In Winter County, inside a church of the Evernight Goddess, after resigning from affairs in the Southern Continent and previously risking secretly following the Soest squad into the Feysac Empire, the senior Nighthawks deacon known as the "Goddess's Eye," Ilya, met one of the twenty-two powerholders at the upper echelons of the Church, one of the three giants of the Red Gloves, the "Goddess's Sword," Crestet Cesimir.
"Confirmation has been made. The corpse Cindy and Leonard brought back is the 'Black Blade' who previously committed crimes in Backlund." After exchanging greetings and praising the Evernight Goddess, Ilya found a seat and spoke.
Crestet Cesimir, with short golden-brown hair and the collars of his shirt and trench coat standing high, also sat down. After some deliberation, he asked:
"They really were sent back by that 'King of Angels' who appeared at Indho Port?"
"No." Ilya shook her head slightly. "The one who killed the 'Black Blade' was that unfamiliar Saint who blocked Wimbledon and Ivan. The one who sent Cindy and Leonard back into Loen territory should also have been him."
Without waiting for Crestet Cesimir to ask further, she explained in detail:
"Judging from his characteristics, as well as his subsequent actions of taking away the 'Earth Demoness,' the 'Hero Bandit,' and 'Iron Man,' he is very likely a member of that organization that uses tarot cards as codenames…
"This organization seems to have a grudge against Ince Zangwill. The last time in Backlund, it was very likely their people who attacked Ince Zangwill.
"However, judging from their actions this time—sending Leonard and Cindy back—this organization should harbor goodwill toward the Church."
Crestet Cesimir listened quietly, then asked thoughtfully:
"Has Feysac made any moves?"
The "Goddess's Eye" shook her head.
"No obvious moves. They've only issued a wanted notice for Gehrman Sparrow… Based on the extraordinary item used by the 'Hero Bandit,' they judged him to be that 'Mad Hunter.'"
Crestet Cesimir gave a low "Mm," then changed the subject.
"You were present at the time. Did you discover anything?"
"No. That unfamiliar Saint should have noticed me at the time and deliberately erased a lot of 'information,' even temporarily 'sealing' me…" Ilya paused before continuing, "I wasn't able to ascertain his true identity or that of those 'superheroes.' The follow-up investigation will have to rely on you… Since Ince Zangwill is already dead, there's no need for me to continue pursuing him. I'll be returning to the Southern Continent to continue presiding over my work."
The reason she had come to see Crestet Cesimir today was precisely to hand over this matter.
Hearing this, Crestet Cesimir gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"I can't pursue it. This matter ends here."
"Why?" Ilya asked in confusion.
"Because the Holy See has already issued an order forbidding us from investigating the identity of that unfamiliar Saint."
Danitz stood rooted in place, motionless, as if he had encountered Medusa's gaze or a petrification-type extraordinary ability.
His expression was a mix of excitement and fear. His legs trembled almost imperceptibly yet uncontrollably, while his mind echoed endlessly with that boundless gray-white mist, the vague figure towering above all, and that low, solemn voice saying, "Recite My name in your heart."
This… even an ordinary prayer gets answered…! Is this the legendary treatment of a 'Blessed'? Am I now equivalent to Mr. Fool's 'Blessed'?!
Danitz's lips moved as he muttered silently, feeling as though he were in a dream.
Although he had already been certain—back when Mr. Fool interrupted that terrifying "death loop"—that the other party was a genuine great existence, the object of worship of the secret organization behind Gehrman Sparrow…
Back then, he had only thought that Mr. Fool intervened to save him out of regard for Gehrman's sake. But when the mist, the figure, and the voice suddenly appeared before his eyes and ears, he realized for the first time that there truly were great existences who would directly respond to believers!
This completely exceeded his understanding!
This might not be a bad thing. Maybe I can receive the same treatment as Gehrman Sparrow—maybe even approach him in strength…
Only then can I truly get close to the captain…
Danitz comforted himself as he forced a smile, though it looked rather strained.
Beside him, Anderson—who had been playing a harmonica—noticed this and suddenly stopped. He glanced at Danitz and said:
"Didn't you obtain the 'Revelation Medal' of your captain's family? Why do you look like that?"
