novelraw Chapter 408 - 219 Naga_2
Chapter 408 - 219 Naga_2
In an instant, several water elementals on the ship were frozen into ice blocks and then shattered by the group.
"There’s a lot of elemental life in the surrounding seawater," Chadite said, pointing to the water, which had a frosty appearance.
Everyone looked and saw various types of life formed from flowing water wandering around in the sea, then merging back into it and disappearing without a trace. The reason they were roiling like this seemed to be the recent magic power storm. Elemental creatures naturally fed on Magic Power; this was their feast. Every crash of the waves revealed their forms, densely packed everywhere. The ones that had landed on their ship earlier had simply been flung high by the waves, falling like raindrops.
"The Magic Power density here is too high," Julia explained, looking at the sea surface. "It causes the seawater to be saturated with Magic Power, making it naturally easy to nurture these elemental life forms."
Alka watched these elemental creatures.
I really want to go to sleep and sink into the Dream Realm, he thought. I wonder if these elemental creatures even have such a thing. However, the current situation doesn’t permit it. Though I can exchange places with my dream self, I wouldn’t be able to leave my own Dream Realm then, which would defeat the purpose, and I naturally wouldn’t see what’s happening outside. What a pity.
As they sailed quickly, the distant boundaries on either side grew ever narrower, until two towering mountain pillars suddenly appeared ahead. These pillars, like giant, unusually steep spikes with sharp tops, resembled the frame of a grand entrance. For some reason, the surrounding seawater had inexplicably calmed, no longer as turbulent as before, yet their speed remained undiminished.
"So, is that the gateway to the outside world?" Chadite asked, looking at the mountain peaks that resembled a doorframe.
They could clearly see all the water currents converging between the mountain peaks, compelling their ship towards that point. As the ship truly stabilized, the ropes that had secured them were released and flew back. Everyone began to move freely on deck.
"It seems like there’s someone on that mountain," Jason said, looking at the mountain peak through his telescope.
The sudden appearance of the mountain peak had drawn all their attention. They must have just passed through some illusionary barrier designed to hide the mountain, which was why they were now so close to it upon first sight. Due to the rapid current, it only took a few seconds before they could faintly make out figures on the peak; indeed, shadow-like forms were moving up there.
Suddenly, the Sound of Dawn halted abruptly, as if it had slammed on the brakes. The inertia from its rapid speed sent them tumbling across the deck.
"What’s going on? Why did the ship stop?" Chadite exclaimed, scrambling to his feet and rushing to the ship’s edge to look down.
The seawater below was exceptionally calm; the previously swift current had completely stilled. He involuntarily looked back. Just behind the Sound of Dawn, the water still flowed rapidly, but here, it was entirely placid, as if an invisible barrier separated the two areas. This abrupt change had neutralized the ship’s momentum, causing the sudden, brake-like stop.
Everyone else also came to the sides of the ship and observed the strange phenomenon.
At that moment, music began to play. The Sound of Dawn was asking if Alka wished to proceed.
"No rush," Alka said cautiously. "Let’s observe the situation first."
Just then, a figure surfaced near the bow of the Sound of Dawn, shouting something towards Alka and the others in an unknown language.
Alka frowned at the sight of the figure; its race looked familiar, like that of the girl who had previously come aboard to rescue Pororo.
"Lucilia, what’s he saying?" Alka asked.
Lucilia listened intently, then replied, "He says his chieftain wishes to meet us and asks that we don’t rush through the gate."
Hearing this, Alka frowned. "Ask him why."
After Alka’s words were conveyed, the strange language sounded once more.
"He says the one who saved Pororo is the chieftain’s granddaughter," Lucilia translated, "and the chieftain wishes to meet us because of that."
Alka frowned slightly again, then after a moment’s thought, he said, "Alright, follow him."
Following Lucilia’s exchange, the ship gradually began to move, slowly trailing the figure—a being with a human torso and a serpentine tail—as it led them towards the steep mountain peak on their left.
On a platform at the base of the peak, an old man holding a Trident awaited them. This elder also possessed a human torso, a snake-like tail, and four arms. Beside him stood the very girl who had previously rescued Pororo. Upon seeing Alka and his companions arrive, surprise flickered in her eyes. Then, she smiled and waved at them in greeting; she seemingly hadn’t expected them to be the visitors.
Everyone on the Sound of Dawn politely nodded in return.
The old man slithered forward on his serpentine tail to the edge of the platform. He looked at Alka and the others on deck and spoke in the incomprehensible language.
"He thanks us for coming," Lucilia translated.
Hearing her words, the old man paused for a moment, slightly taken aback. Then, he spoke again: "Thank you for coming, and for being willing to spend a little time listening to this stranger’s request."