Chapter 8: Journey to the Holy Land (1)

Komer’s words truly acted like a curse, instantly changing the expressions of the several jellyfish tribe leaders present. In particular, Hothep almost rushed at Komer, his eyes wide open, his voice even trembling slightly as he said, “How do you know about the ‘Curse of the Water God’? If you don’t explain clearly, you won’t be able to leave today!”
The two martial experts also stepped forward, their hands firmly gripping the hilts of their swords at their waists, their gazes fixed intently on Komer, ready to draw their swords at the slightest provocation. This made Komer couldn’t help but laugh silently.
“Mr. Hothep, it seems it doesn’t really matter how I know this secret. Although it’s a top-secret matter that the jellyfish tribe wants to keep hidden, you should understand that no wall is airtight. No matter how strict the secrecy measures are, it’s hard to conceal such a widespread plague within the jellyfish tribe. Moreover, over the years, the jellyfish tribe hasn’t seemed to find any solution. Do you really think they can hide it forever? That’s like covering one’s ears while stealing—a futile effort.”
Komer’s casual words caused the three top figures of the jellyfish tribe to rethink their plans instantly. They had already grasped the underlying meaning in his words—it seemed that this Mr. Komer had come precisely to address the long-standing problem plaguing the jellyfish tribe since they settled in the Great Marshes.
This disease, known as the “Curse of the Water God,” was an almost inescapable burden for the jellyfish tribe. Nearly every family had two or more members afflicted by this curse. As for its origin—whether it was a disease, a magical curse, or due to the jellyfish tribe’s innate constitution or the unique geography and climate of the Great Marshes—there was no definitive answer. To overcome this curse that was weakening the tribe increasingly, generations of leaders had racked their brains in search of a solution. But if the cause itself couldn’t be determined, how could it be solved? Given the jellyfish tribe’s isolation, they neither dared nor could reveal this secret to the outside world to seek help.
Now, this Baron Komer clearly came with a purpose, yet he suddenly revealed such a shocking secret. How could this not leave them puzzled?

The three leaders of the Jellyfolk exchanged glances almost simultaneously. In the end, Hetap calmed his somewhat flustered emotions and took over the conversation: “Mr. Komer, please forgive our rudeness earlier. This matter is simply too important, and we were caught off guard. I hope you can understand. You’re right—right now, it’s not important to question how you know this secret. It seems your visit is also related to this, and you might be able to help us solve this problem. I wonder if my guess is correct?”
With a proud smile, Komer’s confident expression, which the Jellyfolk had previously found extremely offensive, now appeared oddly endearing, for they understood what confidence meant behind it. “Mr. Hetap, it’s not just about providing some help; I have the ability to solve this problem—that is, to break the so-called ‘Curse of the Water God’ and free the Jellyfolk from this curse!”
“Oh? Is that really what you say, Mr. Komer?” As if telepathically connected, the three leaders of the Jellyfolk spoke in unison, with the same rapid pace and equally excited tones.
“If I weren’t confident, how would I dare come here so easily?” Komer’s calm smile was undoubtedly the best reassurance.
That made sense. If he weren’t certain, entering their territory would simply be a way to provoke them into seeking their own destruction. No one would dare to act so provocatively.
“Then I wonder, Mr. Komer, what exactly caused our people to suffer under this long-standing ‘Curse of the Water God’ among the Jellyfolk?” Hetap, impatient, wanted to know the answer to this secret right away. He no longer cared that asking such a question in this situation might be rude.
“Hehe, Lord Hetap, you’re too impatient. But I can tell you that it’s due to various factors—your Jellyfolk’s unique physiology, your way of life, and the unique geographical environment of the Great Swamp. These are all reasons behind the onset of this so-called ‘Curse of the Water God’.” Komer gave a clever answer. Although he pointed in the right direction, he wasn’t worried that they would be able to solve the problem based on that, as the Jellyfolk’s abilities weren’t yet advanced enough.

“Your Majesty the Pharaoh, I think we should invite a few distinguished guests to our sacred place first; this is not the right place to discuss such important matters,” said a high-pitched voice from a man to the left and rear of Hotep. His strange golden fish-scale robes made him resemble a gleaming koi fish, and his pale skin, visible beneath the robes, gave him an almost feminine appearance.

“Hmm, Elysis is right. Mr. Komer, we earnestly invite you and your guests to visit our Jellyfish Clan’s sacred site, so that we may exchange ideas more deeply. I wonder if you could spare the time?” The formal words came stutteringly from the rugged leader of the Jellyfish Clan, who was probably trying to show courtesy, but they sounded awkward coming from him. This made Komer, Rebril, and the others laugh inwardly—it was clearly a rigid imitation of human etiquette, though not entirely rude. It just seemed out of place at such a moment. Since they had come with a purpose, they would have gone regardless of an invitation. What was the point of asking them to “spare the time”? It was simply ridiculous.

“It would be an honor for me to visit the Jellyfish Clan’s sacred site.”

Gate’s merchant ship once again served as Komer’s party’s means of transport. The Jellyfish Clan didn’t need any tools here, but as a gesture of courtesy, Elysis joined Komer and his group on board, accompanying them downstream toward the sacred site.

Perhaps because no ships had passed along this river for many years, when Gate’s merchant ship, adorned with the banners representing the Jellyfish Clan, sailed smoothly along the reed beds without hindrance, countless Jellyfish Clan members nearby watched in disbelief. But when they saw Elysis, a rare figure among their clan, sitting at the bow of the ship chatting cheerfully with a mortal, they felt as if they were in a dream.