desk.
"Wait, I'm not done. Look over here," Charles said as he tapped a spot on the nautical chartit was a charted island.
"Half of the return supplies won't get us back to Hope Island, but it would be sufficient for us to reach this previously charted island with the Ropelings. The colorful trees there can serve as fuel, while the forest mushrooms and insects can be gathered as food.
"If Salin, the child Linda adopted, managed to survive on the island until twenty-five, it is evident that there is ample food there. We can head there for a restock of supplies."
As Charles spoke, he began to plot a new return course on the nautical chart.
Bandages had no comments on Charles' proposition. He merely nodded and stood up to leave.
Previously at a standstill while Charles pondered over their next move, the Narwhale finally resumed her journey. The crew started dipping into their return supplies, but there wasn't enough for everyone to eat their fill. They could only satisfy their hunger by about eighty percent.
Day by day, the Narwhale followed the island's trails on the seabed and advanced ahead. Typically, the Narwhale would sail on the water's surface with Dipp diving periodically to confirm if they were heading in the correct direction. After all, being on the water's surface was much safer than being under it.
However, even the surface came with its own dangers.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The deck cannons roared furiously, their projectiles aimed at a glowing dot in the distance.
Poking his head out of the bridge, Charles yelled, "Dipp! Conserve the cannonballs! It has stopped chasing; we need to make our escape now!"
Dipp, who was manning the deck cannons, hopped down from his spot and ran toward Charles. "Sorry, sorry!" He said with a sheepish grin "I got a bit carried away seeing that familiar monster. I couldn't stop myself from flaring up."
Charles turned his gaze toward the side of the Narwhale and saw their enemy that was more than twice the vessel's size and cloaked in a viscous layer of black slime. Its round head with a vertical maw gradually sank into the waters.
Its tentacles, covered in pus-filled blisters, writhed relentlessly, evoking a sense of revulsion among the observers.
The relentless cannon fire had nearly shattered its grotesque form, with fragments of its dark flesh swiftly scattering and blending into the inky dark waters.
"Familiar? You've seen that thing before?" Charles asked as he turned and walked into the cockpit.
Dipp followed after Charles. With his voice laced with a slight thrill, he answered "Of course! Captain, have you forgotten? On S.S. Mouse's last journey back to the Coral Archipelago, we encountered that thing. Ha! It finally died by my hands!"
At Dipp's words, Charles was instantly reminded of their previous boatswainthe monster had flayed him and donned his skin.
So it was this creature that had rammed their ship back then. However, times had changed. It had sought trouble with the Narwhale, so it could only blame its own misfortune.
"Enough chatter. Dive down and check if the Narwhale has veered off course," Charles instructed.
"Aye!" Dipp acknowledged the order and dashed out of the bridge. Without any hesitation, he leaped overboard and plunged into the sea with a splash.
Charles studied the nautical chart on the wall, his gaze tracing the path the Narwhale had navigated as he mentally calculated how much longer their remaining supplies could last. Unfortunately, the conclusion was far from optimistic.
Without taking his hands off the wheel, Bandages turned to look at Charles. "When we return this time I plan to move my family to the Central District Can you play along and put up a show with me?"
Charles turned around and looked at Bandages in surprise. "You really don't plan to tell them all the things you have been through?"
Bandages gripped the wheel tighter. "I don't know how to explain It's better this way"
Charles agreed with a nod. "Alright. I'll say that you made huge contributions on this mission and reward you with a house in the island's heart."
"Thank you"
"Don't mention it. We've been through so much together," Charles replied with a smile and turned his gaze back onto the nautical chart.
But after a brief moment, he turned back toward Bandages once more. "By the way, since it's just the two of us here, there's something I need to discuss with you. If I really get to return to the surface, I hope that you can take over my place as the Governor of Hope Island."
Bandages' eyes widened in surprise. He understood the weight of Charles' words and their implied meaning.
"You plan on never coming back?"
Charles hesitated for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle. "Not necessarily. If I get tired of the world up there, I'll come down to check on you guys. But if I leave, someone needs to fill that position in my absence. You had served in that position for three years; you'd be the perfect fit."
Bandages remained silent, but years of understanding allowed Charles to know that the former had agreed.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it We've been through so much together"
Hearing Bandages echo his earlier words, Charles couldn't help but laugh softly.
Time ticked by as Charles awaited Dipp's return. But soon, he grew concerned that Dipp had been gone for a tad too long.
Under typical circumstances, Dipp would return within three minutes, but now it had already passed five.
"Damn it. I hope nothing's happened," Charles cursed under his breath as he stepped out of the bridge and peered into the pitch-black waters.
Just as he was about to give the order for the Narwhale to dive, he spotted his boatswain's fish head emerging from the waters.
Dipp's face was painted with excitement as he shouted, "Captain! The island! We've found it! It's right below us, and it's still moving!"
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