370 - Chaos in True Lonestone City

Jack quickly made a decision. He had done all he could for the Grandmoon Tournament incident. The aftermath of the Grandmoon Island disaster was none of his concern.

The Moonlight Queen, Master Gerath, and the Prime Minister had successfully extracted themselves from the black hole. Let them sort out the mess. Jack had a ship to run, a crew to feed, and an archipelago full of unknown islands waiting for his arrival.

"Let them deal with this mess." Jack said. "The three bigshots have enough power to stabilize the island and hold the fort. We have done what we can."

Reina nodded in agreement. She folded the intelligence report she had just received and slid it into her leather pouch.

"Agreed, Dear." She said. "The political fallout from that black hole disaster will keep the higher ups in the island busy for months. If we tried to help, we'd only get bogged down in their bureaucratic inquiries and disputes."

Jack turned his gaze toward Rune, his fairy guide companion. Rune hovered in the air. Emitting a steady, soft blue glow that indicated approval and readiness.

Jack checked his situation. Everything was stable. The warehouse of his mansion was well-stocked.

The ranch expansion was already filled with enough mystic animals. Even with birds and insects, as Leon and Barnaby had managed to acquire them. Not too many, but enough to make the expansion feel more alive.

There was nothing else they needed in the island. It was time to continue their voyage.

"Tell the others to pack up, Love." Jack told Reina. "Let's head out to Deerfall Coast and try to reach there before nightfall. The Myriad Island Archipelago awaits."

...

The journey to the coast was swift and well-organized. Jack led the procession, riding on his convenient [Lightning Hoverbike]. The vehicle hummed with a low, steady electric purr. Not going in full speed.

Behind him, young Aella rode atop her imposing Mighty Stag. Reina and the rest of the expedition members followed closely on their chosen Starlight Horses. The ones they had just acquired during their short stay in Marevale Town.

The sun was just dipping below the horizon when the cliffs of Deerfall Coast finally came into view. Painting the sky in deep shades of red and orange.

The crew could clearly hear the crashing sound of the dark ocean waves against the jagged rocks below. It somehow provided a rhythmic, heavy soundtrack to their arrival.

Jack brought the hoverbike to a smooth halt. He dismounted. Stretching his legs before sweeping his hand outward. Storing the hoverbike back to his system inventory.

Then, after everyone of his crew members dismounted from their stag and horses, Jack took out his hand mirror. With a soft flash of dimensional ripple, the entire cavalry of Starlight Horses and Aella’s Mighty Stag vanished. Safely stored away within the vast expanses of the Mirror Mansion's ranch.

Jack then raised his right hand. Summoning his ghost ship.

Out in the dark waters of the bay, a spectral green illumination pierced the gathering gloom. The Silent Mermaid rose from the bottom of the sea. A ghostly sloop with rotten hull, skeletal mast, and tattered sails.

Within seconds, the eerie vessel was there on the sea. Its silently wailing mermaid figurehead, blazing purple flames, and thin mist from the gunwales generated a terrifying effect. Providing eerie atmosphere the whole coast nearby.

"Boarding time!" Jack announced. Turning back to his crew.

One by one, the members of the expedition crossed the spectral gangplank to the ghost ship. Baroness Artheim stepped aboard first. Bell, Ned, Moby, and the others immediately followed.

Once everyone was accounted for, Jack and Reina stepped onto the deck last.

Jack looked at Argust. "Turn the invisibility cloak and set a course for the first destination in the Myriad Island Archipelago." He commanded. His voice was carried clearly across the deck. "The first island... Gigantea Island."

...

The Silent Mermaid cut through the waves with supernatural grace. Fast. Invisible. And silent, just like its name.

Normally, a standard fast-sailing merchant vessel would require at least twenty days to reach Gigantea Island. Involving grueling navigation to cross the treacherous expanse of sea filled with storms and sea monsters.

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But the Silent Mermaid was not a standard ship. It was a ghost ship. One that had been fused with the [Heart of the Ocean]. According to Argust, the journey should take no longer than twelve days.

The voyage began smoothly. The first few days consisted of steady sailing under clear skies and mild weather. The crew settled into their routines.

Baroness Artheim, Reina, and Chloe attempted to create talismans from the book the Baroness had translated.

Mirella documented the marine life they encountered on the way. Don Donson managed the kitchen as usual. Trying many new recipes he gained from Grandmoon Island. Barnaby composed more songs.

Aella, Leon, Autumn, and Serene were practically living in the Mirror Mansion. Taking care of the ranch and the orchard. Argust, Bell, Moby, and Ned used most of their time to create gun ammunition and tinker with weapons in Jack's second workshop. Of course, that was when they were not tasked with navigation.

Jack himself spent most of his time in his main workshop cabin. Working to complete many of his projects.

As for the ten artifacts Leon took from the tournament prizes, Jack had redistributed them to his crew through their usual methods... rolling dice. For anyone eligible and interested to the item.

