Ilya's tone grew heavier. "Be more specific."
The man nodded and continued, "Ince Zangwill once encountered Nast, the King of the Five Seas, out on the ocean. The two fought a great battle in the spirit world. In the end, only Nast left the spirit world alive."
"According to our investigation, Nast seized Sealed Artifact 008 at that time, but didn't release any news about it. Only a few of his close subordinates knew."
"Our source comes from Nast's third mate. He can confirm that Nast indeed took 008 from Ince Zangwill."
Ilya fell silent. If it were confirmed that by the time Ince Zangwill arrived at Puning Port he had already lost 008 to Nast, then their investigation would have to change direction.
Their primary goal this time was to determine the cause of the anomaly surrounding Ince Zangwill and to locate Sealed Artifact 008.
Between the two, recovering 008 was the top priority.
As for Sharon and Hastur, they might be connected to the organization known as the Yellow-Robed Monks, which could also relate to the reason behind Ince Zangwill's abnormality.
After thinking for a while, Ilya made a decision. If the information was confirmed, she would lead two Red Gloves members out to sea to search for Nast and the whereabouts of 008.
The remaining Red Gloves would stay in Puning Port and continue investigating along the line involving Sharon and Hastur.
"I would like to go out to sea to search for 008. Please allow me this willful decision, Miss Ilya."
The one who spoke was Leonard.
He had voluntarily chosen to leave Puning Port and head out to sea to carry out a relatively dangerous and unpredictable mission.
Ilya looked at him in surprise. "You're quite close to that Hastur?"
"He's the first friend I made in Backlund."
"Very well. You'll come with me." Ilya granted Leonard his small act of willfulness.
Unwilling to personally investigate his good friend, and instead choosing, out of loyalty, to take on a more dangerous and uncertain mission, this decision made Leonard seem almost radiant.
Faced with the admiring gazes of the Red Gloves team members, Leonard stood like a statue of a warrior, his eyes filled with resolute silence.
Back in his room, lying on the bed, Leonard immediately began calling out to the old man in his mind.
"Old man, do you think I'm stupid? Staying in Puning Port would clearly be safer, yet I chose to leave and head out into the vast sea to look for some King of the Five Seas."
"That's the ocean! That's the King of the Five Seas! How did I just lose my mind and make that choice?"
"Sigh, Hastur, you've really dragged me into this. If not for you, I wouldn't have to suffer like this."
Leonard kept complaining, but there wasn't much regret in his heart.
He didn't have many friends. Hastur was the first friend he made after coming to Backlund. They had gone through the Witch incident together, and he cherished that bond.
He truly didn't want to face Hastur a second time as an interrogator. It was better to stay away under some pretext.
"Old man, why aren't you saying anything?"
"..."
"Do you also think my decision is too foolish?" Leonard grew a bit anxious.
After a long while, a faint sigh came from deep within his mind.
"I originally wanted to praise your decisiveness this time. After all, it's rare for you to show signs of having a brain. Turns out I overestimated you."
"..." This time, Leonard fell silent. Something about that didn't sound right.
Did that mean the old man actually approved of his decision and had even intended to praise him, but his nonstop complaining shattered that impression?
He cleared his throat. "Old man, you misunderstood. I was just talking casually earlier. I made this decision after careful thought, it's not about running away from anything."
"Do you believe that yourself?"
Leonard was momentarily speechless, then asked, "Old man, why do you think it's better to leave here?"
"Heh, what do you think?" The old man's voice faded, leaving Leonard lying on the bed in a daze.
....
Inside an ordinary house in Puning Port, Madam Lisa slowly set down the pen in her hand. It was a very ordinary quill, something she had casually bought on the street just now for five pence.
She didn't need an extravagant pen, nor one with mystical powers like 008. As long as the pen was in her hand, she could write a script of fate.
Scriptwriter, she had once quite liked that Sequence.
Of course, she still couldn't compose a perfect script, so she had to personally make a trip.
