Charles had just walked into the Explorer Association when he was met with an unexpected scene. The usually desolate hall was now bustling with activity.
Various sofas and coffee tables were scattered about, with men and women in all manner of maritime attire, standing or sitting in groups of three or five, the noise of their voices booming.
Among the crowd were a fair number of individuals who clearly weren't accustomed to seafaring life, whispering conspiratorially around the captains.
Charles made his way through the throng, heading to the counter to debrief on his mission, his ears picking up enough to know these people were all there to commission tasks.
"Hey, Charles! Over here." A strangely excited William waved a bottle of liquor, surrounded by a few captains with whom Charles was distantly acquainted.
When he saw Charles looking over, Elizabeth snorted coldly and turned her head away.
As soon as Charles approached, William enthusiastically slung an arm around his shoulder. "My friend, that knife of yours really does the trick!"
The rancid smell emanating from William was unsettling to Charles, who pushed away William's arm, asking, "Was it a powerful relic?"
He had previously sold William two unappraised relics. It seemed that William had made a fortune this time.
"Yep, incredibly powerful, couldn't be any better! I pretended to give that knife to an enemy of mine nonchalantly, guess what? He killed his entire crew, hahahaha!!!"
Watching William's uncontrollable laughter, Charles felt a sense of absurdity. Could a relic really be used in such a way?
The chubby man beside them nudged Charles with his elbow, "Heard you went out to sea again? Encounter anything interesting? Do tell."
Charles forced a smile as he was involuntarily reminded of the arm stretching out from the seabed. "Nothing much to talk about, lost some crew members, and the mission was a bust."
"Come on, spill it. If you're not here to share, why bother coming at all? Wouldn't you rather win big at the gambling hall?"
Unable to resist their persistence, Charles ultimately began recounting his recent ordeals—the giant butterfly, the palm, Dark Crystal Island.
Hearing Charles's story, the other captains marveled at his good fortune, astonished he had survived so many perils and returned alive.
"Ah, Stark wasn't so lucky," the chubby man mentioned offhand.
"Who's Stark?"
"If that kid knew you don't even remember his name, he'd be pissed enough to rise from the grave. Wasn't he the one who tied you up and brought you here with Elizabeth? Don't you remember?"
Charles immediately recalled the jovial, burly man, his pupils contracting. "He's dead?"
The chubby man nodded, took a bite from a blue fruit, and continued, "Dead? That's business as usual. Actually, this month's been pretty good—only seven dead."
Charles's gaze swept over everyone's faces, noting the complete lack of sorrow, as they engaged in casual banter.
Charles's understanding of the concept of lives gambled became deeper.
After a moment of silence, he addressed the other captains, "Gentlemen, how much do you know about Sodoma City?"
That was the reason for his visit today; this mysterious place he had only heard of by name, and now he needed more clues.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned toward a middle-aged man in the corner, his skin sallow and a hawkish nose on his face.
"Charlie used to be a pirate; you can ask him," suggested William, tilting his head back for another swig of liquor.
"I can only tell you, that place is chaotic; don't go there if you don't have to. The weak are just seeking death if they venture there," Charlie answered, his voice as deep as ever.
"Have you heard about someone selling sunlight there?"
At Charles's question, Charlie shook his head.
"No?"
"Not sure, maybe, maybe not. Anything's for sale there if you have the money. In Sodoma, you can go to the Anchor Tavern and ask the bartender; just say that Seadog sent you. He's a friend of mine."
"Thanks." Charles looked at Charlie with gratitude. That kind of information was not common knowledge, and Charlie's willingness to share was a favor.
The chubby man nudged Charles with his elbow and whispered, "He thinks highly of you, a guy who can meet a 'God' and live to tell the tale. You've got a promising future."
Charles laughed dryly. Who could be certain about such things? In this godforsaken place, who could guarantee survival to the end? He was just an ordinary man, merely playing a dangerous game.
The lively atmosphere returned as before, with Charles joining the group for drinks and snacks, significantly closing the distance between them.
He picked up a round cake from the table and took a bite. The soft bread and sweet cream were unexpectedly delicious. After so many years in this world, this was his first taste of such a refined food.
Having finished his snack and contemplating a departure, a nondescript young man approached. "Captain Charles?"
Charles turned to look at the newcomer, who wore a red robe with a bright white triangle painted on his forehead, starkly different from the other captains.
"And you are...?"
"I'm Sonni, an explorer like yourself."
Elizabeth, who had been ignoring Charles, cleared her throat and traced a few lines in the spilled liquor on the table.
Upon recognizing the semaphore signaling danger and to keep away, Charles's vigilance spiked instantly.
"I hear Mr. Charles is looking for the Land of Light? Why haven't I seen you at the Church worship?"
The Light God Sect? Charles quickly lost interest in pretending and stood up to leave.
In the next instant, Sonni flashed in front of Charles.
"Are you a proponent of the radical new dogma?? In fact, you're mistaken, you've misinterpreted the Sun God's oracle. The original tenets are the truth. The Land of Light is nothingness, unattainable. We must pray earnestly, frequently holding prayer ceremonies, then the Sun God will return."
Confronted with this nonsensical talk, Charles was at a loss for words. He had no idea where their oracles came from, but one thing was sure: it couldn't possibly be from that great ball of fire in the sky.
"Sorry, I'm not of your sect. Please excuse me."
Sonni looked surprised. "If you're not with the Sun God Sect, why seek the Land of Light?"
"I'm no longer searching, farewell." After saying this, Charles moved past Sonni toward the door.
Sonni's forehead mark lit up, and from within his robe, a semi-transparent bruise-colored fluid quickly enveloped Charles. "Perhaps we could talk somewhere else?"
Charles's expression turned cold, his revolver already aimed at Sonni's head.