civilwarnovels Chapter 119 Aftermath
Chapter 119 Aftermath
Chapter 119 Aftermath
A bizarre and grotesque scene filled Henry's eyes.
He was on the verge of collapse; he felt his self was crumbling.
The inescapable whispers of food kept murmuring and bewitching him.
He didn't know why the situation had suddenly turned out this way, and he had no room to resist.
Only by allowing the dome of colors beyond the crimson to be pierced by some terrifying being hidden behind it, can a constantly twisting crack be torn open before one's eyes.
Henry understood that from the moment that thing emerged from the crack, from the first time he saw it with his own eyes and heard its first sound, he was destined for only two fates.
You either submit or go crazy.
But at that critical moment, he seemed to hear sounds other than speech.
"Hey-.-"
"Hey ha—"
"La la la—"
That—...it seems to be singing.
The instant these melodies entered his ears, his soul, which had been disturbed by the words, actually felt a sense of peace.
Henry immediately realized that this might be his lifeline to escape his current predicament!
So he reached out and grabbed it desperately, listening intently to the verses of the song:
"Hey--
"Yo—"
"The boundless sea sways and ripples!"
"The rotten deck sways and wobbles!"
"A broken body, swaying back and forth!"
......
This is clearly a sailor's song. The singer's voice is rough and bright, so they must be a group of experienced sailors who have been sailing at sea for many years.
Just as Henry was lost in thought, he suddenly realized something.
The dreamlike world he had just witnessed had vanished before his eyes without him even realizing it.
Above us was a star-studded sky, below us a sturdy ship rocking gently, and ahead lay a turbulent, deep ocean.
Henry has returned to his world! Back to his Two Gold Coins!
He didn't fully understand the situation, but he was overjoyed.
Nothing is more fortunate than surviving a disaster!
Henry took a deep breath and transformed back into the calm and rational octopus.
He recalled that before entering that bizarre world, which could only be described as distorted, the Two Gold Coins were fighting a group of strange creatures.
Those creatures have a repulsive appearance, can move freely underwater, yet have a physical structure similar to that of humans.
But if someone tells Henry that these half-human, half-fish creatures are the legendary mermaids.
Henry vowed to capture all the authors of mermaid stories and sentence them to one hundred hangs each.
However, Henry remembered that it should have been daytime before he entered that strange world.
However, at this moment, the stars and moon were already high in the sky.
Henry didn't dwell on these thoughts; he was more concerned with who the sailor who had rescued him from despair with his song was.
He propped himself up and stood on the deck.
At this moment, he saw that Benson and the others had also regained consciousness.
From their trembling eyes, Henry knew that they must have also been forcibly taken to that strange world.
The songs were still pounding in his ears, and Henry turned around to listen.
What Henry then witnessed left him speechless.
It was a wrecked triangular sailboat, its wounds and damage even more severe than the retired Black Goat.
As a notorious pirate, this was hardly surprising to Henry.
However, the dilapidated ship was glowing green, like a green evil fire, setting the ship's wood and all the sailors on board ablaze.
The ship moved slowly forward on the ocean, illuminating the surrounding waters with its own bioluminescence.
As for what kind of "ghost" it was—
Henry blurted it out, then his eyes lit up with joy as he shouted excitedly.
"Ghost ship!"
Henry stared into the past, and this time he saw it more clearly.
That's right, this is a ghost ship.
Henry could see through the people on the deck to the view on the other side—
They are transparent, they are ghosts!
The ghost ship is not a rumor; ghosts do exist. Therefore, Henry's speculation about the final part of the Stargazer's enchantment theory should also be valid!
Henry was overjoyed, even though he had just been in a state of utter despair.
He came here specifically for this ghost ship.
He never expected to encounter them in such a setting, and it was even because of the ghosts' singing that Henry was able to escape danger!
As for how to catch the ghost, Henry has no clue.
But he must get closer first.
I've heard that ghosts have no physical form, so Henry must try to find a way to harm them before he can even consider capturing them.
Henry could even test his hypothesis by simply binding them and constructing an enchanting circle on the spot to try and give any object a soul.
Of course, Henry also understood that approaching so recklessly was undoubtedly dangerous.
