Shrouded Seascape

Chapter 507. Fhtagn Covenant

"Governor, Mr. Feuerbach has left. He entered the sea alone and followed the school of red sharks," the silver-haired butler relayed what he saw at the docks.

"Alone? What about his wife and child?" Charles asked.

"His wife and child are still on the island," the butler continued. "After leaving the Governor's Mansion, Mr. Feuerbach didn't even drop by his home and headed straight to the docks instead."

A soft chuckle escaped Charles' lips. For Feuerbach to abandon his family just like that, it seemed like everything about him was just a facade. He had no lingering attachments to anything on the island—not his wife, not his child, not even the land and house given to him.

"Who could have sent him here and what did they promise him that he'd forsake wealth, power, and his own family?" Charles muttered to himself.

However, Feuerbach's origins no longer mattered, as the chapter had come to an end. Charles probably wouldn't see the man who had been part of his crew for five years ever again.

Just then, Feuerbach's parting words surfaced in his mind.

"Their insanity stems from God Fhtagn. Who else would know best about this slumbering Divinity? Perhaps you can try to find a solution through them."

Fhtagn Covenant... Those infected with the D4 meme according to the Foundation's logs... Charles' eyes narrowed in deep thought as his metal fingers drummed rhythmically against the wooden desk top.

His crew members had been driven crazy by God Fhtagn's chanting sounds. Ironically, those cultists worshiped Him, and they might also really hold the leads to reverse his crew members' insanity.

However, a new problem had manifested itself. Charles's relationship with the Fhtagn Covenant was strained, and it could even be described as hostile due to his dealings with the Pope.

Nonetheless, Charles didn't want to give up on the potential lead. No matter if it would actually lead to a solution, he had to try. Furthermore, he still had an unplayed card in his hand to strike a deal with them

After a moment of contemplation, Charles raised his head and looked at the butler.

"Fetch me a glass of water, please," he instructed.

A hint of confusion flickered across the butler's face.

"A glass of water, sir?" the butler echoed.

"Yes, a glass of water. Any water will do. Be quick."

"Right away!" The butler briskly exited the room.

Soon, a glass filled to the brim with clear, fresh water was placed before Charles. With a deliberate tilt of his right hand, Charles poured the water across the desk.

The water swiftly saturated the papers on the desk to create a wet sheen on the surface.

"I'm Governor Charles of Hope Island," Charles said to the pool of water. "I have something to discuss with you."

This method was the one that the Fhtagn Covenant had previously taught him. Using water as a communication medium, they had contacted Charles to sway him onto their side to resist the Divine Light Order. However, Charles had turned down their offer back then.

However, in a twist of fate, Charles was utilizing their communication medium under such circumstances.

"I'm Governor Charles of Hope Island. I have something to discuss with your covenant," Charles reiterated his request, but the still water remained unresponsive.

After waiting for a few seconds, just as Charles thought that those zealous cultists had chosen to ignore him, a wisp of black diffused across the water and a pair of familiar octopus-like eyes with horizontal pupils surfaced.

As if gargling thick phlegm, a voice filled the room with its mocking words.

"Oh, all glory to the Great One; look at who this is. Isn't this the exalted Governor Charles of Hope Island? What an honor to have your esteemed self to grace us, lowly cultists, with your presence."

The disdain in Hook's voice was a stark contrast to the subservient tone he had used months ago when he had attempted to sway Charles' allegiance.

However, Charles had no patience for pleasantries and cut straight to the chase. "Hook, does the Covenant know of any ways to reverse the insanity induced by God Fhtagn's chanting?"

A dark chuckle echoed through the room. "Oh, without the Divine Light Order to back you up now, you are thinking of seeking reconciliation with us?"

Charles' brow furrowed slightly; his patience was wearing thin. "Just tell me. Does the Covenant have a way? And what would be the price to know the solution."

As soon as his words fell, the water on the table roiled violently. Several octopus tentacles with barbed hooks shot out of the water. Oozing a black viscous fluid, they aimed straight for Charles' neck.

With a swift kick, Charles slammed his right boot into the heavy wooden desk and sent it skidding across the room. The sudden increase in distance thwarted the tentacles' assault as they could no longer reach him.

A furious roar erupted from the water. Hook's voice was twisted with rage as he spat out, "You want our help? Dream on! Do you know how many of our followers have been beheaded or scalped because of the warrants issued by Hope Island?!

"The Divine Light Order is gone, and your backing has also vanished! Just wait! Once we settle our own affairs, we'll return all the misery you and the Pope inflicted upon us—multiplied!"

The tentacles slowly retracted into the water and the black liquid gradually faded to become clear once again.

Just as Hook's eyes were about to disappear from sight, Charles asked, "Is there really no room for negotiation?"

A bitter and cold laugh sounded from the water. "Room for negotiation? You can discuss with the Great One after your death! There is not even the slightest possibility of resolving the hatred between us! Your island, your family, and everything you hold dear—we will obliterate them!"

Leaning slightly forward, Charles fixed his gaze on Hook's eyes which were slowly fading into the depths. He was going to play his trump card.

"Then what if I say that I know where your Great One is? I'll use this information in exchange for the cure of the madness He has induced. Surely that's a trade you'd consider?" Charles countered.

"What?" The clear water instantly darkened again. Apart from Hook's eyes that had reappeared on the surface, other pairs of eyes of varying sizes also emerged.

The myriad eyes crowding the water pooled on the tabletop gave it the appearance of a monster blanketed in eyes.

"Mortal! Where did you see the Great One?"

"Answer me! You have seen our great God Fhtagn! Why haven't you gone mad?!"

"If you dare to deceive us... you're finished!"

Seeing the countless horizontal octopus pupils squirming and jostling each other in the water, an unexpected calm washed over Charles.

To the faithful, especially the zealots, nothing was more important than their god, and now, the tables had turned.

"So do you guys actually have a solution?" Charles posed his question again.

After a brief silent exchange among the eyeballs, they dispersed quickly. The pool of black water on the table then levitated like a sheet of fabric and morphed into a humanoid figure that resembled a jellyfish.

"Have you beheld the true form of the Great One?" the water figure spoke. Charles knew instantly that it wasn't Hook, as the voice carried a different tone and authority. It seemed like a higher-ranking member of the Fhtagn Covenant had taken over the negotiation.

"Let me guess," the water figure said, "Your men got too close to the Great One, and as mortals, they couldn't withstand His divine presence, and that's how they went mad. Am I right?"

"So do you have a solution or not?" Charles demanded, his brows deeply pressed together. He was getting annoyed.

"We do," the water figure confirmed.