NOVPUBThe silver-armored priest swiftly moved through the corridors of the second-floor cabins. The ship gently rocked beneath his feet, yet his footsteps were as steady as a mountain.
First, he visited the captain’s quarters and obtained a navigation logbook, then proceeded up the stairs to the upper deck.
As he stepped back on deck, the situation was as stable as when he had left. A group of priests dressed in silver robes were controlling the tied-up crew members.
All the priests turned their gaze to silver-armored priests at the same moment, waiting for orders from their leader.
It seemed like there was no battle, or if there were enemies, they were weak enough to not pose a significant threat to the silver-armored priests.
In one corner of the deck, Viscount Francis was closely watched by several silver-robed priests. His expression remained calm, even indifferent.
From his slightly furrowed brow, one could tell that his attitude toward these believers would never change, compromise or not.
The silver-armored priest glanced at Viscount Francis, walked up to him, their eyes met for a fleeting moment. The air seemed to solidify. The intensely observant crew swallowed nervously, their lives and destinies possibly hinging on the very next second.
The icy chill in Viscount Francis’s eyes deepened. He knew the silver-armored priest likely rummaged through the captain’s quarters and obtained their navigation log.
Although he didn’t know what they would use it for, Viscount Francis only knew that their relentless demands would not change.
Just then,
The silver-armored priest hauled out another document, compared the navigation log and the document, and told the silver-robed priests standing by his side, "Untie them."
This abrupt command left everyone bewildered, then the silver-robed priests hesitated for a moment, but still followed the order of the silver-armored priest and untied the crew.
"Viscount Francis, this was merely an anti-terrorism exercise we organized. I apologize if it alarmed you."
Apologizing, the silver-armored priest bowed to Viscount Francis.
"Are you trying to scare me?"
Viscount Francis fell silent for a moment, then asked.
He had doubts about comprehending their coded message.
"No, we never resort to scare tactics. Through this action, I wanted to remind you, Lord Viscount, that there are people who wish to make this incident real. If I had come directly to you and told you about it, I believe you would not have taken my words calmly. So, if my approach was a bit harsh, I ask for your forgiveness."
The silver-armored priest handed the sailing itinerary and the previously revealed logbook to Viscount Francis, seemingly, only to confirm one thing.
Having glanced at the content of the documents, Viscount Francis had a rough idea where the exposed itinerary originated from.
He also figured out which person in the city had handed over this itinerary with the intention to harm him.
"I wasn’t sure if this could serve as a piece of evidence before. Now that I am certain, I can confidently pass it to you as a gift, as a token of our sincerity."
The silver-armored priest said with a smile.
"...I won’t consider it a token of your goodwill."
Francis didn’t know what kind of trick they were playing.
But this itinerary could be used as material evidence in the provincial court.
"No problem, next, we will show you a whole new side of us. This is just the beginning."
Having said so, the silver-armored priest bid Viscount Francis farewell and left with his silver-robed followers.
"…"
Only Viscount Francis was left slightly dazed on the deck.
The crew embraced and cheered as though they had narrowly escaped death, but Viscount Francis still couldn’t relax.
"Lord Francis, my sincere apologies."
The bodyguard came up to him, expressing remorse.
"It’s not your fault. These cultists are too strong, I almost dragged you into it,"
Viscount Francis leaned on his cane; his back seemed a tad stiff.
He couldn’t figure out what the Resurrection Believers actually wanted.
Was it really as they said,
An exercise,
Or did someone powerful intervene?
Viscount Francis shook his head, took out a cigarette box, and lit a smoke.
...
The merchant ship sailed peacefully on calm seas for several hours.
Around 5 p.m.,
The sun gradually sank beneath the horizon, tinting the sky with vibrant hues of pale orange, violet, and light pink. Its last traces of golden glow lingered on the skyline. The sea, illuminated by the twilight colors, sparkled like it was adorned with countless diamonds.
A bit of paint flaked off the hull showing signs of age, giving it a tasteful hint of antiquity. The sailors on board stared relaxedly at the distant shoreline as if they were about to finish their duties.
The merchant ship was slowly approaching a tranquil town dock.
In the spacious cabin,
Lanci, who had no much luggage, quickly exited his room after receiving a friendly reminder from the crew. He followed the corridor to the exit, where he could board the dock via gangway.
Viscount Francis and his secretary-guard were already waiting there.
Upon Lanci’s salutation, Viscount Francis still didn’t give himself airs as before, inviting Lanci to join him for dinner at the lord’s mansion.
"Stay in the guest room of our lord’s mansion tonight."
Viscount Francis said to Lanci, leaning on his cane.
Previous tutors from out of town were also offered accommodation in the guest rooms.
But most of them only stayed for a few days before leaving.
Some impatient teachers tried to discipline Zestira and ended up getting burned or shocked, being sent to the doctor’s office.
This brown-haired, green-eyed gentleman seemed quite mild-mannered; at the very least, he should be able to avoid a conflict and injury resulting from irritating his daughter.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Viscount."
Lanci expressed his gratitude with a smile.
"Mr. Rocky, did you know what happened on the ship earlier?" no𝚟𝚙u𝚋.c𝚘m
Viscount Francis fell silent for a moment, glanced Lanci and then inquired.
"The ship stopped briefly in the morning, but it seemed nothing serious happened."
Lanci recollected and shared his experience while in the guest room.
Although the Cat Boss used telekinesis magic to float to the edge of the deck as soon as the ship stopped, it was after learning from Cat Boss that the situation wasn’t urgent that Lanci decided to use [Friendship Forever Bug] to summon the silver-armored priest down, instead of directly turning the whole ship into a ghost ship instantly using [Wonderful Note] and intervening himself to save the viscount.
"I see."
Seeing Lanci’s genuinely oblivious demeanor, Viscount Francis quickly dismissed any suspicions.
He figured he was probably overthinking things in his old age.
It was unlikely that the silver-armored priest initially had malicious intentions but then got persuaded by this gentleman’s conversation after descending to the deck.
Instead of thinking of such absurdity, it would be better to pray more to the goddess, hoping that this scholar from the South Continent could tolerate his unruly daughter, even slightly.
