The Pallid Whale (after battle)
Right... I get it. I get it now. All of these 'rocks' were actually Whales. And I get that Mermaids pop out of those pores.
But I think it's a loony thing that... Why are we even drawing their ire, huh? We could've just gone around them!
Looking to let off some steam? Hankerin' for a game of whack-a-mole all of a sudden? Is that it?
Of course not.
This is just the only method I know.
... You better be ready to explain what you're talking about.
Heathcliff, furious... wasn't the only Sinner looking at Ishmael with expectant eyes.
There were Outis and the other Sinners who all looked to her for some answers.
<Ishmael.>
And I was too, of course.
Haah... I also didn't think I'd actually be doing this...
Well... so there's this legend-like tale.
Legend...?
Each Lake of the Great Lake has its own culture, with many wandering and choosing to call those places their homes. So, naturally, there are as many tales as there are Lakes.
But there's that one tale of a certain Lake that is passed down orally from sailor to sailor. Just like the legends of old.
The legend of the 'Gloomy Grey Lake of Wafting and Rumbling'. Sailors sang the legend of that Lake, passing it down for years upon years.
Doom, and hew thy veiled path to misty seas.
Begloom, and let Whales draw their pearls in search of pallid hue.
Toom, shall be thy mist-path, heeding the weeping Whales.
... Whatever does that mean?
It's simple. Hit the Porous Whales to wake them, draw out and hunt their Mermaids, and the path to the Pallid Whale should clear of the mist.
Do you really believe that? You expect us to just... believe that hogwash?
Blimey, didn't think I'd ever get to say these words before my deathbed, but...
Are you stupid?
... Pfft.
Haah... Listen. What does waking these Whales up have anything to do with getting rid of that thick fog? It's got to make even a little bit of sense, no?
Heathcliff discusses the correlation between actions and consequences. This truly is a rare experience indeed.
Shut up, smartarse... I'm serious.
... And you think the law that sends Waves after us if we don't cross the borders at the exact right moment makes sense?
Huh?
You think the law that makes us go in circles before reaching our destination, the law that doesn't let us go back the way we came from, makes any sense?
I've been telling you this whole time. Common sense has no place in the Great Lake.
That's just the way this place works, okay? Just... You just have to accept that.
... Fine. I'll give you that. But they're like the laws of the City. As outlandish as they are, they're still strict laws that can be calculated into those variable coordinates or whatnot. What you're blathering here is some vague old song. Am I supposed to believe something so absurd?
Yes. Because I've seen it myself.
......
Years ago, when a young, stupid, but motivated sailor boarded the ship, she had the most unfortunate opportunity of witnessing this very legend with her own eyes.
Because that's how she saw the Pallid Whale.
Heathcliff fell silent, scratching his head. The rest of the Sinners also nodded and began whispering.
... I really don't like you.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
I don't like... any of this. But I know that you're not the kind of lass to lie or tell tall tales just to get the upper hand in a petty squabble.
…….
Fine, let's go all the way to the end. I'll keep whacking those mole-like things with this club.
I can also accept your explanation. But... from now on, I would appreciate it if you could share your knowledge with us first before doing anything.
... I'll try.
In a way, I am relieved that we now have a definite path forward.
<... Yeah. Well, let's go find our next Whale.>
Yes, Executive Manager.
All aboard, men!
... Truly, the ocean mist is splitting as though a blade has hewn it in half.
Once we eliminated the Mermaids of the last Whale singled out by Ishmael, the fog slowly began to fade. Behind it was a different Lake, beyond the grey sea.
Haah... Finally.