The clouds obscuring the view gradually dispersed, and a giant, angular golden gate, resembling a star with many points, slowly revealed itself before their eyes.
Hanging from the resplendent gate was a plaque that read: "heavens·gate·".
Behind it, a white waterfall flowed upward against gravity, reaching towards the sky.
This was the entrance to the divine kingdom, the Gate of Heaven.
"Wow!!!!!"
"It's so spectacular!"
"But..."
"The Gate of Heaven, it sounds a bit ominous..."
"No."
"Perhaps... we're already dead~"
"Hahahahahaha."
"What!!!"
As the warship sailed in, the resplendent gate came into view, eliciting exclamations. At this moment, a squad of guards emerged from a building behind the gate.
Seeing them, Sakaski ordered the ship to halt. The warship's speed gradually decreased until it docked perfectly at the terrace where the guards had appeared.
The guards wore matching uniform armor and held long spears. Most remarkably, they had a pair of white wings on their backs. Sakaski nodded to his副官.
The副官 leaped off the ship and began conversing with the guards.
"Greetings, how may I address you?"
"Hello, adventurers from the Blue Sea. My name is Gray Hodson, captain of the ninth squad of the Divine Guard."
"May I ask the purpose of your visit?"
"We are here to search for a lost island."
"An island?"
"Yes, its name is Jaya Island. Have you heard of it?"
"Uh... no, perhaps it's in some corner of the White Sea."
"There are countless small sky islands in the White Sea. We can only wish you good luck."
"I see. Thank you."
"By the way, may we enter the divine kingdom for a tour?"
"Of course. For sightseeing, there is a fee of 100 million XDR per person."
"Hiss!"
"One hundred million?"
The副官 gasped, unable to help but ask.
"Yes, one hundred million XDR."
"This... is so expensive..."
"Expensive? Did you not exchange currency when you arrived?"
"Exchange?"
"...That's strange. Logically, you should have passed through several necessary islands on your way. Did you never stop?"
"Uh, we actually came up via a Knock Up Stream."
"!!!!!"
"You rode that monstrous current???"
Hodson's eyes widened in shock as he looked at the warship, scanning it all around, and then turned to admiration.
"To arrive without any damage is truly... monstrous."
"Not at all, it was more or less smooth sailing."
The副官 replied humbly. Hodson was speechless, thinking that 'smooth sailing' was quite an understatement.
"That was a monstrous current."
"Few manage to ride it successfully. Even those who do suffer incalculable losses."
"To see you all completely unharmed..."
"Luck, just luck."
"Do you expect me to believe that..... Never mind, I won't ask further. Let's return to your question."
"One XDR is equivalent to 10,000 Berries from your Blue Sea."
"That means ten thousand Berries per person."
"Phew, I see. Please wait a moment."
The副官 returned to the ship, conferred with Sakaski, and then came back down with one million and two thousand Berries, handing them to Hodson for verification.
"Hmm, 1002 people?"
"Yes."
"Alright, please return to the ship and hold onto the railings."
"Wishing you a pleasant journey."
"Also, do not approach the God Island, Apis."
"That is the dwelling of the gods. Outsiders are forbidden."
Toot!!!!
Following Hodson's whistle, several giant lobsters surfaced, surrounding the warship. They extended two pairs of enormous pincers, firmly gripping the vessel.
Then, the副官 jumped back aboard. The special express lobsters pulled together and charged upward along the inverted white waterfall. Only then did everyone discover that the inverted white waterfall was, in fact, a spiral cloud staircase.
The special express lobsters towed the warship, accelerating towards the top of the spiral cloud staircase...
Watching the warship disappear into the cloud staircase, Hodson took out a seashell and pressed it.
"Divine Guard, Ninth Squad, Captain Hodson, reporting to the benevolent God."
"A group of powerful adventurers, calling themselves Marines, have entered the divine kingdom, riding a monstrous current."
"Please..."
Meanwhile, on God Island, Apis.
A palace of pure white stood there, its walls adorned with magnificent cloud patterns. On the throne inside, a man with a long beard put down a seashell he was holding, summoned a guard, and gave a few instructions.
"Marines, eh..."
Stepping out of the palace, Gan Fall gazed at the sky, lost in thought. Something seemed to solidify his gaze. He returned to the hall and picked up a notebook from the table.
"I can't delay any longer..."
----------------
As the blinding sunlight overhead grew closer.
Boom!
Bursting out of the cloud staircase, the special express lobsters detached. The warship plunged into the sea of clouds. What greeted their eyes was an island formed by giant vines and white clouds intertwined – Angel Island.
Countless branches of the enormous vines reached towards the sky, with numerous clouds resting upon the spreading branches. Castles of houses stood upon them.
Innumerable white staircases connected each cloud. Angelic children with white wings on their backs ran and played on these stairs.
"Wow!!!"
"How magical, such a giant plant."
"A world made of clouds."
"By the way..."
"Has anyone else noticed it's becoming a bit difficult to breathe?"
"Indeed, I felt it below, but it seems to have worsened now."
"This is because we are over ten thousand meters above the Blue Sea, where the air is thin. Those with weaker constitutions will feel unwell, and in severe cases, they may suffocate and die."
The副官 explained to the soldiers on the ship, then looked at Kulik, the only child on board, only to find Kulik showing no signs of discomfort.
Kulik, sensing the副官's gaze, spoke up.
"It's okay, you don't need to worry about me."
"I've been diving to the sea floor to search for ruins since I was young, so I'm used to being in low-oxygen conditions."
"Alright. If you feel unwell at any point, please say so immediately."
"Okay!"
--------------
After ordering the soldiers to explore freely, Sakaski, along with Kulik, began to tour the area, experiencing scenery unlike anything in the Blue Sea.
Half a day later, a messenger appeared, interrupting this brief period of leisure.
"Report, Vice Admiral Sakaski."
"An angel, claiming to be a divine attendant, has arrived, stating that the 'God' wishes to see you."