Shrouded Seascape

Chapter 435: Argument

"I'm sure you're well aware of Sparkle's strength. She's still very young, but I dare say that, aside from those Divinities, everyone else will find it difficult to hurt her.

"Have you already forgotten what I said about how a mere aura had terrified her when she tried to go up to the surface? That means there are much stronger creatures on the surface; knowing that, are you still going to try and go up there?"

Charles went quiet as he pondered deeply over his response. Once the water in the bathtub had cooled down a bit, he replied, "Sparkle didn't actually go up. Perhaps there's a barrier between the Subterranean Sea and the surface world."

Anna looked helpless as she slapped Charles on the back and said, "Do you really think it's great for you to lie to yourself?"

Charles got up at Anna's reply, and he sounded agitated as he said, "You know that the Foundation is from the surface world. The clues we've gathered are all pointing at one conclusionthere's nothing wrong with the surface world."

"You've also devoured quite a few Foundation staffers and gained their memories. I'm sure you know that they can all go to the surface as long as they apply for it, and"

Anna covered Charles' mouth with her right hand, interrupting him mid-sentence.

"Yes, you're right. It's very likely that there's nothing wrong with the surface world, but it seems that you've forgotten the most important variabletime."

"Time? What do you mean?" Charles asked, sounding and looking bewildered.

"Let me ask you a question: when did the Foundation disappear?"

Charles shook his head and replied, "I'm not sure. There aren't many records about it, but it should be at least several hundred years ago."

Anna pointed at the ceiling and added, "They built Dawn One, right? You said their technology was advanced enough to build Dawn One, so tell me: which century did the Foundation arrive here? Also, which century were you living in when you arrived here?"

"Let us say that the surface world was what you'd always known when you arrived here, but would the surface world really remain the same a few hundred years later?"

Charles froze and was stunned speechless. He discovered a massive problem just then, which was the incongruity between the technology on the surface world and the Foundation's technology.

Human civilization underwent modernization from the mid-20th century, but Charles had fallen into the Subterranean Sea 13 years ago. In other words, the Foundation had to have settled on the Subterranean Sea around the 15th century.

And that was when the incongruity popped upthe Ming Dynasty reigned at the time, and the people of the 15th century couldn't possibly have united to create an organization like the Foundation, whose goal is to serve all of mankind, nor did they have the technology to do so.

Anna stepped forward and cupped Charles' head with both hands upon realizing that the latter had finally figured out the incongruity. Anna stared into Charles' eyes and said, "Wake up. The surface world is no longer in the 21st century; you should stop being so obsessed with it."

A tempest of confusion and bewilderment raged in Charles' mind, as Anna's revelation shattered his fantasies. However, the cogs in Charles' mind turned quickly as he tried to find a flaw in Anna's argument.

"What if what if the passage of time in the Subterranean Sea isn't consistent with the passage of time on the surface world? If that's the case, then it's going to make sense.

"Perhaps the Foundation came down here around 2000 AD. Their few hundred years of existence must've been only a few years on the surface. Have you read Journey to the West? In that novel, a day in heaven is a year on Earth."

Anna's expression distorted in fury at Charles' remark. She shoved Charles away and shouted, "Does that even make sense?! That obsession of yours has driven you mad!"

Anna emerged from the bathtub and picked up her clothes from the ground.

Charles watched as Anna's smooth and fair back was covered by her purple silk dress. He knew that Anna was furious, but he couldn't quite understand why she was angry at him.

"I thought we understood each other, Anna. Also, weren't you supporting me in my pursuit of the surface world? How come you've changed your mind all of a sudden?" Charles asked.

Anna turned around and glared coldly at Charles. "So, it's my fault? Have you ever thought about what you've done for us so far? And what exactly am I to you? I don't feel like your wife at all.

"I feel like I'm nothing but a tool to you. When you need me, I'm at your beck and call; when you don't need me, you simply ignore me until you need me again.

"Do you really think that I can't live without you? A single thought is all I need for our memories to disappear completely!" Anna roared as she argued.

"What are you talking about? I care about you and our daughter. In fact, I'm looking for the surface world for the sake of our family. The Subterranean Sea is dangerous, and it's not a great place to raise a child.

"Do you really want to stay in this damned place until you die?" Charles asked, his voice grew a bit louder as he argued.

Anna sneered and walked up to Charles.

"How many humans are living throughout the Subterranean Sea? Why. Can. they. Live. Here. Until. They. Die. While. You. Can't?" Anna asked, poking Charles' chest with every syllable.

"And don't forget our true formsyour daughter and I are monsters of the Subterranean Sea. The Subterranean Sea is our world. Why is it that I always have to adjust to accommodate you? When is it going to be your turn?

"Ah, right. Take a look at yourself as well! Look at what you've become. Even if I were to throw you back to the surface world, would you truly be able to adapt?"

"Tell me, how many lives have you killed with those hands of yours after all these years? Can you really adapt to the society out there where the law reigns supreme?

"Wake up, Charles! Even if you're not a Chosen One, you're a monster as well! You've spent thirteen years here, and you've already assimilated with the life here in the Subterranean Sea!

"And that is why I'm telling you right nowyou can't go back, and you will never be able to go back!"

"Enough!!!" Charles' roar stunned Anna into silence. He glared at Anna like an enraged lion.

Anna glared coldly at Charles, and her expression had never looked so indifferent.

The silence was shattered by Anna, who stepped forward and stood with her eyes only a few centimeters away from Charles.

"Forget about me. What about Sparkle? Do you even care about your daughter? Have you ever thought about her feelings? Is she even willing to go up with you?

"You've never spent even a day as her father since she was born. You're too selfish, Charles. All you ever think of is yourself!"

Anna smashed Charles' cell phone in the latter's chest before turning around and leaving. "Go spend the rest of your life with your right hand, you scumbag!"

Anna stomped her way out of the bathroom.

Charles bent down to pick his phone off the floor. The bar in the upper right corner of the phone shone red, which meant that the phone was running out of battery.

Charles entered the password and saw a few-minute-long audio file. He tapped on it, and Sparkle's voice echoed from the cell phone's speaker.

"Mommy, can we make Daddy stop going out to sea?"

"Why?"

"Nene's daddy went out to sea and never came back. I don't want my daddy to go out to sea one day and never return. If Daddy doesn't come back one day, will Mommy be sad?"

Anna's reply echoed belatedly. "Does Sparkle love Daddy?"

"I don't know. I'm not familiar with him at all. He doesn't play with me, too. I like Mommy a bit more than Daddy.

"Mommy, you said Daddy's head is broken. If we fix Daddy's head, will he stop trying to go up?"

Anna didn't respond.

However, Sparkle remained undeterred as she asked, "Mommy, Nene's daddy would play with her, tell her stories, and bring her yummy food.

"So why does my daddy only like to go out to sea?"