Chapter 447 - 190: It’s Decided: The Leonard

Late at night, most of the aberrations surrounding the two Five-Masted Sailing Ships had dispersed.

No matter how crazed and vicious they were, after hundreds of them had fallen one after another, they had no choice but to give up on the delectable prey aboard the ships, diving into the Deep Sea and drifting far away.

At this moment, most of the pirates on the Bai Ke Li were thoroughly drunk, sprawled out on their backs across the deck and fast asleep. Only Menor, Yuan, and Black Jack remained, a cask of liquor half a man’s height beside them, still drinking with gusto.

"Kids these days are terrifying, BURP..." Black Jack let out a drunken burp, glancing pointedly in the direction of the Kenzan Frolov.

"He’s different," Yuan said, shaking his head. "Even among Extraordinaries from certain... special places, very few are like him."

"Like the Spiritual Mystery School?" Menor chuckled.

"You keep bringing up the Spiritual Mystery School. Have you found that person?" Yuan asked, his gaze cold.

"Of course. That person holds a rather high position in the Spiritual Mystery School now. For things you can’t accomplish, seeking him out might be more suitable than trying to find the ’Sea Emperor.’ After all, to the Wizard School, matters concerning Dawn and the other True God Sects are more likely to capture their attention."

Yuan’s golden pupils contracted slightly. He had to admit Menor’s suggestion struck a chord with him.

’If Isabella can’t solve the matter of Kali’s authority, my only choice is to go to the Spiritual Mystery School and ask that old bastard for help.’

"..." Black Jack clenched his fists and bit out, "Menor, are you trying to split me and the Plague Doctor up? He just agreed to stay on as Third Officer."

"You have to admit, given the Plague Doctor’s situation, Isabella might not be willing to intervene," Menor said with a dismissive laugh. "Besides, it’s not like your Black Pearl will have the time to spare anytime soon."

"Hm?" Black Jack’s brows furrowed. Forgetting his anger, he asked, "What is it you know?"

"Soon, this stretch of the Cordo Sea is going to descend into chaos."

"Be more specific. What’s going to cause this chaos?"

"Jack, can’t you see he’s just trying to bait you?" Yuan said, taking a sip of beer before looking at Menor. "Isn’t that right?"

"Whatever you say."

Menor shrugged, not refuting him. He still needed to consult with the leader and the other Elders before he could reveal anything about the Dusk Sect. For now, this was as much as he could say.

"Are you talking about the Alanjia and Suyade’s people?" Black Jack asked, still suspicious. "Are they making a move again?"

"What do you think?" Menor chuckled inwardly. ’This fool Black Jack is still all brawn and no brains.’

"I hate how damn secretive you are! You’re just like the rest of your Eternal Life Association—can’t stand the light of day!" Black Jack grumbled, taking a large gulp of his drink in frustration.

Yuan and Menor exchanged a look, then smiled and clinked their cups together.

Meanwhile, aboard the Kenzan Frolov, the figurehead carved in the likeness of the Lord of Dawn shimmered with a faint golden light, dispelling the corruption of the red moon.

Wei’en, who had already returned, had a slightly flushed face as he leaned against the railing, enjoying the sea breeze. Tina pressed close to his legs, while a little farther off, Marco stood quietly nursing his drink.

"So, you’ve decided to join the Black Pearl?"

"What? Can’t bear to see me go?" Marco said, half-joking.

"A little," Wei’en admitted, his gaze remaining on the Bai Ke Li. His spiritual senses still covered the sea, monitoring for any disturbances. "You’re one of the few friends I made in Caster City State."

’Friends?’

Marco took a gulp of beer and shook his head. "Joining the Black Pearl is dangerous, sure, but for me, it’s also an opportunity!"

"Are you really doing this to surpass Isabella and become the new ’Sea Emperor’?" Wei’en retracted his gaze and turned to Marco. In the light of the red moon, his crimson pupils took on a hazy quality, as if veiled, making him seem exceptionally mysterious.

"If it’s possible, of course I want to."

Marco’s eyes darted. "As one of your few friends, shouldn’t you give me a gift to show your support? Like, for example, that weapon called the ’Burst Sniper Rifle’?"

Wei’en couldn’t help but laugh, then nodded. "No problem."

He didn’t mention anything about marksmanship. ’To me, it’s just a weapon worth 15 gold pounds. Even with the death characteristic, its attack power is only enough to handle a Director Level Extraordinary at best. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give one to Marco for self-defense.’

"Really? That’s a runic weapon worth ten thousand gold pounds! Doesn’t it pain you to give it away?"

"It does. So pay me!"

"Not a chance!"

Marco refused without a second thought. Opportunities to get something for free were rare, especially a weapon that powerful.

The two of them looked at each other and burst into laughter.

A moment later, Marco remarked wistfully, "I remember when you first joined the Secret Investigation Department, you had to borrow two gold pounds from Lisi. Looking back, that was only twenty days ago."

’Twenty days ago?’

Wei’en took a subconscious sip of beer. If he hadn’t stopped to think about it, he would’ve thought half a year, or even a full year, had gone by.

From the moment he arrived in this world, to joining the Secret Investigation Department, investigating a few cases, and finally leaving Caster City State, only two short weeks had passed.

Even now, it was still a few days shy of a month.

"Sorry I left in such a hurry last time. I didn’t get a chance to properly say goodbye to you all."

"Good thing you didn’t make a point of saying goodbye to us. Otherwise, I’d probably be on Caster’s restricted list by now," Marco said, feigning relief.