Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Black Cloud Circle

The sky’s color changed in an instant.

Though clear and blue moments before, the firmament now turned as dark as ink. When the Narwhal penetrated this dark storm, the churning black clouds roared like muffled thunder. Visibility that once stretched dozens of kilometers vanished completely under this overwhelming darkness, blocking all sunlight, moonlight, and starlight. The surroundings became dim and murky.

Even the Skyship’s compass spun wildly as if jammed, making navigation impossible.

“Our earlier disguises were just to hide this entry point,” Victoria said calmly to Midi. “Now we’ve truly entered the Spice Route. This is the Black Cloud Circle—the outer edge of the Stormy Region.”

“Black Cloud Circle…” Midi repeated, nodding.

The name fit perfectly. Here, blue skies turned black, white clouds darkened, and intense magnetic fields scrambled navigation methods. Any Skyship entering would lose its way, dragged deeper by chaotic air currents until magic reserves drained and it crashed into the Sea of Clouds. Even the Awakened Ones’ Secret Techniques couldn’t counter the magnetic disruption.

Since Victoria dared enter, Midi knew she had directional guidance. In his past life as a novice commander, this had been a closely guarded secret among powerful factions. Now, as the first human adventurer permitted here, curiosity burned in him.

Noticing his unspoken question, Victoria gestured. Guards carried a sturdy demon-sealing box from the captain’s quarters. Inside lay an antique compass whose needle pointed steadily north despite the magnetic storm.

“This Constant Compass uses special materials and design to neutralize the Black Cloud Circle’s interference,” Victoria explained. “Outside this region, its own properties make it useless. It’s designed solely for here.”

“Remarkable,” Midi said, examining it. “Countering magnetism with magnetism—only a master alchemist could achieve this.” He wondered if he should seek this genius.

Victoria gave a rueful smile. “A misunderstanding, Mr. Blade. This is a replica. The original was recovered from a fallen sky warship by Rothschild ancestors long ago. Our imitation has reduced functionality.”

Midi chuckled dryly. Of course—true alchemists of Norton’s level would’ve been legendary in his past life. The Rothschild Guild’s success came from persistence, not genius.

“The compass gives us 30% odds of crossing the Stormy Region,” Victoria said, unrolling a specialized map. “Another 30% depends on this.”

The map showed only the Stormy Region, most areas blanketed in black mist. But one connected route detailed every turbulence pattern, floating island, and navigational bearing—the Spice Route’s core knowledge.

“The last 10%?” Victoria grinned slyly. A searchlight flared, its blade-like glow cutting hundreds of meters through the gloom.

Even with the compass, the Narwhal flew half-blind. Without this light to reveal floating rock clusters, they’d crash instantly.

With the searchlight, even when encountering obstacles during the journey, they could detect them in advance and make evasions. While the Constant Compass provided overall guidance, this lamp ensured localized safety.

When Midi saw the light’s glow, he finally understood why Victoria had given him that meaningful smile earlier. The wick was crafted from Radiance of Light!

Wasting such rare materials meant for power enhancement as mere lamp fuel pained even Midi. Yet he alone would feel this way – ordinary adventurers valued Radiance of Light only as pure light sources.

Barely resisting the urge to snatch the precious wick, Midi suddenly asked, "The Constant Compass gives thirty percent certainty, the Spice Route map another thirty, this pure light ten. That leaves thirty percent unaccounted for?"

"That thirty," Victoria answered resolutely, "depends entirely on luck."

"Thirty percent to fortune?" Midi chuckled.

It reminded him of battlefield realities. The genius commander knew no amount of planning could eliminate unpredictability – factors always emerged to create miraculous reversals. This constant flux made warfare perilous yet alluring.

Now this luck-dependent gamble felt strikingly similar.

In his past life as second-tier adventurer, Midi could only trail behind experts with his Hawk Brigade, slowly accumulating power. Now as top explorer, he stood at the Era’s forefront, charting unknown territories.

Simply witnessing these new horizons justified all his efforts.

"Let me handle that thirty percent gap," Midi declared. "If needed."

Victoria blinked before smiling radiantly. "We’re in your hands, Mr. Blade."

The Narwhal’s searchlight pierced the darkness as the large Skyship maintained course. Twelve hours later, a speck of floating island appeared – mere rock barely spanning thousands of square meters.

Instead of avoiding it, Steward Lund expertly maneuvered the 65-meter vessel to dock atop the island. Crew members secured the Skyship with steel cables moments before the air trembled.

Black Sea Currents came roaring – blade-sharp storms tearing through the skies. Any airborne ship would’ve been shredded or blown hopelessly off-course.

For six chaotic hours, the Black Cloud Circle unleashed its triple threats: vision-blocking darkness, direction-scrambling magnetic fields, and ship-destroying turbulence. Yet the Rothschild Guild’s hard-won Experience provided countermeasures, achieving seventy percent Stormy Region survival rates.

When calm returned, the Narwhal rose again, continuing its exploration through the maelstrom.