Ark Undead

Goredia straightened up and reached out to pull the spear from the ground.

"But since I came ashore, I've met some special people. They gave me... well, a few lessons."

When Grétia recalled that pale green figure and the giant that was as big as a small mountain, she felt a mix of emotions and didn't know how to tell Ghost Shark.

"The reason I brought you out of Rhodes Island this time was originally a deal with that woman. I want to determine whether your identity and mental state have changed because of the Originium, or whether you are heading in that direction because of the call of your homeland."

"The result is good. You are very alert, only occasionally falling asleep. But it also proves that Rhodes Island can solve those problems that we can't."

“Skadi has been working tirelessly for you, while you’ve been on shore for years?”

Ghost Shark thought for a moment and did some calculations, but she had been asleep for so long that she had lost all sense of time.

"I can't remember exactly, but if we count by the seasons, it's been at least a year."

"Yes, a year."

Goredia nodded.

"Skadi spent a year resolving your issues, while Rhodes Island directly stabilized your condition."

"The problems of those Sealings, Agor spent hundreds of years searching for solutions, which only gave rise to beings like us. Many more questions remain unanswered, information I cannot access. But what about Rhodes Island?"

Goredia was keenly aware of her own shortcomings, but of course she wouldn't belittle herself by thinking that she was completely inferior to the people on the shore.

“Perhaps they do have an advantage in this area, but we cannot ignore it because of the pride of the Agors.”

"No...actually...uh."

Ghost Shark blinked; she really couldn't explain her situation to Grandia.

Because she herself didn't know what was going on.

But she was certain that Rhodes Island itself didn't have the ability to solve its own problems; it was just that one of its members had solved them all.

However, he now belongs to Rhodes Island, so he should be considered a member of Rhodes Island.

Goredia thought Ghost Shark was trying to comfort her, and she shook her head.

“Lauren Tina, I’m not discouraged. I’m just making the most effective analysis of the current situation. If we really want to follow this lead, we need Rhodes Island’s help. At least they have more people and more comprehensive information.”

As she spoke, Goredia looked down at the corpse that was gradually dissolving into slime.

"Moreover, that woman has already been working on this matter, and is just waiting for Skadi to return so that she can truly catch that tail."

...

Iberia, the upper echelons of the Church, the Grand Inquisition.

Kal'tsit, dressed in light green, changed into her usual clothes.

She no longer needs to pretend to be an ordinary nun and serve here.

Today is the day she concludes her investigation and leaves Iberia.

But before leaving, Kal'tsit went to the church's prayer room.

As she gazed at the sculpted statue, Kal'tsit's eyes grew even more profound.

"Ms. Kal'tsit."

The door behind Kal'tsit was pushed open, and an elderly man walked in.

He had a slender rapier at his waist, a hand cannon as long as an arm hanging from his arm, and a small lamp with a faint flame in his hand.

The old man came up behind Kal'tsit and, like her, looked at the statue of the goddess in the center of the church.

"Lady Carmen, I thought you were no longer here."

"After calculating the days, I realized today is the day you should leave. I just finished my business and came back for a visit, so I thought I'd come see you."

Carmen's gaze toward the statue was solemn yet gentle; he wasn't looking at the statue itself.

"How was your time living in the Grand Court?"

"The pancakes here are delicious, but unfortunately the salted fish is a bit too dry, I don't really like it."

Kal'tsit said a few words casually, then tilted her head slightly to look at Carmen.

"Also, the coffee is good."

"Although Iberian coffee beans are not top-quality, they have a unique flavor that comes from this region."

Carmen smiled; her aged face was meticulously groomed, exuding the weathered charm of an older man.

"When I used to go out to sea, I relied on this very sour coffee to stay awake."

Neither of them mentioned anything about the underground of the Grand Tribunal, and their conversation remained superficial.

As Kal'tsit and Carmen talked about the customs and culture of Iberia, Carmen would often burst into laughter.

This elegant and serious Grand Judge had a special affection for his hometown.

“I heard that Rhodes Island recently went to the Victoria border.”

Changing the subject, Carmen brought up Rhodes Island.

"That doctor has been making frequent appearances lately, is that your doing? Or...?"

“Lady Carmen, Doctor, is not inferior to me.”

Kal'tsit interrupted Carmen, something she had never done before.

"The Doctor has his own considerations. To me, all his actions are enough to represent Rhodes Island, and even to represent me."

"Um... I'm sorry."

Carmen paused for a moment, then immediately apologized for her words, and then asked again.

"So, you must be quite familiar with Victoria's situation, right?"

"The Regent's reach is far-reaching, but Your Excellency need not worry for now; Iberia is not among his targets..."

Kelsey paused for a moment.

"At least, not in the short term."

"I can rest assured that."

Carmen nodded and turned her gaze back to the statue in front of her.

The two suddenly fell silent, neither speaking, until the sun had set on the horizon.

In the Great Court under the setting sun, the statues of gods, illuminated by the fiery red sunlight, seemed to be ablaze, adding to the solemnity and tragedy.

"I should leave now."

Kal'tsit exhaled and slowly stood up.

Carmen took a step back, giving Kal'tsit enough distance.

"I hope you can let me know in advance when you enter the country next time."

Carmen said.

"Don't remain silent like this time. Your existence holds profound significance for many people."

"I will."

Kal'tsit nodded, then suddenly stopped, her body poised to leave.

She turned to Carmen and said.

"Then why don't I just say hello to you now?"

Kal'tsit said this under Carmen's astonished gaze.

"I'll be back in two weeks at most. And I'll be bringing some people you wouldn't expect."

She raised an eyebrow.

"But the light in your hand will surely remember."

...

Victoria Border Mine, Rhodes Island Main Ship.

The group has been in Victoria for a week or two, and during that time they have completed most of the necessary preparations.

Even the doctor frequently stepped forward to receive the various forces that came, and held private talks with them.

Many people were very happy that the Doctor was able to take over Rhodes Island's affairs.

The most obvious example is the elite operators.

Seeing the doctor back to his old self, it felt somewhat like going back to the past.

However, this still raised many people's questions.

Since they've been in Victoria for so long, why hasn't the Doctor made a move yet?

I've been staying around Victoria, not knowing where to go next.

There was always a sense that something was about to happen, but the doctor didn't react at all.

He still stays on Rhodes Island every day, seemingly waiting for Kal'tsit to return before taking any further action.

Although everyone felt like they were holding back a lot of energy, in reality, this actually made many people more idle.

For example, Blaze and Ace, they completed their missions long ago and stayed behind to assist the Doctor at Kal'tsit's request.

The doctor didn't have anything for them to do, so the two of them were bored out of their minds and went to the training room to practice every day.

However, today, two special operators have returned to Rhodes Island.

After W and Greyhound, two operators who are not well-known to most people, returned, the first person they said they wanted to find was Kal'tsit.

Then, after hearing that Kal'tsit was not there, they immediately went to find the Doctor.

More than ten minutes have passed, and the two of them are still in the doctor's office, which is locked from the inside. Even Amiya is not inside.

Nobody knows what the two of them were talking about with the doctor inside.

However, everyone sensed that something big was about to happen.

In the doctor's office, the three men stood silently before the photograph on the table.

W and Greyhound looked at the Doctor, hoping he could decipher some information from the stone tablet, especially a name that sounded very similar to Kal'tsit's.