Chapter 983: Turtle Empire (2/2)

”And one of the Gods ruling it had created this Sub-Realm. We have only arrived here with the intention to explore it, not to live here.” Krune sighed after that. ”After all, we have our families living beyond this world. We've already been away from them for far too long.”

”Then…” Solare asked as he looked at Krune, ”What about…my family?”

”There's a chance your father is still alive. You might have some siblings as well. Though, I don't know about that. Your mother died when she gave you to me,” Krune said.

After some time passed, he took control of steering the ship while the Seamstress seemed to be conversing with Solare. Summoning his tablet, he looked at the map, nodding once. ”30,000 more kilometers left. Considering our current speed, we need to travel for another month.”

As only two Motor Fish Emperors rowed the ship at a time, the other two rested and recovered enough energy. This way, they traveled nonstop.

A month later, Krune was able to see numerous boats floating above them as they were traveling eight meters underwater. They seemed to be traveling from one Primary Landmass to another for trade.

Using his Sonic Radar, Krune was able to listen in on their conversation, quickly obtaining the gist of the situation. It seemed that each Primary Landmass was established as a village. And, thanks to their unique habitat, each village had a specialty of its own.

It was not to mention the native monster species of the Primary Landmass that have been caged and treated like animals bred for meat and other products. These different products formed a chain of supply and demand.

Moreover, it seemed a currency of sorts had been established. This currency was similar to God Stones in that it had beneficial uses when consumed. Though, they had clear limits. As to what they were, Krune wasn't sure yet since those from the villages hadn't amassed enough currency to determine the limits yet.

Since a Primary Landmass only had a radius of 5 kilometers, they were tiny. The Secondary Landmasses, on the other hand, each had a radius of 150 kilometers. Thus, they were labeled as Kingdoms. The villages fell under the rule of the respective kingdoms.

And, there seemed to be four such Kingdoms, as Gehen had only captured four. Rather, there were only four Secondary Landmasses in the place. So, he had only captured that. And finally, situated in the center, surrounded by Secondary Landmasses and Primary Landmasses in two concentric rings, was the Tertiary Landmass, now addressed as an Empire.

It seemed that Gehen hadn't named any of them yet, since there was only them among the human settlements. But among the populace, some called it the Empire, or the Turtle Empire. Upon realizing that Gehen had the Checkpoint Turtle as his active ability, Krune thought the name Turtle Empire made perfect sense.

Even though he was curious as to how all the kingdoms had been developed, Krune planned to meet up with Gehen first. So, he directed the ship straight towards the Tertiary Landmass, immediately noticing numerous ships and boats alike patrolling the place.

Upon noticing their ship, they immediately converged over to attack when they abruptly stopped, parting way to allow them entry. Krune was curious for a moment before he understood the reason.

It was Gehen!

He had commanded the people to allow their entry. There seemed to be a dock of sorts installed in the place where numerous ships alighted and departed in a bustling network. And traversing behind the dock seemed to be a waterfall that headed into the Tertiary Landmass.

And through his Sonic Radar, Krune noticed a familiar face. It was Strinker, someone he thought had been killed by the bandits before. At present, he was dressed pretty lavishly, sporting a humble demeanor as he looked at their ship as if he was waiting for them all along.

Krune motioned for the Seamstress and Solare to remain within as he exited, looking at Strinker as he smiled, saying, ”Long time no see.”

”It's a pleasure to meet you once again, Lord Krune. The Emperor has been waiting for your arrival all this time. Please follow me; you can bring in your ship and enter the Empire through this waterfall,” Strinker said while pointing at the waterfall behind the dock.

He got into a boat that allowed them to see his figure, making the boat enter the waterfall first. Having already scouted ahead using his Sonic Radar, Krune smirked, causing his ship to proceed forward as he closed in on the waterfall, soon driving over the edge as he entered the bowl-shaped landmass that spanned a radius of 500 kilometers.

Tertiary Landmass—Turtle Empire!