After the battle between Adam and Ouroboros ended, Anderson and Danitz—who had been hiding in the ruins of the Pritt Hotel Exhibition Hall—had inexplicably fallen asleep. When they woke up again, they found themselves in a small town somewhere in the Gargass Archipelago.
And both of them had gained a "gift."
Since Danitz was only incidental, what he held was merely the exhibited item of the Edwards family—Roselle's "Revelation Medal" bestowed upon Edwards.
It was just an ordinary medal. Though it held great significance for the Edwards family, it was not a mystical item.
As for Anderson, who had served as the "bait," his reward was substantial… He had obtained a Sequence 4 "Iron-blooded Knight" extraordinary characteristic!
On top of that, due to the God of Knowledge and Wisdom setting up a ritual within his body to "trap" Ouroboros, Anderson had been granted the "Iron-blooded Knight" potion formula in advance.
The path for Anderson to advance to demigod now lacked only the ritual.
This was a gift from the "Angel of Imagination."
Hearing Anderson's question, Danitz replied irritably, "It's none of your business!" Then he changed his tone and teased,
"You'd better think about how to earn some money and buy a ticket back to Bayam or some other big city!
"As far as I know, you didn't bring any money when you went to attend the celebration."
Anderson shot him a half-smile. "As if you have money yourself…"
Before Danitz could retort, Anderson ran his fingers through his short hair and continued on his own:
"Friendly reminder: the item I'm using to change my appearance will wear off in two or three hours. If you don't want to be walking around in your own face while wearing this ladies' formal dress, you'd better quickly find a way to get some clothes!"
"Shit!" Danitz cursed involuntarily. Just as he was about to mock Anderson a few more times, boundless gray fog suddenly appeared before his eyes. Immediately afterward, Gehrman Sparrow appeared before him in a prayer posture:
"Respected Mr. Fool, please convey to Danitz that I have a commission for him.
"The content of the commission is to organize Gehrman Sparrow's experiences at sea, adapt them into 'thrilling' and 'bizarre' stories, and then spread them among pirates."
Gehrman wants to commission me? And to spread his stories? What is he trying to do? Danitz was full of doubts, but he suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly prayed toward the depths of the gray fog, toward that majestic figure leisurely seated at the head of the long bronze table:
"Mr. Fool… I hope Gehrman can first give me some funding…
"I—I'm stranded on a small island right now, without even a penny. I simply can't carry out his commission."
The figure deep within the gray fog fell silent for a few seconds. Then a sacred, majestic voice reached Danitz's ears:
"Alright!"
Immediately afterward, Danitz returned to reality, and in his palm he found himself holding a ten-pound banknote.
Seeing this, just as Danitz was about to marvel at Gehrman's generosity, he noticed a line of small words written beside the portrait of William I on the front of the note:
"Borrowed from you. Remember to pay it back!"
Indho Port, inside the hot spring villa.
As soon as Ebner arrived, he saw an elderly man sitting quietly on a single sofa directly facing the entrance of the hall.
The old man wore a three-piece outfit of shirt, vest, and formal coat, along with blue-gray striped trousers. He had on a dark red bow tie. His hair was already completely white, yet still thick, and his temperament was gentle and refined.
He had a pair of blue eyes that seemed filled with wisdom and knowledge. Aside from deep forehead lines, there were hardly any wrinkles elsewhere.
And yet, upstairs in the living quarters, the two ladies of "Greed" and "Sloth" had not noticed his arrival in the slightest.
Ebner recognized this old man. He was the royal adviser of the Loen Kingdom and also one of the highest councilors of the Psychology Alchemists—the embodiment of "Pride," Hvin Rambis!
Of course, the real Hvin had long since been replaced by the ancient god, the "Dragon King" Angerweide… And now, even that old dragon Angerweide had become one of Adam's many guises.
Adam previously said he would deliver a "thank-you gift" using the identity of the "Dragon of Imagination"… Now that Hvin has come to my door, did He package His avatar and send it over wholesale?
Also… where is that "King of the Black Throne"?
(End of chapter)