Chapter 290

Noland’s crew can’t contain their excitement and rush off, with Noland warning them not to take what isn’t theirs. Kalgara however gives the crew permission to take as much of the gold as they can carry, except for the Golden Belfry. This is the Shandian’s repayment for all that Noland has done to save them. Noland rebuts that his people have been guarding this place for centuries, but Kalgara clarifies that they were guarding the city, not the treasure. Being more specific, he states that what they are truly guarding is the poneglyph at the base of the belfry.

While none of the Shandians are able to decipher the message of the ancient stone, one thing Kalgara knows for sure is that the city of Shandora was decimated for defending the poneglyph. He explains that it is thus the will of his people to protect the past and what remains of it at all costs. The sound of the bell acts as a beacon for the spirits of their deceased ancestors to find their way home, after they have descended to heaven. Kalgara further explains that the bell represents the prosperous days of Shandora, and that they ring it to the four corners of the world with no fear of intruders. For this reason, they refer to the Golden Belfry as “The Light of Shandora”.

Noland in turn offers his testament, relaying the story of how he was able to follow the sound of the bell through the treacherous storms his crew faced out at sea. He notices that the same snake from earlier has followed them, as he also seems to really like the bell. Noland asks if it will become large too, and the snake smiles gleefully in agreement. Kalgara offers Noland and his crew extended stay as the first welcomed guests of the city. Noland accepts, stating that they still have plants to collect and people to cure.

Some of Noland’s crew discover an Eternal Pose, as well as a map of Jaya. Noland notes that Shandora ultimately leads to the “right eye of the skull” on the map. Noland’s crew and the Shandians work together on a variety of tasks including rebuilding the village after the destruction of the earthquake, gathering more vegetation, and fishing (the snake joins in here). They celebrate at night by dancing around a campfire, with Mousse personally making sure Noland joins in. The bond between Noland and Kalgara continues to strengthen as they work together, with Noland even being allowed to ring the Golden Belfry himself.

A month later, there is suddenly incredible tension again between the two groups. The Chieftain warns the villagers to return to their homes if they cannot control their emotions. One of the Shandians vents that Noland’s crew will always be “god-slayers”, and that they have no respect, but is cut off by someone announcing the arrival of Noland’s crew. Noland asks everyone if Kalgara is around, but he is met with silence and glares from the villagers. Noland then asks Seto what is going on, who replies that Kalgara is not interested in seeing Noland ever again.

Seto angrily asks when Noland is leaving, and Noland is speechless. A few of Noland’s crew asks about they have done to upset them again, but Noland stops them. He implores his crew to get back to work, as there are still parts of the forest that they need to check. A few Shandians approach Kalgara at the Shandora ruins to notify him of Noland’s crew, but he angrily retorts that he will for sure kill Noland if he sees him again. Noland’s crew has been ousted and is taking refuge at the beach by their ship. One of the crew notes that the bell didn’t ring today, and wonders where Noland is. The crew doctor approaches Noland, who is sleeping in isolation. He reminds Noland that they should be done with their work in another two days, and Noland asks that he relay this message to the rest of the crew. The doctor voices a small amount of resistance to the plan, but Noland tells him that they are done talking.