Chapter 47: Tacit Understanding

Chapter 47: Tacit Understanding

Outside the Azure Wind Inn at 48 Sour Lemon Street.

Dressed in a thick jacket and wide-legged trousers, Blazing Danitz returned by a roundabout route and pressed himself against a corner of the wall. For a long time, he did not move a step. He hesitated over whether he should seize this chance to flee and no longer face that terrifying madman, Gehrman Sparrow.

Unlike the encounter at Bansy Harbor, this time he had hidden on a rooftop some distance away and had been able to take in the entire battle zone at once. Therefore, while assisting Gehrman Sparrow and contending with Bloodthorn Huntley, he had finally seen that mad adventurer’s battle process clearly, grasping the Beyonder abilities and unusual traits the other man displayed.

Paper Figurine Substitute, Flaming Jump, mental impact, sacred light from the Sun domain, air bullets fired by rubbing his fingers, the ability to thoroughly disguise himself as another person, and that mystical glove which changed forms several times and devoured Scour. The number of powers surpassed my imagination, and several of them cannot possibly be compatible. That is not something a single Sequence plus one or two mystical items can explain… Also, that hunger from the depths of the soul explains something too… Vice Admiral Hurricane’s glove, Creeping Hunger! The captain specifically warned us that the glove can graze the souls of multiple Beyonders and use their abilities… Danitz’s mind flowed again through his earlier thoughts and final judgment:

Gehrman Sparrow was the current owner of Creeping Hunger!

He did not look down on the other man merely because Gehrman Sparrow relied on a powerful mystical item to seem so terrifying. On the contrary, he felt even deeper awe.

First, most mystical items’ effectiveness still depended on the user’s own level. If Gehrman Sparrow lacked a certain degree of strength and rich experience in Beyonder combat, then even with Creeping Hunger, there was no way he could have finished off Steel Maviti plus Calm Scour within roughly ten seconds.

Second, from secret channels, his captain, Vice Admiral Iceberg Edwina Edwards, had learned that Vice Admiral Hurricane had not died at the hands of the Church of Storms. Instead, while fleeing, he had been rapidly killed by a certain powerful figure.

Danitz was not lacking in understanding of how powerful Qilangos, Vice Admiral Hurricane at his peak, had been. He clearly understood what level someone capable of easily dealing with such a figure had to stand at: that would be equivalent to the kings who stood at the pinnacle of all pirates, and in fact the two strongest and most terrifying among them, the King of the Five Seas and the Mystery Queen!

Although the element of ambush lowers the assessment somewhat, it still cannot lower it too far. Such a person would not be much weaker than the Immortal King, and would surpass Admiral Hell and Admiral of Blood… Creeping Hunger now belongs to Gehrman Sparrow. That means either he is the powerful figure who killed Qilangos, or a major figure at the level of the Four Kings stands behind him. Whichever possibility it is, it is more terrifying than what I originally imagined and expected! Danitz’s body remained taut. He truly did not wish to face that adventurer whose blood flowed with madness.

Whew… He let out a breath and felt that he had been hesitating here for too long. He had to make a decision quickly.

Gehrman Sparrow can divine, and he is quite confident in that field. My Shadow Cloak is also in his hands. Running away would not only be hard to succeed at, it would also anger him… The Shadow Cloak is a rare mystical item… Danitz clenched his teeth, stepped out from the corner, entered the inn, and went all the way to the outside of that luxury suite.

After cautiously waiting several seconds and observing for movement, Danitz took out the key and opened the door.

He saw that the room was dim. The gas wall lamps had not been lit. The morning sunlight, not especially bright, shone in through the window and fell upon Gehrman Sparrow, who was facing the door.

The adventurer had changed back into his original outfit: a black woolen coat paired with dark trousers. In one hand, he held a half top hat of silk. His right foot was lifted and rested upon his left thigh.

He leaned slightly backward. Because his back was to the window, his face looked dark and indistinct. Only his deep-brown eyes remained unusually clear, staring at the entrance with indifference and calm.

Danitz unconsciously lowered his head and gave two dry laughs.

“As you instructed, I circled around to several newspaper offices, wrote down the news that Blazing killed Steel Maviti, Bloodthorn Huntley, and Scour, and threw the notes inside.

“Of course, in that report, I had a powerful helper. He is mysterious and unknown, a top adventurer, a seasoned and experienced bounty hunter.”

Klein nodded lightly and revealed a polite smile.

“Very good.”

Danitz let out a breath of relief. He looked around a few times and saw the peacock-blue flying carpet.

He froze for a few seconds, then asked in confusion, “Where are Steel and Huntley’s heads?”

Klein spoke evenly.

“Did not take them.”

“Did not take them?” Danitz blurted in astonishment. “Then what about our bounty?”

As long as they had Steel and Bloodthorn’s heads, he could obtain the corresponding bounties through people with connections and backgrounds. Although this would lose fifteen to thirty percent of the money, as a pirate, he could not claim them himself and could only use that kind of method—the military and the Churches using bounties to encourage pirates to kill one another did not mean they would let a gift delivered to their doorstep go free.

