"Why have you noticed me?" Charles looked at Kede sitting across the table and the row of Sun God Sect followers standing behind him.
"We're not particularly noticing you, anyone who seeks the Land of Light concerns us as it proves that you are called upon by the Sun God in some divine way."
Listening to these remarkably cultist words, Charles forcibly restrained himself from scoffing.
"Mr. Charles, I sincerely invite you to join our sect. You've survived several risky journeys, all thanks to the Sun God's care. In this dark sea, there aren't many chosen ones blessed by the Sun God like you."
Charles chuckled lightly, waving his hand dismissively. "Let's set aside that absolutely impossible matter for now, I happen to have something to ask you so-called followers of the Sun God."
Kede extended his left hand, "Please, go ahead."
"Do you know about the mirror box from Sodoma?"
"Of course, some of the Captains from my sect even asked me to purchase a few."
Charles leaned forward slightly, fixating his gaze on the elderly man, "Then don't you think the light inside the mirror box resembles the light of your Sun God?"
Kede laughed lightly, patting the table, his aged face brimming with confidence.
"Captain Charles, currently you're not a member of the sect, so you might not understand. In our sect's scriptures, there is a detailed description of everything about the Sun God. The Divine Light of the Sun God is multicolored, healing to the human heart and also warm. The light in the mirror box is too monochromatic and far too dazzling; they're entirely different."
"Are you so sure?" Charles leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Captain Charles, having the intention to seek the brilliance of the Sun God is good, but speaking recklessly without proper understanding only shows ignorance. I am a sanctified person of the Sun God Sect, I understand everything about the Sun God far more than you do. If the Divine Light of the Sun God appeared before me, there's no way I wouldn't recognize it."
Charles rarely let out a laugh. "Thank you for the joke, it's been a long time since I've laughed like this."
A hint of annoyance appeared on Kede's face as he stood up as if to leave but then sat back down.
"Mr. Charles, I know you have some reservations, no matter, we can start with a preliminary collaboration. You've fully demonstrated your talents as an Explorer Captain. I can provide you with the coordinates of the islands most likely to have the Heavenly Ladder. You can go search those islands, and our sect will cover all associated expenses."
If it had been the earlier Charles, he would have agreed without a second thought, even though he was being used as a pawn, the benefits were too tempting. But now, having already found clues to return to Earth's surface, how could he agree?
Seeing the man sitting before him, Charles silently calculated his own plans.
The path to Earth's surface was controlled by the "King," and his own power was too meager now; he needed other supportive forces, and this man before him might just be useful.
"Mr. Charles, what are you thinking?"
"What would you say if I told you I already have a clue about the Land of Light?"
A hint of impatience appeared on Kede's face, "Captain Charles keeps speaking of these unrelated topics, it shows a lack of sincerity."
"What criteria do you use to judge the Divine Light? It's multicolored, right?" Charles snapped his fingers, and a group of rats dragged a mirror box inside.
Charles opened a crack in the mirror box, placed a prism on top of it, and multicolored light rays refracted onto Kede's astonished face.
"Multicolored light, now we have it." Charles placed the prism into his hand.
Kede, holding the prism with a baffled expression, pressed it against himself to try it out; each time he did, the shock on his face intensified until the sunlight in the mirror box was completely depleted before he finally stopped.
In future generations, the prism effect would be common knowledge among elementary students, but in Earth Sea, there was no sunlight available for experiments, and therefore, no one knew that sunlight consisted of a composite light made up of various monochromatic lights.
"Charles, what... what in the world is going on?" Kede's expression was a mix of excitement and a touch of joy; he felt as if he had touched upon some kind of forbidden knowledge.
Seeing this man fooled by his own tricks, Charles immediately seized the moment and stood up.
"The light folded inside the mirror box is the Divine Light of your Light God, and Sodoma's 'King' knows the location of the Land of Light. If we can get him to hand over the sea chart, we can find the Land of Light!"
The two sides discussed for a long time; in the end, Kede did not give a definite response and left looking rather lost.
The Light God Sect was a major sect in Earth Sea, and Charles' goal was to have Kede spread this news to all believers. If he could rally all the believers, even Sodoma's 'King' wouldn't withstand it.
How formidable could a fierce pirate be compared to these fearless cultists?
Three days later, a pale-faced Kede returned, "I'm sorry, Captain Charles, the Archbishop sent a telegram, and they believe this to be a baseless rumor."
Leaning back in his chair, Charles sighed softly; naturally, mere words wouldn't sway such a large organization. He had to find another way.
After a brief silence, Charles looked at Kede in front of him, "And you? Do you believe it?"
"I..." Kede's face showed struggle. He could understand the Archbishop's mindset—telling someone that the thing they had been searching for centuries was suddenly just in front of them, anyone would be skeptical.
But thinking of that colorful light, his heart wavered again. What if it were true?
"What use is it even if I believe? Without Holy Warriors sent from the North Sea's Archbishop, our few hundred people simply cannot defeat the King."
"We don't need to defeat him," Charles's words made Kede startle.
Charles didn't continue speaking, but glanced towards the people behind Kede.
"You all go out and stay on alert, don't let anyone approach!"
After they all went out, Charles continued, "Our goal isn't to conquer Sodoma. We just need to find out where the sunlight in the mirror box comes from. With that clue, we can search for the Land of Light."
"You have a plan?" Kede's voice trembled slightly.
"The King usually resides in the central palace of Sodoma. There, you'll definitely find the sea chart of the Land of Light. Just lure the King and his guards out, and I can sneak in—or even without sneaking, I only need a glance at the sea chart. This way, we don't have to confront him directly."
Kede did not respond directly to Charles, a conflicted expression on his face; he said he needed to think it over more.
Time passed day by day, and Kede had still not responded. Charles felt a touch of disappointment.
If this plan did not work, he would have to continue being an Explorer Captain, methodically conquering islands to become Governor and expand his power until, with overwhelming force, he compelled the 'King' to reveal the location of the Land of Light.
But that would take far too long, so long that Charles wasn't even sure if he would live to see that day.
"Captain, that old man from the Cult is here again! And this time, he's brought a tall companion with him!"