join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for hundreds of additional chapters and over a dozen stories
Looking at the captain's smile, Danitz somewhat regretted not observing carefully enough; such a good opportunity to perform had been taken by the newcomer, Ferran.
After a moment of contemplation, Edwina Edwards said, "Before the Cataclysm, giants, dragons, elves, Demonic Wolves, and other creatures were still active in this world. The form of that key vaguely points to one of them. All of you spread out and see if there are any other clues."
Upon hearing this, everyone dispersed to search the sunken ship. A moment later, they all gathered again, their faces filled with disappointment. On the sunken ship, let alone treasures, there weren't even bones that should have been there, only thick mud remained.
Edwina Edwards didn't say much as she looked at her disappointed crew members. For treasure Hunters like them, it was common to search for treasure and find nothing. Moreover, obtaining this black iron-colored key, which clearly contained a secret, was already worth the trip for her.
Everyone surfaced and returned to the deck. The remaining crew members looked at the iron-black key, as large as a zither, in the captain's hand, and then at the empty hands of the few people behind the captain. They couldn't help but show a mix of disappointment and curiosity, and whispers filled the deck.
Edwina Edwards looked around. After the deck quieted down, her clear, cold voice rang out:
"This expedition is over. We can prepare to return. I will announce the arrangements for bonuses and holidays within two days. Hmm, Ferran, come with me."
Ferran, who was looking at the iron-black key in the captain's hand, was stunned for a moment. Under the envious gazes of those around him, he walked into the captain's cabin.
In front of rows of bookshelves filled with various books, Edwina Edwards' light blue eyes gazed at Ferran, and she said in a calm tone:
"You performed very well this time. I will fulfill my promise. One of the main ingredients for a Seafarer, which I promised you last time, can be your reward for this mission. Of course, if you choose that, you won't get a bonus."
Ferran opened his mouth, momentarily unsure how to respond. After muttering for a moment, he spoke with some embarrassment:
"Thank you, Captain, but I don't need that main ingredient for now. Can I exchange it for the supplementary ingredients for a Seafarer instead?"
Edwina Edwards' light blue eyes, like clear spring water, gazed at Ferran for a moment. Just as Ferran was wondering whether to explain, her clear, cold voice rang out again, brief and powerful: "You may."
....
Ferran held two boxes, looking somewhat speechless at Danitz, First Mate Bru Walls, Second Mate Orpheus, Third Mate Jodeson, and Iron Skin, who were blocking his doorway.
Danitz stared intently at Ferran, speaking first with some urgency, asking the question that the others also wanted to ask:
"What did the captain want with you? What did you tell her?"
Seeing through their little schemes at a glance, Ferran said helplessly:
"She just praised my good performance this time and gave me the reward for this mission early—the supplementary ingredients for a Seafarer."
Seafarer supplementary ingredients? Everyone looked at Ferran with strange eyes. Danitz, in particular, remembered the 400 pounds Ferran had borrowed earlier.
"He's not going to advance to Sequence 7, is he? Damn it, I'm only Sequence 7…" Danitz's expression instantly stiffened.
-----------------
Caesar Port, Southern Continent, Port District.
Sharron, with her light golden hair tied in a bun and azure eyes, sat on a sofa, wearing an elaborate and exquisite black Gothic court gown and a small black soft hat. Her features were quite delicate, but her complexion was unusually pale.
Maric was in the adjacent compartment playing poker with three Zombies. Those three Zombies were bodies Sid had collected when he was a Corpse Collector. He had buried the bodies in this warehouse at the time, and after learning of Maric's preferences, Sid generously gifted him the three bodies.
Sid Watson smiled and greeted Sharron opposite him, saying concisely:
"I've sorted out your ship tickets. You can depart this weekend. You and Maric can start preparing."
Sharron rose and bowed slightly, replying with a hint of gratitude:
"Thank you. I will also prepare the 'Spirit Medium' Beyonder potion formula you need."
Sid nodded slightly and pondered for a moment. Seeing that Maric was still in the compartment playing poker, he walked to the door and closed the Door, then turned back to Sharron's slightly puzzled eyes.
Clearing his throat, Sid said meaningfully, "Reinette Tinekerr, Suah."
Sharron's eyes instantly sharpened. Then she recalled the winged figure she had seen that night, and she retracted her sharp gaze, asking with some hesitation, "Did the one behind you tell you?"
Sid nodded, acknowledging it, and continued:
"That one told me that He can help Reinette Tinekerr revive and help her fight Suah. This is His honorific name."
As Sid spoke, he took out a piece of paper and handed it to Sharron, looking at her seriously and adding, "Burn it after reading."
Sharron took the paper and unfolded it. A line of text written in Dutanese appeared:
"The Origin of Order and Shadow;"
"The Great Emperor of the Realm of Chaos;"
"The Lord of Order who Governs Rules;"
Sharron's pupils suddenly contracted. As Reinette Tinekerr's student, even though her Sequence was not high, her knowledge of the Beyonder domain was extremely comprehensive, and she naturally knew the meaning of a three-part honorific name.
"Can help Teacher revive…" Connecting this to the previous sentence, Sharron's heartbeat couldn't help but quicken, but after a moment, she suppressed her inner emotions and regained her composure.
Sharron rose again and bowed slightly in thanks. She then placed the paper in her hand on the nearby candlelight, watching it burn. Her eyes flickered, and she then asked:
"Do you know where the underground gathering in Caesar Port is? I need to purchase some materials to make some potions to counter the surge of malice during the Crimson Full Moon."
"One I know of is at the 'Seashark Tavern' at 67 East Wall Street in the Caesar Port district. Hmm, there's a gathering tonight at 8 PM," Sid nodded, adding with a troubled expression:
"However, I have something tonight, so I probably can't take you. You can go directly to the side Door of the 'Seashark Tavern' and find the bartender, tell him 'I want a glass of Emerald Blood Wine,' and he will take you to the gathering."
Sid was also very helpless. Tonight, the Numinous Episcopate leader responsible for Caesar Port, Antony Us, a Sequence 6 Spirit Guide, had urgently summoned the Numinous Episcopate members in Caesar Port, and he had no choice but to go.
After such a long period of inquiry, Sid also roughly knew that his faction belonged to the relatively weaker Slumber Faction within the Numinous Episcopate, with only one Saint.
A Sequence 6 Spirit Guide could already be considered quasi-high-level within the Slumber Faction. Sid didn't even need to think to know the purpose of tonight's summons; it was definitely for Sharron and the other person, especially since he was the one who had collaborated with the Rose School of Thought to issue the arrest warrant in Caesar Port.
After leaving Sharron a set of black robes sufficient to cover her entire body and a black iron-colored mask, Sid opened the Door, greeted Maric, who was still playing cards, and then left alone.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence: 9 Reader for hundreds of additional chapters and over a dozen stories