Late at night, Ebner was in the "Learning Space," simulating another Sequence 5 ability, when he sensed the spiritual wall he had set up being disturbed. Returning his consciousness to reality, he unsealed the barrier and opened the door.
As expected, it was Captain Miss Gwyn standing outside.
After the "duel," she had spent the entire afternoon and half the evening collecting spoils and handling the aftermath. Only now did she find time to visit Ebner, to express her gratitude and… to "share the spoils."
Of course, "share the spoils" was an inelegant term. Ebner preferred to call it "profit-sharing." After all, while his methods to deal with the "Madman" Reem were unconventional, it was Reem who had brought this upon himself, wasn't it?
As his mind wandered, Ebner glanced back at Mr. Gaston, who was sound asleep in the cabin's inner room. After a moment of thought, he said softly to Miss Gwyn, "Let's talk on the deck."
"Alright." Miss Gwyn readily agreed, and Ebner noticed a subtle sigh of relief. Visiting a gentleman's cabin so late at night wasn't in line with the etiquette she had been taught growing up—even if she had abandoned such notions when she left home.
---
Out at sea, away from industrial pollution, the crimson moon—a little fuller than a half-moon—hung quietly in the sky, exuding mystery and dreaminess.
Leaning against the ship's railing, Ebner and Miss Gwyn admired the seascape as they talked.
"Detective Bryan, I couldn't take the three warships with me due to a lack of manpower, nor could I manage so many prisoners. So, after dismantling the cannons on two of the ships, I allowed the pirates to buy their freedom with ransom money. I only had Lydia and Terrance take some sailors to claim Reem's flagship, the Great Shark.
"The pirates managed to scrape together 987 pounds, plus over a hundred gold coins from various countries.
"Additionally, we found dozens of steam rifles and various calibers of bullets on their ships…"
Miss Gwyn's narration was clear and systematic, indicating she had done her homework before approaching Ebner.
After listening carefully, Ebner frowned slightly and interrupted, "You mean to say that the three ships in Reem's crew had nearly a hundred firearms, along with plenty of explosives and cannons?"
This level of firepower didn't match a pirate crew of this scale.
Miss Gwyn had clearly noticed this anomaly as well and responded uncertainly, "I heard rumors that Reem had some ties with the Feysac military…
"There's even talk that after he refused to join Vice Admiral Hurricane, the latter caused him some trouble, and it was Vice Admiral Dusk who mediated the matter."
The Feysac Empire's military… Clearly, they're meticulously infiltrating Loen's overseas colonies. From Mr. Fool's divinations, the "Bonebreaker" who dueled with the Pale Admiral is also from Feysac.
Is this an early sign of the war coming in a year?
Still, since Feysac's power in these waters is limited, deliberate retaliation is unlikely… At least Miss Gwyn should be safe in the short term.
Thinking this, Ebner felt a bit relieved. After all, under his "arrangement," Miss Gwyn was bound to gain considerable fame, but it also came with risks.
"You can handle the weapons and wealth however you see fit," Ebner said, glancing up at the mysterious and beautiful crimson moon. Without delving further into Reem's background, he added, "As agreed beforehand, I'm only interested in the bounty, the Beyonder characteristics, and any potential mystical items."
Miss Gwyn nodded slightly. This was indeed what Detective Bryan had whispered to her after Reem's death. Even so, she felt she was getting the better deal. Without Detective Bryan's "methods," the Aarunheim would have suffered terribly against such firepower, and she might have once again endured the pain of losing her companions.
From a hidden pocket, she took out two metal boxes and handed them to Ebner. "These are the Beyonder characteristics of the Barbarian and the Sailor..." Then, she took a fragment of wood from her bag and added, "This is what's left of Reem's protective item, the 'Death Armor' talisman. Unfortunately, the 'spirit' sealed within was destroyed by the Golden Serpent Sword, rendering the item useless. These remnants might still have some value.
"As for the bounty, we'll need to return to Damir to claim it."
So, that "Madman" really only brought a Sequence 9 subordinate and a single protective mystical item to pick a fight with us? How… polite!
Suppressing a sarcastic thought, Ebner took the two boxes without hesitation. After inspecting them briefly with the Pure White Eye, he resealed them with his spirituality and placed them in his pocket. Smiling, he said, "That's fine. I'll be staying in Damir for a while."
