Bayam, in the underground workshop of Fragrant Manor.
As the ground softened like a swamp, two bear heads emerged one after another from beneath.
Soon after, Ebner released his "transformation," put back on the clothes he had left there earlier, and turned toward Edwina—who by then had already straightened her blouse and trousers.
Taking the cloak she handed back, Ebner glanced at the clock and saw it was already evening, so he casually invited Edwina to dinner.
Edwina, wanting to discuss more about the God of Luck and Afternoon Town, gladly accepted.
Thus, the servants of Fragrant Manor immediately busied themselves.
Before becoming a demigod, if Ebner came back for a meal, he still had to be discreet to avoid revealing his "teleportation." But now it no longer mattered. Whether by demigod power or hereditary noble status, he had far fewer concerns.
Of course, the next morning, after sending Edwina back to the Golden Dream, Ebner still gave the servants "suggestions," erasing their memory of his return.
As for any discrepancies in the accounts, he paid to cover them up. Unless someone deliberately investigated, nothing would be discovered.
Afterward, having spent the whole night discussing knowledge and mysticism, Ebner was mentally drained. He napped briefly in his bedroom, and by the time he awoke it was already Sunday noon.
Leaving Fragrant Manor, he bought a few local fruits on the streets of Bayam as lunch, then used his self-developed mystical art, "Spirit Walk," to travel across islands until he reached the Feysac Empire's easternmost colony: the capital of the Gargas Archipelago, Nass Port.
But as soon as he stepped out from a hidden corner, he saw what seemed to be a local gangster pull out several cans, open them, and toss them into the street.
Not good!
Having witnessed the power of "wolf fish cans" during his first voyage with Xio, Ebner instantly layered a water bubble over his face and "simulated" underwater breathing, just barely avoiding the indescribable stench.
What followed was the great Seer of the Forsaken Land, Ebner Brian, actually jogging away in panic, rather bedraggled.
After two turns and reaching a busier street, the noise of Feysac speech filled his ears. Only then did he dispel the water bubble and take in a breath of "fresh" air.
He admired the foreign customs for a while before paying 4 Feysac silver to hire a carriage bound for the "Rodahl" Bar.
—Feysac silver was the standard currency of the empire, below it the Kopeck, above it the Gold Horn, all neatly arranged in a decimal system, making exchange quite simple.
At the Rodahl, a bar where Gargas adventurers gathered, Ebner didn't enter. Instead, he stood at the bounty board outside, reading.
Compared to months ago, the leading figures had not changed much. Only two updates caught his attention.
One was Vice Admiral of Ailment, Tracy. Her bounty had risen this month due to revenge taken on members of the Celestial sect.
—Though the Celestial sect's main body had been wiped out by the Storm Church and Loen's military, among its members had been wealthy elites, officials, and nobles. Their punishments were usually lenient: indulgence and depravity, yes, but not outright worship of an evil god, so the Church no longer pursued it.
Since "Owen" was trapped on a southern island, the White Saintess broke free, and Tracy returned to the seas. She quickly seized back the Black Death from her mother and purged the traitors among her crew.
Bitter and enraged, Tracy vented her fury on remnants of the Celestial sect—those who had once pursued her, or sought to use her body.
Ebner turned a blind eye. Though he had planted safeguards when treating Tracy—ensuring if she killed innocents, she would suffer a fate worse than death—he permitted her vengeance against the sect, whose members were full of sin even without worshiping the Mother Tree of Desire.
Of course, Tracy herself knew nothing of this.
The other bounty that drew his eye was Miss Gwen's.
Having escaped Vice Admiral Dusk and the Intis navy, her bounty had risen to 13,000 Feysac gold. Converted, that was 8,700 Loen pounds—nearly that of a weaker pirate admiral.
Even Vice Admiral Hurricane Qilangos once carried only a 10,000-pound bounty.
With the Dawn Paladin characteristic I gave her, Gwen should soon progress further. Controlling that "ship-girl" suit helps immensely in digesting Weapon Master…
Heh, she once admired Edwina, dreaming of becoming an explorer like Vice Admiral Iceberg. Who'd expect her to reach that dream so quickly?
