Chapter 658: Is It Round?
Here I am, on the Dragon Continent. I wonder if any dragons have fallen around here? Nope, none in sight.
Today, dragons are just a side note. There are still bones scattered about, but I need to keep an eye out for any dragon remains.
I’ll be passing through here and heading further south. I have a feeling this world is round, not like a disc or supported by elephants or anything like that.
But proving it is tricky.
The way land appears in the inland sea is strange, and even the shadows cast by the moon can change due to the Spirits’ influence.
The shape of the shadow during a lunar eclipse, how ships disappear beyond the horizon, and how the peaks of tall mountains and clouds are still illuminated by the sun after sunset—all of these irregularities exist in this world.
But once I head south to the Dragon Continent, the wind is howling fiercely, and I suspect there might be something Antarctic further down.
It’s a plan to circle around to the south.
I initially aimed for the east, but it seems I’ve made more progress in this direction. This area has been mostly desolate, which is why I’ve moved forward so much.
The eastern route had mailmen and ruins, so I ended up taking a lot of detours.
I’m not expecting to find a huge chunk of Japan, but if I can reach a place with a similar climate, maybe I can find some vegetables or fruits that don’t settle around the mountains or islands.
So, I plan to circle east eventually, but for now, I want to confirm whether this world is round.
As I name the Spirits, I extend my distance. The harsh natural environment makes even a minute feel unbearable, and I’m moving wrapped in my usual layer of air.
Every time I meet a new Atmosphere or Wind Spirit, I diligently give them names. Unlike other Spirits, Wind Spirits don’t mind changing locations, but there are still directions and places that are difficult to traverse.
However, where the sky connects, there’s no absence of air, so I ask the newly encountered Spirits to protect me in the same way.
Beyond the Dragon Continent, I spot a gray landmass across the sea.
From a distance, it looks like a blizzard is raging. It’s not snowing; the strong wind is kicking up the snow that has settled on the ground.
I can tell from afar, but once I get closer, I probably won’t be able to distinguish whether it’s actually snowing or not. It feels like a snowy version of Es’s sandstorm.
The sea beneath me is shaking violently.
The waves are not just rolling; the surface of the sea is rising and falling, twisting like mountains and valleys.
Separated from the sea, droplets of water are flung into the air, freezing before falling back into the ocean.
The droplets around me, blocked by my layer of air, quickly freeze, forming thin ice that falls into the sea like scattered raindrops.
I don’t know what’s happening near Antarctica on Earth, but I can sense a massive Spirit writhing beneath the ocean.
Or rather, I feel the presence of the Spirit. It should be deep at the ocean’s bottom, but it feels like it’s surfacing to be seen.
It’s white, slimy all over, resembling melting ice cream. Its upper body looks somewhat human—well, more like its shoulders resemble a human’s, even though it’s melting.
On what seems to be its head, there are about eight black holes lined up on the sides that look like eyes. I can occasionally see the whites of its eyes, so I assume they are indeed eyes.
I need to avoid making eye contact.
…Too late.
It looks like it’s been roaring for a while now, but I can’t hear anything. No, perhaps the sound of these massive waves is the Spirit’s voice.
And it seems I’m being attacked. There are plenty of Rampaging Spirits, but it’s rare for one to target me specifically.
I try to escape—but I can’t!?
The droplets falling from the raging sea disrupt and separate the Atmosphere Spirits protecting me.
The Wind Spirits and Cold Spirits blow their icy breaths, freezing the droplets and sending them back to the sea.
Even the cold sea melts the fine ice, and more importantly, the endless seawater continues to create splashes.
I name not only the Atmosphere and Wind Spirits but also the Spirits of the splashes and waves to counter them.
I think about naming the Rampaging Spirit itself, but it’s deep at the ocean’s bottom.
There are countless Spirits in between. Moreover, the ones I’ve named are being swept away by the waves and wind.
Is my only option to get closer? If the Atmosphere Spirits are completely torn away, the warm air I’ve been holding will vanish, and it’ll get pretty cold.
I can name the Spirits of the seawater around me, and since air is dissolved in the seawater, breathing won’t be an issue.
How resistant is this body to the cold? Even if I’m strong, I still don’t want to be cold.
I continue naming the new Spirits—without even speaking, if I strongly will them to obey, they will follow me—and I layer my protective shield like an onion, hoping that I can create enough layers before they’re all stripped away.
Staying here won’t do me any good, so it looks like it’s time for another Deep Sea Tour.