Anderson lifted his gaze to Daniz, nodding thoughtfully. "I don't know why, but I really don't want to leave Xibayran. Ha! As a treasure hunter, how could I go back empty-handed just because we've come this far? The vast jungle, with its abandoned temples—filled with gold, jewels, antiques, and perhaps even magical artifacts—has so much waiting for us to discover and rescue!" Daniz pursed his lips and took a long gulp of the remaining "Gualdar" in his cup. This beverage, made from Xibayran's native berries, had an orange-yellow hue, a tangy-sweet flavor, and a refreshing quality that cooled the body and quenched thirst. It also contained a modest amount of caffeine, helping to ward off fatigue and restore alertness. After setting down the cup, picking up his napkin, and wiping his mouth, Daniz exhaled, "I just keep feeling like you have some hidden scheme." "I'd love that to be true," Anderson replied with a carefree smile. His breakfast companion was coffee. In the east-west region of Baylang, there are several premium coffee-growing areas whose reputations are only slightly behind those of Feneport's highland coffee, the highland coffee of the South Continent, and the Felmor coffee from the Pas Valley near the Star Highland. Before Daniz could speak further, Anderson smiled and said, "Isn't that actually quite good? I offer you free protection, and you serve as my translator—everyone benefits." Thinking of himself still only a Sequence 7, constantly pursued by one force after another, Daniz unexpectedly found Anderson's words to be quite convincing. He cleared his throat and said, "But at certain times, I'll need you to step aside." "If you simply say 'please,' I have no issue," Anderson replied, relaxed and composed. Daniz then donned his cloak and walked toward the hotel entrance, preparing to begin his day's investigation. On the way, he suddenly said, "Have you ever experienced this? Frequently dreaming of an angel descending, enveloping you layer by layer with her wings." "No, not just dreaming—sometimes I also experience the same illusions while fully awake." Anderson glanced at Daniz's gloves, paused for a few seconds, then smiled. "Have you come to believe in some hidden presence? Or have you encountered something ancient?" Daniz's expression stiffened, and he forced a smile. "If it were that simple, I would have figured it out long ago!" As he spoke, he passed three men who had just entered through the hotel doors and walked out. Anderson, accustomed to observing passersby and assessing the surroundings, casually glanced at the three men and noticed they were one master and two servants. The master was tall, with a brown complexion and gentle features, suggesting a blend of Baylan and Ruun heritage, dressed in a more northern continental style—silk hat, black suit with a gold-handled cane. Two servants—one a typical local, seemingly from the plantation, assisting the master with a spare walking cane and a leather suitcase, and the other of mixed heritage, with a round-faced, loose-fitting attire, carrying a stabbing sword at his waist, as if also serving as a bodyguard. Anderson glanced at them indifferently, then followed Daniz onto the street. With genuine interest, he pointed to the various coffins—some carried by men, others by mules, each styled differently. "Would you like to try one of these?" "Once you get used to them, death won't seem so daunting anymore. Who knows, one day you might even open the lid and rise again." Daniz glanced at the unusual modes of transport and shook his head without hesitation. "As a pirate, I naturally have to believe in the 'Lord of the Storm' and avoid certain things—among them, being near a coffin." "I'm different. I have no such aversions. Anderson casually picked up a few "Deli" brand items from the newspaper vendors along the street. Undeniably, the newspaper vendor system on the southern continent is no less developed than in the northern continent—after all, labor costs are lower, and there are more children needing family support. Daniz walked toward the street corner, searching for carriages suitable for foreigners, and took a newspaper from Anderson, quickly scanning it. Suddenly, he noticed a headline: "…The renowned pirate, Ludewell, known as 'Admiral of Hell,' has been slain by the intrepid adventurer Germaine Sparrow. His flagship, the 'Black Tulip,' and the entire fleet have been taken over by Mirela, who claims to be the 'Messenger of Death'..." "This…," Daniz's mouth opened slightly, remaining open for a long time. He finally understood why Germaine Sparrow had urged him to be cautious about the Luminous Order. This madman had just eliminated Ludewell, the foremost among the seven great pirate admirals! After a few seconds, Daniz handed the newspaper to his colleague Anderson with a呆滞 expression, saying, "Look at this." Anderson smiled, took the paper, and swiftly scanned through it. After a brief silence, he blew a whistle and chuckled, "That guy must have a new nickname now. 