[Vol. 7] Chapter 35: The [Book of Truth] and the Two Worlds
“Haa... I should be getting close, right?”
Carefully avoiding the eerie, indescribable ghosts drifting across the island, Nitila moved forward, guided by something unseen. The island was desolate and crumbling, devoid of life, but she was sure. Her destination was not far now.
She hid behind a large, broken stone wall, doing her best to stay out of sight. Holding her breath, the mermaid girl carefully opened the thick book she had been clutching to her chest the entire time.
This book was called [Truth], the [Book of Truth].
It didn’t originally belong to Nitila. Yet, ever since she woke up on this strange and eerie island, the book had inexplicably appeared beside her, becoming one of the few things she could rely on in this unfamiliar place.
Though it was thicker than a brick, the pages inside were completely blank. Even its title, [Book of Truth], wasn’t actually written anywhere on the cover.
At first, Nitila had no idea what it was. But the moment her fingers touched the book’s surface, a sudden, inexplicable understanding filled her mind. In that instant, the princess knew its name and how to use it.
This was no ordinary book. It was a divine artifact, a fragment of a true God relic.
Its real form wasn’t something that could be seen or touched so easily. Somewhere in the vast ocean, the true [Book of Truth] existed in a way beyond human comprehension. The book in her hands was merely a fragment, a lesser version of the original.
As its name suggested, the [Book of Truth] contained nearly all truths of the world, knowledge, technology, hidden secrets, even ancient magic lost to time. Anyone who sought answers from it would receive them.
Of course… such knowledge didn’t come without a price.
But according to the book’s own response, Nitila was special. Her bloodline granted her a unique connection to it. Because of this, she could seek answers from the [Book of Truth] without restrictions, at least to a certain extent.
And so, through this book, she learned about this island, the answers she had been searching for, and most importantly, a truth so terrifying and powerful that it could drive the entire Emerald Sea, perhaps even all of the Eastern Ocean, into madness and despair…
A truth that only a few had ever known.
Of course, even though she was deeply shocked and fearful, Nitila did not blindly believe everything the book revealed, nor did she lose hope entirely. She needed to see the truth with her own eyes, to confirm it for herself.
Even if it meant putting herself in danger.
“Hah...”
Gently pressing a hand against her smooth, pale stomach, the princess took several deep breaths, calming the rapid rise and fall of her chest from both running and her racing emotions. Then, she lowered her gaze to the book in her hands.
“I’ve followed your instructions and arrived at the location. This route really did help me avoid those… enemies. So, what should I do next?”
She whispered to the open pages of the thick book, as if speaking to herself. But then, as if responding to her voice, something miraculous happened.
The once-blank pages slowly revealed a detailed map of the island. Like an intelligent guide, a red line appeared, marking her current position and several possible routes leading to her final destination.
Nitila had used the [Book of Truth] before and understood how it worked. The book didn’t have a will of its own. It simply provided information and options based on the user’s intent. It showed her safe paths to avoid the enemies, but ultimately, the choice of which route to take and how to proceed was hers alone.
“......”
She stared at the map in silence, carefully analyzing the different paths. After a long moment, she shut the book, crouched low. Then, like a swift rabbit, she bolted forward!
Timing her movements perfectly, she darted out from behind the stone ruins, using a gap in the enemy patrols to rush toward another hiding spot she had already chosen in advance.
Her movements were swift, precise, and flawlessly executed, taking full advantage of every blind spot along the way. It was almost as if she had practiced this escape countless times before.
Of course, just having a map and a few marked routes wouldn’t be enough to move like this. The real reason Nitila navigated so effortlessly was simple. She had walked these paths countless times before. She knew the layout of this place like the back of her hand.
Because this island… this place… was her home.
The royal palace of the [Eastern Sea Pearl].
It was unbelievable, practically impossible, but the truth was right in front of her. Not just the royal palace, but all six outer islands that made up the [Eastern Sea Pearl], even the sea, were almost identical to what she remembered.
She had already confirmed this with her own eyes after learning the shocking truth from the [Book of Truth].
To be precise, she had never been mysteriously transported to some distant, unknown island. The place where she first regained consciousness was none other than her own bedroom in the royal palace, sitting in the exact spot where she used to read. Not a single detail was out of place.
The only reason she hadn’t recognized it immediately was because everything around her had changed so drastically. Her mind had been too overwhelmed to make the connection at first.
In other words… she had simply fallen asleep at her desk. But when she woke up, the world around her had transformed beyond recognition.
It was as if she had entered a mirror world.
Hiding behind a crumbling low wall, Nitila quietly waited for the patrolling "guards" to pass, carefully timing her next move. As she did, she instinctively glanced around.
This was, without a doubt, the royal palace of the Merfolk.
Even the wall she was using for cover, though now half-collapsed and worn down, seemingly from years of being soaked in seawater, still bore traces of the intricate carvings that once decorated it.
The broken pillars around her, the algae-covered ruins of rooms, and the unchanged overall structure of the buildings. Everything was exactly as she remembered.
Even the ghosts that endlessly wandered these ruins, never disappearing…
Nitila’s breath caught in her throat as the thought crossed her mind. Without hesitation, she sprang forward again, her movements as fluid as a fish in water. Timing it perfectly, she slipped through a patrol’s blind spot, crossing the wide corridor in a single swift motion.
She was almost there.
“Father...”
…………………………………
“You’re saying King Willipol is in the [Ghost Sea]? What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what it sounds like, Miss Violet.”
On the shores of [Ezer Island], near the [Ghost Sea], a large force had gathered. Their meeting had just concluded, and now, everyone was preparing to move out. Among them were three people, Queen Anies, Silisa, Alex, and hundreds of elite merfolk warriors, all personally selected for this mission. Even the Pirate King, Rashid Bachiri, had joined them.
For this rescue mission, the [Eastern Sea Pearl] had deployed its very best. Every merfolk warrior present was at least Level 30, a rank classified as Earth-tier or higher. Even the Queen herself was taking part in the battle, leaving only Princess Valda behind to guard the royal palace.
From Rashid, Violet and the others had learned disturbing secrets. Truths about the [Book of Truth], the history of this sea, and the forces at play.
And now, the rescue force was about to set sail for the [Ghost Sea], a place where none who entered had ever returned. Their mission: to save the captive merfolk princess.
But deep within that cursed sea, an unexpected and formidable enemy was already waiting for them.
The former King of the Merfolk, Willipol Mingjiao.