Chapter 153. Airship
Everyone widened their eyes in shock at the sight of the haunting shade of red on the fishing line.
Earlier, they could console themself with the thought that there might be other explanations for the elderly woman's disappearance. However, the blood-stained fishing line was irrefutable evidence that shattered their comforting illusions.
It was clearly dangerous—no, deadly—up there, beyond the rift.
Picking up the fishing line, Charles turned to Hunn and inquired, "How strong are those two young lads?" Embark on a quest to the commencement at n0v#lbin★
"Level 2. Level 3 with those relics."
Charles replayed the earlier scene of the fishing line in his mind. In a mere two seconds, it jerked, snapped taut, and then abruptly went slack. This suggested that the combat power of whatever was lurking on the other end far surpassed that of the two young men.
They were overpowered so swiftly that they couldn’t even retaliate.
As Charles' brows knitted together in frustration, the Divine Light Order disciples around him were seized by mounting panic. Their once unshakeable faith was beginning to crumble.
"Has our Light God abandoned us?"
"No wonder the legends speak of the divine light's warmth being lethal. Our Light God has forsaken us! He forbids us from entering His Kingdom!"
"My Lord, are we not worthy to live in Your holy kingdom?"
As doubts and accusations swelled in a clamorous din, an abrupt thunderous roar silenced all voices in its wake.
"Enough!"
It was Cardinal Bishop Hunn's voice. Gone was his aged demeanor, replaced by a raging aura so palpable that his silvery white bread and hair seemed to tremble in the air.
Taking the staff handed over by his attendant, he surveyed the gathered believers before him.
"We've finally found the Land of Light after searching for so many years," Hunn's voice boomed loud with authority. "Are we going to give up just because of a minor setback?"
Cardinal Bishop Hunn's commanding presence was undeniable as it immediately quelled the pervasive panic within the disciples.
Charles' sudden declaration left everyone stunned as they wondered if he had gone crazy. He clearly knew how dangerous it was up there, yet he still chose to face them.
The Narwhale's crew members were the first to voice their objections.
"Mr. Charles, you can't go. It's too dangerous up there."
"Captain, why not I go in your stead? What will become of this island if something happens to you?"
Anxiety crossed the faces of everyone. They really didn't want Charles to risk his life. Only Laesto remained silent, for he knew that no amount of persuasion would change Charles' mind.
"First Mate, Second Mate, take care of things down here and wait for my return," Charles instructed before he took a running leap, kicked against the ship's hull, and propelled himself onto the Sky Battler.
Charles felt an intrinsic need to personally witness what lay beyond the rift.
The agony of waiting on the ground for news was too much to bear. He also believed that his modern knowledge would be invaluable, whether the danger presented itself in the form of the Foundation's defense measures or as any terrestrial threats.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the airship gradually ascended and floated toward the blinding bright light shining through the rift. As their altitude increased, the sunlight grew ever more intense. Even though Charles came prepared with his sunglasses, he still found the light piercing.
However, the piercing light wasn't an issue. The critical concern in Charles' mind was the rising temperature.
If the temperature on Hope Island was moderate at about 25°C, it was now quickly climbing toward 40°C.
Beads of sweat started to pool on Charles' forehead before trickling down his face. A gnawing anxiety twisted in his guts.
It was already this hot down here, so how high would the temperature be above the earth's surface?
Any fantasies Charles harbored about polar landscapes bathed in the perpetual glow of the midnight sun were ruthlessly shattered by this point. It was impossible that the Arctic or Antarctica could radiate such intense heat. Clearly, some calamity had befallen the surface world.
When the airship was just mere dozens of meters away from the fissure, something in the distance caught Charles' attention.
He squinted to get a better look, only to discern that it was half a corpse of the elderly woman gruesomely embedded into the dome's rocky terrain.
Her black latex suit was torn to shred, and her body was mangled like a discarded rag doll.
Charles wasn't the only one who saw it. The other Divine Light Order followers on the deck caught sight of it as well. Their grips on their weapons and relics tightened in preparation.
Just as the airship was about to penetrate through the crack, a shadowy figure shot out from the side. The next moment, the airship jerked violently as the unmistakable sound of escaping air hissed from above.