Chapter 366. Two Months
As the gaps in the overhead canopies were blocked, night fell over Hope Island, casting the main streets into shadows. The dimly lit streets looked dim and deserted, with few people venturing out onto the broad, straight paths.
Charles sped through the darkness and eventually stopped before a villa painted in a dark hue. The expansive front yard was filled with a variety of flora, and some of them thrived with unusual vigor.
Charles neither rang the bell nor knocked on the door. Bypassing conventional entry methods, he vaulted over the wall.
"Bandages," Charles called out.
He had only called his first mate's name when the ground next to his feet stirred, and Bandages poked his head out of the soil.
"What's... the matter?"
Charles' voice was laced with anxiety as he asked, "Are there any Fhtagnists' rituals that can save Lily?"
At Bandages' nod, a spark of hope flickered in Charles. But before a smile of relief could appear on Charles' visage, Bandages' words swiftly extinguished the hope, "But... it's not... a good solution..."
Bandages then further explained, and Charles immediately realized that the ritual Hook had mentioned earlier was the same dark ritual that the huge brain in the purple sphere had tried using to revive his lover.
According to Bandages, all drowned souls were claimed by God Fhtagn. If they prematurely drown Lily before her supposed death and resurrect her through the ritual, it could potentially be a solution to their current predicament.
However, he also emphasized that historical precedents of such rituals always ended with dire consequences.
This was both good and bad news. The good news was that Bandages knew how to perform the ritual as well, so Charles could utilize this as the last resort even without betraying the Pope. However, the outcome of such a solution would be less than ideal.
"Is this the only option? Could there be another ritual or solution within the Fhtagn Covenant that you're unaware of?"
"Impossible... I've seen... all the... ritual books...Even if I... can't perform them... I remember... all their functions," Bandages replied.
Seeing Charles' face turning unusually grim, Bandages patted him on the shoulder, "Destruction... is always...easier than repair. Don't be... too hopeful... about turning a mouse...into a human..."
"It's alright. Prepare for the ritual during this time. If it comes down to the worst-case scenario, we'll take the risk."
"Then you'd better find a way to get Lily to teach you how to control her mice. Otherwise, the entire Hope Island will be thrown into chaos."
Charles's pupils slightly constricted at those words.
"Lily is about to die, and that's all you can think about?"
"Captain, I'm just reminding you of the situation. Also, it doesn't conflict with your efforts to save her."
"Don't concern yourself over this anymore. If you have time, make a trip to the prison to see if you can fill Doctor's shoes for the experimental project. James has expressed his concerns to me a few times now."
"Alright, I'll do my best," Linda answered. She then coaxed Salin away from the iron fence where he had been clinging.
Charles' generous bounty was certain to draw a variety of individuals, but often, the first to appear would be those looking to exploit the situation.
"This is unfair! Leonardo's just another con artist, too! Why does he get to become a minister while I'm being treated like this?!" a disgruntled swindler shouted as he was dragged away by the guards.
Charles turned his gaze onto Leonardo standing next to him and said, "Take care of this matter. I don't want to see any more of your trade mates around."
"Understood, sir," Leonardo answered with a slight bow. He briefly adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and exited the room.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Leonardo looked up and slightly pushed up his glasses. Staring in the direction of the fading grumbles, a cold smirk crossed his visage. "What a fool to not even research the exact circumstances before trying your luck. The lack of diligence in the younger generation is appalling. It's time for me, your senior, to show you how it's done."
In the following days, passenger ship after passenger ship continuously arrived and docked at Hope Island. Numerous people approached Charles, each presenting their own "solution" in hopes of claiming the bounty. However, with each new encounter, Charles's hope dwindled; not a single one provided a dependable solution.
It was unusual for Charles to remain ashore for an extended period of time, and just like that, two months passed by in the blink of an eye.
Basking in the warm sunlight, Lily lounged on the plush fur of the black kitten as she savored her moments in the warmth.
Over two months, the two kittens had grown accustomed to the mice and no longer saw them as threats.
Lily, however, could no longer enjoy the mini roller coaster. Her condition was deteriorating, with bald patches appearing on her body. Her once vibrant appearance was fading away.
Holding a tiny book, the size of a human's fingernail, in her paws, Lily peered through her miniature reading glasses to read the text.
"Mr. Charles." Lily looked up from her book. "It seems like I'm left with the last item on my wishlist," she said, her voice tinged with a raspy sadness.