A Secret

"It looks like they're about to set off."

Mona also turned his gaze to the massive ship resting by the shore.

[Your civilization is about to embark on its first voyage.]

[After decades of technological accumulation, the civilization steps toward the sea today.]

[Civilization Tech Tree unlocked: Navigation]

[You have received: Light of Technology *30]

After a quiet glance, all the configurations for the voyage were laid out before his eyes.

This giant ship embodied the wisdom and accumulation of two generations.

All the Redwood stockpiled over a century had been used in the construction of this vessel.

Though the fallen, dead Redwood no longer possessed the miraculous ability to ward off natural disasters, it was far more resistant to seawater corrosion and harder than ordinary wood, so people used it as material for the ship's hull.

Certain parts and components of the giant ship employed the latest [Black Stone] material.

Take, for instance, the extremely sturdy [Black Stone Anchor].

It didn't require the trouble of choosing a suitable spot to drop anchor.

Ned would manipulate the Shell Insects on the deck, having them carry the heavy [Black Stone Anchor] into the seabed's silt, finding the right ocean floor to set anchor.

This way, there was no risk of the anchor getting stuck.

The only thing people had to consider was how to haul the [Black Stone Anchor] back up with the winch.

The supplies stored on the giant ship included Tree Cassava, salted dried fish, and charcoal.

These long-lasting foodstuffs and resources were essential.

Of course, this time, the ship was stocked with even more fresh water.

But that wasn't ordinary fresh water.

It was Holy Water.

Ever since the last Holy Rain fell, people had carefully collected this divine gift of rainwater in clay pots.

With such Holy Water, it greatly alleviated the pressure of fresh water for the voyage.

Just one small sip could sustain a person's water needs for nearly two or three days.

Everything was ready.

On the first day after the rainy season had just passed and the dry season began, in an especially crisp morning, before the morning light had yet to break across the sea, the wind had already quietly arrived.

These brave souls silently piloted the giant ship, leaving their homeland in the dreams of the sleeping tribe.

On the shore, there was no grand, rousing farewell.

Only Boer, leading a group of guards, personally witnessed the departure of these warriors from the coast.

"Chief Boer, why not let the tribe's people come to see off these courageous explorers?"

The guard looked with admiration at those standing on the ship, their faces filled with fearless joy.

He felt great reverence for these warriors who dared to venture into the mysterious sea.

He asked himself honestly.

He too longed to go on an adventure into the mysterious ocean.

But he couldn't overcome his fear of the sea.

He would rather die on the island, die on this island sheltered by the gods, than die in the treacherous, unpredictable ocean.

That was why he held such respect for these brave people, and why he was puzzled that the chief wouldn't let others see them off.

This might very well be the last time they saw them.

Boer watched the departing giant ship and simply smiled faintly:

"Because these warriors don't need a sorrowful farewell."

"I believe that they will surely return safely and bring back hope."

A gale swept across the coast.

Under the blazing sun, in that howling wind, the great sailing ship—after its mooring ropes were cut—finally began to drift away from this island of divine grace, which its people had never once left.

The island slowly shrank into a line.

Then.

It became a black dot.

At last.

Gradually, it vanished from sight before their eyes.

Though some among them had already taken this great ship on trial voyages before.

But on this day, when it truly arrived.

The overwhelming sensation of an impending new world crashing down upon them was entirely different.

The departure was not as easy as people had imagined.

The tribesmen, too excited to sleep well for days, fumbled and showed their inexperience as they wrestled with the helm and sails, steering this colossal vessel through wind and waves.

Even Blair, usually so calm and composed, found himself flustered and harried while giving orders.

After all, no one had ever truly sailed the open sea before.

No matter how much theory they had, when it came to practice, they always encountered countless situations beyond what theory could cover.

But fortunately, the ship eventually steadied.

After successfully getting everything running according to the planned course.

These sweat-drenched men finally rested on the deck.

As if by unspoken agreement, they gazed out at the ocean.

Watching the shattered gold swaying with the waves.

That dazzling, floating light.

Everyone's heart was stirred.

This was the sight they had always longed to see.

It was a pity that these rough men didn't know what words to use to describe such a scene.

After all.

As people who had only just created their written language, even when faced with the most magnificent sights, the vocabulary they could summon was nearly blank.

"What fine weather today."

"Yeah, really fine weather."

"The sea is so beautiful."

"Yeah, really beautiful."

After each offering their own heartfelt exclamations about the sea.

The tribesmen soon thought of the people back on the island, now invisible.

They hadn't expected homesickness to come so quickly.

"Kana must have just woken up by now. If she sees I've left without a word, she'll definitely be sad."

"She's already rejected you so many times, hasn't she!"

"Once I return this time, she'll accept me."

"Give it up, man. You'll probably be the first one to sink into the waves and feed the Sea Monster."

These brave men laughed heartily.

These fearless people had no qualms about discussing death and disaster.

On that day.

When the Prophets told the people that the gods had taken the great God-Chosen back to the Heavenly Kingdom.

These devout believers' fear of death had greatly diminished.

Though they didn't truly believe they could reach the legendary dwelling of the gods like the majestic God-Chosen.

Still, it encouraged them.

These warriors hoped they too could be like the God-Chosen, dedicating their entire lives—even their very existence—to a great cause.

And when that day came, even if they couldn't reach the Heavenly Kingdom, they could still face the gods and the spirits above without shame.

Soon.

Amid their lively conversation, the people noticed that the one who should have been the center of this discussion was absent.

Those chatting about everything and nothing quickly turned their eyes to the God-Chosen.

After boarding the ship, this God-Chosen had, contrary to his usual self, shown none of his former excitement.

Ned simply kept his eyes tightly shut, his expression grave.

His insect perception had been pushed to its absolute limit.

The Rot Spirit Dragonflies in the sky, the Water Mosquitoes on the waves.

The Shell Insects beneath the sea surface—all were fully sensed.

Now, the path the ship was sailing.

Was precisely the safe route previously scouted by the Shell Insects under the Rot Spirit Flower's control.

Only he, who commanded the insects, knew whether the ship had strayed from this course, or if other Sea Monsters lurked nearby.

At this moment, everyone's lives were effectively in his hands.

This also left him with no spare attention to appreciate the magnificent spectacle of the ocean he had so longed for.

After sensing something continuously.

Ned finally let out a relieved sigh and released his grip on the Rot Spirit Staff.

At the same time.

The Shell Insects beneath the sea surface leaped up from the waves, using the tips of their massive crab claws to latch onto the thick, sturdy gunwale, slowly crawling back onto the deck.

Just as he had thought.

It seemed no more Sea Monsters appeared in the nearby sea.

Since the Messenger of the Gods had not blocked their departure.

This meant that the Sea Monsters in the ocean might indeed have been completely wiped out in that war.

Beyond that.

The insects brought him another piece of information.

That information filled him with immense excitement.

Ned immediately regained his former composure.

"You seem confident that you can find the direction of that island in this vast ocean?"

Priest Moro, standing nearby, had clearly read Ned's thoughts and spoke with a look of surprise.

"Did you read my mind again?"

"Your expression—even without mind-reading, one can glean a thing or two."

Priest Moro said with a chuckle.

Ned neither confirmed nor denied it, only mysteriously pressing a finger to his lips.

At that, the men curiously pressed him for answers.

Faced with their curiosity, Ned simply smiled and said:

"It's a secret."

"When that day comes, the secret will be revealed."