Chapter 470: The Unknown
Chapter 470: The Unknown
"Hmm..." Elena and Elysia exchanged glances. They were becoming less sure if it had to be said clearly.
'Ely, what do we need to do? Perhaps, a disguised sealed area is deep down there. I'm sure this one is super eerie. The sealed accursed monsters here maybe those at the highest level, or perhaps God-level.' Elena felt a little anxious remembering what Lifa had told them.
Elysia thought for a moment. Only a conclusion and a decision came to his mind at that moment. 'En, it's hazardous for a fierce battle to take place here and now. We are not ready for that, and neither is our group. Let's leave this island to find another suitable place. We will explore more about this mysterious island after we finish helping the Sea God, Oceanids. What do you think, Sister Elena?'
'Hmm, all right. We will leave this horrific island to come back soon with good preparation. Can you remember the exact location of this island for our next visit, Ely?' Elena agreed with Elysia's decision without a second thought.
'I already remember it. Well, at least on our next visit, we won't be lost all day like today.' Elysia was quite confident in her memory. But, still, she dared not give a definite guarantee.
'Then, that's fine.' Elena didn't mind anything. She then looked back at Nell. "No, not now, little one. Our current group is not ready to face the unknown. Let's go from this island to find another uninhabited island in the southeast ocean region."
Nell became unsettled because of the sudden decision. She knew that something was hidden on this island, but she failed to understand Elena because of that either. "But-"
Rhea stopped her little sister to protest. She shook her head and whispered. "I'll help explain why, after this. For now, let's follow the instructions of the Goddess of Light to leave this island."
"Okay." Nell just nodded in agreement. She took out her magic carpet, and they all flew away to the southeast ocean.
"We'll be visiting that island again in a few days with some careful preparations. We're not ready for a high-level battle in our current state for some obvious reason. Our current objective is to help Sea God out of his predicament and dilemma. Other than that, it will be settled after." Rhea looked at the island behind. She mumbled to help explain to everyone what she understood.
"Ooh~" Nell and almost everyone was enlightened and finally understood why leaving was their solution.
"You explained almost exactly the reasons for my decision, the Goddess of Nature. However, there is one important point that you missed, and that was the basis for the decision to leave." Elena stroked the clever little girl's head. One of the reasons that made her glad to have Rhea around Elysia almost all the time.
"Then please enlighten us, the Goddess of Light." Rhea's eyes sparkled slightly. She was happy to receive compliments, and again, her conclusion was almost right on the point!
"Please answer me first. What's terrible than terrifying?" Elena smiled faintly and looked at the curious individuals who were eagerly waiting for her to speak.
"More terrible than terrifying? Hmm... I feel it's like a riddle." Yuuki put her hand to her chin in deep thought.
"Darkness?"
"Lightning?"
"The unexpected?"
Several girls tried to come up with their guesses, but Elena shook her head in response.
"Is it possible... The unknown?" Rhea tried to guess with some confidence.
"Precisely! Yes, the unknown enemy. You need to know, our group is not ready to deal with what may be hidden beneath that island. Ely knew it very well because she was almost dead in a sealed area full of accursed monsters. After Sea God joined in our boat, we will return to that mysterious island." Elena put her hands together, then stroked Elysia's head gently.
After that, she looked at the girls and the little beasts. "But, anyone below Emperor-level is prohibited from investigating the island with us. We will leave you in a safe place until the investigation is complete. Is that understandable?"
*Gulp*
Nervousness immediately fell on almost everyone, including Nell and Rhea. One thing they understood in conclusion, accursed monsters! And again, one that could give a divine being a chill.
"I-hm, mff!" Sylvia just opened her mouth to respond. However, a delicate hand suddenly silenced her mouth.
"We understand." Yuuki immediately shut Sylvia's mouth before this troublemaker voiced out any protest. After that, she looked at the others, especially Ella and Evelyn.
As the weakest among the others, Ella and Evelyn just nodded in understanding because they were aware of the urgency of the matter.
