The afterglow of twilight painted the sea. Steep cliffs were full of soaring seabirds. Four huge ships were moored in a simple harbor. Most of the crew remained on board, while some disembarked in small boats.
"The island really exists. That group of mermaids told the truth."
Nordic still couldn't believe that mermaids truly existed in the world. His years of sailing were not few, and this was the first time he had seen mermaids. It was also the first time he had seen a fire dragon and a sea monster.
He frequently looked back, hoping to see the slender figures on the sea. But unfortunately, after the mermaids had guided the ships to this isolated island, they had flicked their tails and dived beneath the seawater.
Manifico was no less surprised. But for him, the most important thing now was to overcome the dizziness caused by seasickness. As soon as he got ashore, he grabbed onto a stone wall and vomited in a corner.
Nidhogg looked around, surveyed the barren island, and said to Guts and the others who had followed him: "Let's first find a place to rest. Hopefully, the islanders will accept us."
Everyone nodded in unison.
They followed a long, slippery stone staircase along the cliff to the top of the island. In the distance, they saw a small village.
When everyone entered the village, they saw many islanders, dressed in coarse cloth and linen, emerging from their houses. Some carried fishing nets, others buckets. All stared at each of them in amazement.
Nidhogg looked at these apparently ordinary islanders and breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't a murderer, and certainly, it was better not to slaughter a village.
It was obvious that the islanders hadn't seen foreigners come to this island in a long time. It took a while for someone to react and cautiously step forward to ask everyone what they wanted.
When they learned that everyone was just passing through, staying overnight, and resting here, the islanders breathed a sigh of relief. Some of them ran taverns in their homes and, smiling, welcomed the guests.
Soon, Flora noticed a small earthen temple made of mud bricks by the roadside. Inside stood a strange stone statue.
The stone statue had layered folds on its face. Beneath its round head were tentacles, like an octopus's. Before the statue sat a plate full of dead fish, with several flies circling.
Moreover, ever since she had been near this island, Flora had been able to sense an ominous aura with her "witch's" intuition. And with this stone statue, it seemed this island was not ordinary at all.
The crowd didn't stay in the village. The more than twenty people who had landed on the island set up camp on an open space outside the village. Some went to the village to buy supplies, others looked for firewood.
At that moment, Flora reminded everyone:
"In this earthen temple resides an ancient deity called the 'Sea God.' It flourished a thousand years ago, but was gradually forgotten by the world with the spread of the Holy See's teachings."
"I didn't expect that on this island, there would be people worshiping the Sea God. Coupled with the group of mermaids pointing here, along with the faint breath I sensed, it seems a huge secret is hidden beneath this island."
"In any case, we'd better act cautiously. Everyone should stay together as much as possible. And then send someone to warn the people on the ships."
"The next three days will be nights of the full moon. This is also the time when magic in this world is at its richest. I will perform a ceremony, use spirit projection to go to the Island of Fairies, communicate with the Snow King in advance, and ask you to protect my body."
After everyone agreed, the atmosphere became a little tense. They were filled with awe at Flora's mention of the "Sea God," "Night of the Full Moon," "Island of Fairies," "Snow King Hanafubuku," and so on.
Especially today, having seen the sea monster, as well as the power of Nidhogg and Guts to kill the sea monster, and the magic occasionally used by Flora, Schierke, and Farnese.
Many captains and sailors understood that this group of people was extraordinary. It was better to listen to them.
As for this Sea God, Nidhogg had an impression.
Since the "Immortal" Zodd, the "Fire Dragon Knight" Grumblebundo, the "Magic Archer" Owen, and the "Daredevil" Rakshas are all mid-rank Apostles, there are only two known high-rank Apostles.
One is the "Terrifying Emperor" Ganishuka, the emperor of the far eastern Kushan Empire. The other is the "Sea God," sealed deep in a cave on this island.
While everyone was setting up tents, a girl carrying a harpoon and a net bag containing several fish passed by. Seeing the group of strangers, she stopped and watched curiously.
Nidhogg's heart stirred. He stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just looking," the girl said. She wasn't afraid of Nidhogg and was quite calm. "Who are you? What are you doing on Sea God Island?"
"We're passing through, part of a ship's crew. We came to replenish supplies and spend the night. Then we'll leave."
The girl was quite surprised. "Supplies here? There's nothing useful here except fish and shrimp, sweet potatoes, herbs, and peat, right?"
"It can't be helped. This is the only inhabited island on this route. By the way, my name is Nidhogg. What's yours?"
"My name is Isma."
And indeed, the thin girl before him was the very Isma the mermaids had mentioned.
"Don't you live in the village? How did you get here?"
"I don't live with the others. I live on the hill."
Isma pointed to a solitary house on the hillside. She seemed completely unconcerned about revealing her residence to strangers and the potential danger. She even offered to say:
"By the way, do you want to come to my house and sit down?"
"You're inviting us so directly. Aren't you afraid we're bad people?"
Isma tilted her head and asked, "Are you bad people?"
"No."
"It's fine." Isma simply smiled. "Not to mention, even if you were bad people, even if I didn't invite you, you'd still come and hurt me, wouldn't you?"
Nidhogg thought for a moment and felt the girl's logic was quite smooth. For a while, it seemed a little amusing.
He explained the situation to Melina, Flora, Guts, and the others and followed Isma up the slope to Isma's house.
Isma's house was built of stone bricks, quite simple. At the door was decorated with an ammonite as big as a head, as well as turtle shells and carapaces.
Nidhogg could feel a protective power emanating from these decorations. The source was the mermaids he had seen before.
Isma invited Nidhogg into the house, had him sit down, then boiled him some water, poured a cup of tea, and sat beside him excitedly.
"I've never been anywhere except Sea God Island. Very few foreigners come here. Nidhogg, tell me, what is the outside world like?"
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