Chapter 156. The Pope
Wrapped up in bandages like a mummy, Charles could only lie still on the bed and stare at the pristine white ceiling over him.
To others, he would look like he was daydreaming, but his mind was replaying the brief conversation he had with the mantises. He was trying to make sense of them. Embark on a quest to the commencement at n0v#lbin★
Those creatures had only uttered a few words, but the implication behind them was gravely significant. They had mentioned a calamity caused by mankind. Judging from the insects' current situation, it seemed like they had also been victims of the same disaster.
Secondly, their second sentence revealed that they had interacted with a group of humans before and entered some sort of pact with them. It was highly likely that the group of humans were the representatives of the Foundation.
However, what perplexed Charles the most was the first issue. If a major catastrophe had befallen humans, why had there been no records of it in the history of the Subterranean Seascape?
When he had just arrived in this space, he had scoured the seascape's history for clues to the exit. Before the advent of steam turbines, there were only records of islands sinking or sovereign disputes. There was no mention of any disaster or how humans came to be in this underground realm.
Could it be some major catastrophe on the surface world? But how would a surface disaster affect the mantises that live in the subterranean space?
Just as Charles wrestled with his own puzzlement, the door was pushed open. Two men entered the room. Laesto had a stern expression on his face, while Hunn looked visibly excited.
"Governor Charles, all praises to the Light God that you are awake. We feared that you might never come around," Hunn said.
Charles cast a glance at Laesto, and his eyes transmitted the message. "Haven't I woken up a long time ago?"
"Quick, tell me. What are those creatures that live at the top of the cavern? Did you see what the Land of Light looked like?" Hunn pressed on.
Adjusting the bandages on his itchy left shoulder, Charles propped himself up on the bed and recounted everything he had seen.
"The bugs... there were many of them... based on what I saw, there were at least several hundred. The rift leading to the Land of Light seemed to be their lair. If we want to reach the Land of Light, we would have to get rid of them. How many of those Sky Battlers do you have at the moment?”
"We still have two of them on the Resurrection. But we’ve run out of the protective suits that can resist the divine light. Those were intended for underwater use, so we didn't prepare too many of them," Hunn responded.
Charles shook his head. "Even if we have the suits, two ships would be far from enough. They are far too powerful. We need far greater combat power to fight against them."
"Why do you wish to see me? I've already told Hunn everything that needs to be said," Charles responded.
The statue let out a chuckle before it requested, "Please repeat what you said to me, Governor of Hope Island."
Charles stared in bafflement at the statue before him.
What the hell is the Divine Light Order up to?
Despite his confusion, Charles reiterated everything about the cavern and the insects to the statue once again.
The statue went silent for a brief moment before it spoke, "I'm not sure what you are hiding, but it’s clear that you haven't lied about a single thing."
Charles felt an invisible hand gripping his heart.
This thing can detect lies? No! Not only can it detect lies, but it seems that it knows that I have concealed some of the mantises' words!
As though it had read the tumultuous whirlwind of doubt in Charles, the statue chuckled and said, "Please forgive us. This matter is of great importance to our Order. We have to be cautious."
Charles' features contorted with unease. He found it deeply unsettling for his thoughts to be laid bare and scrutinized so intrusively.
"Since you have verified the authenticity of my words, what is the Divine Light Order’s decision? From what I've seen, those creatures live in groups. If we don't act promptly, no one can assure that they won't multiply further."
"Young man, have you forgotten my words? Don't try to intimidate me with false intelligence. I can see through deceit. Don't worry, Hunn has merely bought the vanguard forces over.
”Soon, I will redeploy the entirety of our Northern Sea forces to set sail for Hope Island so that we can get to the Land of Light in the shortest time possible."
As Charles was carried out of the room, Hunn prostrated before the statue; his forehead, marked with a white triangle, was plastered to the ground.
"Hmmm. Hunn, I see many unfamiliar sights and wonderful scenery on the young man. He doesn't seem to be from our world."
Hunn lifted his head to look at the statue. "Then, Your Holiness, our plan—"
"Proceed as intended. We have to go to His holy kingdom. As the emissary of the Light God in this mortal realm, I can sense our Lord's immense anguish. We have to render assistance."
"As you wish, Your Holiness."