"This movement is really skillful..."

Ronald murmured softly, and the Pathfinder in front of him promptly began to explain,

"He is the boat lifter."

"He has worked in Luduo for many years, guarding the boats of those who enter Luduo. His work has always been stable, and he is highly trusted by the people."

Ronald, recalling the scene he had witnessed earlier, continued to ask,

"There are very few boats hanging around Luduo. Do few people visit here?"

Considering the size of the Sea City and the sailing methods of the Nameless Sea,

Ronald felt that, as the location of the Endless Sea Lantern, it was unreasonable for the place to be this sparsely populated. It was a phenomenon that defied common sense.

The Pathfinder was also aware of this situation.

"Originally, many people did come to Luduo. But since the ruler of this city on the sea disappeared a few years ago, the standard of goods produced here has rapidly declined."

"Over the years, apart from those coming to obtain the flame of the Endless Sea Lantern, very few people visit here."

Several years ago...

One could only say the timing was right.

The coup in Entrode and the overthrow of the former royal family also happened a few years ago. Perhaps previously, the Entrode royal family, by leveraging their bloodline to travel between realms and then using the abundant resources of the real world, had ultimately established Luduo, this city on the sea.

And now, with the former royal family overthrown,

Luduo, cut off from external resources, naturally fell into gradual decline.

Thinking this, Ronald formed a question in his mind and immediately asked the Pathfinder ahead,

"Apart from Luduo, are there other cities like this on the Nameless Sea?"

"Of course, there are," the Pathfinder replied without hesitation. "Just like I said earlier, the concept of distance on the Nameless Sea is very unique, and our current location is roughly in the waters near Luduo."

"If you want to travel to other cities..."

The Pathfinder paused here, then spoke with a slightly bitter tone,

"That kind of journey would take at least a year. Being alone on the Nameless Sea for such a long time, the outcome would only be—ah!"

His explanation was abruptly cut off.

Speaking of traveling to other cities, the Pathfinder suddenly bent over, his tone trembling with pain and confusion.

"Pathfinder, what's wrong with you?"

Ronald stepped forward to check on him, but before he could closely examine the Pathfinder's condition, another voice sounded in the ship's corridor:

"Young man, don't get too agitated."

"The Pathfinder came to Luduo from another city."

"On that long journey, he completely forgot his past, so recalling these memories now causes him pain due to the contradictions in his memory."

Ronald looked up and saw that the newcomer was an old man.

The old man's appearance, with his white hair, looked like any ordinary elder, but his eyes were uniquely yellowed—a thick, paint-like hue not typical of mere aging.

"Who are you...?"

Ronald asked in confusion.

But before the old man could answer, the Pathfinder, whom Ronald was supporting, recovered first,

"Ronald, this is Ober, the officer responsible for recording the information of those boarding in Luduo."

Upon hearing the explanation, Ronald dropped any hostility.

The old man, smiling, stepped forward and friendly patted the Pathfinder on the shoulder:

"Pathfinder, it's been a while since we last met, hasn't it?"

"Seeing you before Luduo ends isn't too bad."

Upon hearing this, the Pathfinder's mood shifted:

"Before it ends? What happened to Luduo? Ober, tell me quickly."

"What else could it be..." The elder sighed, then looked up at the ceiling planking. If one was familiar with the structure of the ship, they would know he was gazing towards the bow of Luduo.

"Sea Lantern."

"When the ruler has been away for a long time, Luduo loses its original strength. Under such conditions, a divine artifact like the Sea Lantern could not possibly continue to exist here."

Ronald interjected,

"Are you saying someone is planning to take it away?"

The elder looked deeply into Ronald's eyes, then continued to explain,

"It's not exactly being taken."

"The Luduo, having lost its significance, is already on a decline, and the people from other Sea Cities, upon hearing of this situation, naturally want to put such treasures in the right place. Without any surprises, Luduo's hull will also be dismantled and taken away by them, to strengthen the other Sea Cities."

Hearing the elder's response, the Pathfinder pondered for a few seconds, then asked,

"Which forces are planning to come here?"

The elder spoke methodically,

"The news came two years ago, White Spiral, Sky Fortress, Cliff Wood City, Furnace, Star of Song, Aldo—six known cities have sent people over, and envoys from the five closer cities are already in Luduo."

Ronald was bewildered, but Pathfinder had discerned the full picture within these few sentences:

"So... only the people from Sky Fortress have yet to arrive?"

"You and this young man are quite timely, the people from Sky Fortress should arrive within the next few days, and you will be able to witness the disintegration of Luduo firsthand."

Pathfinder and Ober continued to chat back and forth like this, with Ronald trailing behind, no longer speaking.

Through the dialogue between these two individuals of unique identities, he further understood the specific situation of the unknown sea, which even included some news about the other six cities.

However, not everyone was so indifferent.

On the way to the deck, the Pathfinder stealthily glanced back at Ronald.

Unlike Ober, who was completely oblivious, he knew and had personally experienced Ronald's immense strength and had witnessed the absurd scene of him contending with monsters in the mist.

Now it seemed, Luduo's situation was indeed beyond salvaging.

But if this young man behind them changed his mind, then everything would be strikingly different.

With such formidable personal strength as support,

If Ronald wanted to stay and rule in Luduo, then the disintegration of this Sea City might come to a halt after all.

"..."

In the midst of these thoughts,

They ascended the multitudinous turning steps, finally reaching the deck where he lived in Luduo.

The first impression this place gave Ronald was of vastness.

Due to long-time accumulation and meticulous upkeep, the area of this deck was even more astonishing than that of an aircraft carrier's deck. With this comparison in mind, one could guess what kind of city Luduo was before.

Soon, the elder halted his leading steps here.

He pointed in the direction of the bow, where the Sea Lantern was emitting a mild glow:

"Pathfinder, now you also understand the situation of Luduo."

"If you don't want to get involved in trouble, then bring this young man and go."

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