novelraw Chapter 114 : Difficult Voyage
Chapter 114 : Difficult Voyage
Chapter 114: Difficult Voyage
“Simply unimaginable……………”
Inside the captain’s cabin, after hearing Levi’s account, the captain wore an expression of utter disbelief.
To be fair, he felt that what Levi said sounded more like the drunken ramblings of a drunkard, but reality did not support that idea—the passenger liner had indeed avoided the iceberg in time, but a long, thin gash had still been torn into the port side below. Fortunately, the workers had sealed it quickly, preventing a major accident.
After that, the captain ordered a full inspection of the entire liner. After all, with the rudder failing to operate and even the propulsion system being uncontrollable, the risk was far too great. They had to identify the hidden danger. Yet after a complete check, the only conclusion was that the propulsion system was essentially fine. Even if some minor flaws were found, they would not have caused the entire ship to lose control.
Moreover, considering that the ship’s control really had returned after the message from the mail hold, the only option left was to believe Levi’s so-called nonsense… especially since the First Mate was there to testify.
No matter how hard one thought, it was all still too bizarre.
“Detective, are you saying the other party was targeting our ship specifically?”
The First Mate, sitting beside them, looked quite surprised. Levi fiddled with the wreck of the ship model in his hands and nodded.
“That’s right. At present, it should be so, because wasn’t the bottle holding a model of the Arctic Star? And as you saw, this model is very finely crafted—it’s no prank.”
As he spoke, Levi demonstrated the model to them. Though he had already blown it apart with a gunshot, the remaining parts still revealed exquisite craftsmanship. Not only was every cabin crafted in proper shape, but even the furniture inside was nearly identical. It was practically micro-carving.
It was not that this era lacked such skill, but to use it merely to send a gift? Clearly, that was far too suspicious.
“How is the Arctic Star now?”
Levi pulled his thoughts back and looked at the captain, whose face was grave.
“In any case, the breach has been patched up. But for safety, we can no longer sail at full speed. I’ve ordered us to proceed at three-quarters speed. I’ve also assigned crew to patrol and guard the damaged section around the clock to prevent further harm.”
At this, the captain looked at Levi again and asked solemnly:
“Detective, may I ask… such an incident will not happen again, will it?”
Levi was silent for a moment.
“I can only promise that I’ll take responsibility for resolving these troubles.”
“That’s good enough.”
Hearing Levi’s reply, the captain let out a slight sigh of relief.
“So, our arrival will be delayed?”
“By about three days. It can’t be helped.”
The captain was helpless. No matter what the truth was, such an event occurring on his final voyage left him deeply disheartened.
But he quickly pulled himself together. Whatever the case, as captain, his duty was to ensure the safe arrival of everyone aboard.
“Then I must trouble you, Mr. Levi.”
“This is my duty.”
Levi rose and nodded to the captain.
“I would like to borrow the telegraph room to send a message, may I?”
“Of course. From now on, you will have authority on this ship second only to mine. I will issue orders that the crew must cooperate with you unconditionally, whatever you need to do.”
Now the captain could only rely on Levi. After all, the man had already helped avert a catastrophic shipwreck. But the captain knew well: the sea was full of perils. Avoiding disaster once did not guarantee safety later.
It seemed the only way to reach their destination safely was to rely on this mysterious detective.
After taking his leave, Levi went to the telegraph room and sent a message to MI7’s secret contact point—letters naturally required a sender and recipient. He included the parcel number, hoping MI7 would investigate who had placed this thing aboard.
In Levi’s judgment, Madam Porto’s suicide was merely an accident. From the captain’s description, Levi was already certain: the purpose of planting that thing aboard was to subtly control and manipulate the ship, to sink it. To create a genuine ghost ship.
As for why the Arctic Star was chosen, Levi could guess with his toes.
Because it was famous!
Before her voyage, the Arctic Star had been hailed in endless reports as “the unsinkable liner,” “humanity’s declaration against nature,” “the largest passenger ship in the world.” Everyone knew her name. In such a situation, if she sank, the uproar and legend it would create would be beyond imagination.
One only had to look at that ship in his own world, Titanic—even after more than a hundred years, people still remembered it. The power of such legends, combined with a ship-in-a-bottle as the medium, could soon give birth to a ghost ship monster even more dreadful than the anthropomorphized Imperial Bridge.
As for who might be behind it, there were plenty of suspects: the Luddites, the Francis Republic, the Holy Lord Church had even pulled similar tricks before.
After all, the Empire had too many enemies. The Arctic Star was the culmination of its steam industry—if it sank on its maiden voyage, everyone except the Empire itself would be clapping and cheering.
Oh, and considering that he was heading to the Melisia Region, full of separatist sentiment, perhaps even people inside the Empire would rejoice.
……Looking at it this way, there really were many with the motive and will to do such a thing.
Her Majesty truly did not have it easy.
Levi sighed. Though the Empire was currently flourishing, the path forward was indeed arduous. Once fallen, and then risen again, it was natural for neighboring countries to fear its revival more than its demise.
