Chapter 55: The Time Vessel
Due to the restless nature spirits, the storms in the Abyss of Anos never cease.
Cyan lightning bolts writhed within the gloomy cumulonimbus clouds, the electric light imbued with pure magical power containing the force of destruction. The aura emanating from the abyss influenced the magic of wind and water, making them increasingly violent. However, on July 10th, 833 of the Era of Falling Stars, although the sky and sunlight remained obscured by gray rain clouds, it was a rare day in the Abyss of Anos without rain. Even the howling wind that raged all day long had restrained its fury at this moment, allowing the usually turbulent sea to return to calm.
But anyone knew that this was merely the calm before an even greater storm.
Above the black sea, a pure white ark moved steadily forward. It had no sails, no oars, yet it was enveloped by a massive current of air, causing the sea to churn with waves that carried it along. Rings of golden ripples, like sunlight, radiated from the ark, purifying the unclean aura within the surrounding black waters.
The Church of the Seven Gods, the Ark [Time Vessel].
This massive ship built by the church, like the church itself, exuded an atmosphere of understated simplicity. Not to mention its pure white, unadorned exterior, inside the nearly two-hundred-meter vessel, whether in the corridors, rooms, or on the walls, there was not a single superfluous decoration. At most, some sayings of the saints were inscribed to remind the crew of their conduct.
However, inside the ark, a hall with an exceptionally refined layout was different from the rest.
This was a hall with an arched ceiling... Loranda scanned the warrior's surroundings, a hint of confusion on his face. "Strange, where are Ying and Lin?"
Back when the paladin was still in Moldavia, the young boy and girl were almost inseparable from Joshua. Since those three basically didn't sleep, even when tired, they would just sit together in the study for a while. At those times, Ying and Lin would lean against Joshua's arms, one on each side, with their eyes closed, resting. This scene was deeply etched in Loranda's memory.
But now, around the warrior were only the half-dragon and an unfamiliar, unremarkable suit of armor. The young boy and girl were nowhere to be seen, not even the weapon-form Divine Mechanisms. This struck the paladin as odd.
"They didn't come this time."
Joshua's tone turned somewhat cold. He stated calmly, "This time, only Black and I are the main combat support. This steel elemental here is my subordinate, barely counts as a summoned creature, and has some combat capability—I think that should be enough."
"More than enough."
Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Robzek immediately ended the topic. The Ultimate-rank Knight Commander smiled and said, "With the addition of a powerful Ultimate-rank expert like Lord Count, we will surely be able to reach the center of the Abyss of Anos this time and destroy the abyssal rift deep within the Central Maelstrom!"
"Yes."
Sister Saya, who had been quietly listening to everyone speak, also let out a faint sigh and said softly, "Last time, we had already found the Central Maelstrom, but were forced to retreat due to the harsh weather and attacks from giant corrupted sea beasts. This time, with Lord Count Radcliffe's purifying power inherited from the Sage, we will definitely be able to complete our objective."
Just as the atmosphere was beginning to recover, Black, who had finally fully recovered from the discomfort brought by the high altitude, seemed to sense something. Its golden dragon eyes lit up, and it let out a roar.
"ROAR!!"
"Huh?"
In the corridor outside the hall, upon hearing this dragon roar, a slow, leisurely footstep paused slightly, accompanied by a sound of surprise. Then, the owner of the voice quickened their pace and arrived at the hall's entrance.
A drunken, yet somewhat gentle young boy's voice sounded from the doorway: "Has another sea dragon arrived?"
At the same time.
—At the peak of the Holy Mountain, inside the Great Temple.
At the end of the arcade inscribed with the prophecy 'Solitary Sun, Twin Moons, Endless Stars, The Plain of a Thousand Years, Only Light Endures,' an old man with white hair and golden eyes, wearing a holy silver crown, slowly opened his eyes. He looked at the silver-haired girl who had just stepped out of the spatial gate, a trace of affection in his gaze.
"Your name is Ying, isn't it?"
Pope Eagle sat in his chair and spoke softly, "The completed form of the seventh-generation Divine Mechanism. The Empire's technological progress is truly fast... Haha, the church also contributed a part to the first generation of Divine Mechanisms. After all, it involved matters concerning the Chaos Minions; the Holy Mountain couldn't possibly not intervene."
The old Pope scrutinized the silver-haired girl. Ying remained silent, clutching the black giant axe in her arms, meeting the old man's gaze without a hint of fear. Eagle nodded in satisfaction and smiled kindly, "Judging by your expression, it seems you very much want to help your master?"
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Hugging the black giant axe tightly, Ying nodded emphatically. She opened her eyes wide and looked seriously at the old man before her, saying, "Both Lin and I want to help Master, but Master... he seems to think we don't need to help."
Saying this, the girl couldn't help but feel a bit dejected. Although she had long known that Joshua's power advanced far faster than that of an ordinary human warrior, she never expected that she would one day become a burden. If the day came when the warrior reached a level where he feared swinging his weapons would damage them, what meaning would their existence have? Rather than being a burden, it would be better to not...
"Don't worry, Ying. As long as you want to, there is no problem. Since the Church of the Seven Gods has agreed to Joshua's conditions, we will certainly fulfill them."
Interrupting the girl's wild thoughts, the old Pope's lips curled slightly. Having weathered many storms over the years, how could he not see through Joshua's barely concealed intentions? The warrior clearly regarded the two Divine Mechanisms as family, genuinely hoping they could be strengthened. He did not see them as a burden. It was the girl's thoughts that had strayed due to worry and needed correction.
"Follow me."
As if recalling something, a light of anticipation flickered in Eagle's eyes. "Starting your enhancement early might allow you to help your master sooner."
"He is also waiting for the day you fight alongside him."