'Sealed Artefact 2-166. Maintains the original temperature of the objects inside, and to a certain extent, it can change the weather, producing Sun Holy Water rain,' Irina read in her mind.
She lazily reviewed the information again through her pocket mirror. 'No matter what object remained in prolonged contact with it, it would become infected with the characteristics of life, and it would also piously believe in the Eternal Blazing Sun.
Aucuses truly is a proud God, huh. Her gaze drifted across the text. 'Within the Mandated Punishers, a table had already appeared that sang praises of the Eternal Blazing Sun every day, and there was also a candle that wished to light itself every second to purify everything.'
Not gonna lie, I'm quite interested in seeing a table praise the Sun. That has to be some sort of unique experience, no? Irina sighed quietly to herself. Better not make wild wishes though.
'In response, the irascible Mandated Punishers had turned the table into a pile of firewood and lit it using the aforementioned candle.'
Leodoro, your men have no patience... but then again, like God, like believers, no?
Gently closing the mirror, Irina fixed her gaze on the floating, round black mass that reflected Klein, currently disguised as Danitz, in the physical world.
After hearing Alger's plan and giving her own input, she had managed to excuse herself from the fight, leaving Klein and Danitz to handle it instead. Unless a much greater benefit presented itself, she had decided, she would sit out future battles.
Well, of course, the planned ones. If enemies pop out of nowhere and seem fairly strong, I'll give him a hand. I'm not heartless! I'm just still figuring out the best acting method for me right now.
Still, she felt bad about leaving him alone, so she had given him all the necessary information: the artefact they would use, the sequences of the Mandated Punishers as well as the pirates, their mystical items, and their possible plan of action.
From her comfortable couch in the library, she watched with quiet interest as Klein left the house at 15 Amyris Avenue, sticking to the shadows using Danitz's cloak. Not long after, Steel Maveti and his men began their attack while the Mandated Punishers were still distracted by the lower-sequence pirates inside the building.
Watching the scene unfold, Irina idly wondered if she could somehow bless him. Ever since discovering she could conceal her features, she'd been curious about other ways to use the library's powers.
Barely an hour later, Klein returned to the inn, victorious and without any serious injury. The moment he entered their suite, Irina left Alexandria to greet and congratulate him.
He nodded and asked, "Can you find out anything about this carpet?"
"Sure! Go change in the meantime, Danitz will be back soon." Just as Klein opened the door to his room, she suddenly remembered. "Oh! Give me the shadow cloak too, I've been meaning to check that one out for a while now."
He shrugged it off and handed it to her. Irina settled into a chair in the living area, activated her Spirit Vision, and calmly started analyzing it.
By the time Klein came back, she had all the details ready. "The Flying Carpet corresponds to a Sequence 6, Wind Blessed, from the Sailor pathway. It activates when you recite the word 'Flight' in Elvish. It's not exactly fast, and the higher you go, the slower it becomes. After multiple hours in the air, it will start to lose altitude and gradually descend until it reaches the ground. There are also many mysterious patterns on it, and prolonged exposure may cause irritability. The influence depends on the user's mental strength. Oh, and it's 261 years, 7 months, and 5 days old!"
Klein stared at her for a long moment. "That's... a lot of information. Quite precise, too."
Irina lifted her chin proudly. "Well, duh. You can tell a lot about a person by simply activating your Spirit Vision. I can do the same but for objects, obviously it gets stronger the higher my Sequence is."
While passing him the cloak, she added, "Danitz better choose to keep this; the money's far more worthwhile. If you want to float or fly, I can simply create a spell for it and lend it to you, like I did with the shield back in Bansy Harbor."
Klein nodded thoughtfully. "What about the cloak?"
"It corresponds to a Sequence 7, Shadow Ascetic, from the Secret Suppliant pathway. You've used it yourself, so you know how it works. Prolonged use will cause the wearer to hear whispers. The longer it's worn, the louder and more frequent they become, and the content gets worse. The chance of losing control increases sharply, and past thirty hours, it's basically guaranteed. Oh, and it's 758 years, 3 months, and a couple of days old."
