We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 263 History has already been changed!
The next morning.

The morning sunlight spills across the surface of the Silent Sea, giving the dark and deep waters a touch of exquisite beauty.

The Black Swan and the Diamond Princess cruise ships moved forward smoothly, one after the other.

Using the [Deep Sea Body] talent to make the [Black Swan] race across the seabed felt really good.

But such a crazy act certainly comes at a price.

At this time, the Black Swan was still in a dilapidated state, with shocking cracks on the hull and deck, and even the masts were slightly bent.

The Black Swan's previous actions of ramming into the tree-like beings had caused significant damage.

Adding to the pressure of the seawater, even with the Black Swan's high-speed regeneration ability, it would take several days for such injuries to heal.

Even the soul of the Black Swan has temporarily fallen into slumber.

Xia En touched the mast of the ship and muttered to himself.

"Xiao Hei, thank you for your hard work."

Master...I'm so sleepy...

Little Black mumbled a reply and then fell asleep again.

clang!clang!clang!
Not far away, the sound of metal being struck could be heard continuously.

Xia En turned his head and saw that Fei Ya was repairing the damaged steam unit on the ship.

Not only him, but Joey and the other crew members were also dealing with the traces left by the previous battle. Some of the tree people's vines and branches were still tightly wrapped around the corner of the Black Swan.

"Captain!"

Joey was the first to notice Shane's arrival, and walked briskly to his side, saying with emotion.

"I was really scared when the Black Swan sank into the sea yesterday!"

"If the Black Swan had really sunk, I don't know what I would have done. Luckily, it was just a false alarm."

Having lived on the ship for so long, Joey had long since developed an affection for the Black Swan.

As she spoke, she looked at Xia En with sparkling eyes.

"I never knew the captain had this ability to navigate the sea. He's really amazing!"

"As expected of the captain!"

Joey, of course, did not know that this was the effect of [Ship Soul Synchronization] combined with [Deep Sea Body], and only thought it was some kind of special secret ability.

The power of secret paths is incredibly diverse, and the ability to make ships sail underwater isn't too outrageous.

Xia En smiled, but quickly said softly.

"However, even for me, there are many things I cannot do."

Seeing Xia En's expression, Joey couldn't help but ask.

"Captain, are you in a bad mood?"

Xia En was taken aback for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "Is it that obvious?"

Joey nodded emphatically, looking at him with some concern: "Yes, Captain, what happened?"

Xia En opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.

The reason he was feeling down was quite simple.

Upon returning to the modern era, Shane carefully questioned several crew members about their understanding of certain historical events, comparing this with his own recollection of history. Ultimately, he arrived at a frustrating conclusion—

The history of the Seven Seas has not changed much.

The elves perished, but the curse of silence remained.

This means that he was unable to change the past.

Even with Xia En's strong will, he couldn't help but have some self-doubt after seeing this situation.

Was his experience of traveling back in time truly meaningful?

Or is this just a joke that fate is playing on him?
It's like... no matter how hard he tries, he can only be a passerby in history, unable to reverse the past or overturn the world.

Whenever Xia En thought of this, his heart felt heavy.

"What is troubling you, Captain? Would you be willing to tell me?"

Joey stared at Shane with wide eyes, looking curious, and said matter-of-factly.

"As a crew member, it's only right that I share the captain's burdens!"

After thinking for a moment, Shane decided that it wouldn't be a big deal to tell Joey these secrets.

After all, even the fairy Cuixi accompanied him and Yan Yan on their journey back to the past.

If Joey wants to know, he can get the answer from Trish.

So, Shane recounted his two experiences of traveling back in time to Joey in as few words as possible.

However, for some subtle reason, Shane omitted parts of what happened between him and Lyra.

"W-what?!"

"You and Mr. Yan Yan actually went back to the past!"

"You saw the elven cities that hadn't been destroyed, witnessed the crises those cities faced, and even met the Elven Queen?"

After hearing this, Joey's beautiful eyes were filled with astonishment, and she could barely speak.

If it weren't for the fact that it was said by the captain she trusted most, Joey would have thought it was nonsense.

There's no way around it; this kind of thing is just too shocking and unbelievable.

Even in the Seven Seas, where secret travelers abound and various legends abound, there are very few rumors about time travel.

However, Shane not only traveled back in time, but more than once!
After a brief moment of shock.

Joey's gaze toward Shane suddenly became complicated.

Even from just a few words, she could imagine the epic adventures the captain had experienced during his two transmigrations.

The thought of confronting formidable historical adversaries is enough to inspire awe and excitement.

However, during this experience, he was unable to stay by Captain Shane's side.

Joey felt both regret and guilt.

"Speaking of which, it seems that the elven queen named Lyra had a wonderful encounter with the captain?"

Joey suddenly became alert and muttered to himself.

"Wait, Lyra... isn't this the owner of that magic notebook?"

"Isn't this too coincidental?"

Even though Shane didn't mention Lyra's existence much, Joey's girlish intuition told her that something had definitely happened between them!
But the other party is, after all, a historical figure, who may have long since turned into dust.

Is it necessary for her to be jealous of him?

No!

Definitely not!

After taking some time to process these horrifying experiences, Joey remarked.

"As expected of the captain!"

"They did something so significant without our knowledge."

However, Joey did not forget his purpose of helping Xia En solve his problems, and after thinking it over, he said.

"So, Captain, are you feeling frustrated because you think all your efforts have been in vain?"

After thinking for a moment, Xia En replied, "There might indeed be some people with that mentality."

"First of all, nothing you do is in vain."

Joey said confidently, "Were those people you saved fake?"

"At the very least, they lived a little longer than before."

"Even if it's just for one day, that's a change you've made."

