After the intense dispute among the Casoltins, Dendelon and Djong resolved to leave the crew due to their different views on Tuziku's unforgivable sin.
Soon after the argument had concluded, Priora finally woke up from her concussion.
Mika slowly guided her through the chaotic events that had transpired while she was unconscious.
She explained that Juzio, Fēlō, and herself had forgiven Tuziku and chosen to stand by his side.
Djong and Dendelon also tried desperately to convince Priora otherwise, but she was too devastated by Sailou's death to even listen.
She remained completely silent.
Tuziku also said nothing, as the guilt and self-hatred consuming him only continued to grow.
Later that day, the ship stopped near a small village where Dendelon and Djong disembarked.
They left without uttering a single word.
As the ship remained anchored near the shore, the remaining members tried to figure out what path they should take next.
Above the ship's deck...
Clap! Clap!
Juzio clapped his hands loudly.
"Listen up, guys!"
"I think it's time we figure out how we're going to move forward from now on."
The crew remained silent.
"At this rate... the Casoltins are slowly heading toward disbandment."
"...I know that no one can replace Captain Sailou."
"But we still need a leader."
He slowly stepped forward.
"Let's vote among the remaining crew to decide who'll become the new Captain."
Before anyone could respond—
Fēlō walked over and gently placed a hand on Juzio's shoulder.
"It's exactly as you said, Juzio..."
"No one can replace the Captain."
"Sailou is the Casoltins' only Captain."
He lowered his head.
"Without the head..."
"...the body can't function."
He slowly turned away.
"The crew..."
"...is dead."
Silence fell across the deck.
"I forgive Tuziku from the bottom of my heart."
"And I know this is hurting him more than anyone."
"But..."
"It's time for us to go our separate ways."
He smiled sadly.
"Take care of yourselves, everyone."
Without looking back, Fēlō stepped off the ship.
Juzio watched him leave.
"...I respect your decision, Fēlō."
"So this is the fate of the Casoltins..."
Mika murmured as she sat on a wooden crate.
Her eyes drifted toward Priora.
Just then—
Kutcher emerged from below deck.
"What's... going on?"
He looked around at the few remaining members, all wearing expressions of despair.
"Kutcher... you're finally awake," Mika said softly.
"A lot has happened—"
"Why don't you let me explain?" Juzio interrupted.
He walked over to Kutcher.
"Kutcher..."
Then he briefly explained everything that had happened.
When he finished—
"It's completely up to you to decide your own path now."
Kutcher slowly turned toward Tuziku.
Tuziku couldn't even bring himself to look him in the eye.
"...Tuziku..." Kutcher whispered.
"...Captain..."
Did you know this was going to happen?
His knees slowly gave way beneath him.
"I'm sorry, Kutcher," Juzio said quietly.
"Right now..."
"It's just you, me, Priora, Mika, and Tuziku."
He looked him straight in the eyes.
"...You have to make your decision."
Kutcher remained silent.
Then Mika looked toward Priora.
"Priora..."
"You need to decide too."
Before Priora could answer—
She looked toward Kutcher.
"Kutcher..."
"I think it's time."
"Let's tell them."
Kutcher nodded.
Mika looked confused.
"Tell us what?"
Tuziku slowly raised his head.
...What are they talking about?
Priora took a deep breath.
"There's something..."
"...Kutcher and I have been keeping secret."
Juzio stepped closer.
Priora hesitated before speaking.
"A few days ago..."
"Just before Kutcher started training Tuziku..."
"The Captain told us something."
A few days earlier...
Deep within the forest—
"Kutcher."
"Priora."
"Do either of you know why I called you here?"
Sailou asked.
Kutcher scratched his head.
"Because you wanted to tell us something?"
"More or less."
Sailou smiled faintly.
"...It's about Tuziku."
"What about him?!" Priora asked immediately.
Sailou looked toward the sky.
"Something about his Abyssal ability has been bothering me."
Neither of them spoke.
"He only awakened his ability a few months ago."
"When he lost control."
He slowly folded his arms.
"When an Abyssal ability first awakens..."
"It normally starts out weak."
"But Tuziku's..."
"...was already incredibly powerful."
Kutcher frowned.
"What does that mean, Captain?"
Priora thought for a moment.
"...It means..."
"As time goes on, Tuziku's ability will only become stronger."
"And you're worried he'll lose control again."
Sailou smiled.
"Exactly."
He nodded.
"This is only a hypothesis."
"But if it ever becomes reality..."
"I'll stop Tuziku myself."
He clenched his fist.
"I believe..."
"...there's something far greater hidden within Tuziku than any of us realize."
That's right...
I may have stumbled upon something extraordinary.
He turned back toward them.
"And that's why I called you here."
"If anything ever happens to me..."
"I want the two of you..."
"...to stay by Tuziku's side."
"No matter what happens."
"Help him continue his journey."
Priora lowered her head.
"...Captain..."
Kutcher stepped forward.
"Nothing's going to happen to you."
"But..."
"I promise."
"I'll carry out your will."
Priora nodded firmly.
"The same goes for me."
Sailou smiled.
"I'm sorry for forcing this burden onto you."
Priora shook her head.
"Not at all."
"We owe you our lives."
Sailou let out a quiet sigh.
"One last thing."
"Please keep this conversation between us."
"Of course."
"Of course."
They answered in perfect unison.
Back to the present...
Sailou...
Tuziku clenched his fists.
The guilt crushing his heart only became heavier after hearing Sailou's final wish.
"I see..."
Mika whispered.
"So the Captain was thinking that far ahead."
She looked toward Kutcher and Priora.
"But still..."
"I don't want either of you to feel like you have to do this."
Priora smiled gently.
"We're not forcing ourselves."
"We made this decision ourselves."
Kutcher walked toward Tuziku, who still stood alone in the corner.
"...Tuziku."
He stopped in front of him.
"To be honest..."
"Right now..."
"I want to beat you to a bloody pulp."
Tuziku remained silent.
"But..."
"The Captain believed there was something special about you."
"So..."
"I'll keep my promise."
He placed a hand on Tuziku's shoulder.
"It's time..."
"...for you to carve your own path, Tuziku."
CHAPTER 30 END