Danzig tossed the splints and bandages into the trash can and moved his left arm with a slight stretch. "Most pirates resort to insults, but I'm different—I deliver targeted insults. To do that, you need extensive intelligence and rumors about your opponent, a deep understanding of their personal matters. Only then can you strike them down with a single remark or gesture, setting them aflame with rage." He paused. "Take 'Steel,' for instance. If you call him dog-dung, or insult his parents or his captain, it won't make a bit of difference. But if you simply make one move and offer one word, he'll transform into a bull with blazing eyes." With that, Danzig placed both hands on his waist and executed a firm 'hip-press' motion, then called out with disdain, "Bitch!" "...I really want to hit him...No wonder he's the 'Challenger'...Indeed, 'Steel' McVitt has a clear inclination and preference for this kind of thing. Hmm. Kline loosened the fists he'd unconsciously clenched. "That's what professional provocation truly is," Daniz summed up, spreading his hands. "If I encounter a beast, a monster, or someone completely out of control and unreachable, I can actively project a sense of aversion that makes them dislike me—this is an exceptional ability." People with such an exceptional ability either take a lot of hits or are exceptionally good at dodging and fleeing. Clearly, you're the latter. Kline muttered this to himself. Daniz, now free from concerns about his left arm's injury, was in a particularly pleasant mood and continued on his own: "In fact, I'm quite skilled at setting traps. Unfortunately, you've refused my proposal to hunt 'Steel' McVitt." Kline managed to keep a steady expression, calmly responding: "You still have a chance." "A chance?" Daniz asked curiously. "I'll introduce you to the opportunities to set traps for exceptional figures like steel—one-on-one," Kline smiled. "...” Daniz couldn't speak. He was well aware that for someone unphased by gunfire, arrows, fire, or flooding, traps often proved ineffective. Daniz cleared his throat and turned toward the window, saying, "The weather has cleared up... Doesn't that mean the snake from Cavitua is finally gone?" Kline nodded, not withholding his thoughts. Daniz exhaled, then hesitated, adding, "Regardless, following this city-wide manhunt, there won't be many pirates daring to come to Bayum for a while—definitely including 'The Blood Above.'” "Your hunt for the captain's plan might have to be interrupted now. The Sunia Sea is so vast—it's difficult to find a fleet deliberately concealing its movements—and they can still reach the Mist Sea, the Stormy Sea, the Northern Sea, and the Polar Sea." If it were that easy to eliminate a pirate general across the open ocean, the Church and the military would have done so long ago! Let me return to the *Golden Dream* as soon as possible! Daniz muttered under his breath. Rest assured, I have a solution—and this will be your task... Caine asked calmly, "What does the captain think?" He had already spent 12 pounds securing a radio telegraph from Firth, but due to his prior commitments with the *Sea God*, he had not yet managed to move it from the cluttered pile of items atop the gray mist into the tangible world. Meanwhile, all payments for the *Justice* and the *Hanged Man* had arrived, raising Caine's personal fortune to 7,085 pounds and 5 gold coins. Such wealth would be sufficient to purchase a moderately large, productive manor anywhere. If it weren't for the need for vengeance or to find a way back to Earth, I could already retire… Caine thought contentedly. As for the captain's suggestion… Daniz managed a smile. "Though theoretically, the captain's team should already be within 500 nautical miles, ready to attempt the 'Soul-Calling Rite,' you know the channels aren't absolutely safe. Pirates must remain vigilant, always on the lookout to avoid being intercepted by naval or ecclesiastical vessels—frequently requiring them to take detours. I believe it would be better to wait another day before attempting the rite, to avoid wasting energy and materials." "Agreed," Caine said, neither confirming nor disagreeing, and turned toward the restroom. He decided to step out again today, in search of another opportunity to embody a true reality. Watching Germán Sparo's back, Daniz silently exhaled. I'm definitely going to have to speak privately with the captain first, convince her to let me return to the "Golden Dream," before I can perform the "Soul-Calling Rite" in your presence! Germán Sparrow is someone who enjoys being outdoors—I have plenty of opportunities and space, hah, will he really be the kind of person who loves shopping? Daniz thought with a slight sniff. After leaving the Church of the Waves, Algier Wilson strode thoughtfully straight to Relf's Trading House, where he found the owner reading the newspaper. He knew well that the middle-aged man before him—dressed in a suit, wearing a tie and glasses, and exuding a polished air—was a seasoned pirate, quietly supporting the rebel forces and deeply devoted to the sea deity, Caravatuwa. "What's on your mind, our ghost-ship captain?" Relf set down his newspaper, shifted his right foot onto his left leg, and smiled calmly. He was a bastard, his father an adventurer of mixed Ruin and Fyrescott descent, and his mother a native of the region. He began as a pirate, then transitioned into a merchant who dealt in both black and white goods, building an extensive network of relationships—reliable support at the Governor's office, the City Council, and