Chapter 46: The Side Effect of the Ring of Premonition
Hearing the offer of 200 pounds, everyone in the room was tempted. That sum could easily buy the main ingredients for a Sequence 9 or even Sequence 8 potion, and all they had to provide was information.
Some people even considered fabricating details to pocket the money, but a glance at Mr. Gaston sitting at the main seat quickly crushed the idea. With all the Beyonder items he possessed, he was bound to have something that could verify authenticity.
Enber's high offer was calculated. It was designed to draw the tall woman's attention, making it easier for her to approach him than the other way around—helping to build trust.
Through deductive analysis, he had already surmised that she wanted revenge against the Dragon-Eyed Python. Judging from the weapon she had obtained at the gathering, it was far from enough for such a dangerous fight. After one failed expedition, she might not even have the funds to assemble another team.
At a time like this, someone willing to pay heavily for the Python's whereabouts would inevitably catch her interest.
And truthfully, after his recent windfall, having 500 extra pounds in hand made him feel looser with money. Otherwise, he would never have offered 200 pounds so casually.
As expected, the room fell silent until the tall woman finally lowered her voice. "I have reliable information on the Dragon-Eyed Python... but this isn't the place to discuss it."
She glanced toward Mr. Gaston and added, "Could I request a private area to speak with this gentleman after the gathering?"
"This is a simple matter." Mr. Gaston nodded as though he didn't recognize Enber, then turned to him. "My friend, are you agreeable to a private conversation with this lady?"
Enber was more than willing. With Mr. Gaston nearby, there was no chance of trouble. Not that he intended to misbehave—both Mr. Gaston and Xio, who was committed to justice, would stop him instantly if he tried.
"I don't mind," Enber said, nodding at the tall woman.
Afterward, Xio attempted to buy a Silver Bear's right paw, even offering a generous price. Unfortunately, no one responded.
As time passed without new transactions, Mr. Gaston announced the gathering's conclusion and carefully organized each attendee's departure to avoid conflict.
Half an hour later, only four people remained: Mr. Gaston, Enber, Xio, and the tall woman.
Imitating an elderly voice, Mr. Gaston said, "Follow me. I'll lead you somewhere safe."
The tall woman frowned, glancing warily at Xio.
"She's my companion," Enber explained quickly.
Noting their matching attire, the tall woman had already guessed as much. After a brief pause, she nodded.
Mr. Gaston led them through a concealed exit in the gathering room, winding through several passages until they reached a spacious underground cavern. Only then did he stop.
Looks like Mr. Gaston did plenty of digging during his search for the dream gate, Enber thought with some amusement before turning to the woman. "Can you share your information on the Dragon-Eyed Python now?"
The woman saw that Mr. Gaston had tactfully stepped aside. After gathering her thoughts, she said, "I know the exact location of the Dragon-Eyed Python, and I can provide a detailed report. But I have one condition. You must take me with you when you face it—and I want its snakeskin. In return, I'll only charge you a hundred pounds for the information."
So she wants two partners for free and even a profit on top... Enber mused, but he had already decided to accept. After pretending to think, he nodded reluctantly. "Fine. Let's have Mr. Gaston certify our deal."
"Wait," the woman interrupted. "I also need to know your abilities. That python is extremely dangerous—I won't walk into certain death."
"Oh? Do you plan to test me personally?" Enber chuckled and shook his head. From Gwen's Cave Adventures, he knew she was only Sequence 9. His Sea Breeze Hat alone would be enough to defeat her.
"Preferably a spar," the woman insisted, her fists clenching as though refusing to back down.
"I'll be your opponent, then." Xio stepped forward, removing the inner shoe lifts that hindered her footing.
The woman looked at the short, oil-smeared girl who barely reached her chest and offered a kind warning. "I'm a Sequence 9 Warrior. Be careful."
Xio straightened and nodded. "Arbiter."
Since this was only a spar, neither used weapons. Xio darted forward with surprising speed, striking low at the woman's knee. Normally she would target the ribs or kidneys, but given the height difference, she had to settle for a less ideal target.
The Warrior lady hadn't expected such agility. Though caught off guard, she still managed to lift her leg, aiming to kick Xio's elbow and shove her back.
But it was as though Xio had foreseen her every move. Twisting her body at an odd angle, she slipped past the attack and landed a light but precise strike to the woman's abdomen.
It wasn't powerful, but it was decisive.
"I yield," the tall woman said simply. She wasn't one to cling to defeat. Lowering her head, she accepted the loss.
Xio stepped back, then said thoughtfully, "You haven't had formal knight training, have you? Your potion gave you skills, but your combat sense is weaker than a properly trained knight's. Otherwise, I wouldn't have won so easily."
Did Xio just lie so smoothly? Enber thought, amused. From his perspective, the woman clearly had combat experience. If she were as lacking as Xio claimed, she would have been flattened at the start. Xio had likely relied on her Ring of Premonition.
From her burst of speed, to her uncanny anticipation, to her strange evasions—everything pointed to the Ring's power. Perhaps the woman's momentary disorientation had come from Xio's Arbiter abilities.
The tall woman only looked disheartened for a moment before regaining her composure. Now more open to cooperation, she joined Enber in requesting Mr. Gaston's certification. With a formal agreement of responsibilities and rights in place, she finally revealed the information:
"The Dragon-Eyed Python is on an island I explored before—over two hundred nautical miles southeast of Damir. It's uninhabited and lies off all shipping routes."
She hesitated, then added, "I'll need a thirty-pound advance. I have to recruit new sailors... After the last attempt, no one from my old crew will follow me again."
"So you are a captain", Enber realized. Makes sense—she'd need her own ship for adventures.
"Yes. Although my Aarenheim is an outdated sailing ship, I still dream of becoming a great adventurer like Ms. Edwina!" she said, her eyes shining with determination.
"Since the deal's certified, I don't mind giving you a thirty-pound advance." Enber handed over three ten-pound notes. "Where should we meet?"
"Two days from now, six o'clock in the evening, at the Stone Platform on Damir's western shore," she replied.
Once the tall lady left with her advance, the three of them returned to the school dormitory.
When Mr. Gaston removed his disguise, he said leisurely, "Though she's only been in Damir for about two weeks, her reputation is good. Aside from her recent misfortune, her collaborators generally praise her."
Having cleaned the paint from his face and changed into his usual clothes, Enber smiled. "With your Notary in place, even if she had ulterior motives, she'd have to tread carefully."
"Notary isn't foolproof. High-ranking Beyonders, or certain Sequence Fives, can resist it," Mr. Gaston cautioned with a shake of his head.
Just then, Xio emerged freshly scrubbed and dressed in her normal clothes. The moment Enber saw her, he froze, struggling to keep a straight face.
"What?" Xio asked, puzzled.
Without a word, Enber pulled her toward a mirror. The instant she saw her reflection, her mind went blank.
Her face had twisted into a lopsided smirk—one eye half-shut, her mouth skewed to the side—a near-perfect match for the "funny face" memes from Enber's previous life.
This was the side effect of the Ring of Premonition. Earlier, her face paint had hidden it. Now, freshly cleaned, her "true" expression was revealed.
(End of Chapter)