While Allen and Kite were discussing the Guardian Spirit Beasts of the Kakin Royal Family in hushed tones, Nasubi suddenly appeared out of nowhere. With a jolly smile, he inquired, "What are you two chatting about? I saw earlier that things seemed a bit unpleasant between you and Camilla."
"It's nothing major. I simply declined the Princess's private invitation, so she was slightly displeased," Allen explained, glossing over the details.
"An invitation? Ah! I understand. Those lovely children are actively gathering more power for the sake of the throne, but she clearly picked the wrong target this time." Nasubi nodded, stroking his corpulent chin.
"Your children are preparing to slaughter one another. Do you really intend to just sit by and watch?" Allen asked with a half-smile.
Since time immemorial, imperial families have been rife with strife and bloodshed, but in most cases, they at least maintain a facade of so-called familial affection on the surface. Kakin, however, clearly follows a different path. From the very beginning, they tell every Prince with succession rights that only two paths await them: to die in the process of the Succession Contest, or to kill every other sibling and ascend the throne.
It must be said that for the Kakin Royal Family to have survived until today, that mysterious Seed Urn has played a decisive role. Otherwise, in such a cold and loveless family environment, there would surely have been a long line of "filial" sons murdering their fathers to seize power.
Nasubi spread his hands in a display of helplessness. "It can't be helped! This is Kakin's ancient tradition, existing for thousands of years and continuing to this day; no one can change it. All I can do is provide every child with an equal opportunity, nothing more. On the other hand, you clearly have the power to do something—why do you choose to stand idly by?"
"Do you perhaps wish for me to assist a certain Prince and kill all the others?" Allen raised an eyebrow in surprise. He truly couldn't fathom what this fat man was planning.
"At the very least, it could reduce many unnecessary casualties. Isn't that what you've always done? Protecting civilians and keeping them from harm."
After dropping that cryptic remark, Nasubi returned to his own seat, surveying the fourteen Princes participating in the Succession Contest with a gaze devoid of emotion.
"I don't know the reason, but I feel like he's baiting you to join this Succession Contest of your own accord," Kite remarked meaningfully.
"Yeah, I know. And I can feel the malice radiating from his very bones. Clearly, this must be related to the power of that urn," Allen responded with a cold sneer.
"The King of Kakin wants to treat you as a sacrifice as well? Is he insane?" Baise gasped, covering her mouth.
"It's not just me. Everyone on this ship, including the Association's Hunters, has already been designated as a sacrifice. If I'm not mistaken, and if Nasubi's plan actually succeeds, Kakin will gain an unprecedentedly powerful King. He or she might then launch a war that sweeps across the entire human world, eventually becoming the monarch of all mankind."
The more he understood Nasubi as a person, the more Allen felt this man was far more terrifying than dangerous individuals like Beyond, Pariston, or Gyro. His naked, undisguised ambition was like a snowball rolling down a mountain—it had already swelled beyond control. Even more horrifying was that Nasubi's madness was hidden beneath a veneer of rationality; most people couldn't feel it at all.
"Then we must stop the Succession Contest! We can't let this man's conspiracy succeed." Kite clenched her fists tightly, hatred burning in her eyes. As the most direct victim of the Chimera Ant incident, she detested the Kakin Royal Family more than anyone else present.
Allen nodded slightly. "You're right. But don't be in a rush. Until we locate the Seed Urn, we cannot act recklessly."
As they were talking, a woman wearing a sexy black evening gown suddenly approached them, greeting them with a bright smile. "Long time no see. Do you still remember me?"
"You are..." Allen clearly had no memory of her, at least, he couldn't recall it at the moment.
"Eh? You actually forgot me? That's truly heartbreaking." The woman clutched her chest, putting on a show of utter devastation. However, the slight upward curve of her lips made it obvious she was joking.
"I remember now! You're the woman we rescued from the room of the Ghoul, Zebulun!" Bodoro slapped his head, shouting out her identity.
"Correct! That's me! Also, my name is Isabell. I'm very happy to see you all again."
With that, the woman stepped forward and gave both Allen and Bodoro a kiss on the cheek, appearing quite excited. Judging by her attire, she had clearly used the money from selling her ability to escape her former life of bottom-tier poverty and successfully join the upper class. The outfit and jewelry she was wearing alone likely cost no less than ten to twenty million Jenny.
"How did you end up on this ship?" Allen asked, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the lipstick mark from his cheek.
Isabell smoothed her hair and replied with a smile, "After we parted ways, I used that money to acquire a telecommunications technology company on the brink of bankruptcy, intending to start my own career. No one expected that this company held a patent for long-range communication that the Kakin Royal Family took an interest in for the New Continent migration. Suddenly, it became the goose that lays the golden eggs. So, I am now the 350th wealthiest woman in the world. Speaking of which, you truly are my benefactors."
"I see. It seems your luck is quite good," Allen complimented casually.
To be honest, since completing their transaction, he never dreamed he would reunite with her on such an occasion. For most people from impoverished backgrounds, suddenly acquiring a large sum of money usually leads to, at best, low-risk investments to live out the rest of their lives comfortably. More often than not, due to a lack of experience and vision, they either lose it all to scammers, sink it into high-risk projects, or squander it on a hedonistic lifestyle. Some even encounter kidnapping, extortion, or murder; few come to a good end.
But this woman? Not only had she broken the "poor man's curse," but she had successfully changed her social class, a true model of inspiration.
"My luck is indeed good. Perhaps this is what people call 'surviving a disaster only to find good fortune.' By the way, as a professional Hunter, what do you think of this migration to the Dark Continent? Are the chances of success high?"
Isabell was clearly a mature businesswoman now; her first question concerned the project she cared about most. For her, Kakin's nationwide effort to explore the Dark Continent was an incredible opportunity.
"If I were you, I would take advantage of the fact that the Black Whale hasn't sailed very far yet, go to the upper deck, and jump into the sea to swim back to shore. Because, in a way, this is a journey filled with thrills, terror, and death..." Allen gave his suggestion with a cryptic smile.