Death's treasure Trove?
Originally, this was Blood Admiral Valen's goal concerning the Golden Dream: he wanted to obtain the so-called death god's treasure!
Lex looked around. Including members like Danitz and Jodeson, everyone had a calm expression, clearly already aware of this matter.
At this moment, Lex saw Edwina look at him. After a brief, unperturbed glance, her gaze quickly withdrew. Iceberg Admiral Edwina did not continue, as if giving everyone time to digest the news. She cut a piece of fried Dragon bone fish and put it into her mouth.
The others already knew this news, so there was no need for them to digest it. Therefore, Lex guessed that Iceberg Admiral Edwina was using this opportunity to convey information about the death god's treasure to him.
She must have deliberated carefully before deciding to do so.
He didn't know if it was because of his performance that morning, or some other reason, that made Edwina willing to reveal this information.
But she didn't convey it to him privately, as that would make it seem like she valued him, a newcomer, too much. She was also mindful of the feelings of the other members.
She could have also had Danitz Rayleigh the message, but Edwina didn't do so. The reason should be that she was worried Danitz wouldn't explain it clearly enough, in case he received incorrect information.
So, she used the banquet, this opportunity, to subtly convey this information to him in an inconspicuous way.
This Admiral is very thoughtful.
Lex put a piece of stewed lamb into his mouth, then picked up his beer and took a sip.
After a while, Edwina put down her knife and fork and continued, "At the Late Stage of the Fourth Epoch, the nether lord who once single-handedly established the Balam Empire fell for unknown reasons, thus marking a full stop to the Fourth Epoch."
"In the Early Stage of the Fifth Epoch, due to the fall of the nether lord, waves of resistance against the Balam Empire's rule emerged in places like Star Highlands and Pass River Valley on the South Continent. That period was also the most turbulent time for this Empire."
"It was then that a Nether Queen's Descendant, firmly believing that his ancestor had not truly fallen and could still return, left the South Continent to seek a way to help his ancestor return. He embarked on a secret journey, carrying countless Treasure Troves and some items related to the nether lord."
"But ultimately, this nameless Nether Queen's Descendant and his ship, the Nether River Overlord, mysteriously disappeared on the Sea. After receiving this news, the Balam Empire once sent people to search for him, but it eventually came to nothing due to the Empire's fragmentation."
"Several years later, this Nether Queen's Descendant's student, a woman named Kardashian, embarked on a journey to find her teacher, but her journey also ended without success."
Listening to Iceberg Admiral Edwina's narration, Lex felt like he was in a history class. He knew that Edwina was systematically explaining the full story, based on the information she had collected and thoroughly understood, so that he could comprehend the entire sequence of events.
"By the year 736 of the Fifth Epoch, an Adventurer named Valen Singh departed from the South Continent, embarking on a journey to find the Nether River Overlord."
"According to the Adventurer's diary we found, at that time, besides bringing his wife Astucca.Penny, he also recruited a large team."
When Edwina said this, she suddenly saw Lex stand up in astonishment. She calmly asked, "Is there a problem?"
Lex took a deep breath, adjusted himself slightly, and then asked, "Captain, you just said that the Adventurer's wife's name was Astucca?"
"Yes, Astucca.Penny. What's wrong?"
Lex frowned and said, "During my previous travels, I visited some Sea Islands. Those islands had their own beliefs. They worshipped a deity named Astucca."
"Skye Island."
Jodeson said indifferently, "I've been there and visited the Shining Black Star. I learned about their beliefs; they worship Astucca, calling her the Guardian of the mountains and forests, and the God of the Sky."
And there's another one, the Pale King! But that's what the local residents of Windmill Island call that 'Astucca', Lex silently added in his mind.
Edwina seemed to have known about this already. She nodded and said, "I will talk about this later, but to help you understand better what we are pursuing, let us start with Valen Singh."
Lex sat back down and listened attentively.
Iceberg Admiral Edwina picked up her glass, took a sip, and then said, "Adventurer Valen and his wife organized a large fleet, departing majestically from the South Continent, embarking on a journey to find the Nether River Overlord."
"Although we found his Adventurer's diary, it only recorded the first half of his entire Adventurer's journey, but it also pointed us in the right direction."
"We followed the Adventurer's footsteps, found his ship, and obtained many clues."
"From those clues, it's not difficult for us to discover that Valen Singh should have found the Nether River Overlord, but for some unknown reason, he did not allow this ship, that Treasure Trove, to see the light of day again."
"Furthermore, his wife clearly underwent some changes in the Late Stage of the journey, which forced Valen to make multiple stops on those unknown Sea Islands, and eventually, he abandoned his wife Astucca."
"I personally believe that Astucca's changes should be related to the Nether River Overlord. She might have gained some 'power,' which led her to become the deity worshipped on some Sea Islands now."
"Astucca might still be alive, but she is probably no longer human."
Iceberg Admiral Edwina's words immediately made Lex think of Windmill Island, of the strange residents on that island, and of the sacred mountain that forbade outsiders.
If Astucca was still alive, would she be in that sacred mountain?
What exactly did she get from the Nether River Overlord?
Edwina paused for a moment and continued, "Another reason we are certain Adventurer Valen found the Nether River Overlord is the clues he left behind."
"We found a pipe in his shipwreck, and from the pipe, we discovered a code, a code Valen himself invented. Using some numbers and corresponding books, he left important information."
"Through that code, we have narrowed down the search and know that the Nether River Overlord is in the waters near Sonia Island. But to find it, we still need some things."
"A compass, and the second half of that riddle."
Lex looked up: "A compass? What compass?"
Iceberg Admiral Edwina said calmly, "The compass Valen used. If we use it in the waters near Sonia Island, it will lead us to the location of the Nether River Overlord."
"We have already found clues about this compass. It was buried with Valen Singh's body. After the Adventurer's ship sank, they drifted at Sea for some time, eventually landed on a deserted island, and very likely died there."
"That compass is in his coffin."
Lex thought for a moment and said, "Captain, do you have a portrait of this Adventurer?