Berserk: The Prophet

Chapter 153 Iron Chain Link

As the footsteps of the last soldiers echoed on the deck, the clamor of the dock gradually subsided. Sailors on the small boats busied themselves, connecting them to the bow of the Stormstorm with ropes, preparing to tow the behemoth of a warship away from the harbor.

The iron chain at the stern was untied, and dozens of burly sailors worked together to push the ship. Slowly, the behemoth began to move on the water and sail away from the port.

"Woo—!!" A deep, resonant flute sound rang out.

The sailors of the Stormstorm sang and shouted on the lower decks, and two people together gradually started to row the huge oars.

"Set sail!!"

One by one, the oars began to work, and the experienced sailors climbed up the masts to untie the ropes and lower the sails. For a time, the sailors were extremely busy, and Captain Kosherif had entered the wheelhouse to take the helm and control the direction of the ship at any time.

"Squeak—whoosh—"

The creaking of the oars and the sound of the water on the surface meant that they were gradually moving away from the port. Green looked at the receding horizon and felt a sense of emotion. Compared to the sea monster-like "Stormstorm," the dozens of triremes around them seemed so small.

Life on the ship was very monotonous. There were no fresh vegetables, let alone fruit. The only food available was oat bread and pickled dishes provided by the kitchen on a fixed schedule. Only officers had access to private toilets, while others had to risk relieving themselves in the open.

By the second day on the ship, Green had begun to adjust to life at sea. But Bazzo wasn't so lucky; he was constantly seasick, vomiting and feverish, making him unwilling to get out of his hammock for even a moment.

It must be said that life at sea is indeed a torment for some people.

Only Green quietly enjoyed the night view from the ship. Although the sea breeze was a bit damp and cold, it was indeed a completely new experience. The endless blackness and the limited visibility of the deep sea, apart from the Stormwind and the other crew members being the only lights, made it a pitch-black place.

Green lay on the deck gazing at the starry sky. At that moment, only the stars in the sky served as his guide, ensuring that the voyage was on the right track. He slept soundly through the night.

On the morning of the fifth day, the atmosphere at sea suddenly became tense. Clouds began to gather in the sky, and the sea breeze grew stronger. Captain Kosherif stood in the bridge, his brow furrowed, a hint of worry in his eyes. He knew a storm might be approaching.

Green stood on the deck as the wind and waves grew stronger, seemingly making his thin clothes shiver. He could feel the chill in the sea breeze, and the clouds on the distant horizon grew thicker and darker, seemingly approaching them.

"Damn it, we've run into a strong convection."

The ship's first mate immediately ran to the bow and shouted, "Everyone back to your posts, prepare for the storm!" Upon hearing this, the sailors quickly sprang into action, furling the sails and reinforcing the hull.

"Check the anchor ropes, prepare to drop anchor!!"

The first mate's shouts quickly carried from the upper decks to the lower decks, and all the cabin windows were immediately closed. Two sailors took their positions in the compartment where the anchor ropes were stored, ensuring that the anchor was not knotted when dropped and that the spare anchor could be used at any time.

"Drop anchor!!" The sailors' shouts reached the upper decks and soon reached Captain Kosherif's ears, who then controlled the cranes on both sides to lower the anchor into the sea.

"Ugh——!"

With a deep, drawn-out horn call, the surrounding twin warships dropped their anchors, and iron hooks were attached to the thick iron rings around the lower deck of the "Stormstorm".

A massive, chained array of ships was formed instantly, ready to withstand the approaching storms and ocean currents.

Green gripped the gunwale tightly as he walked toward his room. The rocking of the ship became more and more obvious. He returned to his room just before the storm arrived. The wooden planks on the outside of the windows had been pulled down, making the environment very dark, with only a few lights still on.

The storm relentlessly lashed at the Storm, the waves grew turbulent, and thunder rumbled in the sky.

The Stormy Winds swayed in the storm, and the sailors struggled to steer the ship and stabilize its course. On the lower decks, the sailors were securing the oars.

Baziso appeared particularly vulnerable in the storm; he was pale and weak. Since the room led directly to the kitchen on the next floor, Green, not forgetting his friend, brought Baziso a small cup of hot water and a blanket.

Kadi remained unchanged, silent throughout the storm, eerily quiet, as if he were brewing an even more cruel "storm".

After a day of struggle, the storm finally passed. The sea returned to calm as dusk approached, and sunlight once again shone on the water, allowing seagulls to be faintly seen soaring freely in the sky.

Green stood on the deck. Although he was exhausted from being cooped up in the cabin all day, he felt a sense of relief. It seemed that they had passed the test of the sea.

Green took a deep breath of fresh air and stretched his limbs.

Just then, he heard footsteps behind him. Green turned around and saw Captain Corsef walking up to him.

“We survived the storm, kid,” Kosherif said with a hint of relief in his voice.

Green nodded. "Yes, it's fortunate that you, Captain, led us out to sea in this giant sailing ship that looks like a sea monster."

Koserif gazed into the distance, his eyes sparkling with awe for the sea and a love for sailing, a sense of pride welling up within him.

"Of course! This giant ship is extremely reliable. No matter what kind of bad weather it encounters, it can reach the other side without fear! Hahahahahahaha."

“That’s right!” Green smiled, in a good mood, after all, they had successfully weathered that storm.

The other warships below were busy retrieving the anchors that had sunk to the bottom of the sea, untying the interlocking chains one by one, while the hundred sailors of the "Stormstorm" were also pushing the winch in the anchor house to slowly retrieve the anchors. Just retrieving the anchors would take some time.

The two stood quietly on the deck, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

The sea breeze gently caressed their faces, bringing a touch of coolness, while the distant sky was gradually tinged with orange-red sunset clouds, beautiful and magnificent.

............

After six days and five nights of arduous travel, Green finally saw the horizon on the opposite shore. That blurry outline appeared and disappeared in the morning light, like a dream come true for someone who had been at sea for so long. Green's heart raced, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Bazso, we're almost there!" Green ran back to the cabin to tell him the good news.

"My God, really? We're finally reaching our destination!" Baziso wailed upon hearing this, dragging his emaciated and nearly exhausted body as he shakily crawled out of the room. Seeing the horizon was like seeing a glimmer of hope.

...Finally, we've arrived, God.

Then, upon seeing the sea, Baziso involuntarily leaned against the ship's railing and vomited again.