Would you like to meet Admiral Edwena Edwards, the "Ice Mountain" Admiral? Kline paused for a moment, nearly furrowing his brow. To him, this wasn't an unacceptable request at all—rather, it offered an opportunity to exchange information, to ask questions in person about details that might be unclear in letters. He might even gain inspiration, gathering intelligence that could support his future promotions and access to high-tier potion formulas. More friends, more channels… Kline silently repeated this thought, then produced a heavy gold coin, casting a spell in front of the "Flame" Daniz to determine whether the visit would be risky. The gleaming coin rose, spun, and settled into Kline's palm, showing the number face up. This indicated a favorable outcome—meaning the meeting between Kline and Admiral Edwena at the port of Glagros would be safe and secure. Kline then raised his gaze to Daniz, speaking calmly, "Very well." "On behalf of the captain, thank you for accepting the invitation." Daniez sighed quietly, smiled with the corners of his eyes crinkling and his brows relaxing. Kaine glanced at the wall clock and said, "I'll go to the restroom first." Going to the restroom first? That meant he was going to stay out, to use his position to arrange ship tickets for me. Daniez's gaze instinctively followed the movement of Gérard Spalro's figure, keenly picking up the unspoken implication. After confirming the prediction with a pendulum reading on the misty sky, Kaine washed his hands, left the restroom, and said to Daniez, "Let's go out." "Me?" Daniez pointed at himself. Kaine nodded while buttoning his coat. "In fact, it's not necessary. You could simply go directly to Elran and ask him to arrange two tickets..." Daniez offered his suggestion with sincere earnestness. Kaine gave him a cold, silent glance, said nothing, put on his hat, and stepped out. Danzig shivered, swallowing the second suggestion—“purchase false identification, buy two tickets through official channels using the ability to change one’s appearance and physique”—whole. He tied his scarf more securely, pulled down his visor, and hurried to catch up with Germaine Spalro. "Though he's wildly enthusiastic, he's actually quite good at being a friend—evident from his willingness to risk everything to enter Banzhi Port for Elran and the others. Daniz sincerely remarked. Klein glanced at him, said nothing, and stepped into the 'Kelp Bar.' 'Actually, it's not necessary...' Daniz followed behind, gently urging. For himself, if he weren't afraid of making a scene and pouring cement into the black-market thieves' heads, sinking them to the ocean floor, he'd have been absolutely delighted! The bar buzzed with lively energy, filled with music that carried a distinct local flavor, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Daniz carefully scanned the room, searching for the thieves who might be trying to black-sheel him, as well as the renowned pirate, Mis the 'Blue-Eyed.' 'That's Denil,' Daniz casually introduced the merchant. Unfortunately, here it's so chaotic—there's no way to know if those people are still even here... he thought with a quiet sense of regret. Klein followed his gaze, running his right hand over the "Thriving Hunger" worn on his left palm. He turned his head to Daniz, speaking calmly as if instructing him to buy a beer. "Take off your scarf." Ah? Daniz stood there, questioning whether he had heard correctly. Klein slowly widened his smile. "Take off your scarf—don't make me repeat it a third time." "Why...?" Daniz's words were cut off by Daniz's cold, frantic gaze. Confused and puzzled, Daniz removed the scarf, suddenly feeling as though everyone around him was watching him, recognizing him as the renowned pirate with a bounty of 5,500 pounds—"The Flame," Daniz. Klein maintained his hidden, manic smile, continuing his instructions: "Remove your hat. Go and buy a ticket." At that moment, Daniz felt as though struck by lightning and nearly jumped up. "Then I'll be recognized..." His voice grew quieter as it was met with the steady gaze of Germán Sparo. By now, he had fully understood what Germán Sparo intended—to use him, worth 5,500 gold pounds, as bait to lure out the true power brokers behind the greedy pirates or crime syndicates! Doggone it! How could I have thought he was a good friend just a moment ago? No, how could I have believed he was my friend at all! This arrogant bastard! Daniz roared internally, cursing continuously. He couldn't resist, knowing how utterly mad Germán Sparo was. This was a man even a pirate admiral would seek to hunt down! Daniz offered a strained, twisted smile, slightly nodding his head back and forth, then removed his hat and walked steadily toward Deniel. Around him, a series of glances swept past, paused for two seconds, then abruptly withdrew. One after another, the wine-drinkers receded like a tide, clearing a wide, open path—much like the ocean being parted. Watching their reactions, Daniz was both startled and concerned, yet unexpectedly pleased by the scene. This was the grandeur of a great pirate? This was the feeling of being admired and noticed? Damn it—I'd heard my name mentioned! Someone murmured, "Flame"... Daniz realized he had been recognized. With trembling steps, he advanced forward, hands lowered, ready to fight. "Daniz? 