Seven days after escaping the prison, Arthur and co reached the barren and gloomy coast of the Black Sea, also known as the Black Kraken Sea. As the name suggests, the water was the color on ink, you can't see anything under the blackened surface. Moreover, the canopy seemed to be split into two sides, one was bright and the other, the one above the sea, was cloudy and grey.

"Sir Arthur, there is a small town North-East of here. You can hire a captain or some sailors or pay some spirit stones to board with other travelers."

Esco respectfully explained to Arthur a few things while stating the importing things. He grew accustomed to his role and didn't dare ask anything about Arthur or the others and would remain quiet if he's not needed. The only one who he was kind of friendly with was Vyncent, who's also a bit of an outsider too.

Arthur never talked to the blond young man but he didn't kick him out of the dark cloud either.

"I don't see the point in boarding with others, it'll only make the route longer. We can just go straight to the Land of the Golden Sand. If the Kraken shows up then I'll deal with it."

The parasite looked at her but didn't speak or agree. Unexpectedly, it was Radolf who stepped forward and politely said,

"Empress, with all due to respect, I don't think it's worth it to anger the Kraken. Its violent by nature and causing a loud ruckus will only attract unwanted attention."

"So?"

Radolf hesitated for a brief moment, glanced at Shen Shen, who was curiously looking at the black sea, before adding,

"We can board a boat that will pass through the second danger zone… I know of a place called the Waterfall of Youth and Old. I'm sure Little Shen will like it."

Only when she heard that did Zaarae hesitate as she looked at Shen Shen, who listened to the mythical being. Her eyes gleamed as she looked expectantly at Zaarae as if she was waiting for her approval.

In the end, the Empress relented with a sigh.

"Alright."

Arthur secretly gave Radolf a thumb-up then said,

"Let's go find a boat then."

The parasite attempted to fly into the black sea but the moment he flew above the black water, his body started falling uncontrollably as if something was pulling him down.

Fortunately, a gentle aura enveloped him and brought him back atop the dark cloud.

"The Black Sea's gravity is fifty-five times stronger than here and the space is very unstable. Flight is difficult but if you use one of your abilities, it is still possible to do it but it's necessary and costly."

Zaarae smiled at Arthur and explained the reason behind his sudden fall.

…

A few minutes later, the Dark Cloud landed next to a relatively large town bustling with mainly demons. Actually, the word 'demon' is a general term for all the races originating from the demon realm. Whether it's beastkin, succubus, devils, ghosts, skeletons, zombies, undead, orcs, goblins, imps, kobolds, lizards, etc…

The village was called 'Dark Coast' and isn't ruled by anyone, it's only a place for demons to rest and merchants to reload their goods. Though Arthur's group looked no different than humans, no one bothered or provoked them.

They quickly reached the medium-sized port and found a relatively large black ship which is going to depart soon.

"Next."

A short and fat green-skinned goblin holding a long yellow sheet of paper wrote the names of new passengers while beckoning for the next in the queue to come closer.

Arthur wasn't bothered by waiting but Zaarae seemed extremely bored and wanted to just started get on the ship already, nevertheless, she didn't flare up and obediently stood behind Arthur.

It has to be said that her exceptional beauty did cause a few curious make demons to sneak a couple of glances but that was all. It was the same thing for Fariya, whose clothes were revealing but, as she was standing next to the Empress, her charm was rendered ineffective.

The goblin raised its head and looked at the tall man standing before him.

"Names and number of passengers."

"Arthur and they are with me. We're 8."

The goblin looked at the group, his eyes pausing for a second on Zaarae and Fariya before saying

"That will be 72 red spirit stones or 1,600 gold."

Spirit stones are a common currency in all of the multiverse but demons also like gold and use it a lot too. Goblins are especially fond of the shiny golden metal and like to collect it, like the deceased Buo Buo, who was quite wealthy though it's too bad his possessions ended up in Arthur's hand.

Arthur flicked his hand and threw a small bag of red spirit stones to the goblin, who excitedly caught it. The demon carefully counted before nodding his head and signaling for Arthur to board the ship.

…

Along with his group, there were around twenty other people on the ship, mostly goblin merchants. There were three orcs warriors wearing thick red plated armors but they seemed to be protecting one goblin who had a fake long mustache and was wearing extravagant clothes.

"Ah! We're finally departing."

Zaarae's mood was slightly elevated as the black ship started moving after thirty or so minutes. She held Shen Shen's hand and went to the side of the ship. The little girl wanted a closer look at the black water so the Empress accompanied her just to make sure nothing happens, after all, this black sea is still a dangerous zone and although this is a safe zone, mishaps can still happen.

*****

At the center of the Black Sea, hundreds of kilometers under the surface, amidst the primordial shrouded waters, a pair of eyes slowly opened, they glowed with an ominous red light as they illuminated a small area. A creature that was bigger than a mountain has awoken from its slumber. Its thick and absurdly lengthy tentacles started moving, slowly stretching to the surface.

A deep and orotund voice emitted from the sea creature,

"Emmmpressssssssss….."