Astronomical Telescope

Edmund took out the Voice Conch he had just obtained and, following the instructions Dalieba had taught him, tapped the shell three times.

A moment later, the sound of flowing water inside the conch quieted. Edmund cautiously spoke.

"Hello? City Lord, can you hear me?"

A familiar, cool voice came clearly from the conch.

"Yes. What is it?"

"There are two sea demons here. They say they're your friends."

Only halfway through speaking did he realize he had not even asked for their names.

"What were your names again?"

The male sea demon immediately stepped forward. "Slachi!"

The female sea demon beside him hurriedly spoke as well. "Jita!"

The other end of the Voice Conch fell silent for a moment.

"Oh, it's them. They are indeed my friends... Jita? Slachi?"

Hearing Ling Chu call their names, both sea demons leaned toward the Voice Conch.

"Captain Ling Chu!!" Slachi said excitedly. "We heard your island was hiring people, so Jita and I came right away."

Jita was still carrying several bulging woven Seaweed bags. "We also brought some local specialties from our new territory. We originally wanted to visit you, and Xiao Wen and the others... But after arriving, we heard that you had gone out to sea."

"I have some matters to deal with and won't be able to return anytime soon. Have you been doing well lately?" Ling Chu asked.

"Very well!"

Jita rushed to answer. Her voice was far livelier than the last time Ling Chu had seen her.

"The King really gave us new territory. There are lots of fish there, as well as huge stretches of edible Seaweed. Now we can catch fresh food every day. We never have to dig through garbage heaps for things again!"

"Slachi even built us a new house. It's much