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At dawn, in the basement of the Cathedral of Waves in Bayam.
Jahn Kottman, now fully re-dressed, stood sternly before the conference table. His loose Church of the Lord of Storms robe was stretched taut by his bulging muscles, and combined with the low pressure emanating from him, it seemed as if he could unleash a furious blow at any moment.
Seated around the conference table were Jogori, the white-haired Bishop of the Bayam Diocese, Cordova Royer, the Punishers Deacon of the Rorsted Archipelago, and the captains of various Forsaken Squads and Church deacons.
The first to speak was Punishers Deacon Cordova Royer. He scanned the room, observing everyone's reactions before opening his mouth:
"Your Grace, Archbishop! Everyone, I was responsible for investigating the personnel and casualties in the Loen residential area."
"The destroyed area was a relatively high-end villa district, with few residents and little movement, so our investigation faced no obstacles."
"The villa in the center of the destroyed area was a stronghold of the Blood Pirate Group in Bayam, and the Beyonder characteristic involved has already been recovered by us."
Cordova's words paused slightly, his expression not very good. This was their dereliction of duty, allowing pirates to establish a stronghold in the most heavily monitored area.
He looked with some trepidation at "Sea King" Jahn Kottman at the head of the table. Seeing that he showed no dissatisfaction, Cordova breathed a sigh of relief and continued:
"The surrounding villas were normal. When the battle occurred, everyone inside had left for a period due to various matters, thus escaping the danger."
"Hmm, this should be some preparation made by the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom's demigod in advance, but it's unclear how he managed it, and without attracting the attention of the other Rose School of Thought demigod."
After Cordova sat down, another Forsaken Squad captain stood up and began a new report:
"Your Grace, Archbishop! Everyone, I investigated the battle that occurred yesterday evening near the dock warehouse district."
"According to our tracking and investigation, that was a stronghold belonging to the Golden Dream, but it seems to have been discovered by the Blood Pirate Group."
"Someone saw Fourth Mate, 'Blazing' Danitz, under Vice Admiral Iceberg, near there. Not long after he approached, an explosion occurred, and some houses were set on fire."
"Afterward, there seemed to be a chase, but strangely, the clues abruptly stopped there. Whether it was mystical divinations and tracking, or real-world investigations, there was no longer any information."
In less than half an hour, everyone had recounted the information they had investigated. Under the low pressure from the "Sea King," everyone was somewhat apprehensive.
After a long silence, Jogori, who was in charge of the Cathedral of Waves, coughed twice and spoke:
"Ahem! Bayam city, apart from a few houses destroyed by the Unshadowed Spear thrown by the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom demigod and streets destroyed by the tornado, did not suffer too much damage."
At this point, he glanced at "Sea King" Jahn Kottman. There was no one in the few destroyed houses, and the greatest damage to Bayam was actually caused by the tornado that shifted the battlefield.
Seeing that the "Sea King" did not express any opinions, he paused and continued:
"After the battlefield was moved, I sensed the presence of another person in the destroyed villa. He was very well hidden. I could only determine from the information carried by the wind that he had gone to the sea battlefield."
"Sea King" Jahn Kottman nodded lightly:
"It should be the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom's demigod. What appeared earlier was just a paper avatar."
"A paper avatar? But why could it unleash such powerful strength? And why wasn't the problem discovered by the Rose School of Thought demigod, who is skilled in divination, at the beginning of the battle?"
Cordova Royer, the Punishers Deacon of the Rorsted Archipelago, raised his questions.
Another Reader Pathway Punishers Deacon opposite him mused aloud:
"Sequence 5 of this Pathway is called Mysticism Magister. They master various magical, unique, and rare secret arts, and can even invent and create some strange but effective spells exclusive to themselves."
"As a demigod, he must possess enough knowledge, so it's not surprising for him to create some secret art that can produce powerful avatars."
The "Sea King" glanced at this Punishers Deacon and shifted the topic back to last night's issue:
"The Rose School of Thought's demigod, our reaction, and even the subsequent action of that Abomination, were all within the calculations of the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom's demigod."
At this point, he closed his eyes slightly, recalling the details of last night's battle, especially the performance of the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom demigod, who had always been shrouded in light, during the fight.
After a slight pause, he continued:
"His intention from the very beginning was to use the pressure from the Church of the Lord of Storms to drive away the Rose School of Thought's demigod."
