Chapter 497: The Cyclical Labyrinth of Aegean Island

The Ancient Gomodoro Tree stood tall at the prow of the Radiant Holy Kingdom, its roots embedded into a Radiant Magic Array.

Charlot Mecklenburg had always been curious about the nature of this magical array. However, each time he approached, the Whispers of Fate would warn him off, and so he refrained from further investigation. But after the tree took root, Charlot noticed that the whispers ceased whenever he drew closer. Even so, he dared not venture further, for he had come to realize the truth—beneath the roots of the tree lay countless Wriggling Demons and Greater Wriggling Demons.

The Radiant Holy Kingdom was no longer the modest vessel it had been when the Blue Sky Tribe joined its ranks, numbering only a few hundred. Now, it housed over a thousand Greater Wriggling Demons, the majority of them female. Many had taken on the forms of anime-inspired maidens, and recently, a trend of “viral dancers” had emerged among them.

These were the kind of creatures that appeared impossibly attractive on screens but, in reality, were small-bodied beings with stubby legs.

Charlot, ever the pragmatist, had long been accompanied by a Clerk and had added an Illustrator to the crew later. His tastes had grown tired of the anime aesthetic, and he sought something even more alluring.

When this cohort of Greater Wriggling Demons disembarked on Aegean Island, they became an unstoppable “ultimate weapon.”

No male creature could resist such unparalleled beauty.

Initially, the island’s residents harbored deep distrust toward the Mecklenburg Fleet, but by the end of the night, Charlot could no longer find those wary gazes among the locals. The smiling, sociable Greater Wriggling Demons had completed their diplomatic mission to perfection.

The all-night revelry illuminated Aegean Island, casting an air of decadent beauty over the scene.

...

At dawn, Charlot gazed at the newly opened sea route in the distance, utterly speechless.

Had the fifth labyrinth been breached just like that?

Pondering this for a long time, Charlot decided to consult Temple Robin, stating his identity as a follower of the Serpent of Fate and expressing his desire to construct temples dedicated to the deity on the island. Temple Robin hesitated but ultimately agreed to persuade the island’s residents, although he warned Charlot of the challenge, as the island had never had temples before.

The absence of temples to the Nine True Gods on Aegean Island was primarily due to the immense cost and effort required to build them. The island lacked the resources, manpower, and an individual with sufficient authority to unite the populace.

To Temple Robin’s surprise, when Charlot began persuading the residents with his help, nearly everyone readily agreed. They reasoned that as the Serpent of Fate was one of the Nine True Gods, constructing temples in its honor was entirely appropriate.

Having secured the residents’ approval, Charlot gathered a team of labyrinth guards, purchased construction materials on the island, and began the work of building temples.

Perhaps the lingering effects of the festivities were too potent, as not a single resident voiced opposition. On the contrary, many young people volunteered to assist. These helpers often took breaks to gaze at the harbor, asking the labyrinth guards if the beautiful maidens might disembark for some fun.

Some, seemingly inadvertently, inquired about how they could board the Radiant Holy Kingdom.

Despite these amusing interludes, the construction of the Serpent of Fate’s Temples proceeded smoothly.

Charlot built temples in the harbor and six towns on the island, and he specifically erected a Lantern Tower in Tonystark Town. This small gesture endeared him to the locals, especially the Kabbalah Magic School practitioners, who were overwhelmed with gratitude. With a population of only a few thousand, they could never have completed such a project on their own.

After spending over ten days completing the temples, Charlot prepared to leave Aegean Island. He made a special request to Temple Robin—he wanted to recruit some of the warriors who had bravely stood against his forces on the day he arrived. Their courage was remarkable, making them ideal candidates for his crew.

Temple Robin hesitated at first but was swayed when Charlot offered substantial payment in gold écus. Surprisingly, persuading the warriors to leave their homes proved far easier than expected. When they heard they could join Charlot’s fleet, nearly all of them enthusiastically agreed. Even many young people not on the invitation list begged to join, though Charlot rejected these hopefuls, focusing only on the valiant warriors.

After a few days of selection, several hundred islanders joined the fleet.

Having confirmed once again that the fifth labyrinth had indeed been breached, Charlot allowed the new recruits time to bid farewell to their families and friends before setting sail with the fleet.

...

A hundred kilometers from Aegean Island, ghostly ships began surfacing from beneath the ocean, one after another. Some emerged gradually, water cascading from their masts and decks, while others flipped over violently, expelling torrents of seawater. Swirling mists surrounded them, as if ghosts and gods themselves were manifesting.

The ghostly crew aboard these ships emerged from their cabins, howling at the sky. When eleven ancient magical ghost warships had fully surfaced, the fleet’s eerie aura reached its peak.

Hundreds of ghost ships set sail, a hellish armada breaking through the barriers of the world, ready to embark on a campaign against humanity.

Temple Robin’s face turned slightly pale.

Unable to resist temptation, he had joined Charlot’s fleet.

Of course, he justified his decision with a noble pretext—he claimed he wanted to protect the young islanders who had joined. After all, no one knew what dangers might arise from serving in such a bizarre fleet.

If only he hadn’t been holding the hand of a Greater Wriggling Demon in the form of a beautiful maiden as he spoke, his argument might have been more convincing.

Temple Robin even floated a few inches off the ground, revealing hidden powers. He was, in fact, a Saint-rank individual.

Charlot raised an arm to pat his shoulder, remarking, “There’s no need to be afraid.”

“We’re all legitimate humans, not the undead.”

At that moment, a massive fish brushed past the Radiant Holy Kingdom. Suddenly, a monstrous maw opened along the ship’s side, swallowing the fish whole.

The crew remained unfazed, as such occurrences were routine aboard the Radiant Holy Kingdom.

But for Temple Robin, witnessing this for the first time, cold sweat drenched him. He felt as if he had unwittingly stumbled into the lair of an evil god, endangering the island’s youth by bringing them into such peril.

Charlot, having learned some basic navigation skills, commanded the fleet for six or seven days along the newly revealed sea route. His gaze sharpened when the destination emerged in the distance.

It was Aegean Island once again.

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