With the massive force of the surging sea current, the Wind Rider soared 7,000 meters and landed atop a white cloud.
Bang!
When the force of the sea current dissipated, the Wind Rider came to a steady landing on the white cloud.
"It can actually float on a cloud, just like sailing on water."
Nami looked at the Wind Rider gliding across the cloud and gasped in surprise.
"We're actually standing on a cloud!"
Vivi gazed at the vast sea of clouds, feeling as if she were dreaming.
Tashigi pursed her lips, still unable to believe the breathtaking scene in front of her.
Even Robin was momentarily stunned by the endless white landscape.
Although they had all prepared themselves mentally, now that they saw it for themselves, it still felt unbelievable.
"This world really is full of wonders."
Caelan looked at the boundless cloud sea. A faint smile appeared on his lips as his desire to explore the world stirred.
Boom!
Just as everyone was immersed in the beauty of the sky, a deafening roar rang out.
A massive fish, over fifty meters long, burst out of the clouds, its mouth—more than ten meters wide and lined with sharp fangs—lunging toward the Wind Rider.
"What a huge fish! It's like a monster!"
Nami stared in horror at the monstrous fish, its size even larger than the Wind Rider itself.
"This must be the sky fish mentioned in Noland's journal. But it's enormous..."
Robin's expression turned serious. This creature rivaled some Sea Kings in size.
Vivi and Tashigi stepped forward, ready to fight.
But just as they prepared to strike, they realized their bodies had gone limp. They couldn't summon any strength.
Roar!
In an instant, the enormous sky fish loomed over the Wind Rider, casting a massive shadow.
Bang!
Caelan leapt into the air and delivered a single punch, knocking the sky fish flying. It tumbled back into the clouds and quickly disappeared from view.
The girls let out a breath of relief and looked at Caelan gratefully.
Neigh!
With a sharp cry, an old knight clad in armor appeared, riding a strange-looking Pegasus and holding a spear.
Gan Fall stared at Caelan in disbelief.
"Another one?"
Nami held her head and let out a groan, starting to feel a headache.
"Damn it, I still can't move!"
Vivi, Robin, and Tashigi wanted to respond, but they still couldn't gather any strength. All they could do was glare at Gan Fall warily.
"Don't be alarmed. I come in peace. You may call me the Knight of the Sky."
"People of the Blue Sea, I'm here to help."
Gan Fall raised both hands and rested his spear against the Pegasus's back to show he meant no harm.
"Blue Sea people?"
Nami blinked in confusion, not quite understanding.
Vivi, Tashigi, and Robin eased their stances slightly. Gan Fall didn't seem like an enemy.
"That's right. You come from the sea 7,000 meters below, which we call the Blue Sea. These clouds are what we call the White Sea."
"As for your physical weakness, it's due to the thinner air here compared to the Blue Sea."
"But you've already arrived. Why haven't you adapted yet?"
Gan Fall looked at Caelan and the others curiously, explaining patiently.
"Adapt? We just came through the Knock Up Stream!"
Tashigi was a little shocked. How could anyone adapt that quickly?
"The Knock Up Stream? You actually came through that? That's the most dangerous route!"
"You're truly brave. Your sailing skills are impressive as well."
Gan Fall praised them sincerely, though he kept stealing glances at Caelan.
If they had just arrived, why was this man completely unaffected?
And the way he punched away a sky fish weighing hundreds of tons... it was outrageous.
"Are there other ways to reach Sky Island besides the Knock Up Stream?"
Nami widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Of course."
"Though that route still has its dangers, it's much safer than the Knock Up Stream."
Gan Fall replied distractedly, still lost in thought about Caelan.
Nami was stunned. Cold sweat trickled down her face. The phrase "most dangerous" kept ringing in her ears.
"Sir, you don't seem affected at all. And your strength seems a little... too great."
Gan Fall finally gave in to his curiosity and asked Caelan carefully.
That punch earlier had truly shocked him.
"Everyone's physique is different. I was born with great strength."
Caelan smiled.
Thanks to his physique, he had already adapted by the time he rose into the sky.
Now, the environment felt completely natural to him.
"I see."
Gan Fall nodded, as if understanding something.
He had met a few innately gifted individuals in his life.
"I was going to give you a whistle, so you could pay for my help."
"But with this gentleman here, it'd be pointless."
"Everyone, I wish you luck. Farewell!"
With that, Gan Fall mounted his odd-looking Pegasus and disappeared into the clouds.
"What a weirdo. And what an ugly Pegasus."
Nami muttered as she watched him vanish, finally unable to hold back her complaint.
"Alright, forget about him. Let's move on."
Caelan rubbed Nami's head gently, though his eyes lingered on the cloud where Gan Fall had disappeared. He hadn't actually gone far.
Nami nodded, and together with the other girls, began piloting the Wind Rider to higher altitudes.
According to the Log Pose, which had already locked onto the new magnetic field, they were still some distance from the true Sky Island.
Within the clouds, Gan Fall hovered on his Pegasus, watching the Wind Rider as it ascended.
"That man... it's like he saw me."
Gan Fall recalled how Caelan had looked straight in his direction.
"How could that be? Only Enel and the priests can use the Mantra. He shouldn't be able to..."
Gan Fall shook his head, thinking he was overanalyzing it.
Maybe this man was simply that strong. Strong enough that the environment didn't affect him.
But now he wondered—how did this mysterious man compare to Enel?
He quickly shook off the thought.
Caelan was just a powerful mortal, while Enel was a god who wielded lightning. There was no comparison.
Sigh.
"If only a strong enough person existed to drive Enel away..."
Gan Fall sighed to himself.
Enel had plunged Sky Island into chaos. The people were suffering terribly under his rule.
If someone could truly overthrow Enel, it would be like a dream come true.
Smack!
Gan Fall slapped himself, snapping out of his thoughts.
There were no miracles in this world. It was better to stay grounded, remain a Sky Knight, and help as many people as he could.
(To be continued.)
***
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