Chapter 240: 024: Blocking the Way and Requesting

The Ocean World is divided into the Shallow Sea Area, the Deep Sea Region, and the Sea Abyss.

The division of the sea.

This is the boundary between the Deep Sea Region of the Ocean World and the Shallow Sea Area of the land world. Here, the seawater exhibits two distinctly different colors; heading east toward the land the water becomes a lighter azure blue, while heading west toward the deep sea it transitions to a darker navy blue.

Experienced human sailors, upon seeing this deep blue seawater, all understand that they should venture no further. That area is one where not even migratory birds cross—a realm truly apart from land—a forbidden zone for humanity.

Grupa had encountered this dark blue sea countless times in his years of sailing, but entering it was, in fact, a rarity. This marked the first time in all these years—and perhaps the last of his life. Nervousness and fear were inevitable, yet what prevailed was exhilaration, fervor, and an ever-growing sense of anticipation.

The same feelings pervaded all the crew aboard. Over the years, Grupa had led numerous transgressive voyages, and those ordinary, rule-abiding sailors had long lost their patience and abandoned the Parrot. Those who still remained on this ship were as ’peculiar-minded’ as he was—including the chef.

At this moment, apart from the helmsman, everyone had gathered on the deck, letting the ship be dragged forward by the currents while cautiously observing this entirely unfamiliar sea domain.

On the deck, Lynch also straightened and focused.

The Ocean World was vast and boundless. Even during Atlantis’s peak, when the wizards were at their zenith, their oceanic exploration covered no more than eighty percent of the ocean. Now, after their hold over it diminished—left to neglect—the oceans had grown even more to resemble an unknown territory.

While staying vigilant of his surroundings, Lynch carefully analyzed the Magic Nautical Chart in his hands, remaining attentive to ensure the vessel stayed on course.

This was the latest edition of the chart issued by the Golden Carriage.

Although most of Atlantis’s records had been lost, the widespread nautical maps from their oceanic explorations had largely survived. This chart encompassed almost all recognized areas within the Deep Sea Region.

Today’s wizards used this map as a baseline to negotiate treaties with the Sea Clan, delineating borders, routes, and other maritime provisions together. A specific set of agreements had been established between the two sides for collective adherence.

As long as wizards traveling to the Ocean World stayed within designated routes, they would not face attacks from the Sea Clan. However, if one strayed from these routes, the resulting disputes or conflicts would be uncertain—none would pursue accountability into depths controlled by others.

“Eh? Wha… what’s that?”

“Oh my god—under the ship, beneath the hull! What is that thing?”

“Master Wizard!”

Just then, a commotion erupted on the deck.

A shadow appeared beneath the ship.

It resembled some kind of aquatic creature, yet its size surpassed imagination—at least several times larger than the Parrot.

It was worth noting that the Parrot itself was considered a medium-to-large sailboat, with a length exceeding 70 meters. Yet at this moment, it barely matched a third of the giant beast beneath the sea.

“A whale? Is it a whale?”

“Fool! Where in the world would you find such a massive whale?”

These were seasoned seafarers who had seen their fair share of large marine creatures. Even the ocean’s so-called apex predator—the whale—was only thirty to fifty meters long at most. This leviathan beneath the sea felt more akin to the legendary Sea Monsters of stories.

This massive entity slowly swam past the Parrot’s hull. Though it made no hostile moves, an oppressive tension engulfed the area.

Before long, as it continued onward…

“Whoosh!”

A roaring sound erupted.

The gigantic creature breached the surface, unveiling its true form. It was something utterly unbelievable—it turned out to be…

A catfish!

Heavens above—the sailors felt as though they were losing their minds. They couldn’t believe their own eyes. Never in their lives had they imagined the existence of a catfish this colossal—like an enormous mountain. Just one of its whiskers was as thick as a man’s waist!

The ship’s chef, Old Rock, was so terrified that he nearly hid behind a barrel. Incidentally, his breakfast that very morning had been catfish stew. Could this monster have come for revenge?

After a brief spell of shock, chaos erupted aboard the deck.

“Stop the ship! Quickly! Halt the ship before we collide!”

“Reel in the sails! Reel in the sails!”

This enormous catfish had appeared in their path completely without warning, leaving the Parrot utterly unprepared and unable to halt. Seeing that they were about to crash headlong into the beast, at that exact moment, the catfish raised several of its whiskers, softly slapping the surface of the sea ahead.

Ripples spread outward across the water, pushing back the currents toward the Parrot. This counterforce gradually brought the ship to a stop roughly a hundred meters from the enormous catfish.

Immediately afterward, the Catfish Monster turned its massive eyeballs toward the deck, fixing its gaze directly on Lynch.

Lynch himself had been preparing to cast a spell to halt the Parrot, but seeing the ship had stopped, he retracted the spell. Upon noticing the gaze of the Catfish Monster, he quickly discerned its intent.

“Snap!”

Lynch snapped his fingers, summoning Wizard Somda’s Book of Knowledge. The Shadow Tower’s library contained little about this deep-sea domain, and he himself knew even less—unable to identify the species before him.

As the pages of the book flipped, the answer quickly emerged: Deep sea catfish, small-sized giant species, First-tier Life, with strength peaking at the limits of First Order.

“This size is considered small for a giant species…”

Looking at the explanation in the book, Lynch could not help but marvel. No wonder they said the ocean was a paradise for giant species. The creatures he had encountered on land truly seemed paltry in comparison.

“I’ll go negotiate with it. You stay here and do not act recklessly.”

With these words, he floated upward and headed toward the creature.

Arriving before the Catfish Monster, Lynch adhered strictly to standard etiquette, promptly declaring his identity and mission: “Lynch Valen, Elementary Wizard. I’m journeying to the Shadow Sea Domain.”

To avoid conflict, wizards and the Sea Clan had devised a set of diplomatic protocols. Before embarking on this voyage, Lynch had diligently reviewed all relevant details and memorized them thoroughly, making ample preparations for this expedition.

After stating his identity and goals, he followed up with an inquiry directed at the Catfish Monster: “Why have you stopped me without cause? Please provide a legitimate explanation!”

The Catfish Monster raised several whiskers once more, sending ripples across the water. These ripples carried with them a distinct Spiritual Field.

The marine species had not developed specific linguistic systems; after all, communication in water wasn’t particularly convenient. Instead, they exchanged thoughts primarily through Spiritual Fields, perceiving these fields to understand their meanings.

This “foreign language” was something Lynch, of course, had mastered before coming here. Upon perceiving the Catfish Monster’s Spiritual Field, he quickly discerned its message.

“Help? You’re asking me for help?”

The Catfish Monster began by asserting its lack of malice, then elucidated its intent—to seek assistance from Lynch.

Lynch asked, “What kind of assistance?”

The Catfish Monster continued releasing its Spiritual Field, explaining further.

Essentially, it had a friend who was nearing death, and it was desperately seeking help.

Upon hearing this, Lynch initially assumed its friend was injured and required medical treatment. However, the reality turned out to be quite different—the Catfish Monster’s actual request was…

With a peculiar expression, Lynch asked, “You’re saying you want us to prepare a funeral for your friend?”

Yes,

The Catfish Monster’s genuine need was none other than arranging a funeral for its soon-to-be-deceased friend.

Because…

There was a particular aspect of the funeral that only humans could accomplish…

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