The instant the ship charged into the Calm Belt, Nagamasu felt that something had changed.
He heard the rumble of the thunder grow deeper. The storm still raging nearby suddenly died down, and the noise that had filled his ears vanished, leaving behind a world of silence.
He felt as if even the air had solidified. His breathing grew difficult, and the air that had once been light became heavy. Even his reactions began to grow sluggish.
Yet in the next moment, as if a spring breeze had brushed against his cheek, Nagamasu felt everything return to normal. He took deep breaths of fresh air, then turned to look back at the storm behind the ship.
The gale beyond the Calm Belt continued to rage, but within the Calm Belt, everything was peaceful and serene.
The ship stopped less than a hundred meters from the edge of the Calm Belt. It seemed that no matter how fierce the wind and rain were, they could not drive the ship deeper into it.
Or put another way, most things capable of sailing through the Calm Belt possessed some kind of supernatural ability.
Nagamasu gazed into the depths of the Calm Belt. He saw that the seawater was as smooth as a mirror, without even the slightest sea breeze to raise a ripple. He took a button from his pocket and tossed it into the sea.
The button sank into the water and stirred up a small splash, but the waves quickly subsided and returned to their original calm.
"There really is no wind here."
As Nagamasu marveled at the sight, he saw the sailors emerge from the cabin one after another, curiously looking around.
"What are you all standing around for? Bring out that device."
Nagamasu hurriedly began giving orders.
The sailors