Bayam is just ahead."
Sunlight streamed into the room through the window, gilding the captain's cabin's decor with a layer of gold leaf.
Edwina sat in a chair, holding a book, and looked up at the person opposite her.
After several days at sea, the Golden Dream returned to the vicinity of the Rothschild Islands.
Frankly speaking, most of the crew members on the ship currently have a terrible attitude towards Gehrman Sparrow. Even though they dare not speak out due to the absolute difference in strength and the adventurer's terrifying backing, it is not impossible for hatred and fear to rebound.
For two reasons, Edwina disregarded the objections of the first mate and other senior officers on board and brought the adventurers into her area of responsibility, making every effort to ensure that the adventurers met with the crew.
Just now, the two of them had been together in the captain's cabin for four hours.
"Thanks."
Klein glanced out of the ship, politely returned the gesture, and placed an old-fashioned book back on the table.
"Your collection is very valuable and attractive."
During their time together, to pass the time, Edwina took out some of her collection, including the ancient book of unknown origin in front of her.
This parchment-bound book, written in Old Fussac on a dark brown surface, is titled "The Travels of Grosser." It is a story about the giant Grosser meeting various companions and fighting against a dragon, but it has no ending, as the last few pages are stuck together.
"This book was found in a shipwreck at the bottom of the sea. I used some esoteric techniques of authentication to deduce that its production date may indeed be traced back to the era when giants ruled the continent. If we don't consider words like the Solomon Empire and Rune, it's hard to say that it's a later forgery."
When it came to collecting and researching, Edwina became noticeably more talkative.
"It certainly doesn't seem like a forgery…" Klein agreed, nodding slowly as more thoughts silently flashed through his mind.
He didn't use any special techniques; he simply judged based on the content of the stories in the travelogue.
A giant active in the Second Age who once lived near the Giants' Court, an elf with unwavering faith in the ancient Elf King Suniasolem, an ascetic who worshipped an "unknown" sun god, a nobleman from the time of Solomon, and a Rune soldier from the Fifth Age...
Excluding the last two, the character settings of the first three characters don't seem to be written by someone who doesn't have a detailed understanding of that era.
Leaving aside the Giants' Court, the changes in the elves' faith after the death of Soniathorem, and the "Ancient Sun God" faith completely buried by the three gods of storm, wisdom, and sun, are enough to overturn the worldview of most researchers.
However, the possibility of forgery cannot be completely ruled out. After all, many people within the Second Empire of Trensost are aware of these two secrets, especially the high-ranking members of the Secret Order and the Aurora Society... Klein felt that this guess was quite likely.
He instinctively wanted to confirm, but when his clasped hands twitched slightly, he belatedly realized that he was not currently welcomed by the "Golden Dream".
"Did you discover anything else?"
Edwina noticed Klein's subtle shift in emotion and suddenly spoke up.
"There are some."
A hint of surprise flashed across Klein's usually indifferent expression, but he readily shared his discovery.
These are not particularly valuable secrets. As for the part about the "ancient sun god," it is relatively easy to accept in the church that worships the only god of knowledge and wisdom, and is regarded as a simple academic exchange.
"Both the content and the travelogue itself demonstrate that it has a long history."
"But this also proves that it is almost impossible for it to be a work from the Quaternary period, let alone the Second Period," Edwina judged. "Even the most exquisite prophecy cannot see two or three thousand years into the future. Such a long span is probably beyond the reach of even the all-knowing God of Wisdom."
Edwina is a devout believer in knowledge, and that is why she is so certain.
If omniscience is truly all-powerful, and the accumulation of knowledge can help gods transcend the chasm of time, then why are there still conflicts in the world?
"A very interesting book."
When it came to matters of faith, Klein wisely kept quiet.
The ship beneath our feet slowly slowed down; the "Golden Dream" was sailing into the port.
Edwina glanced at the things outside the window, then resumed her aloof and indifferent expression and stood up.
"Bayam has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Klein stood up and looked out. From the several prominent sea serpent totems, he deduced that this place might be a private port belonging to the Rothschild resistance.
He showed no surprise and breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's faster than I expected."