Jack kept the [Dragon Vault Key] as it was of no use unless they discovered the Dragon Vault. But the other nine were no longer in his hands.

The [Divine Wine Jug] was acquired by Serene. The [Cloud Weaver's Mantle] now belonged to Baroness Artheim.

Ned acquired the [Sacred Angel Blade], but he opted to exchange it with Reina's [Leather Armor of the Night]. He seemed to prefer specializing as a stealth oriented combatant.

Now, it was Reina who possessed the [Sacred Angel Blade]. Making her deadly not just in long range combat but also in melee.

The next artifact, the [Mighty War Drum], was acquired by Mirella. Jack had expected Barnaby would roll for this one, but he didn't.

"I can't play both lute and drum together." He said simply. "Mirella using it was a better choice. We could jam together to create greater entertainment and buff."

Moby acquired the next item, the [Wyvern Scale Belt]. He turned into a greater 'tank' character with it. A man who could withstand great damage and would be fine afterward.

The [Mystic Herb Pouch] fell into Autumn's hand. Pretty predictable. Only the healer sisters were interested in the artifact. The [Celestial Gourmet Wok] was the same. Only Don was interested. So he effortlessly acquired it.

As for the [Pure Heart Lantern], Chloe won the roll for it. While the [Crimson Torch Mace] surprisingly fell in Barnaby's hand.

Most of the crew members gained power up from those artifacts. And they needed to familiarize themselves further with those things.

...

Days passed. On the tenth afternoon of the voyage, the exact date and hour arrived. The time for the monthly Fateless Gathering had come.

Jack sat at his workbench. Locking the heavy iron door to his workshop from the inside. After taking a deep breath, he calmly activated his [Incarnation Shift]. Discarding his mortal shell and shifting seamlessly into his mysterious specter incarnation.

His body dissolved into a translucent, floating silhouette of a stage magician wearing featureless mask, top head, and billowing cape. He was now Jack Mystery, the specter.

From his system inventory, Jack pulled out the Fateless Coin. As the number on the coin turned to zero, it began to glow with a blinding, iridescent light. An invitation appeared in Jack's mind, which he accepted instantly.

The familiar sensation of spatial distortion gripped his consciousness. In a fraction of a second, the walls of his workshop melted away. Replaced by the cozy, brightly lit living room of Rainsister, the host of the gathering.

Jack hovered quietly in the room. He could smell the scent of citrus and tea here. And he could see Rainsister, the enigmatic Goddess of Knowledge. Sitting in her usual armchair by the crackling fireplace.

As always, she was casually sipping from a cup of warm, steaming tea. And her other hand was holding an open, ancient-looking tome.

There was no other people here. He was once again the first to come to the Gathering.

"Spirit of Conviction..." Rainsister delivered her usual greeting. Nodding her head to the appearing specter with a calm smile on her face.

"Rainsister." Jack acknowledged her with a polite nod.

Not long afterward, the spatial ripples signaled the arrival of the other participants. Baroness Sapphire Artheim materialized with a soft chime. Followed closely by Amaranth White, whose quiet and vigilant demeanor was instantly recognizable.

Finally, the twin children, Alice and Adam Lingreen, appeared out of nowhere. As usual, their faces entirely expressionless. And they moved in perfect sync. Like two marionettes carved from the same porcelain.

"Welcome back, Everyone." Rainsister began. Her voice was smooth and echoing softly in the enclosed space. "I trust your respective endeavors have been productive."

"But before we exchange notes on personal matters..." She continued. "There is a piece of major information that requires your attention."

Jack raised a spectral brow. Remaining silent. He knew that whatever Rainsister considered 'major' would be devastating. She was someone who considered demons as insignificant problems after all.

"While you have all been busy with your own affairs, which I believe is away from Lonestone City..." Rainsister continued. Setting her cup down. "A great and unprecedented chaos has erupted in the True Lonestone City."

She looked at her guests for a while before continuing. "The ripples of this disaster have bled over, and many transcendent beings from the normal Lonestone City were caught in the crossfire and became unfortunate victims."

"And the civilians?" Jack immediately asked.

"They were unaffected. Fortunately." Rainsister calmly replied.

Baroness Artheim frowned slightly. "What happened in True Lonestone? A rebellion? A coordinated attacks from illegal organizations?"

"Worse..." Rainsister replied. "Three major demigods of the Western Ourean Continent decided to orchestrate a power play. I believed I've warned you about them before... the Saint of Joy, the Saint of Blade, and the Saintess of Temptation."

She continued. "They made a scheme involving the [Forbidden Chalice] and the illuminated beings in the city. However, their plan backfired spectacularly. Leaving all three of them severely injured."

Jack listened closely. The three saints were heavyweights in the transcendent hierarchy. For all three to be severely injured at the same time meant something catastrophic had occurred.

"How come? They are demigods..." Amaranth asked. Her voice was shaken.