The farther east you go, the thinner the fog becomes, yet the sky remains overcast, as if sunlight cannot penetrate this sea.
The surrounding rocks grew increasingly towering, gradually transforming into massive stone pillars. For some reason, despite the water level dropping, the ship maintained steady speed, and even the waves on the sea surface diminished, becoming as calm as a windless lake.
"Why not wait until the tide fully recedes before entering the Shadow Sea?" Tilly asked in confusion. "That way, once all the reefs are exposed, you won't have to worry about running aground." "Because once the tide goes out, we'll lose sight of the Ghost Shadow Red River—the only path that guides explorers to the ruins," Thunder explained. "These pillar-like islands aren't fixed; their positions shift with each tide. Most markers get swallowed by the water, making them useless for navigation." "Ghost Shadow... Red River?" She repeated.
"Exactly. Look, this is it—" Thunder whistled, pointing toward the bow of the ship.
The Witches turned toward the direction he pointed, only to see a few red figures dart across the dark green waters—like fleeting illusions. But soon, two or three more red figures appeared. This time, Ash identified the target: a fish glowing with an orange-red hue.
"Is this... a fish?" "The crimson-skinned fish native to the Phantom Archipelago," Thunder chuckled, stroking his chin, "you'll soon witness the true form of the Ghost Shadow Red River." Gradually, the fish multiplied, no longer appearing in small groups but clustering together, swimming in unison toward the ship's stern. As they surged forward, Ash was stunned by the sight: more and more fish merged into the current, forming a dark red line across the water. The sailboat clearly followed this crimson path, with the fish swarming beneath its hull, their occasional clattering sounds echoing through the air.
Suddenly, she realized this was the Ghost Shadow Red River—a mythical waterway that never existed! As the boat moved forward, the dense schools of fish had expanded into a channel wide enough for several vessels to sail side by side. The dark green waters seemed to vanish, and the sailboat glided effortlessly above the fish. Had the boats not been moving in opposite directions, she might have mistaken it for the fish carrying the ship.
"Why is that?" Tilly asked in surprise.
Ash was equally eager to ask this question. In Graycastle or any other kingdom, such a scene would be utterly unimaginable—mists shrouding the periphery, a gloomy sky, grotesque boulders, and a 'river' formed by red-scaled fish. For the first time, she was awestruck by the sea's marvels.
"Because of the main island," Thunder explained, "it resembles a triangular spire pierced by a massive hollow at its core. These scarlet-skinned fish thrive in this cavity, breeding and multiplying there. When the tide recedes, the hollow surfaces, and the fish that inhabit it are the first to sense the rising waters, swarming out. Thus, by following the Ghost Shadow Red River, we can reach the Shadow Main Island." "Lord Thunder, there's a colossal obstacle ahead! It looks like a mountain!" the lookout shouted.
"We're almost there," he said, flicking out his pipe. "Ladies, welcome to the Shadow Islands." Soon, Ash glimpsed the main island's silhouette—just as Thunder had described, it resembled a triangular puzzle, broad at the base and tapering upward, its surface appearing perfectly smooth, hardly resembling a natural formation. Yet to claim the entire tower was carved from human hands would be an understatement. The exposed structure alone spanned nearly half the city's size, its hollow center large enough to contain the spire of a Hermes Church.
The seawater continued to recede, with water cascading from the cave's ceiling like a waterfall. Below, the submerged area was entirely blanketed by schools of fish, turning the surrounding waters a vivid crimson. Ash couldn't help but wonder how many red-scaled fish must inhabit this cavern.
Only when night fell did the seawater fully recede to the cave's base. Seizing the moment, Thunder commanded the crew to anchor and secure a sturdy hemp rope to the copper stake at the entrance. From the edge of the colossal cavern, the opposite pass could be glimpsed—light streaming in from both ends illuminated only a narrow strip, while the hollow's center remained pitch black, creating an inexplicable sense of oppression.
"Are these the stakes you left when you came last time?" Ash asked.
