"War" Begins

Dreams were one of the main topics on this sea.

Limited by their island environments, many people went their entire lives without ever seeing what lay beyond their islands. Even before the Great Pirate Era arrived, countless people set sail each year with hopes for the future.

Not all of them were pirates, but the World Government could label any vessel that put to sea without authorization as a pirate ship.

Wealth and fame, aside from being ordinary products of desire, could also give rise to ideas that ordinary people considered abnormal.

For example, Kate's desire to become the greatest evil, along with her unusual logic.

This was also the first time Kate had voiced her thoughts.

Among the slaves, she had no friends because of her race, and Zou's doctors had already passed judgment on her.

In Zou's closed-off environment, the few doctors there held considerable authority.

It was probably like someone in a Mayan tribe being declared beyond saving by a priest. The environment made patients believe that the priest's verdict was an established fact.

Not long after leaving Zou, she had been captured by slave hunters. She did not know enough about the outside world, so she had never believed anyone could change any of this.

She spoke of it now only because she did not want it to vanish with her in silence and obscurity. At least in her eyes, Oran still bore the label of a good person.

"First, fill your stomach. Dead people can't achieve any dreams, let alone one as difficult as yours."

Definitions of good and evil were based on society's recognized moral order and personal understanding. Put another way, Kate's idea was to eliminate all evil for the sake of absolute justice. Both fell into the realm of things that were difficult to achieve.

Not to mention that individual combat strength on this sea was ridiculously exaggerated.

After a simple heart-to-heart to confirm Kate's current mental state, the group split up again. The young and able-bodied carried supplies, a small number worked the earth, while Oran took Shak, Bear, and Kate to where his ship was docked.

The science-fiction-styled vessel left the three of them stunned, but Oran paid it no mind. More accurately, when he returned here again, he was not in a good mood.

"Oran, is this your ship? What an amazing ship. I've never seen anything like it on Merfolk Island. Is it made of iron?"

"Part of it is. It's nothing special. When we get to Merfolk Island later, I'll show you even stronger ships. It's just a shame about my old companion."

Oran ran a hand over the railing along the ship's side, reluctant to part with it, but he quickly forced himself to let go.

Oran was a sentimental person. Even if something he had grown used to was damaged, he would not throw it away. This ship was the first one he had funded and built in Piltover, and it had accompanied him on many voyages.

"Can't you teleport it away with us?"

They had all seen the escape method Oran described. By his account, moving the ship with them should have been easy.

"I can, but it would take too much time. The activation of the teleportation will cause a huge commotion. If I move it, it will delay some people's transfer. Compared to human lives, it just isn't that important.

"Let my old companion deliver a grand gift to those Celestial Dragons for me. I'll collect this debt from them.

"Bear, Shak, help me pack up the things inside and move them out first. Kate, come over here with me."

Oran had already decided to abandon the ship. After all, he could build another one, and only some precious materials that were difficult to reproduce needed to be taken away.

Before long, Oran brought Kate to the engine room, the ship's most vital area. The holographic projection equipment that had previously concealed the ship was also operating here.

"Kate, if I remember correctly, the Mink Tribe's talents include generating electricity, right?"

"Yes. Friction between a Mink's fur can generate a special kind of static electricity. All Minks can use it."

"Very good. Try holding this and discharging electricity into it. Keep this arrow right here."

According to Oran's plan, he would soon modify the core of the Hex Gate. That required a special electromagnetic field to stabilize the Hex Crystal once it entered.

However, some of the ship's equipment had been damaged during the crossing. The backup power system was maintaining the holographic image, leaving only manual power generation available for the electromagnetic field.

But Kate's racial talent could serve as a more stable power source.

"Like this?"

Static electricity began to build in Kate's fur through friction. Following Oran's instructions, she started sending out a current. As the equipment converted it, a faint electric barrier gradually appeared around them, and the instruments indicated normal operation.

"Yes, exactly like that. How long can you keep it up?"

"At this level... as long as my strength holds out, I can keep it going."

"Don't push yourself. Leave enough safety margin. This electromagnetic field has to remain stable..."

Boom!

The roar of an explosion came from afar. At that moment, a plume of black smoke rose from the central region of God Valley, marking the official beginning of the Celestial Dragons' killing event.

Even from so far away, Oran understood the meaning behind the cannon fire.

"The timing is really tight. Let's run a test first. Tell me if you get tired."

