The Black Tulip... Lord Ludvig, the Commander of Hell... There's a wolf in front and tigers behind—doesn't that sound rather unfortunate? Floating in the air, Caine first noticed the ships approaching steadily and glanced down at Anderson, who was holding his dark short sword, intently examining the monster. Anderson quickly turned to look back, remaining on guard against the gray-black flesh masses that might burst forth at any moment, and said, "Your eyes are strange—what's happening now?" Before he could finish, he instinctively fell silent. Then, sensing something, he leapt sideways and rolled, narrowly avoiding the monster's splintering body fragments that were rapidly growing new nails on his fingers, and swiftly moved to the other side of the ship's hull. Straightening up and stretching his neck, Anderson suddenly gasped, "Commander of Hell!" This wasn't a kindly man at all. As a pirate general renowned for his ruthless actions, he had no qualms about exploiting others' crises for his own benefit. After careful consideration, he realized that he could exploit the attack of the powerful monster to eliminate the "Star General" and everyone aboard the "Future," securing an exceptionally rich haul—thus, he would surely act! My misfortune has not diminished; it has merely taken on a new form—like a zero-balance, cumulative savings account? Anderson's expression was twisted, as if both weeping and laughing. Meanwhile, in Caine's mind, the relevant intelligence surfaced: "General of Hell" Ludewell, already boasts a reward of 55,000 pounds from just the nation of Ruin! He is one of the most powerful seers, and among the seven great pirate generals, the one with the highest reward. The number of living pirates aboard his flagship, the "Black Tulip," is relatively small, with the majority of operations managed by the immortals and spiritual beings under his command. He is ruthless in his killings, yet does not exhibit an obsessive passion for slaughter—his focus is simply on diligently sending living beings to hell. He maintains intricate ties with the Spiritual Order, and it is said he possesses a ring inherited from an ancient Death God. As克莱恩and安德森gazed upon the "Black Tulip," the golden brooch on the gown of Gardele, the "Star Above the Stars," began to radiate a pure, bright sunlight that was neither harsh nor glaring. Before the captain's cabin, a figure blurred into view and swiftly elongated—radiating an atmosphere of serene stillness, yet exuding a warm, sunlike comfort. An incongruous presence indeed, as if a wraith forged from "Sacred Solar Water!" Both holy and eerie! This "Solar Wraith" extended its arms and surged outward with an exaggerated velocity, embracing a gray-black mass. A sound like oil being burned hissed forth—the Solar Wraith and the gray-black mass canceled each other out, vanishing completely, leaving no trace. Gardele's deep purple eyes flowed with luminous gold at the breast, rapidly generating one after another "Solar Wraith" outside the cabin window, sending them rushing toward the gray-black masses that had invaded the "Future" ship. At that moment, the "bloodless" His Dorr protected Frank, Nina, and the other sailors, countering the monster flesh blocks—vital and resilient—by consuming and digesting them. The "Black Iris" was moving faster than Kline had anticipated, entering the "Aether" vessel's watch range within just a few seconds. The dark, shade-green ship slowed down, halted at the edge, seemingly uncertain about what was unfolding here. Suddenly, Kline spotted a nearly translucent eye materializing in the sky directly above the "Aether," its pale pupils fixed steadily upon the scene below. This... the spirit-televiewing telescope? After a moment of astonishment, Kline drew his revolver with his right hand and aimed it at the eye belonging to a spirit-being. At this moment, he hesitated. As the wildly adventurous man, Germán Sparrow, opening fire would be the most natural and character-consistent choice—yet the "Duke of Hell," Ludewil, had not yet shown any hostility. He might be cautious, mindful of the power behind the "Duke of Stars," Gathelira, and thus inclined to remain restrained. If he prematurely eliminated Ludewil's "telescope," the situation would inevitably spiral into greater chaos and danger! During Kleyn's brief pause, the nearly translucent, ethereal eye faded away. The distant "Black Tulip" continued its journey, growing ever clearer. On its deck, white skeletons—some bare, others clad in leather armor—moved swiftly to manage the sails. Pale, living corpses, each carrying a long sword, patrolled back and forth, their eyes glowing with a shade of emerald flame, scanning the surroundings. Ghosts, spectral beings, and various odd entities from the spiritual realm soared and danced through the air, sometimes drifting into the ship's hull, occasionally revealing translucent, slightly blurred faces on the ship's sides. In Caine's vision, there was only one living person aboard the *Black Tulip*—a man dressed in a captain's uniform standing quietly on the foredeck, gazing this way. He wore an elaborate triangular hat embroidered with a white skeleton and plumes, a white dress shirt with trimmed edges, and a richly ornate brown short coat. At his waist, a leather belt of a deep brown hue held a slender, sharply pointed sword. A silver-white mask covered his face, concealing his features entirely; only the openings where his eyes, nose, and mouth should be remained, their cold, precise lines striking