What Danitz had not expected was that Gehrman Sparrow, who in his eyes madly craved money, had not taken Steel’s and Bloodthorn’s heads, which was equivalent to voluntarily giving up the bounty.

Klein did not answer him. Instead, he pointed at the flying carpet on the ground.

“You are a collaborator. You have two choices.

“First: 3,000 pounds in cash. Second: this flying carpet.

“You have five seconds to consider. Exceeding the time limit means you give up.”

Three thousand pounds in cash, or the flying carpet? The flying carpet seems to have only two abilities: hovering and flying. It is not very fast, so it is not that useful… No, at sea, for Beyonders outside the Sailor pathway, this kind of item is very valuable. At the very least, one no longer needs to worry about what to do if the ship sinks… Danitz hesitated.

Then he heard Gehrman Sparrow count.

“Three, two…”

! Danitz’s heart jolted, and he hurriedly said, “Flying carpet!”

Klein nodded.

“Good.”

Knowing that the other man was highly trustworthy, Danitz finally relaxed. Half muttering and half complaining, he asked, “Why didn’t you count five and four?”

You said five seconds!

Klein answered without changing expression, “I counted them in my heart.”

Counted them in your heart… Danitz drew in a deep breath and revealed a twisted smile.

Klein slowly stood. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the hat in his hand and let it hang steadily on the rack. Then he walked toward the bedroom.

…

Church of Waves.

Alger, who had entered in the name of morning prayer, met Diocesan Bishop Chogo and recounted the previous night’s events in full detail. The only modification he made was changing the Blood Clan anesthetic gas into Slumber Charms from the Church of Evernight.

Chogo nodded in approval.

“For the sake of faith, you dared to infiltrate the enemy’s lair and bear a threat to your life. Such conduct deserves praise. You are a true servant of the storm.

“Last night, we captured five Beyonders and killed two on the spot. Because of this, Maviti, Huntley, and Scour also died. The heads of these three pirates either will not appear again, or are in our hands. The government bounties will belong to us.

“The total exceeds ten thousand pounds. You will receive the majority, which is six thousand pounds.

“Do not refuse. The Lord tells us that those who fight for faith must not be left in hardship.”

“The storm above!” Alger struck the left side of his chest with a clenched fist, his face full of excitement.

Although he and The World had never agreed on how to divide the spoils of war, he believed there was a certain tacit understanding between them. For example, the items on the pirates each side hunted belonged to that side, while the bounty, because it needed to be laundered through the Church, would be split equally.

As for bounties from Intis, Feysac, and other nations or organizations, Alger had never entertained hope of claiming them, because each time one collected, the target’s complete body or head had to be handed over. Therefore, only one source could be chosen. Only someone with a deep background and smooth relationships with various countries and organizations could receive all of them.

Three thousand pounds belongs to The World… If I suddenly have three thousand pounds missing, suspicion will inevitably arise. Mm, I need to find an opportunity to buy a mystical item. Because those things are rare, they often carry a premium, and even more so when urgently needed. If I report an item bought for three thousand pounds as five thousand, no one will suspect it… Then I can sell the things obtained from Old Quinn. That should balance the accounts… Alger swiftly found a follow-up plan.

…

Having learned that 3,000 pounds would soon enter his account, Klein sat in The Fool’s high-backed chair in an excellent mood and began pondering a serious problem.

That was, after grazing Steel Maviti, according to his promise, he would have to release one of the souls within Creeping Hunger.

Their Beyonder abilities are all very useful. It would be quite a pity to release one before finding a replacement… Mm… Besides, I already released the Faceless. Perhaps there is no need this time… Hesitation, reluctance, and unwillingness fermented within Klein’s heart, leaving him unable to make a decision for a long while.

After some time, he leaned back and exhaled.

“I cannot deceive myself,” he said, shaking his head with a self-mocking smile. Once he made the decision, his whole body felt lighter.

He would keep his promise and release a soul.

The previous Faceless had been released ahead of time because he wanted to obtain corresponding intelligence. In essence, that had already been an equivalent exchange.

Which one should I release? Miss Justice bought the materials for Psychiatrist and a mystical item worth 5,500 pounds. No matter how rich she is, her funds should be tight right now. Selling the Psychiatrist Beyonder characteristic is not especially suitable for the moment. Mm, she also still owes my Blessed 2,000 pounds, to be paid back in February or March… Klein rejected his previous idea and decided to release the Nightmare first.

As a former Nighthawk, he always had a certain impression bonus and emotional bias toward Beyonders of this domain. Therefore, when there were no other factors, the choice was not difficult.

After calming his emotions, Klein picked up the human-skin glove he had previously brought above the gray fog, closed his eyes, and sensed the twisted, illusory souls one by one.

Without hesitation, he released the Nightmare.