Inside the cabin, Oran began his attempt. Outside, Ivankov and Ginny had also heard the cannon fire from the center.

"Move faster! The Celestial Dragons' massacre will begin in an hour! This is our last safe window!"

A cloth was wrapped around Ivankov's face, and he waved a firearm in his hand as he directed the craftsmen forward like a hardened bandit. Unfortunately, these people had families in tow, and they simply could not move quickly.

Still, this place was already relatively orderly. From the moment the Celestial Dragons announced the event, the island had become a lawless land.

The King, who had been killed first, had further bred fear in everyone's hearts. God Valley, once whole, nearly fell apart in an instant. Like scattered parts, people had nowhere to go.

Yet a small portion of them had been linked together with Oran at the center. It was not precise, but it was operating roughly.

The holographic devices had been moved, generating a screen at both ends and above the canyon to temporarily block the view of distant onlookers.

Observation posts had been left on the nearby mountains to monitor the surrounding area, with the goal of issuing a warning if anyone approached.

Oran took time to explain the blueprints to the craftsmen, and a large-scale assembly project began in the canyon. Oran himself, with Kate's help, modified the Hex Core.

Silent and oppressive, under the threat of death, they desperately tried to seize this final straw.

As the sun rose and set, the massive machine gradually took shape. Yet the atmosphere in the canyon grew increasingly oppressive, reaching its peak when bloody water began to flow from the water source in the cave.

"Tell me, can that man really get us out? It's been days. Ever since he explained the details of the blueprints, I haven't seen him again."

Two people carried a massive crossbeam toward the Hex Gate frame, which had already begun to take shape.

People on this sea were generally far stronger than ordinary humans. Workers accustomed to heavy labor could carry heavy objects with their bare hands even without lifting equipment, which sped up the project's progress.

But their hearts remained full of worry for the future.

"Do you think he might have... run away by himself...?"

"Shut up! You people take turns working, but Mr. Oran hasn't slept in days! If he wanted to escape alone, he wouldn't need to care about people like you! He even gave up his own ship for people who had nothing to do with him!"

The person from the same group did not answer, but an angry rebuke came from nearby.

The people here had only gathered together temporarily. Though they shared the same goal, there was little trust between them.

Those who had joined later had not seen Oran for several days, so it was inevitable that doubts arose in their hearts.

But those whom Oran had personally saved trusted him more. They had been maintaining order here these past few days, keeping the place relatively stable. Shak was one such example.

He could not forget the first human who had ever praised him, and he consciously defended Oran as well.

"Enough. Stop talking and get this over there. The work on that side is about to be finished."

Someone from the group nudged him, stopping him from arguing with Shak. But Shak could clearly sense that the man was unconvinced. Just as he was about to go argue, Bear, drawn over by the noise, stopped him.

"Shak, now isn't the time to argue. Oran said we can't fight among ourselves at a time like this."

Rustle.

Before Shak could say anything, a tree atop the nearby mountain suddenly fell. Bear and Shak both froze. This was the warning system Oran had set up. Its collapse meant that a Celestial Dragon had entered the area and was even approaching their gathering place.

"I'll go draw them away. I have the highest score on me, so I should be able to attract their attention."

"Bear, you..."

"I don't want to see anyone die in front of me again. Tell Oran and Ivankov for me."

Bear put down what he was carrying and volunteered to serve as bait, but halfway there, he ran into Ginny, who had rushed over.

"Bear! Good news, those pirates have finally arrived! Once those guys start causing chaos, we can use the opportunity to carry out Plan Two and snatch those prizes!

"Have you seen Brother Ivankov? Oran has been busy for so long. It's time for us to act too!"

Ginny, who was in charge of monitoring the Den Den Mushi information, rushed here as soon as she received the message, but she did not see Ivankov. Just then, Ivankov and Oran appeared together.

"Hee-haw! I'm here! Let me announce some good news. Oran has completed the core conversion. Once the frame is finished, we can leave this damned place!"

The Celestial Dragons were approaching the canyon, the pirates were about to land, and the Hex Gate core modification was complete. The three things happened one after another, and faced with the imminent chaos, Oran did not choose to wait where he was.

"Perfect. I was just wondering where to catch a Celestial Dragon, and now one has delivered himself to us. Isn't that convenient?

"Come on, everyone. It's time for our stage to begin.

"If you have the courage."