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Chapter 15: Journal
I went through the stolen wet parchment and the book from the factory. Reading the smeared ink between the salt stains was a real challenge. I could approximately reproduce my diary, but the contents of the other parchments were lost. The book, on the other hand, was still partially legible. It was mainly about different races. The first description matched the characteristics of the dead baby dragons from the factory. Apparently, they were indeed babies. The smeared sketches of the adult animals seemed larger than a whole ship compared to them.
‘Only the skin of the young, undeveloped—of the so-called—Draco Aquarius can be disassembled and later forged at extreme heat. A large furnace with condensed air and Jade Mint as fuel can create heat levels that shape the scales. With Jade Mint beyond mixture 3, it is possible to melt them completely. The adult scales can barely be pulled out and will not deform, no matter how much heat we apply. The only known way so far is to apply enough force and cut the scale with another scale. However, this proves to be extremely difficult, even for experienced users of Jade Mint. And even then, it is extremely stressful for the health. So we’ll limit ourselves to the babies and explore other ways to generate more heat.’
I skipped a few pages.
‘Mermaids. Like Sirens, the mermaids Under The Dawn Sea, also called Nymphs, differ greatly in their power. Since their aging process is much slower, it is difficult to determine their strength. One possibility is to count the number of pearls on them, but this method leads to unreliable results. Firstly, not all pearls are visible. And secondly, small differences in size and color saturation greatly affect their capabilities. While size seems to represent the amount of power they possess, color affects the type of power.’
The following double page had two sketches. On the right was a profile portrait of a human-like being. Its armor seemed connected to the skin. The helmet appeared open, and a fog of feathers, like hair in the wind, flowed out of the helmet’s backside. And like a scarf, more of those wooly feathers protected the neck part. The skin was covered in cracks, with a pointy nose and empty eyes.
“Is this a Nymph?”
On the left was a more abstract sketch. A full armored helmet for a pig-human-like being looked grim at me. A chain hanging from its neck. Below were scattered, broken parts of the armor. Behind it were either mountains or the beings' odd wings. In front stood an object similar to a noble fruit basket.
“Are they related? Maybe it’s the Nymphs' pet or so? Or is it just fancy armor?”
The following few pages were unreadable, so I flipped to the next chapter.
‘Log: General Pele. Three weeks ago, we sent two whole companies to their underwater village. My best-trained men and the most expensive mercenaries. So far, no one has returned, so after consulting with House Blain and House Seatlin, we aborted the mission and refrained from sending any more troops.
—
‘Our second base was attacked by unknown creatures. Our submarines were destroyed within minutes. Every attempt to fight off the beast ended with it growing more heads and limbs than before. With over a dozen huge fins, the creatures moved faster than we ever could with our double Jade Mint engine. The financial loss is too significant. I fear that I will have to sell some of my islands to save my family from ruin. My advisor has already made plans and strategies on how we can use the Jade Mint to make up for the losses and—
Now we must protect the Jade Mint island we have fought so desperately for with everything we have to harvest—’
Another large ink blot covered the last few paragraphs.
“This is it?!” I flipped the book over, and it landed on the floor.
I gave a long sigh and leaned against my imaginary backrest.
I examined my hand, curling my fingers and twisting my wrist to examine each bit. It moved just like my old hand. Besides the visual change, what struck me most was the weight. It weighed less than when I woke up and significantly more than a day ago.
I took notes for my Journal.
—
‘It also cracked a lot more, if not for the scales rubbing another by sudden movements. The bones felt like they constantly reoriented and adjusted. It wasn't until the exercise with Nita that I noticed my hand had adjusted perfectly to the dagger's grip and then returned to its normal state. It felt strange and more like a hindrance at first, but I think it can be advantageous if I use it properly. I will keep an eye on it.’
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“I wonder if it also contains powers like those mentioned in the book. It's too bad the table with the pearl colors didn't survive the water.” I cracked my neck. “Well, I'll make one myself! And all written and recorded in my Journal.”
I flipped through the book's last third and found only empty space.
