Kevin glanced over in response to the commotion, and Sinia appeared to still have her sanity intact as she lay in Ian's arms, looking around. However, Ian, the old butler, moved with a stiff and mechanical motion as if being controlled by a string, taking two steps towards the pier's edge.
Throughout the whole process, only his feet moved while the onlookers on the shore were fixated on a specific spot in the sea, resembling a flock of geese craning their necks, eagerly awaiting something to arrive.
"The sun is setting, signaling the time of pilgrimage..." a familiar whisper resounded from the crowd.
"Let's go!" Kevin swiftly mounted Oswald's back and Sirius spread his wings, propelling them towards the gathering of people. Yet, just as they embarked on their journey, a colossal wave emerged from the sea, obstructing their path, and an enormous wooden boat emerged from the tumultuous waters.
The boat appeared to have slept at the ocean's floor for countless years, its wood soaked black and the mast broken, while the deck was slippery with moss and seaweed.
However, amidst the dilapidation, a distinct ancient pattern of two intertwined snake tails forming a horizontal figure eight, a symbol representing Feisa, one of the three primary deities known as the witch snake, remained visible.
Those acquainted with the divine history recognized this as Feisa's symbol, the god associated with the sea and earth. Sailors would often incorporate this totemic symbol of peace and harmony on various items during their seafaring ventures. However, the sight of this colossal ship was astonishing.
As Kevin caught sight of the wooden boat, he exclaimed, "All these relics have been unearthed..."
Caught up in a mixture of surprise, emotion, and comprehension, Kevin's expression turned complex as the once upright ship suddenly capsized, its bottom facing upwards and the hull crashing onto the shore with a resounding thud, encompassing those who were previously fixated on the boat.
The years had made the wooden planks frail, and they were promptly swept away by the massive waves.
The entire process occurred so swiftly that no one had a chance to react. Oswald roared in frustration, futilely attempting to predict the sudden change. With his front paws outstretched, he could only grasp saltwater. So close!
Oswald growled with anger and pounded the wave-worn rocks forcefully, causing them to split into three fragments with a click. Sirius prepared to dive into the sea to rescue the stranded individuals, but Kevin tugged on the reins, halting him. "Jumping into the sea won't help us find them. This isn't an ordinary shipwreck."
Confused, Oswald furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"
Kevin gazed out at the sea intently, patting Oswald's neck reassuringly as he spoke solemnly, "I know where they've been taken. Don't be rash, let's wait here for a moment. I promise, we will follow them."
The spot where Kevin and Oswald stood was right at the simple ferry where Ian had cradled Sinia earlier.
Engraved upon the stone platform were numerous patterns and strokes with unknown meanings, resembling a complexly patterned circle, clearly the imprint left by the Eldar people accustomed to witchcraft.
As they stood within the circle, a wooden boat, as simple as a stone slab, emerged from the water.
The boat possessed a square cabin with upside-down plank sides, barely accommodating four individuals. This was typical for the Spirit Race. Nearly a thousand years ago, they resided on the mainland but due to conflicts involving witchcraft, they had unpleasant disputes with other races.
Their smaller population and lack of advantages led to troubles with the race of powerless but annoying sand ghosts. After nearly a century of being entangled with the sand ghosts and nearly becoming slaves, they were left with no choice but to migrate with their clan to the island.
Under normal circumstances, aside from essential transactions, the Spirit Race rarely set foot on land. Similarly, mainlanders were unwelcome on the island.
When vital matters required island visits, they were limited to groups of four due to their aversion to encountering large numbers of mainland races.
The small wooden boat before them was the last vestige of friendship between the Spirit Race and the land people, though it was a friendship that was strained and limited.
Under normal circumstances, Kevin and the others would only need to sit in the small square cabin, and the wooden boat would float to the island where the Eldar lived by itself, without any need for a helmsman.
But the group of people who had just been sucked into the sea were in a very different situation. What use was the canoe of the upper spirit clan now?
Oswald pointed at the canoe suspiciously and asked, "Can this thing save people?"
"No, this is not for rescue," Kevin replied casually as he scanned the surrounding ground. "It's for chasing."
He bent down and picked up a small black stone from the ground, then gestured to Oswald. "Get in the boat. Careful not to damage it. I suggest you change back to human form first, or you're going to be in for a rough ride."
Oswald glanced at the wooden box-like cabin, and he had to agree with Kevin's words.
Oswald's hulking frame made it difficult for him to squeeze through the door of the canoe. In the blink of an eye, his outline changed from a beast to a human, and the fur on his body transformed into clothes that covered his body.
However, the water had made the clothes wet and clingy, revealing his lean muscles.
Kevin stepped onto the canoe first, then loosely tugged on the rein that was hanging around Oswald's neck. "You can take this thing off," he said. "It looks ridiculous."
If a skinny or emaciated person had been wearing this thing, it would have looked like they were being abused or enslaved. However, on Oswald's tall, muscular frame, the rein looked out of place.
The God of Light, who was once upright and even a little cold, had come to understand the meaning of "unbearable filth" after being accused of it several times.
He took the reins off the emperor's neck with a heavy heart, but did not throw them away. He held them in his hand.
Oswald thought that Kevin had kept the reins in case he turned back into a Sirius, so he did not question it. He followed Kevin into the small canoe, bent down, and entered the square cabin.
However, as soon as he sat down, Kevin grabbed one of his wrists and wrapped the rein around it without a word. He then hung the other end of the rein on the roof of the cabin, tying it very tightly.