The open sea was swept by a gentle breeze.
This was the season when fish were at their most abundant.
A massive merchant ship rode the wind and waves, and schools of fish could occasionally be seen swimming alongside it.
Stars glittered in the sky.
Reflected upon the sea, they looked like two separate starry skies.
Rumble.
A deep sound suddenly came from afar.
Turning toward the source of the sound, they saw streaks of light rain tearing across the Milky Way-filled sky.
"Turn the helm! Head toward twelve o'clock! Everyone, prepare to dock—we're almost there!"
The captain at the helm loudly directed the sailors on the masts and deck.
"Yeah! Are we finally here?" Hearing the captain's booming command, many sailors wore excited expressions.
Sailing continuously at sea was no easy task.
No matter how passionate one was at the beginning, the dull sea would grind it away until nothing remained.
The agile sailors swiftly climbed the masts and furled the sails.
Whoosh!
The sea breeze made the flags flap loudly.
As the enormous sails were tied up and stowed away—
"Everyone, look! We've reached High Wall Fortress!"
Upon the boundless ocean, the merchant ship that had originally seemed enormous was suddenly covered by a shadow, like a tiny skiff.
The endless sea ahead suddenly gave way to a colossal fortress standing upright, as though it connected directly to the sky.
Beneath the starry sky, this gigantic fortress was as majestic as the Red Line Continent. The shadow enveloping the merchant ship was cast by it blocking out the starlight.
This fortress was a marvel of the sea. Its grand and immense form stood out starkly amid the endless ocean. Its main structure was divided into two parts: the portion on the ground was made of hard basalt, while