367. The Beginning of a Rescue Plan

Inside Captain Cabin, Search Vessel, The Luminous Sea, Eastern Continent

[ Reputation System v4.1 ] (New)

User: Ravenna Solarius / Joy Cha Kim

Reputation Level: 100 — (Max)

Current Reputation Points: 984,000 RP↓

Titles Unlocked: Raven of the Sun Palace, Unruly Princess, Beast Slayer

{ View Reputation Log } { Spend Reputation Points }

{ Exchange Items } { Enter Origin Domain } (New)

Sitting completely alone in the quiet captain’s quarters, Ravenna stared intently at her orange system interface, desperately searching for an actionable solution to the crisis. Opening the Origin Domain window, she tapped through the newly updated sub-menus.

{ Enter Origin Domain }

• Assign Role: 23 Available (New)

• Invite Entity: 400 Points per Entity

“The number of assignable roles increased... thanks to the latest system upgrade,” she noted, bypassing that option for now to focus on the core mechanics. She carefully re-read the detailed function descriptions, evaluating how to manipulate them to her advantage.

• Assign Role: You can assign a role to an entity to manage and customize the origin domain/domains. Designate what the role holder can manage at your own discretion. Note: Roles cannot be revoked upon assigning.

• Invite Entity:Invite an Entity into the Origin Domain for the duration of the time you are present. Note: Invited Entities will be forced to leave upon the absence of the host.

“There are likely over a thousand people aboard that escort ship, counting the Otto immigrants and crew…” Ravenna analyzed, her fingers tapping against the wooden desk. “If I can find a secure method to personally enter the dungeon's interior, I can temporarily pull every single one of them into the safety of my Origin Domain right before we collapse the magic barriers of the dungeon and water floods in.”

She turned her gaze toward the cabin window, watching the ocean waves continuously slam against the ship's outer hull. Her heart felt impossibly heavy in her chest.

“People just keep dying... under my watch,” Ravenna whispered to the empty room.

The haunting images of Empress Dahlia’s tragic death, the horrific massacre of three thousand souls in the Nicola Uprising, the sacrifices of High Priest Caldus and High Priest James, alongside countless nameless soldiers, echoed violently through her memory.

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“I explicitly promised myself that I would live fully for the both of us... Joy and Ravenna. And yet...”

Her mind painted a terrifying picture of a solemn military funeral back in the Kim Dukedom, a cold, rainy field where Vice-Captain John’s tombstone stood lined up beside her fallen knights and High Priest James.

Knock Knock

Dame Aisha’s voice called out from the hallway outside. “Your Highness... we are resuming the strategy session to brainstorm viable extraction methods for the escort vessel.”

“I will be there in a moment,” Ravenna replied, her tone cold and devoid of hesitation. Standing up from her desk, she clenched her fists until her knuckles turned snow-white, her deep black eyes burning with fierce, unyielding ambition.

“I will not lose another single one of my possessions... not to this sea, and certainly not to the Witch.”

Inside Meeting Cabin, Search Vessel, The Luminous Sea, Eastern Continent

The core officers, advisors, and magic researchers were mid-debate, shouting over one another as they analyzed nautical maps and formulas spread across the long table. Ravenna stepped into the room, her commanding presence instantly cutting through the noise.

“Is there a method to breach and enter the dungeon for a single individual?” she asked clearly.

A suffocating silence spread over the meeting cabin at her words, every single officer freezing in place.“I... I don’t see how sending a single person down there would be of any real help, Your Highness,” it was Knight Samuel who finally broke the stillness, asking the question weighing on everyone's minds.

“That is for me to worry about. Just answer the question: is there a way or not?” Ravenna pressed forward, taking her seat at the head of the table and crossing one leg over the other. The high cut of her dress shifted, showcasing the Herptian mark etched into her upper inner thigh.

“Hmm... The dungeon is located deep underwater,” Richard commented, stroking his weathered beard. “Holding one's breath long enough to swim down to that depth would be humanly impossible. And even if someone managed that feat, the crushing ocean pressure down there is the real hurdle...”

“Plus, even if we were to somehow solve all those physical obstacles and get this hypothetical sole savior inside the dungeon entrance, we still know virtually nothing about what type of dungeon it is… nor do we know which specific floor the escort ship is currently grounded on,” the Archmage added, gesturing to the preliminary structural map he had drawn based on Ravenna's geographical scan description.

“Leave all of those variables aside and focus solely on the singular objective; sending a single person into the dungeon,” Ravenna commanded, her voice dropping an octave as she leveled her signature glare at every face in the room. “Is it physically possible or not? Your only task is getting them through the entrance.”

Everyone fell quiet once more, plunging into intense concentration. The only sounds filling the cabin were the heavy thrumming of the ship’s boilers and the rhythmic crashing of dark ocean waves against the hull. Officers and mages alike frantically scribbled on parchments, tapping their pens and crunching calculations as the setting sun dipped toward the horizon, its pale golden light barely cutting through the thick grey smoke billowing overhead.

Just as the silence was becoming unbearable, Ryan suddenly stood up, pushing his chair back.

“If, hypothetically, this person is somehow capable of locating the correct floor and securing all one thousand plus civilians aboard the escort ship... and our sole responsibility is simply delivering them into the dungeon's interior... then yes, Your Highness,” Ryan declared, a spark of hope lighting up his eyes. “I believe it is entirely possible.”