"It's faster than I expected." Edwina looked away, gestured for Gehrman Sparrow to follow, and walked out of the captain's cabin toward the deck.
At this moment, almost all the crew members of the "Golden Dream" had gathered on the deck, including "Gourmet" Blue Walls, "Singer" Orpheus, and others, including Danitz. These pirates with high bounties formed a circle, coldly watching Klein walk onto the deck. There were no smiles, no farewells, and their eyes flickered with various emotions, mostly fear.
Sigh, I guess I won't have a chance to get along with them... Klein sighed to himself, seemingly unconcerned, and walked past the pirates to the gangway.
Edwina followed closely behind him; as the captain, she couldn't be as capricious as the crew.
"I am prepared to intensify my cooperation with the rebels here."
Beside the gangway, the sound of the sea breeze drowned out their conversation, an invisible barrier locking away their secret.
They saw that Trensost was behind me and wanted to use me to spy on Trensost... no, the true Creator's attitude towards the Bayam Rebellion?
Klein gazed at the private harbor, which was not bustling but rather busy, his eyes following a group of shirtless porters in early winter.
"Remburg is a country that values knowledge and civilization, and I don't think they would refuse."
Compared to countries like Rune and Intis, Lenburg, due to its limited land area and strength, has almost no fixed overseas colonies. Instead, it has engaged in covert colonies in cooperation with indigenous resistance forces. As a result, it has a relatively good international reputation and is quite popular among the natives of the southern continent and the archipelago.
"I will continue to study 'The Travels of Groselle,' and I may need some uncommon documents to corroborate my findings," Edwina suddenly changed the subject, her azure eyes looking at Klein. "What do you want me to offer in exchange for your knowledge of elves and the 'Ancient Sun God'?"
Gold pounds? Klein chuckled inwardly, then quickly dismissed the absurd idea and replied seriously.
"Items or money equivalent to the knowledge you need."
Edwina nodded slightly and asked again.
How can I contact you?
"You may summon my messenger."
Klein looked around and noticed that the pirates of the "Golden Dream" were keeping a considerable distance from them. He then pulled out a pen and paper and quickly wrote down the least conspicuous part of the incantation that would summon his messengers.
Edwina took the note and glanced at it subconsciously.
"The gray fog and the spirit world's retinue,"
"A symbol of loyalty and wisdom,"
"A friendly presence belonging to Gehrman Sparrow."
She didn't pay much attention, carefully put the note away, and slipped it into the pocket of her trousers.
...
After leaving the "Golden Dream," the cautious Klein did not walk directly out of the private port. Instead, he changed his appearance in a secluded corner of the port where no one would notice him, and then used illusion magic to temporarily disguise himself. He changed his clothes in the eyes of others before walking through a secluded path and winding his way out of the jungle.
The map inside the archipelago branch contains a complete and detailed panoramic view of the Blue Mountains, including several roads that lead directly to the branch's above-ground buildings.
Klein walked along one of the paths and, in less than an hour, saw the manor hidden on the outskirts of the city.
The gate was still a completely black wrought iron gate. The gatekeeper, who looked like a local, casually glanced at Klein, who had an unfamiliar face, and then looked at a figure in a robe who suddenly appeared a meter behind him. He then grinned.
"That's the infamous 'Hell General' Ludwell?"
Klein covered the writhing fleshy growths on his face with his left hand, reverting to his appearance as Gehrman Sparrow, and nodded indifferently.
"Hey, as expected of you, sir."
The gatekeeper emphasized the last two words, and while making a self-deprecating remark, he opened the gate to let people in.
"It's only been a few days, and you've already returned with a real 'gatekeeper'."
This time, without a guide, Klein traversed the seemingly normal manor alone, entered the training camp used for militia drills, activated the mechanism, passed through the underground spiral passage guarded by a level one sealed artifact, and entered the lower level of the real archipelago branch.
After walking 300 meters, the light reappeared in a vast underground area.
Planson, a member of the archipelago branch, had somehow gotten wind of the situation and was waiting there. When he saw Gehrman Sparrow appear, he was no longer as arrogant as before and respectfully lowered his head.
"Mr. V, Mr. Taylor has been waiting for you for a long time."
...