Klein took that in. "It's far more dangerous than the flying carpet, even though it comes from a lower Sequence."
Irina just shrugged. "You know how mystical items are. They don't exactly follow rules, especially those with any degree of corruption. Look at those belonging to the Bard pathway—basically all of them make you praise the Sun after prolonged exposure." Though that says more about the current Sequence 0 than the pathway itself...
Klein just laughed before changing the topic.
Seeing that it was nearly nine o'clock in the morning, Irina and Klein both turned their respective doorknobs at the same time, stepping out into the living room. The synchronization wasn't a coincidence since they had planned it earlier, before the currently snoring pirate had returned from the fight.
Danitz was sprawled in a reclining chair, his snores sounding like some overworked steam engine. Despite appearances, he was alert and the moment the two emerged, his eyes flicked open, and he sat up.
"...are you two going out?" he asked warily, watching Klein take his hat from the coat rack while Irina lingered casually by the door.
"Yes." Klein's tone stayed flat. He didn't bother explaining that his true goal was to act as the deceased Wendt and confess to the woman the man had liked in order to try and digest the potion.
What about me? Danitz's mind turned quickly. Steel Maveti and his men are almost all dead, so no danger there... even if the newspapers keeps quiet, gossip will spread and pirates and adventurers love a good brag, that will reach the Captain soon enough! Worthless drunks the lot of them, but at least they're good for that.
After a moment of uneasy silence, he tried, "Mr. Sparrow, can I—I leave now?"
Klein's faint smile made Danitz's stomach twist. "You have always been free."
That's right... I wasn't caught this time. I came here for help. I've always been free! His relief barely had time to bloom before Gehrman's voice drifted towards him again, light and almost casual. "But that ends now."
Danitz froze. Ah? What?
It took him three whole seconds before the meaning hit him. I've been captured again?!
"Why?" His voice rose with a half-outraged and half-wounded pride.
"I want to meet your Captain," Klein said evenly, adjusting his hat.
Danitz's eyes widened, and he almost shot to his feet. "What do you want?"
"I have some things to ask her." Klein's calm made the pirate even more uneasy. He paused at the door, glanced back, and said, "Stand up."
"I'm coming too?" Danitz asked, even more confused about this lunatic's motives.
"Not with me— with Elena. She needs new clothes." Klein delivered the explanation as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, then stepped outside.
Danitz was left gaping. Instinctively, he tried to express his feelings with exaggerated gestures—only to remember his left arm was fractured. Pain flared up, and he grimaced, cursing himself for forgetting it.
Irina, having observed the entire scene, hid her laugh behind a simple word. "Well?" This pirate never fails to amaze me~
Danitz's brow twitched. Why does she always sound that much more annoying when she talks? But he didn't dare speak his mind. He'd seen Gehrman's strength firsthand after all: three pirates beaten, Creeping Hunger handled with terrifying ease, plus divination. Insulting him, or his woman, would be suicide!
"Yes... I'm coming." He took a few steps before freezing again. "I need to wear a disguise, or people will recognize me... I can't protect you then."
Protect me? If something happens, I'll be the one on the front lines, not you. But sure—keep your illusions. Folding her arms, she gave a cold nod. "Fast." I'm starting to doubt he even realizes I'm a Beyonder at all.
That was enough to send Danitz running for his things. He returned moments later with a fake mustache and a cheap wig.
For the Goddess's sake... those two aren't even the same color. And you can still see your yellow eyebrows! Irina resisted the urge to cover her eyes. She wasn't about to spend the day in public with that monstrosity beside her.
Without a word, she turned on her heel and went to her own room for her makeup kit. If my shopping trip is going to be ruined, it's not going to be because people can't stop laughing at him.
Danitz was baffled. By the time she returned with an assortment of tools in hand, he looked even more lost.
"Sit down by the window," she instructed, setting her supplies on the table. Sunlight is far better for this.
"Alright...?" He obeyed, still unsure what she was plotting.
