Chapter 366 - 365. White Pearl
At the edge of the Ixalaria Continent lay an island known as Iter Island, a lone survivor in the aftermath of the Abyss Breakout.
While half of the mighty Ixalaria Continent behind it had succumbed to the corrupting tides of Abyss Energy, Iter Island remained strangely untouched, as if shielded by fate itself. On the other side of the island stretched the endless, uncharted sea, a vast and mysterious expanse known to devour even the bravest sailors.
The name "Iter" meant "Journey" in the ancient tongue, and it was fitting. This island served as the starting point for countless dreamers, adventurers, and madmen who dared to sail toward the Farthest North — a place whispered about in legend, beyond the known world. Because of this, the island had earned a second name, spoken with both reverence and dread: ’The Island of Journeys.’
On this day, at the Waypoint Terminal — a teleportation hub at the heart of Iter Island — the portal shimmered and rippled like a silver pond before exploding outward with light.
Out of the portal stepped Lily Gomes, her sharp eyes surveying the bustling island, followed by Mathilda, Mana, Darla, Isha, Hawk, and Taka. Each of them carried an air of excitement mixed with tension, fully aware that this might be their last time standing on safe, familiar land.
"Let’s go... the ship is arriving," Lily said, her voice calm yet filled with anticipation.
"Aye aye, Vice Captain~" Mana said playfully, giving a mock salute that made Darla and Mathilda chuckle as they left the teleportation hub.
The group made their way through the sparsely populated streets toward the private port. It was unusually quiet — only a few workers moved about, tending to supplies and maintaining the docks. Tyler had already rented this port in advance, reserving it solely for their use.
"There! Look, it’s our ship!" Mana said, her voice light and cheerful as she pointed toward the familiar figure anchored in the distance — the White Merchant Ship, their old vessel that had carried them through so many adventures.
"But we’re not sailing it this time..." Mathilda murmured, her tone tinged with sadness.
The White Merchant Ship had served them well, but it wasn’t built to survive the brutal trials of the Northern Seas. Tyler knew that better than anyone. What they needed now was something beyond ordinary — an indestructible ship, one worthy of a voyage to the end of the world.