"Not to mention, your appearance has led to such significant progress for the [City of Giant Trees]."

It was rare for Joey to show such a resolute attitude, and he became more and more serious as he spoke.

"You believe that history has not been changed, possibly because past civilizations were submerged and buried under the sea by a great flood."

"Some details of the past may have already changed silently."

Hearing this, Xia En wasn't completely relieved, but a small knot in her heart was untied. At this moment, Joey continued.

"Actually... I have another guess, but it's just a guess, so just listen to it casually."

Xia En: "Go ahead and say it."

Joey said uncertainly, "In your opinion, history has not been changed."

"Is there a possibility..."

"Has history actually already been changed?"

Xia En paused slightly, "...Hmm?"

Joey didn't know how to express his thoughts accurately, so he seemed a bit incoherent.

"What I mean is that the history we know may have been altered from the very beginning."

"Your act of going back in time may seem accidental, but it was actually inevitable!"

"Because what has happened in the past has already happened."

Joey's words were rather convoluted, but Shane still roughly understood what she meant.

On the surface, Shane's entry into the Elf Temple is the "cause," and his past experiences are the "effect."

But from a temporal perspective, his past actions are the "cause".

Further evidence can be found in the reaction of the ancestral souls at the [Moonlit Clan] altar.

It was due to certain actions Xia En took in the "past" that he made a pact with the ancestors of the [Moonlit Clan].

Compared to the scenario where the two sides never met, hasn't this history already been altered?
Xia En was shaken, and his feelings became increasingly complicated.

If Joey's conjecture is correct, doesn't that mean that no matter how hard he tries, the destruction of the elves is already a foregone conclusion?

So, Lyra too...

Suddenly at this moment.

Joey suddenly felt a strange movement coming from the spatial ring.

Before she could even open the ring, an old-fashioned notebook flew out on its own.

It is indeed [Lyra's Magic Notebook]!
—Song and Joey take turns holding this magic notebook, and today it just so happens to be Joey's turn.

Seeing this, both Xia En and the other person were somewhat surprised.

This was the first time they had ever seen this change in the notebook.

Soon, the magic notebook turned its pages on its own in mid-air until the last page, at which point the "whoosh" of the pages stopped.

On the paper of unknown material, Shane saw several lines of text written in Elvish.

To be precise, it was just a few fragmented sentences.

Some of its contents were erased by an invisible force.

What you believe to be history... may not be the true history...

What has been observed... cannot be changed...

However, deception is possible...

After Xia En saw the words clearly, the writing on the paper quickly faded like ink drops in water, eventually disappearing without leaving any trace.

"This is……"

Joey stared blankly at Lyra's Magic Notebook, not understanding what had happened.

She didn't know Elvish, so naturally she didn't know the meaning of these lines of text.

Xia En frowned deeply and muttered to himself.

"Is what I believe to be history necessarily true?"

"What is observed cannot be changed?"

"What does it mean?"

"Can we deceive? Deceive whom?"

He guessed that these words were most likely a hint left to him by Leila.

It is only triggered under special circumstances.

However, these words were so vague that even Xia En found them difficult to understand.

However, since Lyra was able to leave such a mark in the magic notebook, it might mean that she foresaw today's situation?

Xia En shook his head, banishing the chaotic thoughts from his mind.

Whether for his own sake or for the sake of his crew, he had to keep looking forward!

He can be briefly annoyed, but he cannot remain lost forever.

Because he is the captain of this ship!
Shane ruffled Joey's hair and whispered, "Thank you, Joey."

"After talking to you so much, I feel much better."

Joey's face was flushed, and she was really enjoying Xia En's caresses, muttering softly.

"Captain, it's alright if you rely on me a little more..."

Xia En didn't hear her clearly and asked in confusion, "What did you say?"

"N-nothing at all!"

Joey hurriedly waved his hand and quickly changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, what's wrong with Mr. Yan Yan?"

“He has been alone in his room since yesterday and hasn’t even eaten breakfast.”

Thinking about Yan Yan's performance in the City of Giant Trees, Xia En said in a heavy tone, "I think he probably remembered something."

"So, he's going to regain his memories?" Joey asked in surprise.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Xia En shook his head: "Not necessarily."

What if those memories are too heavy or painful?

"Sometimes, remembering things too clearly is not necessarily a good thing."

"However, this is something he has to handle himself."

Xia En did not mention the scenario that she was most worried about.

A person's personality is determined by their memories.

Moreover, compared to the long years that had passed, Yan Yan's time on the Black Swan was incredibly short.

After regaining his memories, Yan Yan might undergo a drastic personality change and no longer regard them as his companions.

But no matter what, as long as Yan Yan still considers himself a crew member of the Black Swan, there will always be a place for him on this ship.

at this time.

Xia En glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw a ship speeding past on the sea not far away.

"Hey, is that the [Warm Snow]?"

Joey recognized the ship: "They must be conducting a search and rescue operation."

At the same time that Shane saw the [Warm Snow]

The crew members on the Warm Snow naturally also saw the Black Swan and the Diamond Star.

One of the sailors exclaimed in surprise, "Is that the Black Swan?"

"How come it's changed like this after only two days?"

From the outside, the condition of the Black Swan can only be described as "horrible," a far cry from its appearance just two days ago.

Lucy, feeling that her earlier guess had been confirmed, smiled and said, "Do I even need to ask?"

"They must have been attacked by the treants of the [City of Giant Trees]."

"Hmph, this is what happens when you don't listen to advice!"

Another sailor chimed in, "The most important thing for a captain is to have self-awareness!"

Lucy may have a sharp tongue, but she's kind at heart: "However, since we've run into this, we might as well lend a hand."

(End of this chapter)