Chapter 316 - 146: Setting Sail
"Personally, I’d still very much like to add you to the team for the mission."
"I’ll give your suggestion some serious thought."
Wei’en dipped his head slightly, a superficial show of respect for the Eternal Life Association Elder.
’He’s my direct superior now, I suppose?’
"Then, farewell for now."
As he finished speaking, Menor’s figure in the mirror turned and walked away. It was that same ability that seemed to tear space apart, forming a tunnel that looked like a large frame nesting a smaller one. He slowly passed through the passage and vanished.
Once everything fell silent, Wei’en looked up at his reflection in the mirror—black hair, red eyes. ’Huh... My skin seems to have gotten better recently. Not as dark as it used to be?’
’Eternal Life Association, the Twelve Elders, Menor, the mission...’
"I suppose I’ve found something that could be called a short-term goal for now."
Wei’en glanced at the hand that had touched Menor. ’Tsk, why did that feel like a woman’s hand?’
With that thought, he pushed open the door and stepped out.
"All done talking, Wizard Wei’en?" Clelia walked over with a smile as she saw him come out. "Welcome to the Eternal Life Association. I told you you would..."
FLICK!
Wei’en flicked her on the forehead.
"Ow, that hurts!"
"Why didn’t you tell me about the Space Anchor Point ahead of time?"
"Oh, that?" Clelia rubbed her slightly red forehead and pouted. "I forgot~ It was so long ago..."
"’Long ago?’" Disbelief was written all over Wei’en’s face.
"Fine, my mistake. I apologize." Clelia raised her hands in surrender.
"Hmph. You’re forgiven."
Wei’en glanced at the pair of... pendulums on her chest. Had their faces gotten a full two sizes bigger?!
’Never mind, never mind. I should just have her put her hands down... or my nose won’t be able to take it.’
"So, how did it go? Did Menor say anything?"
"Not really," Wei’en said, rubbing his nose. He thought for a moment before asking, "He mentioned you’re going to be part of an operation?"
"He told you?" Clelia froze, lowering her hands to look at him seriously. "You didn’t agree, did you?"
"Not yet."
"Good. The destination for that operation is too dangerous. With your current level of strength, it’s best if you don’t get involved."
Wei’en shot her a look. "Where is it?"
"It’s on the Southern Continent... Huh? You’re asking because you want to go?"
"I’m considering it." Wei’en spread his hands. "You know my situation. I can’t exactly stay here on the Eastern Continent, can I?"
Clelia thought for a moment, then said, "The specific mission objective will only be announced right before the operation starts. But Menor did mention the location of the target beforehand. It’s in the Fission Wasteland on the Southern Continent."
"The Fission Wasteland?"
"...When you have time, you should really learn some basic common knowledge about the Extraordinary World."
Wei’en gave an embarrassed laugh. "I will."
He really was lacking basic knowledge of this world. Even if Clelia hadn’t mentioned it, he was already planning to look up some information.
Clelia shot him an annoyed glare before explaining, "Based on the intelligence we’ve gathered, it’s a newly discovered forbidden zone, full of unknowns."
"But I should warn you, Menor said the target is likely deep within the Fission Wasteland. Needless to say, it’s extremely dangerous."
"If it’s so dangerous, then I don’t understand. Why would you agree to go?" Wei’en voiced the biggest question on his mind. "And what makes all of you obey the Eternal Life Association’s orders?"
"That..." A flicker of conflict crossed Clelia’s face. After a long silence, she bit her lip and said, "Can I... tell you about that later?"
Wei’en gave her a long, hard look. "I’ll be waiting."
’Looks like the Eternal Life Association has secrets it doesn’t easily share with outsiders. Hmm, or with its own members, for that matter.’
"Let’s go. I’ve already found a ship willing to take us..." Clelia’s expression was complicated as she spoke softly. "We can leave now."
"Okay."
Wei’en nodded, said a quick word to Tina, Shawa, and Zero, then took out the Golden Key and left the Clown Theater.
Before long, the two of them arrived at a small harbor. A rather dilapidated, two-masted sailboat was moored in the inner part of the harbor.
Clelia led him aboard. "Captain, we’re ready to depart."
"Aye aye," a burly, middle-aged man bellowed. "Make ready! Hoist the sails and set course!"
The ship wasn’t large, only about twenty meters long. Patches dotted the deck and hull, looking like makeshift emergency repairs done after a major battle...
"Are you sure this ship can get us to the Southern Continent safely?" Wei’en asked, looking at her with extreme doubt.
"O-of course."
Clelia puffed out her chest and said with feigned confidence, "As long as it can still move, I can get it to the Southern Continent!"
"You’re sailing it?"
"Ah, no, the captain is. I’m sure he’s... "
"The captain?!" Wei’en shot her a glare, pointing at the burly man who was walking with a stiff, unnatural gait. "You’re sure *he’s* the captain?"
"I’m sure... probably," Clelia mumbled, looking down guiltily.
"So, you’ve turned everyone on this ship into your puppets?"
"...Yes."
"And you’re planning to sail it yourself?"
"Yep."
"And you’re heading due north?"
"Yep... huh? No, south."
Wei’en rubbed his head, looking out at the endless ocean, on the verge of tears from sheer frustration. "Just... set sail..."
’I’m so done with this...’