CHAPTER 194: CHAPTER 148: THE IMPENDING WAR DRUMS

The scene opened in an unnamed shipyard. The ship beneath their feet had been custom-built by a musician, a process that took several years to complete.

At that time, she was exceptionally beautiful. Adorned in gold with hints of other colors, she resembled an elegant musical instrument, appearing extraordinarily graceful and luxurious. Her pristine white sails were untouched by any other color.

On the ship’s hull, Alka clearly saw her name: ’Musician’.

What followed was a voyage spanning over a decade. Countless grand concerts were held aboard, gradually earning her fame, until she was seized by a pirate. This pirate repainted the ’Musician’ and hoisted black sails. Fortunately, this pirate and his Pirate Gang seemed to have a keen interest in music as well. The elegant music of before was transformed into boisterous sea shanties, and they renamed her ’Song of the Deep Sea’.

After an unknown period, the pirates were captured and killed, and the ship once again fell into the hands of a naval force. She was then sold to an exploration team. Apart from changing the sails, they also gave the ship a new name: ’Voice of the Dream Chaser’. No other changes were made.

The ship accompanied the exploration team as they grew. As they expanded, they engraved Spells on her, making her stronger and bestowing her with a robust hull. The exploration team’s captain held what looked like a harmonica. It was the Magic Item Alka later used to summon the ship. During this time, the exploration team’s captain discovered a Treasure related to music. This Treasure’s history matched the ship’s experiences so well that the team leader believed the ship had brought him luck.

This Spell Ship, infused by the Treasure, was nearly transforming into a genuine Ghost Ship during their voyage. However, at that precise moment, the environment suddenly changed; the Treasure’s existence had been leaked. In what seemed like a foggy environment, nothing could be seen clearly except for something attacking the exploration team. The entire team was annihilated, and the summoning harmonica was lost.

The Ghost Ship, having just been awakened to a nascent consciousness yet lacking complete self-awareness, began drifting alone on the sea’s surface. This continued until she encountered the onslaught of dark ripples. Already damaged, she sustained even further injuries. Instinctively, the ship moored in a safe cave, remaining there until Alka’s harmonica summoned her. She had little self-awareness, merely driven by instinct, responding to the call of the harmonica.

The bubbles then dimmed and eventually vanished. The ship’s self-awareness was so faint that the Dream Realm lasted only a brief moment, just long enough for her to recount her life to Alka.

Alka was once again enshrouded by a rainbow-colored mist.

From the environmental changes he had just witnessed, Alka discerned that the exploration team’s demise had occurred at least 400 years ago. This was during an era before the great wars, because, back then, the surroundings were not yet enveloped in darkness. Later, the ship began her solitary voyage, the exact duration of which remains unknown. This continued until the darkness erupted and battered her. The ship was nearly wrecked and, unable to hold out any longer, finally found a safe spot to stop. It was then that Alka, experimenting with the harmonica, had sounded the call that awakened her anew.

Understanding the course of events, Alka surfaced back into reality. He once again saw the tattered, almost completely ravaged ship, and a new, different sentiment washed over him. In the Dream Realm, he had quickly witnessed her entire life: her birth, growth, flourishing, and finally, her current state, nearing death.

He gently patted the mast. "To have withstood so much and still lived so persistently... it must have been very tough on you."

"If you’re willing, would you sail with me in the future? I’ll find a way to restore you to your former self, make you even better, how about it?"

After Alka finished speaking, a TOOT-TOOT sound echoed from the ship, weaving into a beautiful melody.

Having witnessed the ship’s response, Alka understood her intention. "Then it seems you’ve agreed," he said.

A smile appeared on Alka’s face.

With this ship on the verge of becoming a Ghost Ship, once repaired, he could use his Treasure to reinitiate her awakening. Before long, she would become a true Ghost Ship. This will save a lot of time compared to awakening a new vessel, Alka mused. It’s already an excellent outcome.

"So, is this truly a Ghost Ship?" Chadite asked Alka, as the group gathered around with wide eyes.

This was a legendary ship, one they had only learned about from Lucilia. Before this, none of them had known that such self-aware ships even existed.

Alka nodded, then shook his head and said, "Yes, but not entirely. Her previous owner was someone who possessed a Treasure and was in the process of awakening her. However, just as the ship was about to become a true Ghost Ship, her master died. That’s why she ended up like this."

Hearing this, everyone nodded.

"So, what is it now?" Jason asked.

Upon hearing Jason’s question, Alka patted the mainmast. Smiling, he said to Jason, "You need to call her ’she.’ She’s a girl. Be careful, or she might take a rope and whip you."

"Alright, alright, she."