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As Jason's voice faded, Rojen shifted his gaze forward, where an expansive sea region stretched before them. His eyes suddenly grew heavy with concern. Under Jason's control, the Logan had ceased its advance, and the sails had long since been furled.
"Captain, do we really need to go through with this?" Jason asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.
At first glance, the sea region ahead appeared no different from the one they were currently in. However, everyone knew that beneath its calm surface lurked countless enormous and terrifying Sea Kings.
The Calm Belt was not just a windless area where ships could not sail; it was also a place where the immense Sea King-class creatures posed a constant threat to all who dared to enter.
"This is only the edge of the Calm Belt," Jason explained. "The actual Calm Belt is still about a kilometer ahead."
Rojen nodded, his hair slightly ruffled by a faint breeze. "Compared to other sea regions, the closer we get to the Calm Belt, the weaker the winds become, and the slower the ship moves."
"Of course," Jason continued, "since the Calm Belt looks calmer than other sea regions, many ships unknowingly venture into this forbidden zone."
Listening to Jason's words, Rojen's eyes sparkled with thought. "Well, let's proceed."
"Captain, are you sure we should go this way?" Jason asked uncertainly, his voice laced with an unspoken fear of the sea region.
"Jason, don't worry. We won't be sailing on the sea," Rojen said with a smile.
"Not on the sea? Then where?" Jason asked, perplexed.
The Logan was a sailing ship, and not traveling by sea didn't make sense to Jason. He was increasingly baffled by his captain's decisions.
Whoosh!
Rojen suddenly placed his hand to his mouth and blew sharply. The piercing sound cut through the air, splitting the sky and reaching the heavens above Rojen's head. The Logan slowly began to move once more, drawing ever closer to the Calm Belt.
When they were about three hundred meters away from the Calm Belt, the crew could clearly see the calm sea region before them.
From the surface, it looked no different from any other part of the ocean, deep blue and shimmering with mysterious light. The only noticeable difference was the complete absence of waves or ripples, as if the sea itself were frozen in stillness.
Rojen studied the sea region intently, his expression growing increasingly solemn. This was the true Calm Belt, a place where not even the slightest breeze disturbed the surface, where no small fish broke the water, and where no signs of life could be seen.
In the distance, Rojen spotted several large, protruding areas of seawater. He knew, however, that these were not unusual sea formations or underwater mountain peaks. They were something far more sinister.
"Sea Kings!"
Even though he could only see parts of their massive bodies, Rojen was certain of what they were.
"They're enormous!"
From afar, the area of seawater that differed in color from the rest of the sea stretched over two hundred meters, resembling a small mountain range.
Before this, the largest creature Rojen had ever seen was the Black Phoenix, whose wingspan reached over a hundred meters when fully extended. But the terrifying Sea King lurking beneath the water was more than twice the size of the Black Phoenix, and that was just a portion of its body.
"Captain, sailing through here is suicidal! What was the point of controlling that big bird earlier?" Jason asked urgently.
"A Black Phoenix with a wingspan of over a hundred meters can carry us effortlessly over the Calm Belt, can't it?" Rojen replied with a smile.
"But Captain, do you know how wide the Calm Belt is? Can that bird really carry us across?" Jason asked doubtfully.
"No problem!" Rojen said confidently.
In the moment their eyes met, Rojen not only imparted his will into the Black Phoenix's mind but also received fragments of the bird's past experiences. Among these memories was a vision of a majestic, fifty-meter wingspan black bird soaring high above a group of gigantic Sea Kings.
The bird moved gracefully, its sharp eyes scanning the dangers below. The Sea Kings roared and lunged at it, but the Black Phoenix remained unflustered, dodging their attacks with ease. With a flick of its talons, it tore into its pursuers, leaving them to wail in pain.
"From those memories, it seems the Calm Belt poses no threat to the Black Phoenix!" Rojen thought to himself.
Moreover,
Rojen tilted his head upward, gazing at the sky.
"There!"
A black speck appeared in the distance, growing larger as it descended rapidly.
"Squawk!" The Black Phoenix swooped down, its enormous form casting a shadow over the crew. Jason gasped in awe.
"It's here!! I never thought you'd actually summon it, Captain!"
Rojen smiled, looking up at the massive bird. "Black Phoenix, grab the ship and carry us over the Calm Belt."
The bird met Rojen's gaze, quickly understanding his command. It nodded its great head and let out another loud cry.
"Squawk!"
"You think holding the ship will make it unstable? Should we climb onto your back instead?" Rojen asked, understanding the Black Phoenix's concerns. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded.
"Jason, take Rouge and Lordling onto the Black Phoenix's back."
The Black Phoenix flapped its wings, lowering its massive body to align with The Logan. Seawater sprayed into the air as its enormous wings beat the surface.
"Got it!" Jason quickly led Rouge and Lordling onto the Black Phoenix's back. Rojen followed, his movements swift and precise. With a burst of internal energy, he leaped from the ship's deck to the bird's back.
Finally, the Black Phoenix spread its wings and soared into the sky, reaching an altitude of nearly five hundred meters before diving back down. Its sharp talons extended like hooks, aiming for The Logan.
Crash!
The talons pierced the ship's hull, securing a firm grip. With a powerful flap of its wings, the Black Phoenix lifted The Logan into the air, sending it soaring toward the heavens.
"Incredible!" Jason exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. The bird's abilities far exceeded his expectations.
The Black Phoenix flew high above the Calm Belt, its majestic form undaunted by the dangers below. From their vantage point, the crew could clearly see the enormous creatures moving beneath the surface.
"Whoa!"
A series of sharp gasps filled the air as Rojen and his crew stared in awe. The sheer scale of the Sea Kings was breathtaking and terrifying.
(End of Chapter)