On the Death Announcer, a large sailing ship marked with a black tombstone on its sails, "Slaughterer" Kircheis hurried to a middle-aged man whose sickly pale complexion seemed on the verge of decay.
"Captain, Commander Panin from the Church of the God of Combat has intercepted the Black Emperor. However, our first to fourth squadrons failed to arrive on time, for reasons unknown. Currently, only the fifth fleet is in the vicinity and has established contact."
The middle-aged man was none other than the King of Immortality Agalito, with a bounty of 100,000 pounds in a single nation. Known as an extremely cautious "Pirate King," he had never directly clashed with any official demi-gods.
Thanks to his caution, those who had once opposed him—pirates, adventurers, and entire naval fleets—had long been wiped out, while he and the other three "Four Kings" still lived on.
Agalito pondered for a moment, watching the Pale Maiden adjust its course before issuing a command: "Have the fifth fleet circle around to intercept the opposing course with all their might, and the Death Announcer will pursue from the rear."
"But, the King's orders were to stop Admiral Pale at all costs… the fifth fleet might be broken through," Kircheis hesitated to say.
"I'm back on board now! I am the King of Immortality!" Agalito emphasized, his gaze sharpening on Kircheis.
"Yes… Captain!" Cold sweat broke out on Kircheis's forehead. Seeing no further opposition from the Death Announcer, he gave a respectful bow and departed to relay the orders.
Once Kircheis was gone, Agalito grunted in pain as a chunk of decayed flesh fell from his face. Ignoring it, he murmured toward the "air" through his slackening lips:
"I know you want to gain Her favor… So do I!
"But not by gambling our lives! With four fleets suddenly out of contact, there's clearly an unexpected change in our plan… It's crucial to leave a path of retreat at this point!
"You understand this too, which is why you didn't fully oppose my previous order. Our coordination may be shaky, but after so many years, we have this bit of mutual understanding."
He paused, listening for a moment, then nodded and continued, "Rest assured, if an opportunity arises, I won't miss it! Even if I can't capture that woman, I'll at least try to gauge her strength."
---
On the southern waters near Tuin Island, the Golden Dream—spotless and gleaming gold under the sun—encountered a fleet flying the black tombstone banner.
This fleet consisted of five large sailing ships, with the lead vessel as massive as the Golden Dream itself, painted entirely in black.
On lookout duty, Danitz was the first to spot them. He leaped down from the mast and ran to Vice Admiral Iceberg Edwina.
"Captain, there's a pirate fleet ahead… judging by the flag, it's the Immortal King's first squadron."
Edwina nodded slightly, her tone calm. "Notify Orpheus to activate the Cannon of Purification, and tell Bru to prepare the crew for battle."
Danitz was taken aback by the captain's decisiveness, but he didn't hesitate. He immediately sought out "Singer" Orpheus and "Gourmet" Bru Walls.
The perpetually melancholy Orpheus dropped his usual forlorn smile upon hearing Danitz's message, replaced by a sadness so deep it cut to the bone… and undeniable excitement.
Without speaking or singing, his chiseled face turned solemn as he took his place by the Cannon of Purification.
Only then did Danitz learn from First Officer Bru that the commander of the Undying King's first squadron, the "Defiler" Verlandis, was Orpheus' sworn enemy. Verlandis had once led a raid on Orpheus' peaceful island town, massacring his family and friends, sparing none. Orpheus only escaped because he was away at school in Bayam…
So, the Captain was helping Orpheus exact revenge! Danitz was moved, watching the singer carefully adjust his aim, genuinely happy for him.
But then, a pang of jealousy struck Danitz as he thought bitterly to himself:
The Captain's so good to him… I wonder, if I had an enemy, would she avenge me too?
---
In the waters east of Tuin Island, the Black Death, flying a flag marked by a ghostly blue flaming skull, passed by the Immortal King's third fleet.
Admiral of Ailment Tracy had no intention of clashing with them, but the third squadron's commander, "Poison Fire" Buzz, was a notorious lecher who, thinking himself immune to disease, spewed insults at her upon seeing her face.
Even so, Tracy intended only to teach him a lesson and had no plans to engage…
However, Buzz, mistaking her restraint for fear, demanded she hand over her attendant, Elaine…
That struck Tracy's sore spot. Her face darkened instantly, and she unleashed a slew of diseases, declaring war.
