Ashes Of Deep Sea
Chapter 385 - Chapter 385 Chapter 389 Embarking on the Black Oak

Chapter 385: Chapter 389: Embarking on the Black Oak Chapter 385: Chapter 389: Embarking on the Black Oak Clinging to the rope ladder, Lawrence slowly climbed aboard the Black Oak, its hull dark and somber as if smoked by something, and made his way onto the deck.

As soon as he landed, he bent over, bracing himself on his knees, gasping for several breaths before he managed to even them out–this involuntary reaction made him chuckle and shake his head in self-mockery.

He really was getting old, needing to rest after climbing a short distance along the rope ladder. In the past…

Another set of footsteps landed behind him. Lawrence dismissed the irrelevant thoughts and turned to see Exceptional Being 077 also having followed him aboard–this menacing mummy stood cautiously at the edge of the gunwale, appearing rather docile.

It, or rather he–had been quite cooperative along the way. It was indeed a bit strange to see such a horrifying high-rank Exceptional Being acting so obediently, but as soon as Lawrence remembered that this mummy was the only “companion” on his expedition, he suppressed the odd feeling in his heart and adopted a more serious expression.

“Is the small boat securely moored?” he asked Exceptional Being 077, conversing with this unusual “sailor” as he would normally talk to his own crew.

“It’s secure,” the mummy replied promptly with a hoarse and low voice. Then it raised its head and quickly surveyed the surroundings, its tone slightly hesitant, “…there seems to be no one on board, Captain.”

“I’m not blind,” Lawrence replied indifferently, his gaze scanning the situation on the deck.

After stepping onto the deck of the Black Oak, the eerie fog and shadowy texture still lingered but showed no signs of intensifying. Through the drifting mists, he could vaguely see the ship’s features–everything was similar to the White Oak, with about seventy to eighty percent similarity in facilities, except that it appeared neglected for years. The paint on the railings was patchy and flaking; parts of the deck showed warping; and on the structures above, one could see stains like rust.

Without the peculiar fog, the ship felt like another White Oak–a neglected and adrift “version” after years at sea.

And indeed, as Exceptional Being 077 mentioned, there was no one to be seen on board.

“If there’s no one on board, who dropped the rope ladder?” the Exceptional Being grumbled, “And when you ordered to signal the ship earlier, it responded with light–so who replied to the signal?”

“For an ‘Exceptional Being,’ you think quite logically,” Lawrence couldn’t help but look back at the “sailor” with a surprising tone, “But don’t you find it odd to apply ‘logic’ to thinking about a Ghost Ship?”

Exceptional Being 077 just shrugged and fell silent.

But Lawrence wouldn’t allow the mummy the luxury of silence–he brought this mummy on board not just to avert potential dangers on the White Oak, but also to make use of it.

“Can your abilities work on this ship?” Lawrence fixed his gaze into Exceptional Being 077’s eyes, “Can you control this ship?”

“Do you want me to ‘take over’ it?” The Exceptional Being was visibly surprised.

“You cannot ‘take away’ this ship–but I want you to confirm if your abilities can function here,” Lawrence said earnestly, “Sense it, what is the actual state of this ship?”

Exceptional Being 077-Sailor, whose primary power was to control and take over things conceptually recognized as “ships”, in other words, this Exceptional Being had transcendent perceptions and influence over “ships”, a concept far beyond human understanding. So… would the Black Oak reveal any “special characteristics” through the eyes of this “Sailor”?

Following this line of thought, perhaps Exceptional Being 077 could help uncover the truth here.

Obedient to the command, the mummy stood on the deck, spreading his arms as if to feel the direction of the wind in the fog, eyes gently closed, while not far away, Lawrence watched the familiar objects on the deck with a complex gaze.

Black Oak… he was standing on its deck now. Many times he dreamed of the past and couldn’t forget the scenes from this ship. Many times he set sail obsessed with the idea of retrieving this ship–yet, standing here now, he was compelled to repeatedly question everything: his own judgment, his perceptions, and even the existence of this ship.

Because the appearance of Black Oak was too suspicious and eerie. Its current state was absolutely abnormal. As much as his emotions refused to accept it, logic told him… it might not be the “Black Oak” he sought after all.