Irina stepped closer and closer, until their faces were almost touching. Danitz's discomfort spiked, and he started to lean back, but her hand shot out to grip his cheeks. With a firm grasp, she turned his head from side to side, examining that sorry excuse of a disguise.
What is she even doing?! Step back, woman—you're far too close!
Danitz tried to keep his expression neutral, lowering his gaze to avoid making things awkward... only to glance right back up at her covered face, heat creeping into his cheeks. Why is her cleavage so low?!
He quickly turned his gaze to the side as Irina removed his wig and mustache, her hands working with steady precision while she dabbed and brushed strange substances onto his face. Every so often, when she searched for a particular stick or brush, he found himself sneaking a glance.
Huh... she has blue eyes. Up close, through the fine lace covering them, he could see the depth of their color.
Half an hour later, Irina straightened with a small sigh, gathering her tools and returning them neatly to her room. "Done. Don't touch your face too much," she instructed before disappearing inside.
The moment the door clicked shut, Danitz bolted to the bathroom. He stopped in front of the mirror—and his jaw dropped. No way!
Turning his head from side to side, he studied his reflection with a weird fascination. I look like a completely different person! How did she even change my cheekbones and chin?! And this faint beard—it's so realistic! Is she some kind of mage?!
Before he could keep admiring himself, Irina's voice called from the suite door, urging him to hurry up. Danitz stepped out, but she stopped him with a sharp question. "Do you have enough money with you?"
He froze. Money? Don't tell me... "Some..." he said in such a low tone that it came out as a whisper.
"How much?" Her tone was pure ice.
"...seventy pounds," he admitted.
She just stared at him—long enough for it to feel like an eternity—before replying flatly, "Not enough. Get more. Now or later."
Dogshit! He opened his mouth to argue but froze halfway, remembering she was Gehrman's woman. In the end, he muttered, "...we can stop by the bank. I'll get funds from one of my accounts."
Irina nodded once and stepped out. Danitz followed reluctantly, already regretting the day ahead.
Later, in the quiet bedroom, Irina stirred in her sleep, a faint sense of unease tugging her awake. She heard Klein's door open and footsteps move into the living room. Sliding out of bed, she joined him there, finding Danitz snoring.
Everything around him seemed normal.
Klein silently activated his Spirit Vision, his gaze sweeping over Danitz, finding nothing out of the ordinary. His aura and mood were all within normal bounds.
After watching for a while, Klein glanced at Irina and gave a small nod before pulling out a silver charm. Just like she said. Edwina Edwards must have made contact with Danitz in his sleep.
"Dream Charm!"
In the dream, Danitz was struggling through the Soulfall Ritual, his expression sour as if he'd bitten into something rancid. There was no doubt in his mind that the captain before him was the real deal; no one could fake such a style and such peculiar hobbies!
At that moment, the faint click of a turning lock broke their peace.
Instinctively, Danitz turned toward the main bedroom. The crack in the door widened, and out stepped Gehrman Sparrow expressionlessly, clad only in a white shirt. At his side walked Elena, similarly dressed with a plain white shirt falling over a long and simple skirt.
"You! How did you two appear here?!" Danitz shot to his feet, blurting out in shock.
But he quickly caught himself, stumbling over his next words. "Th-this is my dream!" His mind reeled. How are Gehrman and Elena appearing so easily?!
With one hand resting in the pocket of his dark trousers, Klein strolled forward beside Irina. His gaze shortly settled on the woman standing with her back to the window. In a low voice, he said to Danitz, "A charm."
Then, looking directly at her, he asked almost with certainty, "Edwina Edwards?"
Her attire struck him as odd. It wasn't that of an adventurer or pirate, but of a woman with a respectable job, the kind who could support herself entirely on her own. The cut, the colors, this style is from Intis, Klein thought.
Edwina inclined her head slightly, answering with her own question, "Gehrman Sparrow and Elena Jeager?"
"Yes. Good afternoon, Ma'am." Klein smiled faintly, pressing a hand to his chest in a short bow. Elena only gave a small nod.