"He seemed to have no intention of killing the Rose School of Thought's demigod, nor did he exert his full strength."
"Perhaps he has other hidden motives."
Jogori's voice, full of anger, took over from the "Sea King."
"This is a provocation from the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom!"
Cordova frowned tightly, speaking in a rather displeased tone.
As his words fell, the atmosphere in the entire conference room immediately became solemn and angry.
Jahn Kottman's deep blue eyes swept over everyone present, then he shook his head almost imperceptibly and said:
"This might be a continuation of the Tree of Flesh and Blood incident a few days ago..."
"Combine these two incidents, and I will personally take charge. The truth hidden behind them must be investigated. The sea forever belongs to the Storm!"
"Yes, Your Grace, Bishop!"
"The sea forever belongs to the Storm!"
Cordova and the other Punishers Deacons and squad captains responded in unison.
After all the Punishers Deacons and squad captains had left, Jahn Kottman looked solemnly at the white-haired Jogori beside him, a gloomy emotion in his deep blue eyes.
Jogori, this vigorous old man, also showed a hint of fatigue in his expression at this moment. He looked at "Sea King" Jahn Kottman with slight confusion, waiting for him to speak.
After a moment of silence, Jahn Kottman spoke in a voice devoid of emotion:
"Last night's battle, besides the Abomination Suah, another angel acted, an angel with the power of the Storm domain!"
Jogori frowned tightly, his voice heavy with confusion and anger as he said:
"Is that Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom demigod trying to covet the authority of the Storm?"
Jahn Kottman shook his head slightly:
"Not necessarily the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom demigod, but it must be related to the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom!"
"You must constantly pay attention to people coming and going from Bayam. I have a premonition that this matter is not over yet..."
Bayam, inside a luxurious hotel near the sea.
Leyton leaned back in the armchair by the window, quietly gazing at the Sun rising over the sea.
The book of cataclysms, that Queen of Calamity must have left corresponding means. The characteristic inside is not that easy to obtain. I can directly give the book to Sasrir. I have no need for the Calamity characteristic; for me, it's just an expendable collectible.
I still need a Sequence 3 characteristic or a Sealed Artifact to exchange with Mr. Hughes's Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom Cognizer characteristic. A Saint is not easy to kill. Perhaps I should go to the Southern Continent as soon as possible.
As he pondered, his Spirituality was suddenly touched. As soon as he looked up, he saw a wriggling, distorted mass of seaweed-like matter with hands and feet emerging from the ceiling.
Miss Messenger this time did not display her previous elegant lady image with a raised skirt. After dropping a letter, she hurried away.
An invisible wind blew the falling letter into Leyton's hand. A fleeting purple glow flashed in his eyes as he stared intently at where the messenger had left.
A moment later, he retracted his gaze, lowered his head, and examined the letter in his hand, sighing:
"This messenger isn't in very good condition. Is Mr. Pulak going to change messengers again? Being his messenger is also a high-level profession!"
He casually unfolded the letter and read it carefully:
Good morning, Mr. Tines!
I apologize for taking so long to reply. I imagine you might have guessed that things in the Southern Continent have not been smooth for me.
Within the Numinous Episcopate, not many people approve of my ideas. Usually, everyone could restrain themselves, but as I expressed my desire to leave the Numinous Episcopate, various problems arose one after another.
Outside the Numinous Episcopate, my actions have also touched upon multiple interests, leading to suppression.
I think I need some cooperation, I need reliable allies.
I also need to stay in the Southern Continent to stabilize the situation, so I can only send two trustworthy people to find you to discuss matters of cooperation.
They have already set off, you just need to confirm the meeting place within these two days, and they will arrive soon.
This is his messenger's summoning incantation:
Spirit roaming the Upper Realm, absolutely friendly creature, Phoenix Eggers' contracted partner.
I plan to have them stay at sea for a while. I hope you can get along well.
Your friend, Mr. Pulak Eggers.
After reading the letter, Leyton casually shook the letter two times.
With a whoosh, a crimson flame shot up from the letter, and the paper quickly turned to ash in Leyton's hand, dissipating into the air with a gentle breeze.
"Let them stay at sea for a while... It should be to avoid possible dangers, right? It seems Mr. Pulak's situation in the Southern Continent isn't too good either!"
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