Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 150

Chapter 150: Saint Felix Underground Rift Valley!
“They managed to escape,” Ryan explained, a note of frustration in his voice as he shook his head lightly. “I dealt them severe injuries, but their abilities are peculiar. Even if they die, they can resurrect at a cost. Eventually, they plunged into the black mud and vanished.”

He continued, a hint of irritation coloring his tone. “That black mud… it functions almost like a teleportation portal. Despite my upper hand in the battle, their escape was secured through grievous self-sacrifice. There was nothing I could do to prevent it.”

“Escaped…” Cyan River murmured, her voice a mix of disappointment and resolve. “I was caught off-guard this time, afflicted by the ‘Heart-Eating Seal’. Next time, I swear, revenge will be mine.”

She paused to gather her thoughts and emotions, then turned to Ryan with a more composed demeanor. “In addition to the information about the Dungeon Labyrinth, I’m prepared to offer a rare item as further compensation. Is there something specific you need?”

Ryan’s eyes flickered with interest. “A space ring, one with a larger capacity than usual. Do you have such a thing?”

“Yes,” Cyan River affirmed, reaching into her cloak to retrieve a ring. She held it out towards Ryan, its silver body accented with verdant engravings that shimmered subtly. “This is the Blue Sky Ring, crafted by a renowned spiritual blacksmith. It offers a generous dimensional space, ten meters in length, width, and height.”

Ryan’s expression softened into satisfaction as he took the ring, inspecting its craftsmanship. The ring he currently possessed was a standard model, capable of containing a mere fraction of the space, just three meters on each side.

This new ring, with its substantially larger capacity, was not merely an item of convenience but a rare artifact of significant value, something that could hold the entirety of a disassembled superior unicorn, for example. A boon for any adventurer, preventing any waste of precious materials.

Ryan’s mood visibly brightened, a gracious warmth entering his eyes as he regarded Cyan River. Past grievances, a result of their former allegiances and conflicts, seemed trivial now in the face of current camaraderie and the practicalities of their profession.

As Purple Wind clasped the ring, Cyan River let out a soft sigh of relief and began her tale. “After we parted yesterday, I pursued the leads I had and ventured alone into the peripheries of the island, to the Saint Felix Underground Rift Valley, to be precise.”

“Hold on, the ‘Saint Felix Underground Rift’?” Ryan interjected, his brow furrowing as he thought. ‘That location isn’t marked on any map I have, including those detailed ones from the Witch Branch’s Fantasy Beast Witch Meloye.’

“It’s not surprising that you haven’t heard of it,” Cyan River responded calmly. “The Rift is a sealed location. Few beyond the high circles of the Libra Holy Church and the Royal Family of Santos are aware of its existence. It lies hidden, housing the entrance to the Dungeon Labyrinth.”

She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret. “By chance, I came across new information about an entrance to this concealed Dungeon and managed to infiltrate it successfully.”

“I was genuinely taken aback by the decrepit state of the ‘Saint Felix Rift’. The air was thick with a foul stench, and even the water trickling through the area bore the disturbing sight of filth and black splotches marring its flow. As I approached the foreboding entrance of the ‘Dungeon Labyrinth’, an eerie scene unfolded before me, a congregation of a dozen figures cloaked in black, immersed in what appeared to be a sinister ritual. My curiosity piqued, I edged closer for a better look, but my presence did not go unnoticed. Without warning, three of the black-robed figures lunged at me.”

At that critical moment, Cyan River recounted with a sigh, “I knew instantly that something was terribly amiss. I didn’t hesitate to activate the short-distance teleportation artifact I had prepped earlier. However, their ‘Heart-Eating Seal’ had a tracking capability that I hadn’t anticipated. It wasn’t long before they were on my heels again.”

“You’re familiar with the events that followed, so I’ll spare you the details,” she added, her voice tinged with weariness.

“That’s essentially the gist of what we’re dealing with,” Cyan River concluded.