The unknown language he just heard nearly caused his entire ship to be destroyed.
While the two gold coins were sturdy, they could not prevent the wounds that struck straight to the heart.
The ghosts that were able to save Henry from forces he couldn't handle are likely to be more threatening and more worthy of Henry's fear.
But pirates are a group of desperate people who would risk everything for a chance. When an opportunity is presented to them, why wouldn't they give it a try?
Besides, if you don't try, there will never be a chance to capture a ghost.
Just then, Henry suddenly noticed that the ghost ship was turning around and heading east.
Henry shouted urgently, "Mico! Quick! Turn around! Catch up with that boat!"
However, after waiting for a while, there was no sign that the ship was turning.
He had to urge, "Miko!"
But the ship remained motionless, which Henry found strange. This was not Miko's style; he was always able to carry out Henry's instructions precisely.
So he turned around, puzzled, just as Benson said:
"Boss, Mikota—"
"The mighty" Miko remained standing there like a mountain, firmly gripping the helm.
His eyes were fixed straight ahead, but Henry could see the fear in them.
And his two rows of teeth were chattering incessantly.
"Miko!"
At this moment, Victor also stepped forward and called out loudly.
But Mico remained unmoved.
Henry turned around and saw that the ghost ship was accelerating away. If this continued, the two gold coins would be completely outmaneuvered.
He looked anxiously at Miko—
Henry awoke with a start, sat up in bed, and shouted:
"Turn around! Miko!"
However, he found himself in a brick house.
A ray of sunlight pierced through the cracks in the wooden window, falling on the floor and forming a "T" shape.
Henry was panting heavily, and cold sweat was beading on his forehead.
"Is it a dream?" he murmured.
He has been having similar dreams frequently lately.
The events of that day had such a profound impact on Henry's mind that they often replayed in his dreams.
Now, more than a month has passed since that day.
But his mind was still not completely at peace.
However, he and several of his subordinates repeatedly discussed what had happened that day, and also consulted several wizards.
The conclusion has finally been reached.
The strange creature that attacked them that day was actually a human.
They were a group of wizards with fanatical beliefs, known as the Sea Divers.
They appeared to have been attacked by a group of witches, who, in retaliation, were wreaking havoc in the Weeping Gorge, attacking any passing ships they encountered.
The power they used to attack Henry was likely some kind of hallucinogenic magic, intended to corrupt people's minds.
Henry had doubts about this.
If it was just an illusion, could it really have such a profound impact on Henry's mind, leaving him still feeling lingering fear to this day?
But he was not a wizard after all, so he could only trust what the wizards said and did not investigate further.
Since the battle took place in the evening, and night fell shortly after they were under the illusion's spell,
This is the time when ghost ships appear, but the ghosts are unaffected by illusions.
Their songs reached the ears of Henry and others in their physical bodies, thus building a bridge for their will to return to the real world.
Henry could not determine the credibility of this conclusion.
But one thing is certain: they were indeed saved by the ghost ship that day.
Later, Cyril told Henry that he saw sea divers in the nearby waters when the ghost ship was moving away that day.
Therefore, Henry guessed that the reason the ghost ship, which was rumored to attack ships carrying living people, chose to turn away from the Two Gold Coins was because they had gone to chase the Sea Divers.
So, was Henry also saved by the sea divers?
In short, Henry felt that the matter was somewhat confusing.
But overall, it undoubtedly caused serious damage to his team.
First, the shrimp on the two gold coin accounts lost more than half of their value.
Recruiting crew members in the territory of respectable people is by no means an easy task.
Henry also lost a significant number of the special magical arrows he had previously crafted in this battle.
But the most crucial issue is still Miko's problem.
If Miko had obeyed Henry's orders that day, perhaps he would have already made some attempts on the ghost ship.
Even after the ghost ship completely disappeared from the sea, Miko's will did not recover.
They later had to work together to get Miko out of the cabin, and only with Henry personally navigating did they manage to get the ship to a nearby port.
Currently, the two gold coins are docked at Beard Harbor on the permafrost continent.
One reason was to rest and recuperate, and to make up for the losses from the previous battle.
Secondly, it's because of Miko.
