'Thud Thud.'
I approached the boat they were working to repair and stepped inside. Upon inspection, I observed a circular hole with charcoal edges, indicating that something hot had penetrated it.
The inmates had collected metallic scraps and were attempting to use them as nails to patch the hole in the boat.
Crouching, I picked up a large stone and a sharp piece of metal, then began hammering the metal into the wood. After ten minutes of effort, I completed the work they had started.
'Thud Thud!'
My head snapped toward a cluster of trees opposite the crimson sea.
"Who goes there?" I yelled.
"It's me, Evelyn," a familiar voice responded.
My heart sank into my stomach at the sound of the voice. I wished a hole would swallow me whole, saving me from the shame that gripped my soul.
"Oh, Evelyn." I found myself at a loss for words.
Evelyn emerged from the cluster of mangrove trees and walked toward me; her appearance was altered and unsettling.
Her left arm had transformed into a tree, and fissures began to appear on her face, as though she had been carved from wood.
"Don't mind my appearance; I'll be back to normal in a few days."
A whisper left my mouth: "It's okay."
I lowered my gaze and stepped out of the boat I had just finished fixing.
"I..."
I hesitated, unable to summon the courage to articulate my thoughts.
"I am s..."
"It's okay."
Evelyn interrupted, placing her palm on my chin. Her eyes shifted to my swollen finger, now turned purple from the recoil of the blast I had unleashed earlier.
Having evolved into the Demon God's vessel, the recoil no longer shatters my bones; it only causes internal rupture.
"Your hand is swollen," she remarked softly as she delicately took hold of it and raised it to examine the injury.
"Why didn't you use a potion?"
"I ran out."
Evelyn closed the distance between us, her hand finding the back of my neck as she pulled me closer for a kiss.
"It's always better to be healthy."
"I don't deserve it," I said, averting my gaze.
As usual, Evelyn's body fluid healed my swollen finger and mended my broken rib.
"You look cute when you're flustered," she said with a soft chuckle.
"Remember, I'm the one who advised you against fighting the Tuskwinger to begin with."
Evelyn passed by me and rested her hands upon the boat.
"If you had been present during the fight, I would not have been able to utilize my trump card."
I accompanied Evelyn and placed my hands firmly against the boat as we both exerted effort to push it into the water. "Evelyn, you're too kind. It's almost painful."
Evelyn's ears twitched as she adjusted her position, carefully placing her right leg, then the rest of her body, into the boat.
I entered the boat and positioned myself opposite Evelyn.
Using two pieces of wood salvaged from the wreckage, we propelled the boat toward the castle situated at the center of the Red Sea.
The beautiful and curvy mermaids swarmed alongside our boat. To my right, one swam backward, exposing her breasts to me.
When our eyes met, she'd blow a kiss in my direction and smile, tempting me to jump into the red sea.
***
Under the full moon's gaze, the castle was illuminated by gas-powered lamps. Their orange glow traced the narrow corridors, making their confined spaces feel even more pronounced.
According to the details of the quest provided by Lana, the sixth sector is the final sector.
She told us to find two capsules, like the ones we used to reach Devil Island and use them to get back to the airship.
Evelyn and I had spent three hours exploring the castle since our arrival, opening door after door in search of the capsules, but our efforts proved unsuccessful.
Intriguingly, the castle appeared well-maintained, as if inhabited. Yet, the profound silence within convinced us we were the only living beings there.
We stood before a colossal golden door, measuring four meters wide and six meters tall. "Should we go inside?" I asked Evelyn.
The door was adorned with an emblem of two crossed swords and a shield. Above the shield rested a pearl-adorned throne, exuding marvel and elegance.
Evelyn placed both hands on the door, leaned in, and pushed with all her might.
"There is no need to be a scaredy-cat." She winked at me.
Immediately after the door opened, a dagger flew past Evelyn, missing her by mere inches.
I drew my sword and gripped it firmly in my hands, directing the blade toward the approaching dagger.
Evelyn's hand closed around her Kusarigama, and she began to twirl it, the weighted end skillfully arcing around her.