Ryan, who had been listening intently, now found his thoughts swirling with the revelations. The details of the underground rift, the mysterious black-robed figures, the underground maze, and their disturbing rituals all clicked together, forming a sinister picture. Yet, crucial pieces of the puzzle remained elusive, taunting him with their absence.

These black-robed individuals were clearly no ordinary foes; their dark aura was repulsive, reminiscent of some nefarious cult he had encountered before. The fact that they had gathered in the ‘Saint Felix Underground Rift’ was undoubtedly ominous.

Then it struck him.

Cyan River had mentioned an undisclosed new entrance to the rift, known only to the Libra Holy Church and the Royal Family of Santos. This connection suggested a disturbing collusion or betrayal at the heart of the church or the royal family.

The implications were profound. The theft of the holy relic had disrupted a ‘sacred ceremony,’ crucial for sealing the Dungeon Labyrinth, which now coincided with the arrival of these sinister figures before the ‘Day of the Plenty Star’.

What were they really after? The motives of the Libra Holy Church and the Santos Royal Family were shrouded in mystery and self-interest. Had something within the maze suddenly made it worth exposing such dangerous secrets?

Ryan exhaled a deep, troubled sigh. He preferred straightforward confrontations over tangled conspiracies. Yet, as an outsider to the Kingdom of Santos, he could easily disengage if the situation escalated. But with the ‘Day of Plenty Stars’ on the horizon, he sensed that the brewing storm beneath the surface was about to erupt.

Ryan was acutely aware of his current predicament. The overarching goal was straightforward: maximize benefits while safeguarding himself and his companions, Freni and Cecilia. Yet, given his existing capabilities, this was a tall order. A surge of determination swept through him as he acknowledged the need to bolster his own strength.

With a resolute shake of his head, Ryan abandoned his ruminations and strode towards the door.

“The debt is settled,” he declared crisply to the shadowy figure before him. “We’re square now. Should you seek assistance in the future, I’m available, provided you can meet the price.”

He glanced briefly at the bleak surroundings. “You’re in a forsaken village on the outskirts of Santos. I’ve cleansed the afflictions from your body. Once you’ve recovered, you’re free to leave at your discretion.”

As he watched Purple Wind’s silhouette merge with the dark night beyond the doorway, Cyan River bit her lip in silence. Intrigue shrouded her thoughts Purple Wind enigmatic presence growing ever more compelling.

“Who really is he?” she pondered with a mix of curiosity and awe.

…

Ryan took extra precautions as he left Cyan River, weaving through hidden paths and only returning to the beach after ensuring no one had followed him. The sight that greeted him was both serene and poignant. Freni was perched atop a large seaside rock, her light blue skirt billowing gently in the salty breeze. The moon cast a silvery glow over the water, framing her in a halo of soft, shimmering light.

“What happened?” Freni’s voice carried a tinge of concern. Her eyes, filled with worry, searched his.

She knew the initial intent behind Ryan’s journey into Santos City was merely to retrieve some entrusted weapons, yet his late return hinted at unforeseen complications.

“Indeed, something did come up,” Ryan confessed openly, seeing no need for concealment. He recounted the evening’s events, describing his unsettling encounter with the black-robed figures and their dark sorcery.

Miss Witch’s brow furrowed slightly at the mention of the black-robed men, her expression a blend of concern and contemplation. However, she quickly smoothed her features and offered a strategic approach. “Next time you encounter them, try to stall and send me a signal. I’ll come to assess the situation myself.”

“Do you know who they might be?” Ryan queried, his curiosity piqued.

“Not specifically,” Freni admitted, her voice soft yet thoughtful. “Something about your description strikes a chord, though. It’s reminiscent of lore I’ve encountered in my readings. Experiencing it firsthand might jog my memory.”

“Understood.” Ryan nodded in agreement, the weight of their conversation settling over him. “Let’s call it a night, Captain. Tomorrow brings the ‘Day of the Plenty Star’, and with it, potentially momentous changes for the island.”