However, at this moment, Gladiia was staring at Ifrit with a puzzled expression, a gaze that made Ifrit shrink directly behind Saria.
"Madam, staring at a child like this is not polite," Saria frowned, unsure what the woman in front of her had discovered.
Gladiia recalled the girl she had glimpsed yesterday during their meeting. After a while, she opened her eyes and fixed them on Ifrit's fair, clean hands.
"If I'm not mistaken, this girl's hands… Although Abyssal Hunters don't contract oripathy due to our physique, as the most common disease on the continent, I have some understanding of it. And in all I've learned, it's always mentioned that oripathy is not a disease that can be quickly cured."
As Aegir's Executive of Technology, Gladiia's memory was clearly stronger than others imagined. Even after only observing Ifrit from a distance a few times, she still remembered her characteristics and then, in their second meeting, pointed out the difference from before.
Upon hearing Gladiia's words, a murderous glint flashed in Saria's eyes, and her Calciumization ability manifested at the edges of her body. Even if Ifrit's 'treatment' wasn't widely applicable, she couldn't tolerate this news getting out.
After all, she had seen too many 'mad scientists.' To find a cure for oripathy, even a 'finished product' like Ifrit, which had no widespread value, would be repeatedly studied by those people.
Rather than letting this news be exposed, it would be better to nip those who knew in the bud.
Specter reached out and stood between Saria and Gladiia.
"No need to be so tense, Miss Saria. Vice Captain has already agreed with Kaltsit to join Rhodes Island. We'll all be family soon, and there's no need for such murderous intent among family…"
Kanna patted Saria's waist, "Don't worry. Since Gladiia chose to speak directly, she won't leak it."
"Oh! You understand me well?" Gladiia teased Kanna.
"I don't understand you very well. After all, that inexplicable arrogance from the sea makes me dislike you. But Specter and Skadi aren't fools. To be their leader, I believe you, sister, aren't a fool either, right?!"
Even just now, when facing Saria, Gladiia's expression and actions still carried arrogance and superiority. This was her innate superiority as an Aegirian towards the backward continent. Kanna didn't intend to correct her, as in her eyes, this superiority was as ridiculous as a praying mantis extending its claws to challenge a wheel.
After Kanna stepped forward, Gladiia reined in her arrogance, walked to the side, and spread her hands.
"I have no intention of being an enemy to you or Rhodes Island. After all, my enemies are in the sea; the life and death of land creatures are actually irrelevant to me. However, Rhodes Island is currently the best partner, so I hope there's no need for us to hide things. If you have needs in the direction of researching oripathy, perhaps I can also find suitable things from Aegir's technology."
Saria retracted her Originium Arts, patted Ifrit's head, and motioned for her to go back inside. "I don't know where your sense of superiority comes from, but we will find a way to solve oripathy ourselves and do not need charity from outsiders."
After Saria went inside, the entire courtyard fell silent. Specter leaned against Skadi, her slender hand resting on her forehead. "Oh no, I knew the Swordfish would mess this up. Skadi, couldn't you have said something?!"
Skadi glanced at Specter, who was almost hanging on her. "Laurentina, do you have no bones…?"
"Tsk, one less emotionally intelligent than the next. My head is killing me." After getting up from Skadi, Specter disdainfully clapped her hands, then sat to the side, fiddling with the chainsaw in her hand and singing.
A folk song from Aegir, as deep and vast as the sea, made the somewhat awkward atmosphere in the courtyard much more harmonious.
Soon, the gate was pushed open again, and Kaltsit walked in.
"Where are the others?"
Seeing only the Abyssal Hunters trio and Kanna inside, Kaltsit asked.
"Saria, Ifrit, and Dahlia are playing in the house. Nian is writing a script next door. Misery hasn't returned yet; I don't know how things are over there. Do you need me to check?"
Nian was arguably the least involved this time. Although Gran Faro experienced a lot, she was mostly just an observer. After all, the most exciting events were at sea, but she wasn't good at naval combat. And while Gran Faro had a lot of Seaborn, the early arrival of The Inquisition and the Retribution Army prevented them from causing much trouble. Her only intervention was when Ifrit got into trouble.
So today, she specifically told the others not to disturb her unless it was important, and she locked herself in the house to polish her script.
Kaltsit nodded. "No need. Misery is a sensible person. The fact that they haven't returned yet indicates a new discovery. Gladiia should have already told you that the Abyssal Hunters will follow us back to Rhodes Island. Firstly, staying on the Iberia coastline makes it difficult to gain new insights. Secondly, regarding Skadi's physical condition, Gladiia needs to research it deep within the continent to ensure that the next time she goes to sea, the entity within Skadi won't influence her again."
After speaking, Kaltsit looked at Kanna and continued, "Also, Carmen has promised not to reclaim the valuables you brought from the Fool's Ship. However, if you wish to sell them, they must first undergo Iberia's review. If they are precious Iberian property, Iberia has the right of first refusal to buy them back. Of course, don't worry about the price; a nation's financial power won't quibble over such matters, and I believe they will offer you a satisfactory price."
Hearing Kaltsit's words, Kanna nodded in satisfaction. She had brought many things from the Fool's Ship this time. Although some were damaged, there were also many intact products with only minor flaws. If Iberia was willing to buy them back at a high price, that would naturally be for the best.
Just as she was about to speak to Kaltsit, asking her to contact Carmen so she could sell some items immediately, she suddenly noticed the familiar ring on Kaltsit's hand.
Kanna couldn't help but inwardly grumble—'Well, I didn't expect you, Kaltsit, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, to also take a cut… I thought you would give all the rings and documents to Iberia, but you only gave the documents and kept the ring for yourself.'
Kaltsit naturally saw Kanna's gaze. She ungraciously reached out and pinched Kanna's horn…
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