"So, are you the Captain? That bright red hair is familiar."

After Captain Lionheart was convinced that the Redflower Pirates were believers, or on the path to becoming believers, he was happy to engage in casual conversation with them.

Roseus felt himself relaxing slightly. He wondered what he would have done without Lavender.

Each member of a crew has their uses.

"Yes, I’m the captain. We’re new to the seas, so you might be mistaking me for someone else," Roseus replied.

He had long since decided that he would be cautious with who he told about his father.

He wasn’t aware of who Redeye had made enemies of, so this was the safest option.

Captain Lionheart examined the captain in front of him before shrugging his shoulders.

"It’s a pleasure finding new sailors who aren’t afraid to profess their beliefs in God. Do you plan on sailing into the Second Sea?"

"Yes, and then the Third."

Lionheart raised his blonde brows.

"Ah, an ambitious captain. I don’t fault you for it. If I wasn’t an evangelist, I too would wish to sail to the Eighth Ocean. Discovering what lies in the Eighth Ocean is almost as important as our own mission, so I cannot judge."

Roseus and the others were slowly starting to learn just how zealous these men were. Dawn wanted to sigh, but knew it would be disrespectful. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"We are currently heading towards Highstorm Island. Do you wish to sail with us?"

The question sounded like music to Roseus’s ears. Templar guidance through the Maze Sea would not only make sure that they didn’t make any mistakes with their route, but would also help them if they ran into any navy ships or other pirates.

However, Blodwen responded first.

"Highstorm? That island in the Second Ocean? It still exists?"

Lionheart nodded.

"Yes. Are you familiar with it?"

"Sort of..."

Roseus looked at Blodwen, but the man didn’t say anything. All he did was look down at the captain’s hat. Redeye’s hat...

Roseus came to a realisation.

Is he suggesting that my father travelled to this Highstorm Island? Is it where my father left another ally for me?

Suddenly filled with excitement, Roseus accepted the offer.

Afterwards, Captain Lionheart asked if the men needed any provisions or aid on their ship. Roseus refused these offers, as he didn’t want to end up too indebted to the man. Safe passage and guidance were already enough.

If anything, Roseus would have liked to ask for knowledge, but he knew that knowledge was likely the most expensive treasure in a world filled with so many mysteries.

...

After discussing a few more matters, such as the time they expected it would take to sail through the sea, how close the ships should travel to one another, and what sort of signals they might need to share with each other during the journey, Roseus and his crew finally returned to their ship.

Once there, they shared the necessary details with those who had stayed behind.

They were all pleased to hear that the plan had gone smoothly.

After this, Blodwen explained the reasoning for his question earlier.

Roseus had guessed right.

Highstorm Island was one of the closest Second Ocean islands to the Maze Sea. It was a large island with a weak navy presence, so many pirates often docked there during their travels. Merchant ships also travelled to and from this island, though they had to be careful due to the strong storms that often targeted the island and its surroundings.

This also happened to be the location where Redeye told Blodwen he would be leaving the next ally for his son to find. He did not tell him who, as it had not been decided yet, but he was certain that this was the island.

Roseus felt his excitement rising. Not only at the prospect of entering the Second Ocean, but also because they were heading towards another piece of the puzzle that his father had left for him.

He would learn more about the great captain Redeye, his journeys, and where he might be now. He would also learn about this ally whom his father trusted so much to leave behind for him to find.

The Templar consort ship and the Redflower Pirates’ ship set sail deeper into the Maze Sea.

...

Three mundane days passed, following the repetitive cycle of sailing, training, sleeping, and eating.

During these travels, the Redflowers and the Templars did not communicate. They simply continued sailing whilst sticking to their own ships.

The Maze Sea had presented no dangers so far, as the Templars were experts when it came to navigating these waters.

Only when a night darker than usual came did something finally change.

Dawn woke up below deck much earlier than she was supposed to. She knew this because it wasn’t Silius who woke her, who was supposed to be the one keeping track of sleep shifts.

She could also hear the words of the others above her, quietly chatting.

Then, a much louder voice came. One that forced her to drop to her knees.

The pain felt unbearable. Unlike anything she had felt before.

She tried to stand, but ended up falling over. She tried to look around, but wherever her eyes attempted to look, they ended up unwillingly turning towards something.

She realised then that she had been struck with an inconceivable sense of feeling lost.

Then, the pain became too much, to the point that she ended up passing out.

When she came back to her senses, she found herself in a dark place. A dark place within her mind, where her consciousness existed. She had no body, but was aware of the concept of self.

Then, the words came.

[Sea God ’Daedalus’ Reaches Out to You. Will You Answer His Call?]

A thousand thoughts ran through Dawn’s consciousness, but one was at the forefront.

Her memory of the mistake her captain made, and how he had been tricked by the evil Treasure-Eater, Nammon.

She gave her answer almost immediately.

[No.]

After waiting for a few seconds, expecting to be returned to her physical body, the voice called out to her again.

It was persistent.

[Sea God ’Daedalus’ insists that you hear his offer before refusing.]

[You receive...]