"Good afternoon," Edwina returned.
Maintaining his carefully constructed persona, Klein fell silent, waiting for her to initiate the real conversation.
...
He looked at Edwina.
...
And Edwina looked at him.
...
The dream sank into several long minutes of complete silence.
Danitz's eyes flicked from one to the other, a strange unease creeping over him. Maybe this really is a dream...
The silence quickly turned unbearable.
Irina tried her best to stop her body from shifting on her feet. I can't believe I'm thinking this, but... Danitz, save me!
Unable to stand it any longer, the pirate cleared his throat twice and addressed Vice Admiral Iceberg herself. "Captain, Mr. Gehrman Sparrow has some questions for you?"
I cannot believe those words just came out of your mouth—but you're my savior, Danitz! Irina thought in relief. And maybe I'm a little sorry for making you spend so much money today.
Well... maybe not that sorry. It was worth it, and they look amazing! I can't wait to pick up the rest once they're finished.
Even Klein felt the strain of the awkwardness, and if this silent staring contest had gone on any longer, he feared his persona might crack.
Edwina inclined her head gently, turned her gaze to Klein, and asked, "Mr. Sparrow, have you received education?"
What kind of question is that? Klein's expression didn't shift as he replied flatly, "University graduate."
"Ah?" Danitz's head snapped toward Gehrman in disbelief. This madman? A university graduate? The thought alone felt absurd. How could he match the chaos of Gehrman Sparrow with the prestige of a graduate?
Unless it's some 'Hunter University' or a 'Killer Academy' or maybe a school that exists only in the imagination of lunatics, Danitz mocked silently.
Edwina didn't react, instead turning to Elena. "And you?"
Pfhh... as if. I bet she never even went to school, Danitz thought smugly. I, on the other hand, attend lessons with the captain regularly when we're at sea! Even if they are... painfully boring.
"Irrelevant," Elena replied curtly.
Technically, Irina thought, I never went to school as 'Irina.' But as Elena—back in the modern world—I graduated university. Her question isn't about the truth anyway; she's checking to make sure her responses are comprehensive for us. And since I already know the purpose behind it, as well as what she's going to say, my answer is indeed irrelevant.
See! I knew it! She never went to school. Danitz thought triumphantly, stifling a laugh.
Edwina paused briefly, ready to press the question again, only for Klein to answer in her stead. "It won't matter, since I'm the one who'll be asking the questions."
The captain accepted this with a small nod before moving on. "What languages have you mastered?"
"..." Klein resisted the urge to frown. "Jotun, Elvish, Dragonese, Ancient Hermes, Hermes, Ancient Feysac, Loenese..."
Edwina's tone didn't change. "Do you understand the other domains in mysticism?"
For a brief moment, Klein felt as if he'd been transported back to his previous life's elementary school days, being interrogated by a teacher about how many Chinese characters he could write, whether he'd mastered arithmetic, if he knew the English alphabet, and how many Tang dynasty poems he could recite...
Calm down. You're Gehrman Sparrow now. Without a change in expression, he replied, "Adept."
Edwina studied him for two seconds before explaining in her measured tone, "I have to combine your standard of knowledge with the way I would answer the questions, so that you can understand the answers more easily."
Klein was mildly surprised. The beautiful woman before him seemed less like an adventurer with a pirate's side job and more like a teacher, cold on the outside, yet patient and quietly kind.
While Klein and Edwina exchanged questions and answers, Irina stood to the side, only half-listening. She already knew the answers, as always. What caught her attention instead was Danitz's pure and unfiltered shocked expression.
That poor man... he hasn't understood a single word they've said up until now. I almost feel sorry for him.
Danitz's eyes darted between the two speakers, blank and bewildered. He looked as though he had never been more confused in his life, slowly realizing that Gehrman Sparrow was far more intelligent than he'd anticipated.
Irina's thoughts drifted until the sudden silence drew her back. She turned to find both Klein and Edwina watching her. Edwina held an iron-black key about the size of a lyre, its dark surface gleaming faintly. Huh... can I help?