the police department. Upon hearing Relf's question, Aljer nearly frowned, as the tone and demeanor seemed distinctly out of the ordinary. This "unusual" quality referred to a deviation from Aljer's expectations. In his view, following the complete fall of the sea deity Kavitova, the various regions of Rosted Island should have exhibited clear signs of distress—devout followers would surely have sensed the imbalance, either filled with anxiety or weighed down by a sense of gloom. How could they remain calm and composed? Aljer did not directly mention Kavitova. Instead, he smiled gently and said, "Have you heard where Kovaro has been lately?" "Kovalo is the pirate captain who possesses the noble traits inherited from the bloodline baron. It's said he once served as a seaman aboard the 'Black Emperor' and was part of the outer network of Lord Nast, the 'King of Five Seas.' Who knows? But certainly not in Bayam—otherwise he would have been caught during the thorough search two days ago." Relf shrugged. "I heard his ship has sailed southward." Actually, Aljer had made prior arrangements to meet Kovalo, and had deliberately used this point to open the conversation. Of course, he was well aware that, to escape the tsunamis threatening the Rosedale Isles region, Kovalo must have already left and would only return to Bayam after some time. Yet Aljer wasn't overly concerned, since he already knew that Mr. Moon had secured a bank draft. Should it be drawn before maturity, a discount would be applied, resulting in a significant loss of interest. He nodded deliberately. "I understand. Thank you for letting me know." "Having said that, Aljé pretended not to know what had happened and asked, 'Have you heard that the statues of the 'Sea God' in many places have broken on their own?' Though he hadn't witnessed such events firsthand, he could reasonably infer from the church's official records. ——In numerous colonial islands and among the nations of the Southern Continent, there have been no fewer than several instances—far beyond just a couple—of pseudo-gods like Cavituwa being eliminated by the Seven Churches. The fate of these deities after their demise has been well-documented. Relf nodded calmly: 'Yes, such things have occurred. 'But this is not bad news,' he said, his expression suddenly passionate. 'For the God has reappeared on earth, in a new form!' The God has reappeared on earth, in a new form? Aljé stared intently, finding it both logical and unexpectedly profound. From the storm church's response, he was certain that Cavituwa had already passed away. So now, which 'Sea God' was responding to the faithful?" Building on his earlier assessment, he quickly had a bold idea: Was this the embodiment of the "Knight of the Fool"? Having emerged through the fall of the sea god Cavitua, had he now acquired a new identity capable of channeling power beyond the seal, directly influencing his identity in the real world? Was that truly the purpose behind the "World" arriving in Bayam? Gasp—the "Knight of the Fool" indeed demonstrated remarkable vision! Aljer suppressed his excitement, subtly swallowing a lump of saliva. ………… At the "Blue Wind" inn, upon seeing the captain, Elran, pass him a stack of cash, Klein noticed: "This is your payment—totaling 100 pounds." He didn't mention how much Gelmann Sparrow had received or how much Danius of the "Flame" had taken; he simply stated the total, leaving the specific distribution to be decided internally by the party. The military truly is generous, Klein thought to himself, and with a natural instinct, reached for the stack of thick bills, ready to hand over two five-pound notes to Danius. His wrist settled slightly, and he finally, expressionlessly, drew out two more ten-pound notes. Germán Sparo was still fair—fairer than the fair Elan... Danzig received the payment with surprise, feeling as though the hollowed-out wallet had been replenished once more. Gazing at Germán Sparo in his fresh attire, Elan, holding his ship-shaped hat, pondered: "The Storm Church has reported that the person who posted notices at the church gate overnight, exposing Laticia and 'Poseidon' Cavitova, is 'Flame' Danzig. What do you think?" He fixed his eyes on Danzig, waiting for a response. "Haha," Danzig chuckled dryly, "I don't know him." Klein paused for two seconds, then said: "I accompanied a deceased adventurer to Ximim to fulfill his final wishes, and met Laticia and her companions at the inn. A snake intrusion occurred overnight, which they handled effortlessly." "After returning to Bayam, I went to the resistance to purchase supplies and found that they had displayed the Holy Sword, with two extraordinary beings of mid-tier stationed at that small outpost. "I only briefly touched the sword, and almost immediately, its overwhelming will surged into me, causing me to lose control on the spot." "They're also still actively pursuing Latisiaca," said Kren—every word was true, though not all of it. Still, this information was sufficient to infer the content of the official notice. Even if the royal military and the Storm Church conducted deeper investigations, they would likely uncover only that Germain Sparo might be capable of changing his appearance. Elran listened carefully, then sighed and smiled. "From now on, whenever something like this happens, you needn't post notices at midnight—just come directly to me. That will earn you a more substantial reward." Rising to his feet, he adjusted his hat and said to Daniz, "I've heard the reward for the 'Flame' is going to be increased again."