Shrouded Seascape

Chapter 791: Understanding

Every cell in Charles screamed caution as his gaze was locked on the woman in front of him, who was wrapped in black bandages.

Though 005 hadn't shown any hint of aggression or hostility, and communication seemed possible, Charles had zero trust toward her. He had dealt with enough Divinities to know that accepting their blessings was far from easy. Every single time, a heavy price needed to be paid in blood and suffering.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just find humans fascinating," 005 said in a casual tone. "You lie, you fight, you love, you move, you dance. It's interesting. I like humans. Sometimes, I would think how nice it would be if I were your creator."

Charles' brows furrowed deeper at 005's words.

"You mean like, as in liking a pet?" Charles asked.

"No. To be precise, it's more like how a grandmother feels toward her grandchild," 005 replied. "So, about those two wishes—do you want them or not?"

Silence hung in the air. The only sound that could be heard was the rhythm of the ocean crashing against the rocky cliffs of the island. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as Charles remained indecisive.

Eventually, 005's form began to slowly fade before Charles. "It seems like you're not decided yet. That's fine. I'll come look for you again when you're ready."

The moment 005 disappeared, Sparkle grabbed Charles and teleported them both back to Hope Island without sparing a single moment of hesitation.

As soon as they arrived at Hope Island, Charles barely had time to register his surroundings when a blur of movement lunged at it. Anna, her face streaked with tears, threw herself into his arms and held him in a tight embrace

Around them, the rest of the crew watched and with overwhelming emotions, they erupted into cheers as they gathered around Charles. Their captain had returned.

Through it all, Charles looked around in a daze. He could see their joyous faces and their mouths moving as they said things—but he heard nothing. His mind could only replay the words that 005 had said.

***

Now that the Foundation was gone, the colossal mountain looming over the existence of the humans in the Subterranean Sea had finally crumbled. A new era for the humans in the Subterranean Sea had finally arrived.

Everyone was ablaze with excitement as they celebrated on the streets. Yet, none of that seemed to reach Charles.

He sat alone in a training room in the basement of the Governor's Mansion, his eye fixed on the cold floor. He seemed to want to peer through the ground and look at the other side—the world that he once belonged to.

The door to the basement swung open without a sound and a small figure slipped in. Lily had specially dyed her fur black for an upcoming event. Staring at Charles' slumped form, traces of uncertainty and hesitation appeared on her furry face.

"Mr. Charles?" Lily called out softly, her voice laced with concern.

After what felt like an eternity, Charles extended his scarred right hand toward Lily. A smile of relief crossed Lily's face and she eagerly jumped onto his open palm, curling up and nuzzling against the rough, calloused skin.

Charles pulled his hand back into his lap and gently stroked Lily's soft fur.

Lily nestled closer and nuzzled against Charles' chest for a moment before tilting her head up and asking with a hint of curiosity, "Mr. Charles, why do you keep staring at the ground? I thought you always loved looking at the sky."

"Did I?"

Lily's furry ears bobbed along as she nodded eagerly "Yes, you did! You used to like to lie in the sunlight and quietly look at the overhead rocks."

Charles continued stroking the fur on Lily's back. His voice was barely a whisper as he asked, "Is that so?"

Seemingly having sensed Charles' down mood, Lily spread her tiny paws and clung to his chest, attempting to give him a warm hug. However, due to her petite mouse form, she looked more like an old dried-out rodent hanging from a branch across Charles' chest.

Just then, a black, scaly tentacle snaked in from the side, curled itself around Lily, and yanked her away from Charles' chest. Without any pleasantries, Lily was gently tossed out of the room, and the door slammed shut behind her.

"What are you thinking about?"

Hearing the familiar sound of heels behind him, Charles didn't bother turning around and merely answered, "I realized I finally understand a lot of things now. I think I finally understand why they did what they did."

"What things? Are you talking about the Foundation?" Anna asked, her arms folded across her chest as she stood behind Charles and looked down at the latter's hunched figure.

"I understand why the Foundation wanted to eliminate the rapidly advancing technology of the humans in the Subterranean Sea," Charles began. "It wasn't just to wipe out these human subspecies to make space for the pureblooded humans. They were afraid that as our technology advanced, we would eventually discover the real surface and threaten the real humans living there.

"I understand why the Foundation intentionally added vampire genes into the DNA of the Subterranean Sea humans, making them vulnerable to sunlight. I understand why they went out of their way to create an entirely new Subterranean Sea language instead of using any existing ones from the surface.

"Those guys had done a thorough preparation to make sure that nothing from the Subterranean Sea can ever get to the surface. That includes the humans from the Subterranean Sea, and even themselves," Charles concluded, his voice grim with a weight of understanding.

"And so? Are you telling me that you are going to become the third-generation Foundation and take over the duty to save all of humanity?" Anna asked, her voice laced with evident sarcasm.

The words of the central computer echoed in Charles' mind.

"You will. This isn't a deal; it's the absolute truth."

"No," Charles muttered with a firm resolve. "I won't. I am not the Foundation."

The sound of heels clicked against the floor as Anna walked to stand in front of him. Charles' gaze slowly traveled up from the slender, pale legs in front of him and eventually landed on Anna's emotionless yet delicate visage.

"So if you are not going to become the Foundation, then what are you planning to do? Are you planning to return to the surface through 005? And then abandon Sparkle and me in this place?"

Anna's words struck a chord deep within him. His long-buried yearning for the life he once had—his family, his old classmates, his mundane yet simple life—was dug up once again.

It was as though a forgotten voice deep inside him was screaming to return to his previous world. He had enough of living in this wretched place!

However, his short-lived joy from that imagination quickly evaporated when he looked down at his own deformed and battered form and also at the face of his wife.

Charles' expression froze. Reality hit him like a tidal wave. Through the passage of time, he was no longer the same person who had lived on the surface. His body, his will, had been assimilated by this dark and bizarre seascape. He was tied to its currents, no longer able to return to his original world.

Charles reached out a hand toward Anna, wanting her to help him up to his feet. However, Anna continued to stand there with her arms folded; she clearly had no intention of lifting a finger to help.

Charles let out a helpless sigh as he leaned his body forward and struggled to rise to his feet. Placing a hand on Anna's slender shoulder, his voice was filled with fatigue as he said, "Forget it. I'm tired. I don't want to bother anymore. Also, I still don't trust that 005. She definitely has other motives."

A fleeting smile crossed Anna's visage. She gave Charles' wound a light, teasing slap. "No, this is an opportunity. Maybe, we can acquire more power from 005."

"I'll pass. It's best to stay far away from those Divinities and their games. Anyway, why are you looking for me?"

Anna pointed at her long black gown and said, "Tobba's funeral is about to start. Your crazy crew member made a significant contribution. Are you planning to miss it?"

"Why are we still here then? Let's go now." With Anna supporting him, Charles limped out of the dimly lit basement.