I thought you wouldn't be back until the day after tomorrow.
With dark brown hair and bright amber eyes, the elderly man, who possessed the enthusiasm and vitality of a young man, sat behind his desk, his palm resting on a thick file, and said with a smile.
"The country's commendation has been issued, but the reward has not yet been given. Ah, only a medal. I think you shouldn't be in a hurry."
Klein glanced at the files held by the "Iron Knight," nodded slightly, and skipped the pointless small talk.
Are there any other instructions?
"Of course, although news of your killing of Ludwell hasn't spread yet, it's already caused quite a stir."
Taylor didn't care about Gehrman's attitude, straightened his back, and his tall figure cast a huge shadow in the office.
"In your previous letter, you wrote that your teacher, the former 'Death Consul' of the Byron Empire, wished to convert to our Lord and become a vassal of the Empire. Our country attaches great importance to this matter. The High Council approved your request on behalf of your teacher almost immediately. His Majesty the Emperor also showed considerable enthusiasm and mobilized the army that very day, sending troops to the Star Plateau to draw the Northern Continent's army in Western Byron from another direction, thus relieving pressure on your teacher's plan and coordinating with the actions of the other princes of the Empire."
Invade Star Plateau?
Klein was somewhat surprised.
Is the Second Empire of Terensus about to wage war against the "Rose School" and take over the entire Star Plateau?
Why now?
Mr. Azik's attitude would indeed help the Second Empire of Ternsost resolve the stubborn enemy of the "Spirit Order" and alleviate the pressure of the main war. However, attacking the Star Plateau at this time would undoubtedly open a second front, provoke the already fragile nerves of the northern continent's nations, and completely ignite the situation in the southern continent.
The ownership of the "Death" pathway was already enough to make Fusak and Rune unhappy, so why go to such lengths?
Upon hearing this news, Klein was filled with doubts and couldn't wait to write to Mr. A and Miss Sharon, who were in the Southern Continent. After all, Colonel Taylor Franz in front of him certainly wouldn't be as honest and dedicated as his two friends in answering his questions.
"Why now?" he asked anyway.
Seeing the envoy's satisfied expression, Taylor was in a good mood, and a smile appeared on his lips.
"Perhaps this is a very simple question."
Even the most united empire isn't necessarily monolithic internally, is it?
He was practically making it clear.
That's right, he was the one who leaked Mr. V's true intentions to His Majesty the Emperor in advance, and now he's the one who's proactively revealing the Emperor's thoughts.
He seems to be doing some contradictory things.
Klein pondered the deeper meaning in Taylor Franz's words, lost in thought, and vaguely grasped the key point.
Although he had never been to Aarons, he had heard rumors about the holy city and the emperor who lived there from many places.
The "arbitrator" route... George III's pursuit of the "Black Emperor"... the achievements of the "artificial death god" faction... Klein's eyes widened little by little, unable to believe the possibility of his guess.
"Is it because of... the 'artificial Grim Reaper'?"
If Mr. Azik can unify the "Cult of Spirits" with the help of the power of the true Creator, it would be equivalent to obtaining the "artificial Grim Reaper," and thus the uniqueness of the "Grim Reaper" path and the possible Sequence One characteristic.
This would be a great victory.
If the true Creator were pleased and bestowed the spoils upon the "repentant" Mr. Azik, his teacher might become an Angel King in a short time, a powerful being almost equivalent to "Death"... or a weaker "Emperor of the Underworld".
By then, wouldn't the emperor of Trensus become a laughing stock?
Even though both possess half a continent, the Angel King's status is definitely greater than that of an ordinary angel, even if the Emperor of Trensost might be a Sequence One.
"You are a smart man, Mr. V."
"It seems you've figured out what His Majesty the Emperor is so anxious about."
Upon hearing this, Klein slowly raised his head, making no attempt to hide his doubts.
"Then why did you remind me of these things?"
When faced with the messenger's question, Taylor did not flinch, maintaining his faint smile.
He pointed to the badge of honor on his chest, his smile growing increasingly enigmatic.
"In my position within the Empire, my essence is that of a member of the 'Red of War.' I am simply carrying out the Lord's will and pushing forward what He desires, and this needs no reaso