Rasmus and the others sailed to the sea on Arka’s battleship and Arka’s fleet following from behind. The naval commanders of the West Neva used their whole fleet to assist them. It was unsettling when the rain only poured the continent and not the sea around it.

"This is the complete map of West Neva, and based on the records, there are at least a hundred islands around the mainland. They’re so spread that it might take weeks and even months to explore all of them," Marsius laid the map on the table.

"Even if we go into three groups, that still takes weeks," Venusius added as he looked at Rasmus and his group. "If the storm doesn’t stop for another few days, the whole continent might drown."

Marsius and Venusius were Commanders of the West Sea, two of the eight commanders that belonged to Admiral Gustav, the Sea King. In terms of skill and strength, they were still way above Arka who had been in commander training in the past year.

"Not only that, the sea beasts roam around the sea. If we enter their territories, they will sink our ships so easily. It’s not a great idea to split into three groups," Arka tapped his finger on the sea that was surrounded by islands.

"No, it’s not a good plan to split into three groups," Rasmus shook his head in agreement. "Let’s assume that the sea beasts have been corrupted by it as well, turning them into demonic beasts," he pointed out as he tried to memorize the map in his head.

The three commanders didn’t even think of that possibility at all. When they took that as the truth, they realized that their fleet might get obliterated in an instant. The stakes and the risk had sky-rocketed in an instant and they realized this mission could become the most dangerous mission they had ever had.

"And what’s the solution to that, Count Blackheart?" Arka asked, knowing that if they stayed together, it would take a while and that wouldn’t be efficient. "You’re not going to sacrifice the people on the mainland, don’t you?" He stared at Rasmus with a cold expression.

"No, that’s not my call to begin with. Aris is the one who decides that, and she doesn’t want that either," Rasmus answered, assuring Arka and the two commanders.

Arka observed Rasmus’ words and expressions, but he didn’t see any deception.

"And what are we going to do?" Marsius looked at Rasmus and Aris, who stood side by side and stared at the map.

"Take us to the safest route that’s close enough to those islands. We will take care of the demonic sea beasts for all of you first so we can split into groups after. At the same time, we will check if the sea is the cause of this catastrophe," Rasmus answered as he put his finger on the map and moved it in a circular motion on the sea.

The three commanders nodded with understanding, finding that plan to be not a bad one. The one who knew the West Sea the most was Venusius because he spent his whole life protecting the West Sea from pirates and smugglers. With that being said, Venusius took the lead of the three commander fleets with Yur’s help.

Rasmus and the others stayed in one cabin, discussing the plan and trying to predict where the source of the corruption came from. However, Rasmus revealed his encounter with Belial to Aris, Rullein, and Serena.

"So you believed that Belial has something to do with this?" Serena asked as she crossed her legs and rested her chin on her fist, sitting at the small round wooden table with everyone.

"As much as I want it to be true, I don’t think this is his doing. Something doesn’t add up because of what Videl said about Belial’s existence and what kind of being he is. Not only that, it’s also because of my encounter with him before. He wasn’t the type who persuaded or revealed the truth, he was passively waiting and the fact he desired the power within me, but he didn’t chase after it. His desire is restrained, so I don’t think this is his doing," Rasmus answered as he shook his head. "But I believe Videl knows him better than anyone here. So, let’s hear what his opinion about Belial," he glanced at Videl with a serious expression.

Everyone’s focus moved to Videl and waited for him to say anything about Belial.

"What do you want me to say? Belial is a loner, a pathetic being who have nobody around him but his mindless, lifeless, pathetic followers," Videl answered with venom in his words. "Just think about it for a moment. If Satan didn’t know that the Womb of the Mother existed here in this world, then who else put that thing here? It can’t miraculously come into this world. Have you ever thought that those monologues that Satan spoke from her mouth were fabricated so we would buy her innocence? She might use that opportunity to make Lilith her instrument to deceive us," he pointed out as he stared back at Rasmus.

Rasmus thought about that as well, but that wasn’t as convincing as putting Belial as the instigator of this whole situation. There was a reason why he didn’t believe Satan was trying to deceive them in the first place, and that her surprise about the Womb of the Mother was a genuine reaction.

"You know her better than anyone as well. Can you tell us if Satan has ever done that before? Scheming and deceiving those beings for her own gain?" Rasmus asked again.

At that point, Videl was quiet and couldn’t answer Rasmus’ question because he knew Satan and that lies or deceptions weren’t Satan’s skill. She upheld truth to the point that it had always become her power and why she was seen as superior compared to demons and angels. She had the knowledge, the truth, and the free will, yet she never stepped out of her boundaries, making her more loyal and yet independent at the same time.

"I don’t know anything about Satan, but from my encounter with her, I don’t think she knows anything about this either. There’s a chance that the Fallen Watchers in West Neva know about this through Belial, but even so, why they didn’t tell Satan when she’s their leader?" Rasmus said as he looked out the window at the sea. "Some mysteries are better unsolved because sometimes they don’t change anything," he muttered to himself.

At the same time on the peak of rocky mountain under the heavy and terrifying thunderstorm, Belial stood there like a statue. Every droplet of rain immediately evaporated before it could touch his black tattered robe or wings. He was unmoved until suddenly he felt a cold that made him clench, forcing him to face the unwanted encounter.

"Hiding in the open space as always," Satan said as she folded her majestic black feathered wings, standing behind Belial. "What are you doing up here on your own, Belial?" She asked as she walked past Belial so she could see Belial in the face.

"Waiting..." Belial answered.

"What are you waiting for?" Satan asked as she crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly.

"Time..." Belial answered.

"Is this your doing? You should understand that I sent the fallen here to help me, but it seems this whole situation is causing trouble to me. You were the first to come to this world, and I know that much..." Satan said as she closed the distance and slowly put her long and pale fingers under Belial’s chin to lift his head. Her fingers sizzled from the intense heat that Belial produced. "You know that this is against His rules. So tell me the truth," she stared down into Belial’s glowing bright red eyes.

"I didn’t do it," Belial answered as he shook his head slowly. "I came into this world long before everyone else as you said. I fell into this world at this exact place where I stand. Those things have existed long before me," Belial finally revealed the truth to Satan.

"It wasn’t your doing?" Satan furrowed her brows, but she knew Belial well that he wouldn’t lie and that she could see lies better than any of her peers. She slowly let go of Belial’s chin and took a few steps back.

"No, it wasn’t my doing. I didn’t know either, but my existence here only fueled the corruption. I didn’t instigate this, I have been doing nothing but watching," Belial answered. "The answer should lie on the origin of this world that I am not interested in," he added.

A tug of a smile from the corner of Satan’s lips appeared as she arched her brows, intrigued by what Belial said. Since Belial was the first demon that came into this new world, he held more knowledge.

"I trust your insight," Satan said as she spread her wings, ready to leave since there was no reason for her to stay in the damned continent that was slowly being corrupted by the power of the Womb of the Mother.

"They have descended, the light bringers..." Belial suddenly spoke before Satan could fly away.

"I’m aware," Satan smiled with her eyes closed before she flew away and disappeared.