Moreover, through this process of "discipline," most of the "mental corruption" that Xio had accumulated from deep acting was also purged — after all, it occurred within a dream constructed by an angel-level ability, and the "One Dream of Yellow Millet" story itself was a kind of mystical trial of the heart. Though different in form from Bishop Utravsky's "Nightmare Candle," its effects were remarkably similar.
As for the small portion of lingering issues, those will have to be overcome through regular therapy and Xio's own willpower…
Still, Xio's journey has been quite legendary — not only has she "interrogated" the "Mysterious," but now she has even "disciplined" the "Unknown."
No wonder she digested her potion so quickly!
I just wonder — in the future, when Klein ascends the Fool's throne and I reach a comparable height, what kind of "Mystical Reenactment" this incident would inspire…
While Ebner was lost in that whimsical thought, endless gray fog suddenly spread before his eyes, and in his ears came The World's prayer.
He's inviting me to meet above the gray fog?
Perfect timing — I was just about to settle the score with him… no, wait, the one who granted Xio that "blessing" was Mr. Fool himself… so Klein's acting fearlessly because of that?
Is he counting on me not daring to offend Mr. Fool?
Ebner's mind worked quickly, and after some swift calculation, he already had a "general plan" for a bit of payback.
No matter what Klein wants today, I'll steer it in that direction.
With that decided, Ebner accepted The World's request, and moments later appeared within the ancient hall above the gray fog.
"Happy birthday, Mr. Tower. I know I'm a day late, but please accept my most sincere blessings," said Klein, sitting at the lowest end of the bronze table, smiling warmly.
Keep your "sincere blessings" to yourself — I really can't afford them. Ebner muttered inwardly but maintained a calm exterior as he asked, "Thanks… So, what did you want to talk about?"
Klein composed his words carefully before replying, "It's about a commission from The Hanged Man. I wanted to hear your opinion on it."
"What kind of commission?" Ebner asked with genuine curiosity.
This was something Klein hadn't mentioned earlier, as it hadn't been confirmed.
"The Church of Storms discovered that the Feysac military has been keeping an Obnis sea monster captive. They've gathered a number of privateer captains loyal to the Lord of Storms, as well as some elite teams without official rank, to launch a surprise attack on the Feysac naval base on Sonia Island — their goal is to slay the monster.
"The operation is scheduled for Sunday, sometime in the afternoon or evening.
"The Hanged Man hopes I can take advantage of the chaos during the battle between the Church of Storms and the Feysac navy to steal the sea monster."
Here, Klein paused, then looked at Ebner and continued,
"You should know that the Church of Storms would never tolerate any other faction controlling a strategic asset like an Obnis sea monster — they'll go all out to destroy it.
"That's why this elite squad is the real strike force, and they've already departed aboard the Trident."
He deliberately mentioned the Trident to ensure Ebner paid attention — after all, that ship was likely Liu Bo's vessel in another lifetime, and a crucial link to the underwater elven settlement provided by Miss Temperance.
Sure enough, Ebner's interest sharpened at the mention of the Trident. After a moment's contemplation, he began to analyze carefully:
"This entire matter smells strange…
"First, the Church of Storms plans to raid a Feysac naval base, yet they openly disclose their target when recruiting those privateer fleets.
"Humans are complicated creatures. How could the Church of Storms be certain every captain remains loyal?
"And even if every captain is indeed faithful to the Lord of Storms, with so many people involved, leaks are inevitable. The Feysac military must already be aware of it…"
Klein nodded thoughtfully. "That's exactly why I suspect The Hanged Man's group is merely the decoy — the real operation belongs to that elite strike team."
Ebner chuckled. "I'd wager the Trident has probably been lurking near Sonia Island ever since the Church of Storms began gathering its fleets!
"The first layer of their plan isn't complex — by deliberately leaking intel, they're rattling the snake from the grass, forcing the Feysac navy on Sonia Island to panic and relocate the sea monster.
"In doing so, they'll open a perfect window for the Trident and that elite team hiding in the deep sea to strike, completing their mission with minimal cost.
"After all, the monster is being held inside a naval fortress — an extremely difficult place to attack directly."
Klein's eyes brightened with realization. "But now The Hanged Man and the others have been ordered to attack the naval port directly… that means the Feysac side didn't take the bait!"
"The Feysac royal family commands the 'Hunter' pathway. The demigods stationed at the port are likely 'Ironblood Knights' or 'War Bishops.' As high-ranking 'Schemers,' seeing through such a ploy wouldn't be hard.
"The Feysac command must already have a counter-plan — likely aiming to wipe out the Church of Storms' subordinate forces in one stroke…"
Ebner didn't voice that final thought aloud.
Klein fell into contemplation. "The Feysac military must be prepared, and the Church of Storms surely foresaw that. Yet they still chose to send the privateer fleet forward.
"Even if the Feysac side wasn't ready, a disorganized group like that could hardly stand against a national navy.
"And since the Church of Storms won't risk open war, they won't deploy their main fleet or publicly recognized elites.
"By all accounts, The Hanged Man's group is walking into a death trap!
"So what's the purpose of this?
"What is the Church of Storms really planning?"
Sharp as ever… he went straight for the key question. As expected of Mr. Fool! Ebner praised silently, then smiled faintly as he offered, "A full-scale attack like this, seemingly desperate to storm the naval port and kill the monster… there can only be one true purpose — to draw attention away."
"Draw attention away…" Klein frowned, lowering his gaze for a moment before raising it again, uncertain. "You mean, there are spies for the Church of Storms within the Feysac ranks?
"Once the military's focus shifts to the port, the spy will act — either killing or releasing the sea monster, giving the Trident's elites the chance to finish the job?"
Ebner nodded first, then shook his head. "Spies? Yes, but not necessarily pure Church of Storms agents… and most likely, the Church itself has been infiltrated too."
"So there's a third faction…" Klein muttered grimly, then asked, "But wouldn't such reckless action by the Church of Storms raise suspicion?"
Ebner smiled. "First, charging headlong into danger is exactly the Church of Storms' style — the Feysac commanders will be far more concerned about a Trident ambush than internal betrayal.
"Second, that unspeakable organization won't allow the Church of Storms to lose disastrously. Their goal is simply to deepen the enmity between the two sides and balance their naval strength — not to truly enrage the Tyrant and ignite a full-scale war.
"If we don't interfere, that sea monster is as good as dead."
That unspeakable organization?
The Twilight Hermit Order!
Klein wasn't unfamiliar with that shadowy group. It had already revealed a fragment of its existence back when "Vice Admiral Hurricane" Qilangos failed to assassinate Duke Negan.
And later, through multiple mentions in Roselle's diaries, the séance with the Belial family's "Apostle of Desire," and Ebner's private explanations, he had come to understand just how terrifying that secret society founded by the "Angel of Imagination" truly was.
"Adam, huh? What exactly is He trying to achieve?" Klein murmured.
"In this case, His goal is much the same as when He ordered the assassination of Duke Negan — to weaken the Church of Storms' dominance over the seas."
(End of this chapter)