Chapter 2187: Chapter 2187

Jenkins quickly produced an iron bucket, still tied to the fishing line. This time, when he cast it out, the metal tentacle didn't strike, and the bucket plunged smoothly into the water.

He hauled the bucket up and poured the water over the figurehead. He repeated this process again and again. Though the figurehead remained motionless, its dust-caked surface grew cleaner with each dousing. What had initially looked like gray stone began to resemble pure white marble once Jenkins had poured enough water.

A soft white radiance emanated outward, pushing the thick fog further back. Jenkins could now see more of the cityscape on both banks of the river. From the scenery, he could tell this wasn't Nolan. It seemed the world of this Mysterious Realm wasn't based on the physical world.

The architectural style was very similar to the current era. Although he still couldn't make out the overall appearance clearly, he guessed the level of civilization was roughly the same.

Just as Jenkins stood at the bow rail, bathed in the figurehead's faint light and gazing into the distance, a sudden splash made him jump in alarm.

"Chocolate fell into the river!"

The cat on his shoulder meowed, announcing it was still there.

What had fallen were fragments from the figurehead. As the glow brightened, pieces of ceramic-like debris peeled away from its surface. What remained was a jade statue, still emitting a soft, white light.

The people of this world had no custom of revering jade; that was a habit of the eastern people from Jenkins's own world.

"Because any metal statue has a chance of being manipulated by that... indescribable thing. This material was chosen after considering factors like cost-effectiveness, color, and affinity for spirit."

The figurehead spoke. It remained completely still, the voice emanating from within its body.

"You can talk? Oh, that's a stupid question, don't answer. How long can you maintain this glow?"

"Roughly forty-eight hours."

Hearing this, Jenkins finally breathed a sigh of relief. He might be out of here in less than two hours, let alone forty-eight. This meant that for the remainder of his stay in this Mysterious Realm, he wouldn't have to worry about the fog surrounding the ship.

But he couldn't afford to waste time. Jenkins turned to resume his search for the transformed individuals—the female boatswain had demanded he find three of them. But the figurehead spoke again, telling him not to be in such a hurry.

"Thank you for awakening me. As a reward, I can offer you some information."

Jenkins quickly cut it off. He could only listen to information from one more person and couldn't waste the opportunity on the figurehead. Of course, once he helped the boatswain and gained additional permissions, he wouldn't mind having a chat with it.

"You need not worry. The information I provide does not count toward your limit."

Still unconvinced, Jenkins turned to look at the metal head on the chair. After Jenkins had "scolded" it, the head had remained silent, only now opening its eyes when it felt his gaze.

"If I get information from the figurehead, will it count toward my three-person limit?"

He expected the metal head to either not answer or to make some difficult demand, but it gave him a direct answer.

Jenkins watched it with a flicker of surprise and suspicion, but the head simply closed its eyes again. Seeing this, Jenkins didn't press the matter and turned back to the figurehead.

"Alright, then. What information can you offer?"

"From me, you can learn the purpose for which this ship was built; you can learn its destination; you can learn the technique used to create me; or you can learn the origin of that metal head."

"How many of these four can I choose?"

"The origin of the metal head."

He made the decision almost without thinking.

"It was originally the captain of this ship, but at some point, it sided with that indescribable monster. It's also possible it accidentally reached its hand outside the ship and was forcibly transformed. It is powerful, but it cannot fully control this vessel now. The monster has it waiting here for someone, to play a game according to a set of rules. Within the framework of those rules, it is to guide anyone who appears on this ship to discover the truth of this world before the vessel reaches its destination."

"You're saying that thing wants me to discover the truth of this world?"

But that would mean the Difference Engine was making the metal head do something that would help Jenkins escape the Mysterious Realm, which seemed contrary to its interests.

"How much longer until the ship reaches its destination?"

Jenkins asked again. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel•fire.net

Hearing this, Jenkins's head snapped up. That was a lie.

*Wait, that was a second question. Why did it answer me?*

One can't read the emotions on a statue's face, but Jenkins knew this being was by no means purely benevolent.

Regarding his question about the arrival time, the range of possible answers was wide, but it essentially boiled down to two options: the destination was very near, or it was very far.

If the destination was actually far off, the statue would have no reason to lie about the time, because I'd be long gone by then anyway. But since it chose to give a "far off" answer, and that answer was a lie, it must mean the ship is about to arrive at its destination.

*Damn it, I have to get out of here. There's no time to waste!*

With that thought, he immediately patted the cat on his shoulder. Chocolate, who had long since sniffed out the answer, immediately pointed toward the next enemy.

Just as Jenkins had analyzed, as long as he wasn't conversing with one of the refugees on deck, none of them could move significantly or speak. Therefore, even though Chocolate had already indicated there was something wrong with the scrawny, adolescent-looking boy, the boy could only remain in his hiding posture under a tattered cloth until Jenkins approached.

But when Jenkins finally crossed that critical threshold, the boy instantly sprang to his feet.

He was shirtless, his ribs pressing against his brown skin like a cage. He wore a pair of black trousers with legs that only reached his knees, and on his feet were hand-woven grass sandals.

Unlike the previous man, he didn't try to leap overboard. Instead, he launched himself at Jenkins as if propelled by a spring.

Seeing him charge so fast, Jenkins simply thrust out his sword and skewered him. Of course, the boy wouldn't die so easily. He kicked his feet wildly in the air and reached out with both hands to grip Jenkins's right hand, the one holding the sword.

"For the Great Wisdom!"

the boy roared, his face twisted into a ferocious expression. His right arm rapidly grew red-hot, and a frantic beeping sound began to emanate from his palm.