"No," Thunder shook his head. "The copper pillars were already here when I first arrived. They must have been built by the ruins 'original owner." "Where... are the ruins?" He smiled and pointed upward. "Right above us—we're already standing at the entrance."...
The journey ahead was nothing short of miraculous. The witches followed Thunder and his companions, entering through a stone door at the base of the colossal cavern. They ascended the winding stone steps, where water trickled down. Though torches were held high, the flickering flames seemed faint and insignificant against the endless staircase stretching before them.
Tilly clung to Ash's arm as they moved through the abyss-like darkness, her usual composure completely shattered.
This is the princess you know so well, Your Highness, Ash thought. Back in the palace, the Fifth Princess—always full of her own ideas and brimming with confidence in the face of any challenge—had one glaring weakness: her fear of the dark. Even at night, she needed candles to light her room. When fleeing the palace, if circumstances didn't allow, he'd stay by her side until she fell asleep.
Walking through the damp and gloomy spire, Ash's mood became surprisingly cheerful.
The journey revealed neither ferocious beasts nor any traps to deter the invaders—though such mechanisms might have existed, they would likely have been rendered obsolete by prolonged seawater exposure. The real challenge was the grueling climb that drained the group's energy, their movements growing increasingly sluggish. When the stone steps finally reached their end, the team erupted in spontaneous cheers.
The final checkpoint of the ancient passage wasn't a stone gate, but a metal one that gleamed brilliantly in the torchlight. Thunder pushed the heavy door with all his might, and the metallic clatter of the panel as it slowly opened was a sharp, metallic sound.
Ashes, sword in hand, was the first to enter the room. After checking the surroundings to ensure safety, he let Tilly and the other witches step inside.
As torches adorned the walls, a vast hall came into view—though spacious, it felt empty, and a glance revealed nothing of interest.
"Is this the ruins?" she murmured, caressing the water-scorched stone table. "Apart from a few stone tables and stools, there's nothing here." "Indeed, very little remains," Thunder nodded. "It's been submerged for too long—nothing but stones could survive. I told Your Highness, but she insisted on seeing it herself." "What about those red stones?" Tilly asked. "Where did you find them?" "Scattered on the ground, about a dozen pieces." But now, nothing was left. Ash glanced down at the slippery, algae-covered floor. Thunder wasn't the only explorer here. After a thorough search, it was strange that they'd found nothing but magic stones.
Yet Tilly remained animated, holding a torch as she scrutinized every corner of the hall. In the darkest spots, she would have the sailors light extra torches. Moril summoned the Magic Power servants, spreading them out on the ground as cushions for everyone to rest on, while Ashes trailed behind Tilly, watching her explore the walls.
"Hey," the Fifth Princess suddenly stopped in her tracks. "What is this?" Her gaze followed the trail of ash, revealing faint flickers of fire on the moss-covered wall.
Tilly yanked the moss away, revealing a gemstone half-buried in the stone wall. Its surface glowed crimson, as translucent as a magic stone, with a prism-like shape nearly as thick as an arm. Golden threads encircled the edges, forming a secure groove that held it in place. Remarkably, even after being submerged in seawater for so long, the golden strands remained as smooth and pristine as new.
Tilly tried to pull it out, but the gemstone remained completely still.
"Let me do it," said Ash.
The fifth princess shook her head, as if she was thinking about something, then she placed her hand on the prism and closed her eyes.
Suddenly, a flash of light pierced the prism's core. Ash thought it was just a vision, but the wall behind her echoed with a thunderous rumble, as if a hidden mechanism had been activated. The tremor soon spread through the entire hall. The stone walls creaked with friction, soft white beams flickered across the surface, and even the ceiling above them began to glow.
The sailors stood up in panic, drawing their weapons but unsure which side to defend. In the end, they huddled together tightly, backs to backs, forming a circle around Moril's Magic Power servants.
However, there was no monster rushing out.
When the sound returned to calm, the hall was already brightly lit.