"Anyway, that's the plan for a few more days. No need to think about it for now. Let's find another uninhabited island in a warmer ocean region." Elena closed her eyes and smiled.
"Yeah, the beach awaits us tomorrow! The ocean area southeast of here is a bit warm. I know that because it's summer there." Sylvia shook off the hand that was covering her mouth and cheered.
"Hmm... It tends to be close to the Devil Continent, but I think it'll be fine. The small island over there looks pretty good for a layover. What do you think?" Nell pointed to an island below.
It was an uninhabited island that was smaller than the previous one. At no more than twice the size of a volleyball court, that island was filled with only sandy soil, a beach on either side and a few tall green trees. More or less, an ordinary island.
"That's pretty good. Let's land." Elena only glanced at the island briefly and gave a yes without much thought.
Since one had agreed, the other simply followed the flow as if they had no objections.
"You know, we are only a few dozen kilometers from the Devil Continent. How are you feeling now? Hum, hum? You are a Holy Princess, right? Please tell me your opinion." Sylvia pointed toward the west enthusiastically for an entirely different reason from what she said from the mouth. After all, she was not far from the continent under her father's rule.
"For that... Please forgive me as I don't have much information about the Devil Continent. However, I find it complicated now that we are practically in the sea territory of the devils." Ella expressed her opinion with mixed feelings of uncertainty.
She even hesitated a little to herself if she really met a real devil at this moment. What should she do?
"Don't worry. I've met two real devils from Devil Continent. They're pretty much talkable, not brutal and sadistic creatures like the uncles tell the kids on the street." Elysia patted her friends on the back with a reassuring smile on her face.
"Hum-hm, that's true. Even though there are evils in devils, not all devils are evil. We shouldn't judge a race as a whole, but individually or as a group. Just like humans, there are good ones and bad ones. I even almost robbed and kidnapped." Sylvia folded her arms and nodded repeatedly. She was happy that her friend was defending her race.
"Though, one of the ones I met was a bit unreasonable and selfish." Elysia added.
"Ugh, it's inevitable." Sylvia loosened her shoulders. She knew Elysia was talking about herself and her father.
"Did you meet those devils when you were an adventurer with Sylvia, Ely? What are they like? Are they like a giant, naked monsters that can only destroy the environment and whatever they see?" Evelyn became a little relieved as well as curious.
"Mm, actually, the meeting was a little silly and just accidental." Elysia answered while taking out some camping gear.
Yuuki immediately came to help as a good servant. And the other girls also helped without being asked, including the Goddesses. Gio and Theo became the ones who did menial and heavy work.
"Well..." Elysia looked at a simple portable house in front of her with a bit of wonder.
Her initial intention was only to set up a few tents for everyone. Still, in the end, everyone worked together to build a portable house made chiefly of wood.
It was initially Yuuki's portable house. Only enlarged to three times the original size.
"Woah, finally, my portable house has become bigger with a total renovation. Thank you, everyone! Not to forget, my special thanks to Gio and Theo. We will use this for temporary shelter during our layover. So, we no longer need to sleep in trees, caves, or in the middle of the forest with only sleeping bags." Yuuki clapped his hands with excitement.
It was also such an honor to have the four divines intervene just to renovate her portable house.
"Rarr."
"No worries."
Gio and Theo just responded like it was nothing.
"But, is that all right? I mean, we put some torches here and there. We'll stand out in the dark ocean, right? The unexpected could easily find us." Sylvia became a little worried.
"Honestly, you don't need to worry. The Goddess of Blessings has disguised this island with her divine magic. From the outside, this island looks as if it was never there, just an ordinary sea." Elysia tried to reassure the restless girl because she knew the cause.
"Oh~ Divine magic is great. You bring me relief, Ely. Thanks for the reminder. Thank you so much to the Goddess of Blessings too." Sylvia waved her hand at the little Goddess not far from her.
"Hmm." Nell only gave a slight nod. She then drew closer to Elysia. "Ely, you said we were going to have a barbecue? That's now, right?"