Shrouded Seascape

Chapter 505. Returning to the Island

"I've also come here to know more about the death light that's exterminating mankind as we speak. Does it have anything to do with the missing Divine Light Order?" Julio's words echoed in the quiet hall.

Anna cast a surprised look at Julio. "You actually care about that, Governor Julio?"

"What do you mean, 'care'? Do you not know how many people died on my island because of that death light? And that death light also killed my four sons and six grandsons!"

Anna frowned slightly at the remark and asked, "How come you only counted the men and not the women? Are your daughters and granddaughters somehow unaffected by the death light? The sunlight doesn't discriminate; it shines on both men and women, doesn't it?"

"Don't you dare avoid my questioning!" Julio exclaimed, and a horrifying aura burst out of him. Beneath Julio's piercing gaze, Anna felt as if numerous sharp knives were grazing her skin. "I'm not the only one seeking the answer to that question. The entire Subterranean Sea wants to know the answer to that question as well!

"I know that your Hope Island had an extraordinary relationship with the Divine Light Order, but if you dare cover their tracks, you better be prepared to become enemies of the entire Subterranean Sea!"

"Sigh, why are you so impatient? It's not like I'm not going to tell you. Actually, there's a straightforward answer to that question. The calamity was a result of the Pope's scheme..."

In the dark hall, Anna recounted the entire course of events to Julio. Of course, she purposely didn't mention Charles' involvement in some of them.

Julio's eyes darkened as if there were a tempestuous storm within. "Is that true? The Light God has awakened and has gone to the surface world?"

"Mmhmm, but even He ended up perishing—He died on the surface world. Charles and I had left Hope Island to go to the surface, but we decided to return upon seeing the dangers of the surface world."

Julio's eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed, "How could that be?! The Light God is a Divinity! What entity can kill a Divinity?!"

"Do you really think that I'd have the answer to that high level of a question? If I had encountered that entity on the surface world, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to come back," Anna replied.

Julio went silent. He sat quietly, digesting the shocking pieces of information that he had just heard from Anna.

A long while later, Julio stood up with a solemn expression and said, "I'm going to send my men to the surface and verify whether you've lied to me or not. I hope they won't end up discovering anything that'll prove that you've lied to me today."

"Haha. I advise you not to do such a thing unless it's absolutely necessary. If you accidentally lure something from above to the Subterranean Sea, then we're all doomed," Anna said, seemingly sneering at Julio.

"You have no right to interfere with my affairs; no, it's not just you. No one has the right to tell me what to do," Julio said, turning around and walking toward the exit.

"All right, but I want to make something clear. We're the ones who discovered the island below the exit to the surface world; according to the rules of the Explorers Association, the island also counts as ours."

Julio revealed a hint of disdain on his face as he walked away. As the sound of footsteps disappeared, Julio's figure disappeared from Anna's sight as well.

"Tsk, that old man has such a foul temper. I really want to know if his flesh is just as foul as his temper," Anna said, brows knitted ever so slightly as she twirled Sparkle's long hair with one hand.

Anna seemed to be in deep contemplation, pondering over her encounter with Julio. A few minutes later, she patted Sparkle's head and said, "Send me back."

Sparkle nodded. She jumped down Anna's lap and ran to the table. Then, she scooped the ten apples into her arms before teleporting Anna away.

Charles was busy writing in his diary inside one of the airship's cabins. He heard movement behind him, but he didn't even turn his head as he asked, "How come you were gone for so long? Did something happen on the island?"

"It wasn't anything serious, and it has been resolved. Julio has decided to pay our island a visit," Anna said. She let go of Sparkle and sprawled out on the soft bed.

"Julio?!" Charles exclaimed. He turned around with a grim look and asked, "Why did he visit us?"

Julio was the overlord of the Subterranean Sea, and Charles found it weird that the former had decided to visit Hope Island, considering how there was an ongoing calamity.

Anna revealed Julio's motive to Charles, and she also told Charles about Julio's reaction when she told the latter about what had transpired on the surface.

"He's not the type to easily believe any information. He's definitely going to send his own people to investigate up there. Once he discovers that you were involved in the Light God's awakening, I'm afraid he might attack Hope Island."

Charles put the fountain pen in his hand on the table and sighed lightly before replying, "As if not enough people have already died."

"Well, who can say for sure? Anyway, we need to be on guard. The law of the jungle reigns supreme over the Subterranean Sea, and we can't just hope that Julio will remain calm and diplomatic.

"Since we can't get to the surface world, Hope Island is going to be our home today and in the future. By the way, give me your phone," Anna said.

"Phone?" Charles was startled. Anna had changed topics too fast that he couldn't quite keep up.

"Yes, give me that phone. Do you still have that tablet? Give it to me as well."

Charles raised his prosthetic limb and opened his palm. His cell phone popped out of his palm, and he tossed it to Anna.

"It's not going to be useful to you, anyway. However, the Relic Research Institute might be able to replicate it." Anna caught the phone and placed a hand on Sparkle. The two then vanished into thin air.

Left all alone, Charles' brows knitted tightly as he pondered over Anna's account.

Time ticked by, and the airship slowly approached Hope Island. Charles had departed Hope Island with a grand fleet, but only his airship returned to Hope Island, as the fleet had remained on Annarles Island to construct a base and docks.

It was a good thing that they had brought with them a variety of supplies in preparation for their departure to the surface world. They couldn't employ those supplies on the surface, but they still came in handy on Annarles Island.

An airship would never get attacked by monsters in the sea, but it was slower than most ships. Charles found his days in the airship to be quite boring. Eventually, Charles clapped his eyes on Hope Island's canopy, and he sighed in relief.

He really couldn't get used to doing nothing other than eating and sleeping all day.

Soon, the airship landed slowly at the newly repaired airport. Among the waiting crowd, Charles saw a familiar face that he hadn't seen in a long while.

Charles jumped off the airship, and the moment his two feet touched the ground, Elizabeth rushed over excitedly and embraced him with enough force to lift both his feet off of the ground.

"Darling, you're finally back! I missed you so much!"

"Let go... I can't breathe." Charles had to forcefully pull his head away from Elizabeth's soft bosom just to breathe.

Just then, Anna walked down the steps, and she revealed a hint of disgust upon seeing the intimate scene.

Elizabeth hugged Charles a bit tighter seemingly in a show of defiance.

Anna couldn't even be bothered to look at her and made a beeline for a nearby car.

"Anna, where are you going?" Charles asked, staring at Anna.

"Of course, I'm leaving to give you two some space. What? Don't tell me that you want to have the both of us together at the same time?

"Are you not afraid that she'll make you a cuckold by sleeping with me while you're asleep?" Anna said sarcastically. She didn't even wait for Charles' reply as she turned to the driver and said, "Drive me to the Relic Research Institute."