This was just some sort of uncontrollable Transcendent phenomenon creating a… “Phenomenon.”

Lawrence’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts until the “sailor” beside him suddenly opened his eyes with a puzzled voice, halting his chaotic thoughts.

“What’s the situation?” Lawrence asked immediately.

“I… don’t know how to explain…” The sailor looked down bewildered at the deck beneath his feet, “Captain, I…I can’t feel the existence of this ship…”

“What do you mean you can’t feel the existence of this ship?” Lawrence’s eyes widened in shock. He had thought the “sailor’s” powers might not be able to control this mysterious Ghost Ship, but he hadn’t expected such an answer, “So where are we standing now?”

“That’s why I don’t know how to explain…” The sailor seemed startled by Lawrence’s expression but continued doggedly, “We are standing right here, it undoubtedly exists, but in my perception, it’s as if it doesn’t exist, or at least… not here…”

Lawrence frowned; he knew the mummy before him wouldn’t be deceiving him. This was genuinely how the other felt, yet it did nothing to alleviate the doubts in his mind.

After a moment of reflection, he drew in a breath, lifting the lantern with one hand, and turned his gaze towards a certain direction at the far end of the deck.

The lantern cast a soft yellow light that danced in the mist, as if leading an invisible path.

“Captain, where are we going?”

“The bridge,” Lawrence said calmly, “the captain should be on the bridge.”

Before the echo of his words had subsided, he had already taken steps toward the direction illuminated by the light. The “sailor” hesitated in place before hurrying to follow. As he walked with a slight stagger, he curiously asked, “You mean… the captain of this ship? Do you know the captain of this ship?”

Lawrence paused for a moment and then continued forward. “I do, very well.”

The sailor gave an “oh” and then fell silent in earnest.

A moment later, Lawrence arrived at the door leading to the bridge.

The red metal door was slightly ajar in front of him, as if inviting him to enter.

“You go open the door.”

Lawrence was holding the lantern with one hand, and with the other, he drew a left revolver from his waist, indicating with his eyes for the mummified corpse beside him to step forward.

“Ah… alright.”

The mummified corpse sighed quite humanly, stepped forward, and grabbed the handle of the door. Without seeming to exert much force, he pushed the door open.

Lawrence peered inside.

The bridge was empty, with no figures in sight. Only faint mist drifted between chairs and control equipment, and at the helm at the front of the bridge, the unattended steering wheel was gently swaying from side to side, as if nudging the ship’s course.

“There’s no one here,” the mummy muttered.

“I’m not blind,” Lawrence said, and then he stepped onto the bridge.

He lifted the lantern, dispersing the dimness around him. His gaze swept over the speckled and old equipment and chairs, and then he slowly approached the helm.

The captain should be standing here.

But there was no sign of the captain.

Lawrence stood silently for a while, then emitted a sigh that seemed to convey either disappointment or relief, “Ah, you’re really not here.”

“No, I am here.”

A somewhat cool female voice came from the side.

Lawrence’s body jerked at once, the green flames that could not be extinguished on his body suddenly shot up several inches. The next second, he looked sharply towards the direction where the voice had come from–

The young female adventurer, dressed in a captain’s uniform, her wavy hair draped behind her head, was standing there, arms crossed, her expression calm with a hint of helplessness as she watched his side.

“Ah, a woman has popped up,” muttered anomaly 077 in astonishment, then seemed to catch on to something, and hastily glanced at Lawrence, “Captain, should I keep quiet?”

Lawrence glanced at the mummified corpse. “Yes, quiet.”

“Aye, Captain.”

Although anomaly 077’s interruption was untimely, it somewhat eased the previously stiff and awkward atmosphere. Lawrence took this opportunity to try to calm himself, and his mind started racing on how to start the conversation–what should the first sentence be?

Over the years, he had conversed with “Martha” countless times, and after so many illusions, they had spent many years together. Yet at this moment, Lawrence suddenly realized he was stuck–he couldn’t interact with Martha as naturally as he did when immersed in his usual illusions.

And it was this momentary hesitation that led to a sudden realization.

The Martha in front of him… was an “individual” acting independently, completely unrelated to his subconscious!