He still planned to prepare thoroughly and attempt the fifth level of the Dream Maze Tower again.
Miss Gwyn was about to ask if she could buy back the Sailor characteristic to train her subordinates when the outline of the moon above suddenly began to fill out. In just a second or two, it transformed into a full, blood-red moon!
And this was barely two weeks after the last full moon!
According to the usual calendar and astronomy, the next full moon wasn't due for another ten days!
"Another Blood Moon?" Miss Gwyn exclaimed in surprise. "This year's Blood Moons are too frequent!"
Standing beside her, Ebner thought worriedly: The sudden arrival of the Blood Moon... I wonder if Xio is with Fors right now...
---
Backlund, Cherwood Borough, Minsk Street
Klein had just finished experimenting with his new Magician abilities and was about to head out to Bravehearts Bar to replenish his Confession revolver's bullets. But as he glanced out the bay window, the crimson moonlight, illuminated by the gas lamps, suddenly deepened and grew denser.
"Blood Moon!" Klein immediately recognized the phenomenon—one that astronomers still couldn't explain, attributing it to the Goddess's whims.
Miss Judgment, Miss Justice, and Tower's friend, Miss Fors, hears terrible "whispers" during the full moon… She could be in grave danger right now!
Without delay, Klein returned to his bedroom, walked backward four steps, and entered the majestic gray hall.
Sitting on the Fool's seat, he surveyed the deep crimson stars surrounding him and thought silently: If it becomes unbearable… Miss Fors, don't hesitate. Speak that honorific name. I'll save you!
---
Still in the Cherwood Borough, Minsk Street, Xio Derecha, wandering at night in hopes of encountering the serial killer, turned pale when the moon changed. She abandoned her search for the "demon" and sprinted back to the apartment she shared with Fors as fast as possible.
"Fors... Please, don't let anything happen to you…
"Mr. Fool, please protect her… and me…"
Although she had secretly slipped a paper bearing the Fool's honorific into Fors's favorite book and subtly mentioned it several times under Miss Audrey's guidance, Xio couldn't quell her worry.
What if Fors couldn't think of that last-ditch effort without me by her side?
Growing more anxious, Xio decided to ignore being seen by ordinary people. She donned the golden mask, a Grade 2 Sealed Artifact entrusted to her by Princess Vera.
Her already strong physique grew further enhanced, allowing her to leap across entire streets with ease!
---
In her room, Fors writhed in pain, rolling across the floor. She had already recited the names of all the major deities but received no response. In despair, a piece of parchment fell from one of her books, inscribed with lines of ancient Hermes text she found familiar.
Xio… Ebner… A god can save me… An evil god is still a god… As long as someone saves me… I'll accept it... A thought crossed Fors's fading consciousness.
With great effort, she forced her mouth open and weakly whispered:
"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era;
The Mysterious Ruler above the Gray Fog;
The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck.
Save me… save me…"
---
When Xio, wearing the golden mask, finally smashed open Fors's door, she found her friend lying still on the floor, her face marked by lingering terror.
Xio pressed her lips together, thinking she was too late. She nearly broke down in tears but was interrupted by a vision of boundless gray fog, and within it, a familiar figure.
In the next moment, she returned to reality. Fors was back, lying unconscious but seemingly unharmed. It felt as if the scene in the gray fog had been an illusion.
Yet Xio's heart was full of relief and gratitude for Mr. Fool.
"Ebner was right… Mr. Fool truly is a merciful and benevolent god," Xio thought.
---
Meanwhile, in the ancient hall above the gray fog, Fors, completely unaware that Xio had also been there moments ago, nervously communicated with the mighty being known as the Fool. She poured out everything, including Ebner's speculation that the "whispers" might originate from an Abraham family ancestor.
"This matches what Tower and I discussed… and aligns with Roselle's diary. It seems the so-called 'whispers' are cries for help from Mr. Door."
Though Klein thought this, he refrained from fully revealing his thoughts and, to avoid future embarrassment, replied vaguely:
"Perhaps he's just asking for your help."
Afterward, he shifted topics, answering a question Fors had asked earlier:
"You may join the regular gatherings here, but you'll need a code name."
With a smile, Klein gestured to a deck of cards that manifested on the bronze table. "Pick one."
Fors didn't hesitate. Instead, she cut the deck with interest and drew a card at random.
"The Magician!"
(End of Chapter)