Enmat Harbor's Chanis Gate was also located underground and hadn't suffered direct damage from the explosion. Although it sustained some minor damage from the impact, it was still within a controllable range.
Earlier, Daly had already retrieved a Sealed Artifact from it to save people. Now, Edward returned underground again — but this time, using his captain's authority, he took out a scepter from behind the Chanis Gate.
The scepter was entirely black, yet upon closer inspection, it appeared translucent, like obsidian crystal. Its handle was peculiar, shaped like an open palm, perfectly fitting the hand of whoever held it.
"You two from Tingen, and Ms. Gereira — I hope you can evacuate the injured and notify the Steam Church and the Church of Storms to send people to the dock area immediately," Edward said to Leonard, Klein, and Gereira.
"What about Caesar?"
"Unfortunately, I need him to guide us. I can only try my best to ensure his safety," Edward replied in a deep voice.
Klein and Leonard exchanged glances, then proactively said, "Then we want to go with you too."
"I must refuse."
Edward shook his head.
"Captain Edward, given the circumstances, are you still trying to create animosity?!" Leonard shouted, somewhat angrily.
"It's not like that," Edward said, his face solemn. "What happened before was indeed due to my narrow-mindedness, coupled with… some other thoughts. However, my request now is entirely for the sake of justice.
This is Enmat Harbor, and as Nighthawks guarding it, I must take responsibility. But my teammates are critically injured and need care, so I can only entrust you — my fellow Nighthawks — with ensuring their safety."
At this point, the once narrow-minded Nighthawk captain — a Sequence 6 Soul Assurer — bowed his head to them.
Leonard was silent for a moment, then said, "Then we'll take them to a safe location, and afterward, come back to help you."
"Alright."
Edward nodded. Without further ado, he led Caesar and the others out, stepping over the dead and injured scattered across the ground, striding forward without looking back.
"Rumble—"
The carriage sped along, rattling over the roads of Enmat Harbor. The streets here were already uneven from years of transporting goods, and with the astonishing speed of the carriage, it bounced so violently it felt as if it might take flight.
But no one inside complained. Instead, they huddled together, discussing their next course of action.
"According to the Aurora Order's usual practice, a city of Enmat Harbor's scale should have at least a Sequence 6 Divine Emissary. The enemy we're likely to encounter is a mid-Sequence Beyonder from the Secrets Suppliant pathway — a Rose Bishop," Edward explained.
"Rose Bishops are skilled in various forms of Flesh Magic, possess tenacious vitality, and are extremely difficult to deal with."
Flesh Magic? Can they turn people into bombs?
Caesar recalled the earlier scene and felt a sudden realization.
"So this time, I've directly brought out Enmat Harbor's strongest Sealed Artifact, striving to resolve the enemy as quickly as possible. For the upcoming battle to proceed smoothly, it's necessary that we introduce our abilities to one another."
Edward's gaze fell on Caesar as he continued, "First, myself — a Sequence 6 Soul Assurer. In addition to the abilities of a Nightmare, I have stronger control over spirits, which allows me to directly affect a target's soul — keeping them calm and enhancing the dream-inducing effect.
This is effective against those of the same Sequence and below; for higher Sequences, the duration is uncertain."
After he finished, it was Daly's turn.
Daly was a Sequence 7 Spirit Medium, capable of manipulating spirits to achieve various mystical effects. Her abilities were quite comprehensive, though her offensive methods were relatively limited.
Besides the two of them, the team also included a Sequence 8 Midnight Poet — the Nighthawk who had just reported the injuries to Edward. His wounds were light, so he had joined the mission.
"Leon Bessos, just call me Leon," the Nighthawk said with a small smile.
"I think I've seen you somewhere before," Caesar said, sensing a strange familiarity in the other man's smile.
"The receptionist who greets guests at the club is my brother," Leon replied, his expression dimming slightly.
Caesar recalled that he hadn't seen the receptionist among the injured or the dead earlier. That likely meant his brother hadn't even left a body behind.
After a brief sigh, Caesar returned to the main topic. "I am a Sequence 9 Secrets Suppliant, with relatively high spirituality — capable of perceiving hidden powers and existences. I'm also skilled in various ritualistic magics, especially a large number of mad rituals related to the True Creator."
He didn't reveal his trump cards — such as his rapid healing ability, or the two Mystical Items he carried — let alone the mysterious tide in his mind that could resist mental pollution. Those could only be used at critical moments, and he would try his best not to expose them.
After everyone introduced themselves, Edward finally explained the function of the scepter he was holding.
Sealed Artifact 1-114, the Chaos Scepter.
Its primary functions were "Chaos" and "Distortion." It could be activated by striking the ground while grasping it.
"Chaos" caused disorder in the target's surrounding area, preventing their attacks and defenses from landing precisely and creating Errors.
"Distortion," on the other hand, could alter an opponent's will — making them change their attack target, self-harm, or act against their own allies.
Furthermore, using the Chaos Scepter to directly strike an enemy could cause immense destruction — comparable to being hit by a small cannonball.
Imagine it: an opponent unleashes an unstoppable, powerful attack, only for "Distortion" to twist its trajectory, turning it back onto their own head. A scene both comical and terrifying!
However, such power came with severe side effects. Anyone who wielded the Chaos Scepter would become increasingly reckless. The artifact tempted its user to keep drawing upon its power — and each time it was used, the desire to use it again grew stronger, like a thirsty man drinking salt water.
This process was uncontrollable. Unless someone intervened, the user would exhaust their spirituality, lose control, turn into a Monster, and become a slave to the scepter.
"With my current ability, I can probably use it three times. If I use it a fourth, I may lose myself — attacking friend and foe alike, and eventually becoming the scepter's slave," Edward explained solemnly. "If you see me unwilling to let go after the third use, stop me immediately. If there's truly no other way... just shoot me."
Shoot him directly, huh?
Caesar subconsciously touched the hidden pocket on his chest, where the white bone flute and servant's bell were kept.
At the carriage's full speed, they reached the port area extremely quickly.
"Go that way!" Caesar pointed toward the center of the red cloud.
The surrounding warehouses grew denser, and the roads more winding. Pedestrians frantically dodged the galloping carriage, shouting vulgar curses. Caesar, however, paid no attention — he could feel the evil and corruption growing stronger and closer.
Once they were near enough, Edward and Daly sensed the abnormality too — their expressions darkening with grim resolve.
Finally, the carriage halted before a building marked as a trading company. Its sign was faded, and the doors and windows tightly shut — clearly abandoned. Yet the oppressive, evil aura emanating from within made it clear they had found the right place.
"Don't rush in," Edward warned. "Let me try to pull her into a dream first."
With that, he lowered his head slightly, and an invisible current of air rippled outward from him. In an instant, Caesar felt as though he were plunged into darkness — a calm, tranquil power spreading toward the trading company, suppressing the malevolent presence within.
Crack!
A sharp sound like shattering glass rang out — the tranquility collapsed. Edward staggered back, his eyes snapping open.
It had failed.
He shook his head at the others.
Creak—
The trading company's main door slowly opened, as if inviting them inside.
Beyond it, only pitch-black darkness awaited.
A thick, almost tangible stench of blood wafted out.