'The Nemesis of the Pirate General!'” Daniz couldn't help but nod; instead, he remarked, "When I first met him, I already thought he was impressive, but I never imagined he could be so formidable." At that moment, he recalled his early attempts to recruit Germain Spargo as a crew member for the *Golden Dream*. Meanwhile, within the hotel they had just left, Caine had checked into a luxury room and stood by the window, observing the two careless 'hunters' walking about. He ran his fingers over the nail on his sleeve, then unfolded the letter and wrote: “…I initially suspect that the spirit possessing Is. Zangewell comes through the 'Hunter' path. You may wish to investigate this direction further.” “…Enclosed with this letter is a remarkable characteristic of a 'Healer,' originating from a once-helpless shepherd whom I freed, and whom I have promised will return his characteristic to the Night Church.” …… In East Baring, Leonard, who had just been preparing to attend the morning meeting, suddenly saw the angelic messenger bearing four golden-haired, red-eyed heads appear before him. Already accustomed to such occurrences, he took the letter, opened it, and glanced inside—only to be momentarily stunned by the item it contained, which shimmered like a brilliant night sky. “Now this…,” Leonard vaguely understood what it was, so he quickly unfolded the paper and read it through. After twenty seconds, he exhaled slowly, murmuring silently: “It is indeed a remarkable characteristic.” "Klein has been quite friendly toward the Church and the 'Watchers'..." He felt a sense of relief and produced two small, translucent, segmented creatures that had already died, placing them directly into the envelope. He then summoned Gelman Sparrow's messenger and handed the envelope over, adding a gold coin. After completing this task, Leonard loosened the top button of his shirt and stepped out of the room, heading toward the underground. On the way, he encountered Daili Simon. Daili, still dressed as a 'Seer,' looked ahead naturally and asked, "Any new leads?" "...A likely spirit that follows the path of the 'Hunters.' " Leonard paused for a moment before deciding to be open and honest about it. Daili nodded slightly, thoughtfully responding, "That spirit is likely to have an instinct for provocation—actively leaving us clues along the way, though perhaps with some deliberate misdirection." “Thud. Thud. Thud.” The door to the bridge of the *Blue Avenger* was being tapped. “Enter,” said Captain Alger, placing down the brass sextant in his hands and speaking in a steady tone. A sailor opened the door, glanced back, and, under the urging of several companions, hesitated before stepping inside, raising his right fist and striking his left chest in a salute: “By the Storm!” Once Captain Alger responded, he bowed slightly, smiled, and said, “Captain, several pirates and merchant seamen have recently reported finding valuable items—some even gold—within the ruins of Banxi Port. "We haven't really had any particularly important tasks lately, and everyone's been thinking—why not just stop by Banzhi on the way? It's such a bustling port; even after being searched repeatedly, there should still be plenty of things left behind..." Aljé listened without expression, then paused for several seconds before saying, "I completely understand your sentiments. How about this—we sail toward Banzhi Port, without setting any specific purpose. If nothing else happens along the way, we'll stay there for one day." "Agreed, Captain," the seaman responded enthusiastically, once again raising his right fist and thumping it against his chest. "The storm is with you." "The storm is with you," Aljé watched as his crew member departed, then closed the door. He then settled back as if nothing had happened—neither joyful nor agitated—pouring himself a glass of crème de cassis and sipping it slowly. Everything that had just unfolded was precisely as he had anticipated, since the news of valuable items being discovered in the ruins of Banzhi Port had been deliberately circulated by him while he was disguised. As the "captain" of the Storm Church, he is constantly under the watch of his crew. Having already visited Banzhi once, proposing a return visit now would easily raise suspicion. Thus, Aljere decided to let the crew themselves request the trip—this way, even if something noteworthy were discovered or encountered at Banzhi Port, no one would question his captaincy. For the sailors, especially those who had just spent their funds in Bayam, Aljere knew precisely what kind of rumors would most appeal to them and what news would most excite them. Moreover, the "Revenge of the Azure" had stayed in Bayam long enough; if it didn't depart soon, it would become equally suspect. As for monitoring the craftsman Charle, that task would naturally be entrusted to the "Seer" Gardele—affected by the Polar Circle's investigations, this pirate general and her "Future" have recently been lingering in the Rosd region, where it's said the Moss Monastery has a significant presence. After finishing his strong liquor, Algier set down the cup and looked out at the rolling sea beyond the window, softly murmuring a single word: "Banshee..."