Chapter 214. Destination
In the safe house of Whereto's Governor's Mansion, Margaret clasped her hands to her chest as the incessant roar of cannon fire sounded from the direction of the docks.
With each deafening blast, an involuntary tremble coursed through her. Her father and brother were fighting there. Every explosion could mean their demise.
"What can I do? What can I do to help them?" Margaret muttered with tears threatening to spill. Her anxiety and fear were near breaking point. Emerging from n0v@lbin☆, this material harbors clandestine details.
Her mother, Kalytha, grabbed her hands and guided her to sit.
"Don't worry. Your father will handle this. We need to trust him. He is one of the greatest governors of Whereto, after all."
"Mother, why would the governor of Albion Isles attack us?" Margaret asked.
Kalytha let out a silent sigh. "It's a matter between men. Who can say for sure?"
As the two women waited anxiously, the bombardment outside gradually ceased. Escorted by servants, Margaret followed her mother out of the safe house and returned to their lavish mansion.
Soon after, Margaret saw her father, Daniel, and her brother, Jack, descend from a car.
Staring at their battle injuries and weary expressions, Margaret wanted to rush toward them but halted when she noticed more individuals—the island's administration—alighting from the other vehicles. Everyone had grim expressions, and they all followed her father into the office.
Soon enough, the familiar roars of her father and the sound of fists slamming on tables resonated from within the office.
It continued for two whole hours before the doors flung open, and the attendees rapidly dispersed.
After making sure that everyone had left, Margaret dashed in.
"Father! Brother! Are you alright?" she asked, her voice laced with apparent concern.
Jack took a puff of the cigar in his hand and replied in an irritated tone, "Of course we are. Would we be here otherwise?"
Kalytha entered the room and approached her husband to gently lay a hand on his clenched fist. "Why don't you and Jack stay behind in the next battle? Other governors don't risk themselves as you do."
Daniel's voice boomed like a loud trumpet, "I don't care what others do! The Cavendish's creed must not be violated! A Cavendish man must be on the front line! What good is a governor if he cowers from death!"
Kalytha's worried gaze landed on her son before she turned back to her husband. "Is it all over then?"
Daniel shook his head. "Impossible. That Albion dog actually dared to launch a surprise attack on the port. This is war! No way it's going to end just like that!
Beside him, Laesto sat on a stool and sipped from his tin flask. He showed zero concern for Charles' distress.
"I wasn't part of your previous treatment. Using medication recklessly might cause unintended side effects. You'll have to endure it."
Charles closed his eyes to avoid the distorted vision completely.
"Bandages," Charles called out. "Turn five degrees to the left and advance at full speed. I can feel that we're getting close."
Manning the helm, Bandages silently carried out the captain's command.
Laesto pressed down on a bulging vein on Charles' forehead. "Can you really navigate in this condition? Are you sure you are not leading us to get lost at sea again?"
"Shut up!" Charles snapped back furiously with his eyes still closed. A harsh tone like this was so rare that it made Bandages wonder if the crazed version of Charles had returned again.
Silence engulfed the cabin instantly, save for the ticking of a quartz clock on the wall.
As he faded in and out of consciousness, Charles lost track of the time until suddenly, the excruciating pain in his brain ceased. He opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings to notice Laesto and Bandages staring out of the glass window.
"What happened? Have we arrived?" Charles asked as he climbed out of bed and joined them.
The silhouette of a brightly lit landmass emerged in the distance amidst the dark sea expanse.
"Captain...Is this... the place?" Bandages asked.
Charles nodded in excitement. "Yes, this is it! The solution to breaking the Divinity's Curses is on this island."
At least, that was what the GPS in his mind was telling him.
The Narwhale soon approached the island. It was a strange land with not a single vessel in sight at the dock. Not even a fishing boat.
The crew dropped anchor and disembarked. As soon as they stepped ashore, they immediately noticed the harbor's odd atmosphere. The port lacked the usual bustle and unsavory establishments.
Instead of the typical seafarer trifecta of brothels, bars, and gambling dens, there were atypical buildings—theaters, circuses, and doll shops.
Charles even spotted a jewelry store that was lavishly decorated.
Opening a jewelry shop in the harbor district? Are they trying to donate to the poor?
Compared to the out-of-place infrastructure, the island's inhabitants were just as odd.
Lily, now dyed orange, scratched her fluffy cheek with her tiny paw and remarked, "Mr. Charles, they... they all look so lazy."