"Why are you paying attention to me?" Charles looked at Kede across the table, with a row of Sun God cultists standing behind him.

  "We're not just paying attention to you. Anyone searching for the Land of Light is of concern to us; it proves that you are called by the Sun God," Kede replied.

  Listening to this peculiar fanatic, Charles held back the urge to scoff.

  "Mr. Charles, I sincerely invite you to join our faith. The fact that you survived the previous adventures is entirely due to the Sun God's protection. In this dark sea, there are not many blessed by the Sun God like you."

  Charles chuckled lightly and waved his hand. "Let's put aside this absolutely impossible matter for now. I have a question for you so-called followers of the Sun God."

  Kede extended his left hand. "Please, go ahead."

  "The mirror box from Sodom—I'm sure you know about it?"

  "Of course, some of the captains in my faith have asked me to purchase a few."

  Leaning slightly forward, Charles fixed his gaze on the old man. "Don't you think the light inside the mirror box resembles the light of your Sun God?"

  Kede chuckled, patting the table, his aged face radiating confidence. "Captain Charles, since you haven't joined the faith, you might not understand. In our scriptures, everything about the Sun God is detailed. The light of the Sun God is colorful and healing, while the light in the mirror box is too singular and glaring—completely different."

  "Are you so sure?" Charles leaned forward, narrowing his eyes.

  "Captain Charles, having the intention to seek the brilliance of the Sun God is good, but speaking carelessly without understanding only reveals ignorance. I am a sanctified person of the Sun God faith; I know much more about the Sun God than you do. If the light of the Sun God appeared before me, I would not be unaware."

  Charles rarely burst into laughter. "Thank you for the joke; I haven't laughed like that in a long time."

  A hint of anger appeared on Kede's face as he stood up, seemingly about to leave, but then sat back down.

  "Mr. Charles, I know you're somewhat resistant. No worries; we can start with preliminary cooperation. You have shown great talent as an explorer captain. I can provide you with the coordinates of islands most likely to have a ladder to the heavens. You can search those islands, and the church will reimburse all expenses."

  If it were the old Charles, he would have agreed without hesitation. Although it meant being used as a pawn, the offer was quite generous. However, he had already found clues to return to the surface, so how could he agree?

  Looking at the man before him, Charles silently pondered his own situation. The route to the surface was controlled by the "King," and his current strength was too weak. He needed additional support, and this man might be useful.

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  "Mr. Charles, what are you considering?"

  "What if I told you I already have clues to the Land of Light?"

  A hint of impatience crossed Kede's face. "Captain Charles keeps discussing unrelated topics; it shows a lack of sincerity."

  "What is your standard for judging divine light? Is it colorful?" Charles snapped his fingers, and a group of rats dragged a mirror box inside.

  Charles opened the box slightly and placed a prism on top, refracting colorful light onto Kede's astonished face.

  "Colorful light, it's here now." Charles handed the prism to him.

  Kede held the prism, stunned. He brought it close to try it himself. With each attempt, his expression grew more shocked, until the sunlight in the box was completely exhausted.

  The prism effect was something even elementary school students in later generations understood, but in this dark sea, there was no sunlight available for experimentation, so no one knew that sunlight was made up of various monochromatic lights.

  "Charles, what... what is going on?" Kede's expression was a mix of excitement and joy, as if he had touched upon some forbidden existence.

  Seeing that he had been impressed, Charles seized the opportunity and stood up.

  "The light inside the box is indeed the divine light of your Sun God. The 'King' of Sodom knows the location of the Land of Light. If we can get him to hand over the sea chart, we can find the Land of Light!"

  After much discussion, Kede did not provide a clear answer. He left, looking somewhat lost.

  The Sun God cult was a large organization in the dark sea. Charles's goal was to have Kede convey this information to all the followers. As long as he could gather all the followers, even the "King" of Sodom wouldn't be able to hold out.

  What could even the fiercest pirate do against these fearless cultists?

  Three days later, a visibly troubled Kede returned. "Sorry, Captain Charles. The archbishop's telegram has arrived; they believe this is nonsense."

  Leaning back in his chair, Charles sighed. As expected, just a single statement could not persuade such a large organization. He had to find another way.

  After a moment of silence, Charles looked at Kede. "What about you? Do you believe it?"

  "I..." Kede's face showed struggle. He could understand the archbishop's feelings; who would believe a stranger claiming that something sought after for centuries was right in front of them?

  But thinking of that colorful light made him waver. What if it was true?

  "But what good would it do if I believe? Unless the archbishop sends warriors from the North Sea, we can't defeat the King with just a few hundred of us."

  "We don't need to defeat him." Charles's words startled Kede.

  Charles did not elaborate, glancing at the people behind Kede.

  "You all go outside and stand guard; no one is allowed to come near!"

  Once they had left, Charles continued, "Our goal is not to occupy Sodom. We just need to know where the sunlight in the mirror box comes from. As long as we have that clue, we can search for the Land of Light."

  "Do you have a plan?" Kede's voice trembled slightly.

  "The King usually resides in the central palace of Sodom. There must be a sea chart of the Land of Light inside. You just need to lure the King and his guards away, and I can sneak in to take a look. I don't even need to steal it; just a glance at the sea chart will suffice, so we won't have to confront him directly."

  Kede did not respond directly, his expression conflicted. He said he needed to think about it.

  Days passed, but Kede did not respond. Charles felt a growing sense of disappointment.

  If this plan didn't work, he would have to return to being an explorer captain, methodically occupying islands to become a governor and expand his influence, ultimately forcing the "King" to reveal the location of the Land of Light.

  However, that would take too long—so long that Charles doubted he would live to see it.

  "Captain, that cult's old man is back! This time he brought a tall guy with him!"