Klein's gaze flicked to the key, then back to her. Oh.
Catching on, Irina activated her Spirit Vision, but saw nothing unusual. It was as though the key had no trace of spirituality at all. "Does it normally contain spirituality?" she asked.
"Yes. A faint amount," Edwina replied evenly.
"Then I'll have to see it in person," Irina concluded. For the briefest moment, Edwina's expression shifted before she masked it again.
Klein nodded, continuing the conversation without any comment. Still, Irina noticed Edwina stealing the occasional glance at her now, as though quietly reassessing her.
Her focus returned fully just as the captain asked Klein, "What kind of cooperation?"
His smile spread slowly but steadily until it carried a glint of madness. "Hunt the Admiral of Blood."
Danitz's face drained of colour while Irina merely observed in calm amusement. Money is money, Danitz. If you have the power to hunt them, why not?
After a pause, Edwina asked, "Do you know of the Rose School of Thought?"
Klein's smile cooled, his voice even. "I've hunted their members."
The conversation flowed on until the captain left, and the moment Irina had been waiting for finally came.
Klein turned to Danitz, whose expression had utterly collapsed, and chuckled softly. "Perhaps one day, I'll call you Mr. 10,000 Pounds."
Inside a majestic cathedral each arch, dome, and pillar was inlaid with bones of countless races, nothing more than a pale remainder of a time long gone. At its center loomed a colossal cross, more than a hundred meters tall, as though countless souls were sealed within it. Before this monument stood a hazy figure, yet the air around 'Him' brimmed with compassion. It was a cathedral of corpses—yet instead of horror, the place radiated a solemn holiness.
"So it came from the cosmos? Did it really bypass the barrier just like that?"
The indistinct figure did not turn as 'His' gaze remained on the cross, continuing to pray with an unshaken devotion. 'His' voice was calm and even when 'He' finally answered. "No. I believe they have always existed in this world. They've only awakened recently."
A sharp whistle pierced the sacred silence, utterly out of place within the solemn cathedral. A mocking voice followed soon after, laced with amusement. "You 'believe'? Now that is rare. You haven't figured out their origin yet?"
"Void, Sanctuary, and Equilibrium—" the figure spoke with unwavering composure, "—all culminate with the Sovereign of Dimensions. Soon, another revelation will descend from 'Their' Sefirot. Its location remains hidden, and there is nothing I can do to uncover 'Them' or 'Their' purpose."
"Oh?" The second figure adjuste 'His' monocle with deliberate care. "Is that truly all, my zealous brother?"
In the blink of an eye, 'He' vanished from 'His' distant location and reappeared at Adam's side, tilting 'His' head to study 'Him' intently.
The brother turned to meet 'His' gaze, 'His' bright golden eyes as serene as ever, brimming with kindness. "Yes. Have you discovered anything?"
Amon's lips curved into a smile. 'He' straightened and strolled past 'Him', taking a leisurely seat in the front pew. "I've crossed paths with many Beyonders of those pathways. But only five managed to pique my interest."
Adam moved as well, settling beside 'His' brother. "There are only seven Beyonders at or above the demigod level for now."
"True," Amon conceded, 'His' smile widening slightly, "but only four of 'them' are worth mentioning. The other three have lost nearly all traces of humanity. No matter how many anchors 'they' create, 'they' remain hollow. They're boring."
Adam's gaze lingered forward, calm and unchanging. "And the fifth?"
Adjusting his monocle once more, Amon let the memories from one of his avatars resurface. "A Forgotten Mage. Mid-Sequence, from the Equilibrium pathway. Her sequence was sealed by Amanises 'Herself' judging by the level of concealment, leaving her to work as a Nighthawk under 'Her'."
'He' paused, a flicker of amusement dancing across 'His' face. "Strangely, she seemed convinced she belonged to the Darkness pathway. She also possessed a rather wild mind for a woman from Loen."
"Her name was Irina," 'He' concluded.
Resting his chin lightly in his hand, Amon's smile deepened, sly and unreadable as always. "I think I should pay her a visit."