“Oho.” An idea popped into my head.
I looked for any kind of tools. Hammers were in a chest next to one of the cannons, and chains were wrapped around some barrels opposite. I grabbed one and got to work.
I took a metal shield from the weaponry and returned to my makeshift workstation, the two crates. Using the shield as my new desk, I placed the chain on it and put a hammer claw on the chain.
And then I noticed I was still missing an arm to swing the other hammer.
I went up on deck to look for someone to ask for help when Hale stumbled into me as I walked through the door.
“Oh, hey, nice timing. Could you lend me a hand for a minute? I‘m missing one, you know?” I laughed awkwardly.
“Sure, let me get this to Captain Reysan, and I‘ll have time for you.” He carried a chest with ropes on top of it.
I nodded. “Perfect, I‘ll wait under deck.”
Now with more than one hand, I chopped the chain into multiple rings by hammering on the other hammer. And asked him to also cut the pages out of the book.
“What will this be when it's done, anyway?”
“My journal, of course. I will record everything that happens to me on my travels.”
A small smile appeared on his lips.
I cleared my throat. “Thanks, Hale. Could you find Lush for me?”
It took a while, but I finally pierced the blank papers with the rings. And just as I finished, Lush came up to me.
“Oi, whaddya want? Finally got some of the good stuff?”He stumbled down the stairs, almost falling into one of the hammocks. His eyes glowed green in the dim light.
“Let's make a deal. Since I saved your life. You do me a little favor, and the next time Miru gives me Jade Mint, I'll share it with you.”
“From Miru? Oi, oi, I'm all in! But I beg you, don't play with me!”
“I would never.” I smiled.
“Well?” He came closer and examined my workspace.
“All right, first, I want you to carefully burn the remains of the old pages.” I pointed at the open book. “And then heat the . . . eh, spines inside, you know?”
“Oi.”
“Perfect. When it's melted, I'll slide the rings in and wait for it to cool, and hopefully, it'll stick.”
Lush rolled up his sleeves. “Then let‘s get crackin’.”
“Woah, keep in mind that we only need a small flame, yes?”
“Sure, lad, let‘s go.” He bent down to the book and held up his index finger. A small flame that looked like a candle but much hotter lit up.
I gulped. This was my only book, so my only shot for who knows how long.
Slowly, he let the flame of his finger glide over the scraps of paper. They ignited, the embers eating away at them until only ash remained.
“Nice! Good job.”
Lush blew the ash away and immediately pressed the flame against the spine inside thingy.
“Wait, wait. I wasn't ready!” I quickly grabbed the stack of paper with the rings inside.
As the material slowly melted, I adjusted the angle of the rings and got ready.
“Alright, now!”
When Lush took his finger away, I pressed the rings, open side first, against the melted surface.
I pressed down on the upper two. “Press gently on the bottom two. There must not be a gap!”
“Yes, yes.” He did as I told him.
And then we waited.
Minutes passed.
“I think that’s really enough, lad.”
“Do you really think so? I don't—”
“It'll be fine.” Lush, let go. And sure enough, it didn't move. I also let go of my fingers from the top two.
I opened and closed the book and flipped through it a little.
[Crafting Record]
I made a proper Journal out of a damaged book. Hale and Lush were friendly enough to help.
-I probably owe Hale a little favor
-I owe Lush some of Miru's Jade Mint
I see us getting along well.
[Crafting Recipe Obtained]
Chain-Ring Book (1 Damaged Book + 1 Chain + Empty Paper)
Tools: Hammers, Fire, enough hands
Let’s see how long it takes me to craft my second one. I’m so excited!
“Whew, thanks. With only one hand, that would have been a pain,” I said, relieved.
“You're welcome. Just don't forget our deal!” He headed for the stairs.
“I would never!”
He chuckled. “You better.” He turned with a sinister grin on his lips. "Or I'll have to rely on eating a finger or two of yours." He casually went back up.
A long breath escaped me.
“You too, huh? Cool . . .”
I played with my hand, tensing and relaxing it into a fist.