an imposing presence. This perfectly matched the image of the legendary "Lord of Hell," Ludewell! Where were his first mate, second mate, third mate, and the ship's officers? Caine had first been astonished that only one person remained alive aboard the *Black Tulip*, then quickly found himself reassured. Just as the "Future" had sent its third officer, gunnery officer, and numerous sailors to its own pirate fleet's vessels, retaining only the minimal crew to enter this region, so too did Lord Ludewell leave his "fragile" subordinates behind—after all, he could command the immortal and spirit beings to steer the ships. At that moment, the "Black Tulip" noticeably turned, its several dozen guns on the starboard side aimed directly at them. As Lord Ludewell touched his silver-white mask, a series of thunderous explosions rang out. Bullets flew in, either plunging into the sea before reaching the ships, detonating in splashes of waves, or clearing the distance and landing farther away. This was a precisely calibrated barrage! Soon, the "Black Tulip" began its second salvo of cannon fire. Klein was about to activate "The Thirsty Gulp," using Baron Corrupt's ability to twist the trajectory of the cannonballs and send them on a new course toward farther distances, when he saw Anderson Hude lift his right hand and push forward. Instantly, orange-yellow fire ravens coalesced and spiraled out, precisely intercepting each and every cannonball! Boom! Boom! Boom! The sky blazed with brilliant light, shrapnel flying in all directions—like dozens of ceremonial cannon salutes had been fired in succession. It must be said that the "Pyroclast's" abilities prove quite effective at sea—this mysterious ballistic missile defense system—though this is no doubt because Anderson is the "Premier Hunter," having reached the Sequence 5 level. Had it been Daniz, he'd certainly be unable to intercept all of them; managing to ignite half would already be considered impressive. Ah, when I use my "Manipulation of Flame" ability, I can only handle one projectile at a time. Klein mused, and as he spoke, the "Black Tulip" ceased its bombardment, increased its speed, and closed the gap between itself and the "Future" ship. As it drew nearer, the sea surface between the two massive ships, dappled with golden sunlight, rapidly darkened—dark not like ink, but like the deepest, most profound night, devoid of moon or stars. From this profound and shadowy ocean, translucent, almost ethereal, monstrous creatures emerged. Pale bodies stretched out their hands, their fingers bearing strips of decaying flesh; deep red or cold flames bloomed, forming one pair of eyes after another. Suddenly, the scene transformed into the entrance to hell, various immortals pressing forward, surging to the surface like a tide, launching relentless assaults. Anderson glanced back at the "Sun Wounded Souls," whose gray-black flesh was steadily dissolving, knowing that the "Star General" was now at the crucial stage of confronting this terrifying monster. He sighed, then smiled faintly at the sky, at Germaine Sparrow. He was about to place his hands on the ship's rail, summoning a spreading wave of crimson flame to halt the advance of the undead host, when he was startled to see Germain Spauld suddenly turn and dash back toward the cabin. Run? Run again? Impossible... Anderson's expression clearly stilled for a moment. He then adopted a grim, tooth-gritting expression, leaned forward swiftly, and pressed his palms against the rail. Without a sound, a surge of crimson flame rose spontaneously, sweeping forward. At that moment, a charm fell from his sight, and a word in ancient Hermes tongue echoed in his ears: "Storm!" Huh? Anderson instinctively raised his head to see Germain Spauld, dressed in a tunic and brown jacket, being swept up by a fierce gust of wind and hurtling toward the Black Iris. Was he—was he attempting suicide? This level of madness I simply can't comprehend... Anderson's mouth hung open, bewildered. Ah! With the effect of the incantation, aided by the wind, Caine soared to the upper air just ahead of the "Black Tulip." Upon seeing him, Ludewil, the "Duke of Hell," lifted his gaze, his silver-masked eyes glowing with two steady, pale flames. The spectral shadows, restless spirits, and other ethereal beings from the domain of death that hovered above the "Black Tulip" immediately surged upward, rushing toward the enemy. Some opened their mouths wide, emitting silent, piercing screams; others extended long, slender tongues, each inscribed with a miniature face, appearing profoundly excited. Caine watched them impassively, his left hand reaching into his coat pocket, removing and dissolving the "spirit barrier" of a square iron box. Then, he drew forth the Azk copper whistle, tied with several matches, and threw it toward the aft deck of the "Black Tulip." Instantly, the transparent, cold, and hazy spectral figures halted—like insects suddenly frozen in place. Then, without hesitation, they spun around and sped toward the stern of the "Black Tulip." The oddly shaped spirits followed closely behind. In less than a second, the skeletons and the living corpses who had been operating the ship's cannons and managing the guns turned against the "Lord of Hell," leaving the foredeck empty save for Ludewil. *Plunk!* Kaine's hat dropped to the deck, landing squarely before Ludewil. He slightly bowed, released his right hand from the hat, and locked his gaze upon the "Lord of Hell" wearing the silver-white mask.