With the Black Throne, she might even rise as a new pirate admiral.
Just then, from a carriage that had just stopped nearby, a carefully dressed young woman alighted.
Her beautiful dark-golden hair framed delicate features still bearing a hint of youth, her figure graceful in a fitted purple gown dotted with "starlight," mysterious yet sensual, noble yet enchanting.
If not for a mysterious aura cloaking her, compelling others to subconsciously ignore her, such beauty and attire would have drawn every eye in the bar.
This was none other than Ebner's friend in this life, descendant of Death Archon Vicente: Jane Grant Miranda.
Before leaving Blue Mountain Island, Ebner had summoned Jane's messenger with a "copper whistle," setting the Rodahl Bar as their meeting point—then had even raced that tall skeletal messenger for fun.
Looks like my Spirit Walk is faster… Or maybe not. Jane clearly took her time dressing up.
Amused, Ebner smiled as he approached, drawing puzzled stares from others at his apparent conversation with thin air.
"Ebner, you're here. It's been so long." Jane's eyes sparkled. Seeing people staring at him talking to no one, she tugged him toward her carriage, saying, "Not the place to talk. Let's go inside."
"Alright." Ebner followed her onto the alchemy carriage, capable of crossing the spirit world into the underground zone where Claus's floating city lay.
Unlike last time with Klein, where they had sat opposite, Jane now sat directly beside him and brewed him a cup of Fermo coffee with the carriage's heater.
Ever since learning Jane was his descendant from Vicente's life, Ebner's feelings were complicated. Outwardly he remained close, but inside, a faint distance lingered.
So, after brief pleasantries, he got to the point.
"You want to see the floating city?" Jane guessed. "Ebner, while that's fine, I still need to ask—what's your goal?"
She did not believe he had come all this way merely for sightseeing. Both Dawn of Elements and the Queen Mystic treated her well—she hoped no conflict would arise.
Do I look like some bandit who robs at first sight? Ebner grumbled inwardly. Taking a sip of coffee, he smiled leisurely and replied:
"I want to buy it."
"Ah?" Jane's mouth opened wide, momentarily speechless.
…
God War Ruins Sea, aboard the Future.
After facing the King of Immortality, Agalito, who then abruptly fled, Klein returned to his room only to once again find Bernadette standing by the window with her back to him.
The Queen Mystic first relayed intelligence on devils, revealing that the so-called "Fountain of Youth" was but a trap and a ritual component.
Then she turned, her eyes visible through the fine black veil, meeting Gehrman Sparrow's gaze.
According to equivalent exchange, it's my turn to provide information? Klein weighed his words:
"According to limited diaries and my own findings, Emperor Roselle, in his later years, faced grave difficulties that drove him toward madness.
"Mm… His corruption most likely came from the evil god, the Primordial Moon."
On this point, he was open. The diaries he had did not reveal exactly what Roselle had attempted, what hardships he endured, or what insane acts he committed.
But Ebner had uncovered plenty… The craziest: Roselle actually wanted to be Ebner's son!
As Klein mocked inwardly, he also hoped Bernadette would pass Roselle's late diaries to Admiral of Stars Cattleya, who could then bring them to the Fool for deciphering.
The Queen Mystic was silent for a few seconds, then asked: "Where have you found his traces?"
"Lady, do you know the City of Miracles, Liveseyd?" Klein feigned deliberation.
"I know… Can you tell me where it is?" Bernadette's voice softened.
"That requires consent." Klein shook his head, though he knew Ebner would surely agree—who wouldn't want to see what the Queen Mystic thought inside the Hall of Honesty?
"…I understand." Bernadette seemed to take it differently. With a slight nod, as sunlight streamed in, she suddenly dissolved like a cluster of soap bubbles—shattering, scattering, vanishing.
The rainbow reflections of the bubbles painted the room with fairy-tale brilliance.
(End of Chapter)