Chapter 439 - 188: This Rope... Is Art

RUMBLE...

Dark clouds gathered as the storm swept in. Bolts of lightning crashed down, striking the sea’s surface, kicking up massive waves and sending sparks of electricity dancing in circles.

"ROAR—"

More deep-sea abominations, drawn by the commotion, rushed to the scene. They roared as they leaped from the water, only to be turned into charred corpses by the crackling electricity.

"Waleed, deactivate the horn!"

The Bai Ke Li pitched and tossed on the churning waves. Black Jack, standing firm on deck, bellowed.

At his side, Yuan casually waved his golden staff, shooting out one Fireball after another, reducing the abominations leaping from the waves onto the ship to ash.

Menor stood with Wei’en, a faint smile on his lips as he watched them clean up the mess.

Wei’en leaned forward, both hands on the ship’s rail, his gaze fixed on the deck of the *Kenzan Frollov*. Clelia was pacing around the Candidacy Saintess, whose blessing had just ended, looking as if she had no idea what to do.

Only after hearing Black Jack’s voice did he deactivate the amplifying effect of "Karel’s Whisper." The surging power in his body instantly diminished by more than half, leaving him with an odd sense of emptiness.

[You have used "Forbidden Item 2-77 Karel’s Whisper" for five minutes and ten seconds. Your trajectory of fate has been altered. Current Encounter Progress: 50/100. Evaluation: Tsk, a permanent reduction of 320 points to your Resilience Level... you really went for it. Special Rewards: 20 Survival Points, Origin +2, Spirit Level +2, Resilience Level +2.]

"If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d find it hard to believe you killed Huberto with your own power," Menor said, noticing Wei’en’s state. He leaned against the ship’s rail and half-turned to look at him.

"Within the Eternal Life Association, many Deacons can’t achieve that level of power. Even those who reach the same level as a Judgment Knight would find it incredibly difficult to actually kill one."

Wei’en held up the harmonica for a moment before storing it in his Space Ring. "If it hadn’t suppressed Huberto’s power and given me such a massive boost, I never would have pulled it off so easily."

"Luck?" Menor said meaningfully. "In this era, luck often means you have the favor of fate."

Wei’en sensed a hidden meaning in his words. He raised an eyebrow. "Is fate favoring me, Elder Menor?"

"Hard to say," Menor chuckled lightly. He changed the subject, pointing to Yuan, who was busy slaying abominations nearby. "You know the Plague Doctor?"

Wei’en didn’t deny it, nodding. "He was my neighbor back in the Caster City State."

’Plague Doctor?’

’He means Yuan Morris?’

’Come to think of it, Black Jack called Yuan that, too. Was that his moniker from his time at sea?’

"Did you know him before, too?"

"Mm, I’ve known him for a very long time."

Menor’s silver-gray eyes rested on Yuan. "About twenty years ago, I believe. I spent some time on their ship. He was the doctor aboard the *White Rose* back then. ’Plague Doctor’ is the name he made for himself in the Cordo Sea."

"More than his skill at healing the sick, it was his terrifying plagues and poisons that made so many Pirate Gangs tremble at the mere mention of his name."

"Plagues and poisons..."

’Do Wizards of the Spiritual Mystery School also learn how to create plagues and poisons?’

’Or is he a Magic Potion Master?’

’I remember Magic Potion studies has a branch for toxicology, dedicated to the creation of diseases and poisons.’

Wei’en asked pensively, "He’s a Wizard from the Spiritual Mystery School, isn’t he?"

"Sort of," Menor answered vaguely. He then leaned closer and whispered, "All his Magic is self-taught. And, well, rumor has it he’s a descendant of a Legendary Mage from the Spiritual Mystery School."

’A descendant of a Legendary Mage?’

Wei’en couldn’t help but glance at Yuan. ’He has that kind of background?’

But recalling the two astonishingly powerful spells from just now, he had to admit that Yuan’s power was truly on a terrifying level.

Never mind the summoning of the Deep Sea Giant Beast earlier—if the fire Magic that followed hadn’t been aimed at a god, any other legendary-level Extraordinary would have likely found it impossible to withstand.

"I’m only telling you, so don’t you go spreading this around..."

"Menor. All these years and you’re still as infuriating as ever," Yuan cut in, his expression cold. He had clearly overheard them.

Just then, Black Jack, having finished dealing with the pirates who had rushed up from below deck, walked over and added, "Isn’t that just like the Eternal Life Association? Always hiding in the shadows and doing vile things."

"You two haven’t changed a bit either," Menor said, looking at them with a sigh. "It’s been so long. Shouldn’t you be treating me to some of that fine wine you’ve been hoarding for years?"

"Sorry, we’re fresh out of fine wine. But we’ve got two pairs of fists. You want those instead?"

"..."

Ignoring the trio’s bickering, Wei’en turned his attention to the pirates who had run up from the cabins. Some of them were acting very strangely.

"Praise the Dawn, we’re finally saved."

"What are you talking about? ’Praise the Dawn’? Bridges, have you lost your mind? You’ve always worshiped Lady Storm!"

"What Lady Storm? I’ve always been a devout follower of the Dawn Church!"

"I get it! That bastard Bridges... his memory was twisted by that ritual!"

"Dammit, Leus became a follower of the Dawn, too..."

’Twisted memory?’

Wei’en knew it wasn’t a simple case of altered memories. Their very will had been changed, their faith forcibly converted.

Thank goodness he hadn’t let the Lord of Dawn’s gaze truly descend. Otherwise, he would have ended up just like them, spouting "Praise the Dawn" at every opportunity. That would have been a true disaster.

Black Jack, Yuan, and Menor noticed this as well. Black Jack asked, "Plague Doctor, how do we fix this?"