Shrouded Seascape

"Hmm…" Charles' brows furrowed together as he stared at the relic in his hand.

It was difficult to judge if a relic that traded intelligence for physical size was good or bad. If the user lacked even basic cognitive abilities, even having Hercules' strength would be of no use.

Furthermore, if his body grew larger, he would not be able to use the other three relics in his possession. Comparatively, his overall combat power might even decrease.

Charles quickly realized the biggest utility of this relic. Although I can't use it, I can give it to my crew.

Adventures ahead would only get increasingly dangerous, and relying on his strength alone would not suffice.

The combat power of all crew members on board the Narwhale needed an upgrade as well so that they wouldn't end up as liabilities in times of battle.

The figure of a certain individual with bulging muscles flashed through Charles' mind. He had found a new owner for the relic.

Disregarding the slightly stinging pain in his body, Charles lifted the covers and headed out of his cabin with the relic in hand.

Thirty minutes later, Charles stood on the deck and shouted at the four-meter-tall Chief Engineer, "James! Put the relic down! Put! Down!"

The other crew members who had nothing to do had gathered around and were watching the spectacle in excitement.

The enlarged James sat himself down on the deck, and the entire Narwhale swayed with his every move. After about three seconds, he finally unballed his fist, and 434 fell on the deck.

"The decrease in intelligence is greater than I imagined," Charles muttered to himself as he stared at the Purple Pyramid in his hand.

After testing it out, he realized that the growth in physical size enhanced one's strength exceptionally as well. However, the decrease in intelligence was extremely detrimental. Someone would need to constantly direct a dim-witted James, or he would just simply stand in place and play with his fingers.

"Captain, can I have a go at this thing?" Dipp approached Charles with a curious expression and a group of sailors tailed him.

Charles pondered for a moment before tossing 434 to Dipp. "All of you go ahead and give it a try. See who is more suited for this thing."

In an instant, the crew members on the deck cheered and shouted. Watching them frolicking around while treating 434 as a toy, Charles didn't stop them as well.

Humans weren't machines, after all. And opportunities to relax like this were rare in the subterranean world.

After giving a few instructions, Charles headed towards his cabin. The pain in his wounds started to intensify once again.

Time flew past at sea, and Charles' corroded wounds were also rapidly healing. The occasional minor mishaps on their journey back were also perfectly resolved by the crew. Finally, he was able to enjoy the privileges as a captain, and need not personally attend to every matter anymore.

When they caught sight of the lighthouse on the Coral Archipelago, the entire Narwhale seemed like it would nearly capsize from the cheers of her crew. They had once again returned alive.

As soon as the ship docked, everyone received their pay from Charles and dashed off to release their pent-up emotions.

With the two remaining relics in his possession, Charles planned to make a trip to the Explorers Association. He didn't know their uses or drawbacks, so he wanted to see if the other captains had any clues.

As he was getting off the ship, Charles spotted Lily standing on the pier and realized that she hadn't left. She was surrounded by a crowd of brown mice.

Charles approached her, and as he got closer, he noticed that she was holding her head down and her ears were droopy.

"Why are you still here?"

His question startled Lily, and she turned around anxiously. "Mr. Charles..."

"What are you doing standing here? Why aren't you going home? Weren't you longing to return home?" Charles asked as he picked Lily up by the tail.

"But I've turned into a mouse, will Mommy recognize me? What if she chases me away with a broom?" Lily asked in a pitiful whimper.

Charles understood her fears right away. After all, Lily was still just a child. It was normal to be scared after undergoing such a tremendous transformation.

"Don't worry. Parents don't stop caring for their children. Even if you've turned into a mouse, they won't disdain you," Charles comforted Lily.

"Really?" Lily's ears perked up upon hearing Charles' words.

"Yes. Really." Looking at the white mouse before him, Charles was somehow reminded of his own younger sister.

Lily shook her body excitedly and chirped, "Mr. Charles, you are right. Mommy won't forget me. I've been away for so long, she must be missing me a lot."

Charles placed the white mouse back down on the ground and was about to leave when the latter held onto his finger and requested, "Mr. Charles, can you take me home?"

Just as he was about to turn her down, Charles saw the pitiful expression on the little mouse's face.

Charles let out a sigh and gave in, "Alright, I'll take you back home."

For some unknown reason, the little girl before him had been turned into a mouse and it remained uncertain if she could return to her human form. It was the least he could do to help someone in such a pitiful situation.

Soon enough, an unusual sight appeared at Pier 3 of Coral Archipelago. A man with black eyes paraded through the crowd with a large group of mice trailing after him.

He had to fork out four times the price and repeatedly assure the driver that the mice wouldn't nibble on the seat cushions before a steam-powered car driver agreed to transport them.

Lily's home was nearly an hour's drive from the harbor. The closer they got to their destination, the more excited she became.

She should be really happy now, right? Will I be able to experience this some day? Charles wondered as he watched the white mouse scurrying in circles on his thigh. His eyes glimmered with envy.

"Sir, we've arrived. Dr. Oliver's house is just around the left corner. He has a lovely little girl, so it's best not to bring these mice with you. It might scare her," the driver warned.

Unable to contain her anticipation, Lily couldn't wait for the car to stop completely and jumped off. Leading the group of mice, she sprinted toward the corner at full speed.

However, her petite frame froze as if she had been struck by lightning the moment she reached the corner.

"Hmm?" Charles sensed something amiss and approached.

As they turned at the corner of the street, they saw an elegant two-storey villa standing gracefully above a protruding rock. In the front yard, a gentle woman sat with her daughter as they sipped tea and chatted.

Although the girl looked to be only eleven or twelve years of age, she resembled the brown-haired girl in the first of that famous wizard film series. Her captivating charm hinted at her future beauty that might even surpass her mother's.

"Lily, do you have a sister?" Charles asked in hesitation. He had observed that the woman didn't seem to exhibit any signs of grief.

Charles' words jolted the frozen Lily out of her frozen state, and she let out a piercing cry.

"Ahhhhhh! That Lily is a fake! I am Mommy's real daughter! She must be the witch the fairy tales speak of! She turned me into a rat and stole Mommy's love from me! I'll bite off that face of hers!!"

The moment Lily completed her sentence, she bared her fangs and claws. The mice behind her followed suit and they made a dash for the villa.

With a raise of his left hand adorned with the ring, Charles swiftly lifted Lily into the air.

"Calm down!" he shouted.

Seeing that their leader was trapped, the swarm of mice swiftly turned around and bared their sharp teeth at Charles. Their gazes held a glint of murderous intent.

Just as Charles' tried to reach for the Clown Mask with his other hand, Lily squeaked to stop the mice from attacking.

Suspended in mid air, she started bawling, "Sob, sob, sob. Mr. Charles, I can't go home anymore…Mommy doesn't want me anymore… What should I do??"