'Flame' Daniz!" exclaimed Mis, the one with blue eyes, in astonishment. His subordinate glanced over, then said with excitement, "Sir, it's truly 'Flame' Daniz! Five thousand five hundred pounds! Shall we move in?" Mis narrowed his blue eyes, then gave his subordinate a firm slap on the back of the head: "You fool! If 'Flame' Daniz were someone like you, he'd have been dead a dozen times already!" "He dares to appear like this, surely not afraid of being attacked! Is there a powerful figure behind him?" Mis suddenly grew alarmed, scanning the surroundings. He suspected that the "Ice Mountain Admiral" Edwena Edwards had secretly arrived in the city of Bayam! Through the gaps between people, he spotted a young gentleman standing near the side entrance—dressed in a black double-breasted suit, wearing a half-high silk hat, with dark hair and brown eyes, a lean, sharply defined face. Without a word, Mis's intuition told him this was a truly formidable presence. His sharp intuition had often caused him trouble, yet it had also saved him from numerous dangers. "Go!" he whispered, then, using the crowd of guests as cover, just as Daniz had done before, slipped out through the back door of the tavern. Daniz, trembling, reached the presence of Denier and purchased two ship tickets to Glagros from the man's stunned and fearful expression. Until he retraced his steps and, at Germain Spalro's glance, walked out of the bar on his own, no one launched a sudden assault. Didn't the pirates have many desperate, bold souls? Indeed, a spur-of-the-moment, hastily devised trap proved difficult to succeed. Unusual circumstances often signaled something amiss—though, of course, one could also use such irregularities to unsettle the enemy. Unfortunately... Caine tapped his hat and followed Daniz without hesitation. He spoke as he drew out the paper figures, shaking them into ash. Only then did Daniz realize that although the timid ones had not dared to attack him directly, they had absolutely the courage to report him—should they succeed, they would still have a chance to claim part of the reward! Only after running into a quiet alley and pausing to see Germán Spáro did he find time to tie his scarf and put on his hat. "Where are we going now?" Daniz asked, slightly out of breath. Klein glanced at him. "To Eirland." Daniz's mouth twitched, and he almost wanted to hurl a fireball at Klein. "Tickets to the ship to the island of Driynius," Klein added, stepping out of the alley. Driynius was the first island encountered after traveling south from the Rosted archipelago. "...Yes, there are also ships to Glagras from there! Right now, everyone's attention is focused on the passenger ship from Bayam to Glagras—no one could have imagined we'd take a detour through the port of Driynius!" Danzel followed, suddenly enlightened. On a Tuesday morning, Caine personally helped Danzel with his disguise, transforming him into a mixed-race man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. While this didn't enable Danzel to harness the abilities of the "Faceless," it was at least ten times better than his previous attempts. They boarded the ship, bound for the port of Driynius in the south, a journey that would take approximately ten hours. Ah! The passenger ship departed, gliding into the sea. Under the gentle sunlight, thin clouds, a blue-tinged sky, and a cool breeze, the hybrid vessel sailed quietly and steadily across the gently rolling waves, maintaining a smooth course through the afternoon. At that moment, Caine was seated in the cabin, pondering a passage from The Book of Secrets, while Danzel paced back and forth, mentally rehearsing how to impress his companions. Suddenly, both of their views dimmed simultaneously, as if a cloud bank had drifted in, obscuring the sun. Klein unconsciously glanced outward and saw a massive black sailing ship appear at some point in the distance. It stretched nearly a hundred meters long, with full sails billowing and a row of side-mounted cannons along its hull. Though it had not yet approached and its course was slightly offset, it still cast upon the surrounding area the effect of a black sun. Danyz expressed a complex blend of admiration, awe, yearning, and aversion, exhaled softly, and murmured in a dreamy tone: "The Black Emperor..." PS: On the double final day, kindly support with a monthly subscription.