Miko remains in a mentally unstable state to this day.
Henry had long regarded this excellent cockpit crewman, who had been with him for over ten years, as his own younger brother.
Miko was simple and honest, without any complicated thoughts. Aside from piloting the boat, he had almost no interest in anything else.
His ship-handling skills were absolutely top-notch.
Therefore, Henry felt very bad when he saw Micoe in such a state.
After changing his clothes, Henry went to Micoe's room next door.
He knocked on the door, and Miko quickly opened it.
He stood behind the door, looking down at Henry.
Henry asked, "Have you had breakfast?"
Miko shook his head.
"Let's go together then."
Miko nodded.
Henry ordered a steamed potato and a baked apple.
I also asked Miko for the same one.
Mico is never a picky eater. If you let him choose for himself, it will be torture for him, and he will be covered in sweat.
After the food was served, Henry sprinkled salt on the potatoes and began to eat them slowly.
He had only eaten half of his meal when he looked up and saw that Mico had already finished eating and was sitting quietly opposite him, staring blankly at Henry who was still eating.
Mico always eats fast, and Henry is used to it.
However, today, Miko took the initiative to speak:
"Henry".
"Hmm?" Henry responded while cutting an apple.
"Miko wants to give it a try."
Are you ready?
"Miko thinks he's ready. Last night, Miko practiced for a long time in his room using a stool."
Henry was still somewhat worried upon hearing this, but he nodded in agreement nonetheless.
"I'll take you there after I finish eating."
"Um."
Henry was feeling rather heavy-hearted. He quickly got some food and took Micoe to the port.
The two gold coins were moored at the dock, and the two men crossed the gangplank and boarded the ship.
They stood below the cockpit, and Henry asked Micoe:
"Go up?"
"Yes," Miko nodded.
He stepped toward the steps, but suddenly stopped, turned around, and said to Henry:
"Henry, thank you for taking care of Miko all this time."
After saying that, Miko continued walking uphill.
Henry frowned, sighed deeply, and then followed.
He saw Miko standing in front of the cockpit, and then behind him, reaching out to grasp the rudder.
However, the moment Miko placed his hand on the handle, he suddenly let out a frantic scream filled with despair.
His expression also turned terrifying and ferocious.
Sure enough, Henry thought, he was not prepared at all.
Henry rushed forward, trying to pull Miko off the helm:
"Let go! Miko!"
Micoe suddenly swung his arm, and as expected of a "strongman," he sent Henry flying several feet away with a single elbow strike.
Henry fell to the ground, but thankfully Micoe finally let go.
After catching his breath, Mico turned his head with a disappointed look and looked at Henry.
Henry stood up, walked over, and patted Micoe on the back:
"It's alright, Miko, take your time."
Mico lowered his head: "I'm sorry, Henry."
Just then, Benson rushed onto the deck and shouted:
"Boss, the man has arrived and is waiting in the tavern!"
Upon hearing this, Henry smiled and said to Micoe:
"Miko, the wizard who might cure your ailment has arrived!"
Miko nodded.
Henry didn't dare delay and immediately took Micoe there.
Later, in the tavern, they met the male wizard who was wearing a purple wizard's robe.
Judging from the wrinkles on the man's face, his dry, white hair, and his broken teeth, Henry estimated that the man was over seventy years old.
But he is Loloti, the most renowned mind wizard on the frozen continent.
After hearing Henry's description, Lolotti simply nodded slightly.
He closed his eyes, and Henry held his breath.
Then, a floating cloud of colorful gas suddenly appeared between his eyebrows.
The cloud of energy moved towards Miko and then entered through the corner of his eye.
Then, Miko's eyes rolled back and he fell backward.
Henry hurriedly got up, looked at Mico, and then at Lolotti.
Loloti kept his eyes tightly closed, but large beads of sweat were dripping from his forehead.
Henry immediately understood that he was treating Mico.
Half an hour later, Loloti suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes.
He was breathing rapidly, and Henry could see a strange glint in his gray eyes.
Henry hurriedly asked, "How is it?"
"Ugh—.—"
Lolotti let out a sigh, but even in that simple and clear sound, Henry detected a tremor and fear in it—