---
In the northern waters around Tuin Island, the Future suddenly "jumped" to the flank of the Immortal King's second squadron, opening its gun ports and unleashing a barrage before they could respond.
Cattleya had anticipated trouble for Maria from Agalito after the duel at the pirate conference, and her suspicions were confirmed when she saw his squadrons converging.
Having once accompanied the Queen to visit the royal heirs of the Balam Empire within the Numinous Episcopate, Cattleya had a brief but pleasant friendship with the then-young Maria.
Though that friendship had faded over time and she had even helped kill Ludwell of the Numinous Episcopate, Cattleya still chose to assist Maria. By engaging the second squadron, she forced a gap in Agalito's encirclement…
She believed Maria would seize the opportunity.
---
In the western waters off Tuin Island, Ebner arrived an hour early to his ambush location. As he read the intel just sent by Vice Admiral Iceberg Edwina via a séance ritual, he began setting up a Gate of Death ritual on nearby reefs and shallower seabeds.
The inspiration for this ritual magic came from the "Gate Ritual" chapter in the Book of Constellations, a gift from Mr. Surrey, Fanny's grandfather.
After spending some time studying it in Sefirah Castle, he'd mastered enough of the gate spells to adapt it for his own purposes.
Since he lacked the star-charted artifacts described in the book… Well, even if he had them, he wouldn't dare use them!
Starry coordinates were generally riddled with danger, and countless adept "Wanderer" magicians had met disastrous ends with them. As a humble "Polymath," Ebner wasn't interested in tempting fate…
Returning to the task, he completed the ritual using various talismans and mystical materials. Then, he retrieved a pitch-black book—the Book of the Dead—from his Sword of Dawn.
Though usually kept sealed with the Sword of Dawn, the Book of the Dead was significantly more powerful, holding faint connections to the Underworld.
Now, Ebner was leveraging this unique trait of the Book of the Dead as the core of his custom Gate of Death ritual for the surrounding waters.
In effect, the ritual mimicked Ludwell the Hell Admiral's summoning of the "Gate of the Underworld" through the high-rank spirit inhabiting him—clearly, Ebner had referenced Ludwell's ritual during his modifications.
After placing the Book of the Dead on the designated altar stone, a chilly breeze swept over the area, then faded away. Only some fish seemed to mutate slightly, tainted by something unknown.
With everything prepared, Ebner, donning the face of "Doctor Strange," floated in mid-air with his red cape billowing behind him, calmly awaiting the arrival of the Undying King's fourth squadron.
---
On the Blue Avenger, which was sailing northwest, Alger found himself regretting, for the umpteenth time, his decision to let that bard Mikel aboard.
Having sung Maria's praises, Mikel had alienated most other ships, forcing him to plead for Alger's assistance. Alger, in a rare show of kindness, agreed to transport him to the nearest port.
"Captain Alger, are you sure you don't want me to compose a ballad extolling your virtues? It could really help grow your crew!" Mikel suggested, feigning disappointment.
A pirate, in need of virtues? And publicly boosting my reputation… Do you want me dead even faster? Alger silently grumbled, before casting a dispassionate glance at Mikel.
"How many living people do you think we need on board?" he said flatly.
"Uh…" Glancing at the eerie "crew" members around him, Mikel forced a smile, his gaze darting around as he changed the subject. "Why's it getting foggy?"
Alger's expression turned serious. The fog was unnatural, and ominous black wisps emerged from a distance.
"Change course!" he commanded the few living crew members immediately, adjusting the Blue Avenger's sails himself.
He quickly realized, however, that his efforts were in vain. Something from the source of the black fog exerted a massive pull, dragging his ship steadily toward it!
As Alger considered abandoning the ship, Mikel pointed skyward with a surprised shout: "Doctor Strange?!"
Doctor Strange? Having heard tales of the "Iron Man" battling the "Hulk" at the Tarot Club, Alger quickly looked up, spotting a figure in a red cape and blue waistcoat hovering mid-air.
Facing him were three large ships, bearing the black tombstone insignia and drawn swiftly toward the source of the black fog.
"Doctor Strange" is up against the Immortal King's men?
(End of Chapter)