Snap.
Inside the VIP cabin, Morrow closed the promotional brochure of the Kukan'yu Kingdom.
At first glance, the brochure seemed to advertise famous tourist attractions, but in reality, it listed numerous precautions for travelers.
For Morrow, however, both the regional introductions and the warnings for outsiders were incredibly useful.
After reading through the brochure, he even developed some interest in the Kukan'yu Kingdom, a land he had never set foot in before.
This vast nation, still upholding a monarchical system, was located on a continent that had once been divided among numerous warring states during the Age of Rivaling Powers.
Even now, the remnants of those historical nations lingered in the form of ruins, tombs, artifacts, treasures, and ancient texts, each bearing traces of their unique legacies.
From a historical perspective, the Kukan'yu Kingdom and Kakin were strikingly similar.
Both nations originated during the Age of Rivaling Powers, surviving endless wars and annexations to stand where they were today, all while maintaining monarchical rule.
The only difference was that Kakin had ostensibly begun moving toward democracy, whereas the Kukan'yu Kingdom showed no intention of changing in that regard.
Morrow didn't particularly care about the histories of these two behemoths.
Most outsiders would skim through the Kukan'yu Kingdom's travel brochure and see only museums and fully excavated sites.
But what Morrow saw were the era-defining relics displayed in those museums and the countless unearthed artifacts hidden within the ruins.
To be more precise, he was interested in the aura that might still cling to these objects.
Interestingly enough…
Under the laws of both the Kukan'yu Kingdom and Kakin, the minimum sentence for grave robbery started at a hundred years, with the maximum penalty being execution.
Despite such severe punishments, every year, no small number of grave robbers still ended up on the execution platform.
This alone spoke volumes about the depth of historical ruins and tombs these two nations possessed, enough to make grave robbers willingly throw themselves into danger.
In truth, even if these two great nations racked their brains trying to prevent such crimes, they still couldn't stop certain grave robbers who used Nen abilities to commit their offenses.
Sometimes, the existence of Nen itself was an unreasonable variable.
After learning all this, Morrow had to admit, it was impossible not to be tempted.
His thoughts and desires weren't driven by his profession or the immense profits involved, but purely by the need for rings charge.
Still, he couldn't help but wonder, if he ever lost control and targeted a ruin, would some guy named Ging suddenly descend from the heavens to punish him?
Morrow chuckled and shook his head, placing the brochure on the table beside him.
His thoughts about tombs and ruins led him to recall Kanzai's dual profession:
Treasure Hunter and Bodyguard Hunter.
In the world of Pro Hunters, dual professions weren't uncommon.
This was because, under the Hunter Star Rating system, advancing from Two Stars to the highest Three Stars required significant achievements in multiple fields.
Given this condition, any Pro Hunter aiming for Three Stars would consciously strive to master two professional domains.
Morrow found the idea of being a Treasure Hunter somewhat appealing, and a Relic Hunter, too.
In a way, these two professions legitimized what would otherwise be considered grave robbery and ruin excavation. For a legitimate profession, there are indeed many restrictions in action, but for Morrow, who doesn't need to profit from it, it aligns even better with the need to charge the Tree Rings.
Speaking of which, a commission that could get Kanzai to take action...
Morrow's mind flashed to the figure of that heavily disguised woman.
Requesting an escort from the Zodiac Twelve most likely meant the client was facing immense danger.
But why not take the land route?
That should have been the safer choice.
Could it be due to some restriction forcing them to choose an airship as transportation?
For Morrow, the specific reason didn't matter.
What mattered was that he was on the same airship with such an unstable factor...
If those who wished harm upon that woman were deranged enough to blow up the entire airship, wouldn't that be disastrous?
Although airport security measures were quite thorough, there was no guarantee against variables like Nen abilities.
Even without Nen, one could directly target the airship's captain...
Suddenly considering the potential impact of such instability, Morrow instinctively glanced out the window at the night sky.
Getting off now... was too late.
—--
Somewhere on the airship.
Squeak...
The stroke of a pen against the waxed surface emitted a slightly sharp sound.
Under the soft lighting, a man in work clothes crouched halfway to the ground, holding a pen as he meticulously and painstakingly inscribed strokes onto the floor.
Each stroke seemed to require immense effort.
So much so that the friction between the pen and the floor produced faint sounds.
"Done."
The work-clad man put away the pen, breathing slightly heavily as he spoke.
Before him on the ground were rows of peculiar symbols, arranged in a certain pattern to form a black design resembling electronic circuitry.
Beside him stood a woman with her hair tied back, dressed in a bar uniform.
"Muse, how many more spots left?"
The woman glanced at the pattern on the floor.
The man called Muse steadied his breathing and replied, "Two."
"Can you handle it?"
The woman turned to stare directly at Muse, waiting for a definitive answer.
Muse's eyelid twitched as he pocketed the pen. "The hardest part of Divine Script is how time-consuming and laborious the writing process is, not to mention the mental strain, especially when applied to Nen space-related needs, it's even more challenging. But for me, it's nothing."
"So, can you handle it?"
The woman frowned slightly, her gaze subtly flickering over Muse's still-heaving chest.
She just needed a clear answer.
Muse gave her a somewhat exasperated look before affirming, "I can. But to be safe, the remaining two spots... I'll need to wait until midnight."
"Then I'm heading back. I've been away too long."
The woman pulled out her buzzing phone.
It was peak business hours at the airship's bar. The only reason she could leave her post at this time, under her disguise as a bartender, was due to the ambiguous relationship she'd deliberately cultivated with the manager.
Glancing at the manager's name on her phone screen, she casually stuffed it back into her pocket and started walking toward the bar.
But after a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned back to look at her companion in the engineering uniform.
"Muse."
"Hmm?"
Muse looked at her.
The woman said calmly, "The prince said our lives are more important than completing the mission."
"Huh?"
A flicker of confusion passed through Muse's eyes. The woman with tied-up hair continued, "But we can't think that way. We must kill the Third Princess here. It will be a crucial step."
"No need for you to remind me."
Muse shrugged in response.
The woman's gaze suddenly turned sharp.
"A few pieces of trash thought they could assassinate the Third Princess with petty tricks like poisoning, but this also means other princes have reached out their hands. Their interference has cost us the advantage of 'In,' so be prepared to stake your lives."
As she spoke, the woman instinctively fixed her piercing stare on Muse.
"This also means... we have to act before the airship reaches the transit supply station."
—--
Let's disembark when the airship lands to refuel...
Morrow gazed out at the night sky through the window.
Just to be safe, he'd rather waste a little more time than risk getting dragged into the mess.
Though it might just be his imagination...