The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 541: Volume 13, Sea Rain and Heavenly Wind, - 11 - Double Honor

Chapter 541: Volume 13, Sea Rain and Heavenly Wind, Chapter 11 - Double Honor

The boat gradually approached the sluice bridge, and Komer couldn’t help but admire the Jellyfish People’s exceptional mimicry skills. Such a floating sluice, driven by telescoping wheels, was quite complicated, not commonly seen in the world of mortals, yet here it was. This type of sluice could effectively prevent enemy vessels from slipping into the Central Water Area after passing through the waterway. It was controlled by operators stationed in the towers on both sides, who were within the surveillance areas of the watchtowers and bunkers, ready to seize control at any moment, demonstrating the Jellyfish People’s meticulous and cautious arrangements.

After a series of procedures, the sluice finally opened, and Gate’s merchant ship was at last able to enter the Central Water Area. Upon entering, Komer felt the speed of the boat slow down significantly, and the resistance seemed to increase as well. The water surface became even clearer, to the point where one could see straight to the bottom, which greatly surprised Komer and his companions.

Perhaps noticing the confusion of Komer’s party, Iris explained with a smile, "Gentlemen, there is no need to be surprised. Since this place is revered as a Holy Land by our Jellyfish Clan, it naturally has its peculiarities. In this part of the water area, the underground is like a perforated stone plain, and the springs gush forth from there. Due to the high discharge rate, this body of water exerts an outward pressure, so sailing here will feel more resistant."

"I see, is the particularly tall and lush reed vegetation in this region also related to this spring water?" Komer noticed that the reeds near the Central Water Area were more luxuriant and verdant than in other regions and asked casually.

"Well, there should be a certain connection, although I cannot be sure." Iris cast an astonished glance at Komer, clearly shocked by his detailed observational skills.

A set of quaint and distinct wooden buildings stretched across the center of the Central Water Area, dense and numerous, some standing alone, others clustered together, connected by covered bridges or shared corridors. All structures were built more than two meters above the water surface, and massive columnar supports were irregularly distributed throughout this region, providing support for these buildings. Such an extraordinary sight rarely seen on the Continent was unforgettable.

In the conversation, Komer’s group also learned that there were many regions in the Great Swamp Area where dense and varied stone pillars and stakes amid the Reed Marsh were common, yet this part was the densest region of them all. These solid and sturdy stone pillars served as natural supports for the dwellings of the Jellyfish People. For them, who could not live permanently in water yet could not do without it, this place was nothing short of paradise. Whether these peculiar stone supports were natural or artificially crafted, the Jellyfish People were uncertain, as these structures had already been present when they came to live on this land.

The high two-meter distance ensured that even when the Catania River flooded, the water level would not threaten their homes, and the dense surrounding reeds and Swamp provided a natural barrier and food foraging area. The stalks and tubers of aquatic plants were their main food source, and fish and some amphibious animals served as their sumptuous dishes.

Colorful flags fluttered in the wind, and wide wooden Ladders extended into the water, forming a natural dock. However, this facility seemed to be seldom used, as could be deduced from the growth of aquatic life on the wooden steps. It was only when Komer and his party stepped off the boat and onto the steps that they realized they might be the first mortals to set foot in this Water Area in decades, or even a hundred years, thereby making history.

The Great Saint Tower, suffused with a faint scent of wood, was probably the most sacred site of the Jellyfish People, constructed almost entirely of rounded ancient wood. The Sacred Hall, located on the second floor, was the heart of the Great Saint Tower and enshrined the protector deity of the Jellyfish Clan—the Water God. The spacious hall was spotless. Yet the abode of the Pharaoh, the Pharaoh Hall, was on the left of the Sacred Hall, and Komer was surprised to find that Saint Iris, seemingly even higher in status than the Pharaoh within the Jellyfish People, did not seem to reside here.

After changing into traditional Jellyfish People attire, Hotep returned the great bow he had been carrying on his back to the Sacred Hall with all due solemnity before returning to his Pharaoh Hall.

Before officially negotiating with Komer, Hotep and the Twin Sages of Wisdom of the tribe had already exchanged views about Komer’s purpose for visiting. Perhaps driven by the desire to lift the curse that had plagued their clan for hundreds of years, or perhaps shaken by the information about Komer learned by Iris during their journey, Hotep’s initially firm opposition to opening up the Catania River waterway began to soften. On the other hand, Iris was inclined to agree to a limited opening of the waterway, provided that the issue of the Water God’s curse was completely resolved.

"Saint Stari, you seem to have some disagreement?" Hotep, hesitant and unsure, perceived Iris’s inclination to lift the centuries-old ban on the Catania River waterway and felt uncertain, while the silence of the other sage gave him much to consider.

"Pharaoh, I think it is not yet time to discuss lifting the ban. The curse of the Water God has been passed down in our clan for hundreds of years. Our ancestors also tried with all their might to eradicate it. And what was the result? The situation has only been worsening slowly. Can we really trust the promise of such a young Baron Komer? No, no, I’ve seen too many despicable and dirty aspects of mortals; they are opportunistic, willing to sell even their faith for benefit. And this Baron Komer seems to belong to this kind of people. We cannot trust any of his words lightly."

The deep, slightly hoarse words made Hotep’s heart skip a beat. It seemed that Saint Stari was against lifting the ban. "Saint Stari, are you implying that we should reject them?"

"No, since they have already come to the Holy Land, we should also probe their intentions. It’s clear that Baron Komer is a noble among mortals, but he is also a mage, and the people with him seem to have some extraordinary special abilities. In the Holy Land, we have many of our cursed clan members; we might as well let them try to fulfill their promises. I have a feeling Mr. Komer isn’t here out of kind-heartedness to solve our Jellyfish People’s problems despite their goal perhaps being passage through the Catania River."

Wrapped in a wide robe, his somewhat emaciated figure’s deep-set eyes sparkled with energy, as if he was pondering something.

"I don’t quite agree with Saint Stari’s view. Mortals have come with specific intentions, and the Catania waterway is crucial to them. I’ve already explained the reasons, but to be cautious, we can act upon Saint Stari’s suggestion and have the mortals show some sincerity first." At this moment, Saint Iris had regained her usual cool and indifferent demeanor.

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