Back when the Empire had fallen, those nations had not hesitated to strike while it was down. And the Empire had written all that down in its little notebook.
Now things had changed—“Guess what, I, Hu Hansan, have returned. What you took from me, you’ll return. What you ate from me, you’ll spit back out! Every debt owed, I’ll collect one by one!”
Rising again with the force of the Steam Revolution, paired with this iron-blooded Queen, the Empire was set on avenging its shame and lifting its head high again. For other countries and powers, that meant only misfortune.
“Ah……………”
Levi sighed softly. The shadow of war loomed, not far off. For now, both sides fought beneath the table—but one day the table would be flipped.
Did the Francis Republic and the Holy Lord Church intend to use mysterious powers to fight the Empire’s steel machines? After all, the Empire would never hand its best mechanical knowledge to its enemies. To counter the Empire’s Steam Revolution, they had to turn to a new kind of power.
Mysterious power?
Forget it. Since he was already here, he could only accept it. What else could he do?
Back in his cabin, Levi finally relaxed. Sitting on the sofa, watching the sea, he reached out to activate the system.
【Mission “Ghost Voyage” complete】
【Time Spent: S】
【Investigation Efficiency: S】
【Impact: S】
【Lifespan +150, Bonus +50】
The same reward level as the Imperial Bridge—meaning this too was a crisis preemptively strangled?
Yes, with the Arctic Star’s immense size, if it had become a ghost ship, the difficulty would have tripled instantly.
【Obtained Soul Core — Ghost Ship】
【Ghost Ship (LV1) (Core)】
【Abilities: Fog, Water Navigation】
This was the only reward Levi gained from the mission. No skills, no attribute points—only this Ghost Ship core. But to Levi, its value was no less than skills or stats—perhaps even greater.
Simply put, it was like a non-physical “item.” Levi could bestow it on a vehicle, granting it the powers of a ghost ship. For instance, if he gave it to the Phantom, it could sail the seas like a ship, and cloak itself in fog.
Moreover, the core could even be upgraded. Though Levi did not yet know how, he was certain that once upgraded, the Ghost Ship core would be far stronger.
Clearly, the mastermind behind it all had intended to hatch the core through the Arctic Star, but Levi had intercepted it instead.
Well… tough luck for them.
But on the third morning, Levi realized his own luck was no better.
He had almost forgotten—the reason Irene hadn’t bought an airship ticket in the first place was that the weather had been bad and airships grounded.
And now… Levi remembered.
“Rumble rumble rumble—————!!”
Looking out the window at the raging storm, Levi was speechless. The howling winds and towering waves battered endlessly. Only thanks to the liner’s massive hull could it withstand the onslaught. Yet even so, Levi worried—after all, the ship had already been grazed by an iceberg and was still wounded.
In this weather, Levi could not even send out his puppet bird to scout.
If another iceberg came crashing in with the waves… well…
Then he could only run for his life. What else?
Most of the first-class passengers, however, remained calm—some even fascinated. They had never before seen a storm so closely, yet safely. Many gathered in the café, sipping coffee while watching the spectacle.
“In my youth, in a storm like this, all we could do was close our eyes and pray for the Lord’s blessing.”
Howard Kellis, cheerful, sipped champagne while speaking wistfully.
“And now, we can sit here in the café, calmly watching the wrath of God—honestly, it feels almost blasphemous.”
“Your words sound like those of a biologist.”
Annie lifted her head from a thick book and looked at Mr. Kellis.
Incidentally, her aunt was seasick and had been sleeping soundly in her cabin.
“Hehe, don’t misunderstand me, Miss Branson. I’m only reflecting. If anything is blasphemous, it is those biologists who tamper with God’s creations.”
Howard Kellis chuckled.
“I don’t understand much about cells or genes, but I believe every living being is given its role and place by God from the moment it is born. To alter genes and cells, to create new species—that is truly an offense against Him…”
“I have no opinion on respect for God. But I agree with Mr. Kellis. Biological modification is extremely dangerous and uncontrollable.”
Levi nodded.
As mentioned before, this world’s growth was boundless, its development unchecked—bordering on madness.
Alongside steel, biology was one of its paths. In fact, within the Empire existed a faction known as the Biologists. Their ideal was also to revitalize the Empire—but not through technological advancement, rather through altering living beings. By modifying genes and cells, they sought to create creatures to aid human life and labor.
Honestly, when Levi had first read about their ideas in the papers, at least a hundred biohazard movies had flashed through his mind.
Thank heavens their theories had remained on paper, compared to the practical advances of steam industry.
Levi sincerely hoped they would never put theory into practice.
Hopefully never.
As the three of them drank tea, chatting while watching the storm, Levi noticed the First Mate approaching. The man first nodded courteously to Mr. Kellis and Miss Branson, then turned to Levi.
“Detective, we need your help.”
“……………………”
Levi thought silently to himself—he really should never have boarded this ship.