Chapter 434 - 187: Gaze of a God (Part 2)

"What do you mean?" Yuan asked in confusion. "She can never be harmed?"

"According to records found on some Era Relics, the Kind Saintess’s combat power isn’t high—she’s more of a support type—but the ability of her Authority is incredibly uncanny."

Black Jack watched the orb of light in midair, his expression grim. "Not only is she immune to attacks, but she can even use the power of her Authority to purify an enemy’s mind and twist their will until they’re converted into a zealot of the Dawn."

Thinking back to the previous battle, Wei’en realized, "That’s right. I really couldn’t hurt her. Even the thought of doing so was forcibly twisted away."

Hearing their exchange, Yuan’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked at the distant orb of light. "Is that so... Hmm?"

Just as he was about to try using his Extraordinary Power on it, the figure of Kali appeared within the orb. He stopped dead, the Extraordinary Power inside him freezing instantly.

’Kali?!’

"Don’t even think about it!" Black Jack, noticing Yuan’s state, slapped him across the face, breaking his focus. "You can look, but don’t you dare think about harming her."

"Black Jack, I’m suddenly realizing I’ve been far too polite to you. The duels for the rest of the voyage are back on!" Yuan sat up straight, rubbing his slightly numb face.

"That’s not important. What is important is that your plan to abduct her is probably off the table now."

"’Abduct?’ Did I ever say that? I distinctly recall saying ’invite.’"

"It’s the same damn thing. If she’s on this ship, the Dawn Church will hunt us relentlessly. And once they find out you’re behind it, things won’t go well for Kali, will they?"

Yuan pursed his lips, his eyes on the Dawn’s Blessing Ceremony as he fell into silent thought.

He had long anticipated the power of the Kindness Authority; the Desecration Authority had already taught him a harsh lesson. But for them to use Kali to thwart him... ’Unforgivable!’

Listening to their conversation, Wei’en turned to look at the dazzling, blue-gold orb of light. ’He marveled at the Dawn Church’s profound resources. If the power of the Kindness Authority alone could make even Legendary-rank Extraordinaries so cautious, what would happen if several Saintesses appeared at once? Couldn’t they overturn this entire stretch of sea?’

"Listen to me. Once the Blessing Ceremony is over, we’re leaving this area immediately."

Black Jack didn’t want any unnecessary complications. Since he couldn’t take Wei’en, he could just take Marco as planned and make it work. But bringing the Favorer of the Kindness Authority aboard would introduce a great deal of uncertainty to their journey ahead.

"No, we’re taking her!" After a few seconds of silence, Yuan stood by his decision to take the person in the orb. "She’s still a long way from gaining the Authority’s full recognition. This is a perfect opportunity to study the process of her mastering it..."

"..." Black Jack knew he couldn’t change Yuan’s mind. He leaned back in his chair in resignation and said, "Fine, then. So be it."

As the First Officer of the Black Pearl, he had to consider the risks. But as a pirate who had roamed the seas with impunity for years, the Dawn Church was just some landlubber behemoth.

With that in mind, Black Jack turned to Wei’en, his expression hardening. "You’re the one who killed Henrik, aren’t you?"

The words had barely left his lips when the surrounding pirates, who had been pretending to chat merrily, all fell silent. It was as if they had been waiting for this very moment, their eyes fixing in unison on Wei’en, who remained seated.

"That’s right," Wei’en said, calmly meeting Black Jack’s gaze and nodding. "I’m the one who killed him."

He, too, sensed the shift in the pirates around them. His grip on the silver harmonica tightened as he grew warier.

"No need to be so tense," Black Jack said with a wave of his hand, gesturing for Wei’en to relax and for his men to stand down. "You’ve been at sea for a while. I assume you’ve heard of the Black Pearl’s rules?"

"I’ve heard of them."

"According to our rules, I’m here on behalf of the Black Pearl to invite you aboard..."

"Sorry, but I refuse."

"Not even going to hear the terms?"

Wei’en remained silent. ’The terms? Could any offer be better than what the Ghost Soul School gives me?’

From his expression, Black Jack knew his answer. He shook his head and sighed. "If that’s how it is, then we’ll just have to take Marco."

"Hmm?"

"Rules are rules. Even if you know the Plague Doctor, I still answer to the Black Pearl. If you won’t join us, then I’ll have to take ’Red Hair’ here instead. That way, I’ll have something to report back to the others."

Wei’en glanced at Marco, finally understanding why he was on Black Jack’s ship.

"And if I don’t agree?"

"’Don’t agree?’" Black Jack gave him a smirk. "In these waters, no one refuses the Black Pearl. Twice!"

The moment he finished speaking, the surrounding pirates drew their weapons in unison, their icy glares fixed on Wei’en.

Just as Black Jack had said, to these pirates who ran rampant and free, the Black Pearl was their honor. For that honor, they would draw their blades on anyone.

Besides, their opponent was just one man, while they... they were the entire crew of the Bai Ke Li!

Marco’s expression faltered. He started to stand and say something but was held back by Moskra and the others next to him.

"’Boss, going over there now isn’t going to solve anything...’"

"’Yeah, Boss, just wait.’"

Marco nodded silently. "I know."

He knew that speaking up now wouldn’t change either man’s mind; it would only make things worse.

’Unless he voluntarily accepted Black Jack’s invitation... But that would be tantamount to throwing himself into a pit of fire.’

’Of course, following Wei’en was, too...’

"Speaking of which, last time in the Caster City State, you took advantage of the chaos when ’Taboo Item 1-83, the Demon Clown’ went out of control to forcibly take Tina away..."