The little girl known as the Eye of the Goddess was a Sequence 3 Beyonder. Given enough time, she would notice the influence acting upon her and break free from the script.
Madam Lisa pushed open the door and walked onto the street, heading toward the inn at an unhurried pace. Upon arriving at the entrance, she glanced upward slightly before climbing the stairs to the second floor.
She passed by one room after another. When she passed Ilya's room, she paused for two or three seconds, then returned the way she came down the stairs.
"Hey, aren't you Madam Lisa from Hastur's castle, the one who writes late into the night?" a voice suddenly called out to her.
Madam Lisa turned back, a kind smile on her face, and nodded. "I came here to buy a few good quills."
Leonard sighed with emotion. "That's nice. When I'm old, I plan to write a few books myself."
"Writing is a very interesting thing. If you ever need help in that regard, you can come to me."
"I'd hate to trouble you."
"It's no trouble. You're a friend of the Count." Madam Lisa deliberately adjusted her wording.
After chatting briefly about writing, Madam Lisa gave Leonard a long look before leaving. "If you need help in other areas as well, you can come find me."
"Thank you for your kindness. If needed, I'll be sure to visit."
After watching Madam Lisa disappear into the crowd, Leonard remarked with emotion, "What a warm and energetic old lady. At her age, she can still write late into the night. Those authors who only write two or three chapters a day should feel ashamed."
Returning to the inn, Leonard went up to the second floor. Just as he was about to head back to his room to rest, Ilya's door opened.
He stepped forward to greet her. Ilya nodded slightly. "We set sail tomorrow. If you need to prepare anything, do it today."
Curious, Leonard asked, "Has it been confirmed that 008 is in the hands of that King of the Five Seas?"
"Yes. We should depart early so we can return to Backlund sooner."
"Understood. I'll go prepare now." Leonard went back downstairs and headed to the shops along the street to purchase daily necessities.
There was no telling how long this voyage would last, so it was better to stock up, otherwise, he might end up eating fish every day.
After a busy half day, it wasn't until after nine at night that Leonard returned with a large bag, finishing his shopping for the day.
After taking a bath, he lay comfortably on the bed. After resting for a bit, he called out in his mind, "Old man, you've been very quiet today."
"Heh."
"Old man, you don't seem to be in a good mood?"
"Those who are carefree tend to be happier."
"Hey, I'm concerned about you. Why are you suddenly attacking me personally?"
"I'm just stating the truth."
Leonard was already used to the old man's tone and didn't bother arguing. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Old man, do you think 008 really ended up in the hands of Nast, the King of the Five Seas? Something about this feels off."
"If someone wants 008 to end up in his hands, then it will inevitably end up in his hands."
"Old man, why do you always speak in riddles?" Leonard muttered in dissatisfaction, but no one answered him anymore.
Around seven the next morning, Leonard and another team member followed Ilya onto a ship and set out to sea.
As the ship gradually disappeared into the horizon where sea met sky, Madam Lisa withdrew her gaze and closed the seaside window.
....
At the castle, Hastur was also having people pack his belongings. He planned to move to Puning Port for a period of time to properly reorganize the navy across the three ports.
After returning, Madam Lisa went straight to the study to meet Hastur.
"Is it done?"
"Some of them have already gone out to sea to search for 008. Your friend is among them."
Hastur raised an eyebrow slightly. "Was that your arrangement?"
"No. It was his own choice."
"Seems he doesn't want to stay here and face me." Hastur smiled, clearly in a good mood.
Madam Lisa said with some uncertainty, "There seems to be something within him that can interfere with fate, or perhaps he's being parasitized by a powerful Beyonder."
Hastur asked curiously, "You can see through Leonard's secret?"
"I can roughly guess what it is. We were very close, and I'm quite sensitive to unusual fluctuations in fate, especially abilities related to parasitism and theft."
Hastur waved his hand. "You don't need to interfere in this matter. Just act as if nothing happened."
Madam Lisa said no more and quietly left the study.