Blackhead, Harper Cemetery. March 29th, 6:30.
The sky was dull and white, with shades of crimson hidden between the clouds. Rain fell steadily through the trees, a quiet contrast to the silence of the cemetery.
Dressed in a black coat, Lumian watched as Derrick's ashes were placed into the burial box.
It was truly sad.
Derrick's body had not even been found. All that remained of him was ash.
Lumian was also very sad, as this was the third burial he had attended.
He sighed and watched the solemn expressions on everyone's faces as Derrick's ashes were finally lowered and covered.
He felt a deep sense of guilt. In his heart, he believed that he had caused all of this by failing to kill James properly.
With another sigh, Lumian tucked his hands into his pockets and walked away.
Thankfully, he had already started walking when thunder began to rumble and the rain started to fall.
Cornerstone, Number 21.
With the steady pattern of rain against the nearby windows, a knock sounded at the door.
Laura, who had been busy with her holiday assignment, stood up and quickly hurried over to open it.
When she did, she saw Lumian standing there, his hair hanging loosely and his clothes completely soaked. His face was gloomy.
Seeing this, she immediately looked worried and asked, "Brother, what's wrong?"
Lumian sighed and replied in a weary voice, "Nothing. Where's Kelvin?"
"He's sleeping," Laura answered.
Lumian stepped inside and said, "Oh. Is there any food left? I forgot to eat before heading out."
Wanting to make her brother feel better, Laura quickly ran to the kitchen and said, "Let me go warm the porridge."
After she left, Lumian remained standing there for a moment before finally deciding to sit down.
Once seated, Lumian noticed a fresh copy of the morning edition of the Arclif Article lying on the table and decided to read it.
Gallon, the most dangerous town in the land of Katalion, known for its high crime rate, has recently reported a citizen suffering from what appears to be a severe headache. Sources say the young man has begun biting people. Doctors are currently monitoring his condition at the Gallon Asylum.
After flipping through the remaining news about football, basketball, and other events, Laura finally returned with the porridge and soup and placed them before her brother.
Lumian lowered the newspaper and leaned forward. He picked up the spoon and brought a mouthful of porridge to his lips.
He savored the taste for a long moment.
Gradually, the corners of his mouth curved upward.
In that quiet instant, surrounded by the warmth of home, his determination to protect his family seemed to grow even stronger.
...
Lamenti, Moonlight Watchers Faculty.
With the storm intensifying, rain battered the windows of Hargreaves' empty office. Thunder rumbled from time to time, making the silence inside the Faculty feel even heavier.
An unofficial member with yellow hair made his way down the stairs into the underground facility. Even upstairs, the Faculty remained unusually quiet. There were fewer people around because many were still honoring and mourning Mr. Derrick.
The young man approached a door and pushed it open.
Stepping inside, he found a green-haired man sorting through several items in the softly yellow-lit room.
The green-haired man seemed to notice the door opening and turned around.
"Hey, good morning," he said solemnly.
The yellow-haired man sighed, his expression equally somber, and held out the box in his hand. "Captain said I should drop this off before heading out."
With that, he handed the Grey Lander Charm to the other unofficial member.
The green-haired man examined the golden box etched with mysterious patterns and said softly, "It really reached the Octet state."
He sighed and once again remembered the man with neatly combed brown hair.
Normally, Restricted Items are classified as 1, 2, 3 because they possess three distinct stages: Simple, Frenzied, and Octet.
After a moment, the yellow-haired man's eyes reddened as he said, "So the man who usually pays for my transport is gone. Skywalker... this just feels like a dream."
After a few moments, the green-haired man spoke again in a soft voice. "This is not a dream. It's simply the world we live in now."
He thought of his wife and daughter waiting at home and continued, "I've been in this Faculty for more than two years, yet I still haven't become a sorcerer. I know how dangerous this path is, and I don't want anyone mourning me."
The yellow-haired man sighed. "As for me, this is my second year here. If I ever get the chance, I want to become a sorcerer and protect my family."
The green-haired man looked at him for a moment before turning away.
"Is that so..."
He walked back and returned Restricted Item-1, 2, 3, the Grey Lander Charm, to its place among the other sealed Charms.
After a moment, the yellow-haired man spoke again. "I also heard that the famous Graffodi Watch Tower has appeared once more. Remember the legends? They say it returns every four years."
The green-haired man frowned. "You mean the same watch tower found in the middle of the Hosam Sea?"
The yellow-haired man nodded. "Yes. Researchers are already preparing reports about it."
The green-haired man nodded and began walking toward the exit, with the yellow-haired man following behind. "I'll be heading out now. The Faculty just feels too sad."
With that, they closed the door behind them.
Unbeknownst to both of them, a corner of the room began to glitch repeatedly, as though reality itself were starting to break apart.
...
In a tall building, on a balcony.
On the balcony of a house, the crimson sun shone into the interior, piercing through the grey clouds and contrasting sharply with the dim atmosphere.
Hargreaves leaned back in his seat, his expression solemn. Slowly, he took a drag from his cigar, his legs propped up on the table.
After a few moments, his expression shifted from thoughtful to gloomy.
He stayed silent for a long time before speaking softly. "Derrick… Derrick. You were even supposed to be captain. You arrived here before me."
His eyes reddened slightly as he curled his lips, thinking about the rest of his team. After a moment, he regained his composure and took another drag.
Then he asked himself.
But what does the Church of the Almighty God have in this?
Because I first saw the mark on that guy, during that encounter, hence confirming he was from the Church. I've informed the main branch in Hiveland, but since they are another church, the situation is rather complicated.
He sighed as he brought his hand to his chest and then up toward the sky, and curved his lips and said:
"May the Lord be with Derrick."
...
Xaprok Island.
With the spacious land on Xaprok Island, Carl, with green hair, came down from the large mansion. He wore a black tailored suit and black glasses.
During his time here, he had come to realize that this island wasn't just for a gang, it was actually one of the headquarters of the Hanged Associate, and Arbeola happened to be a member of the Hanged Associate under Skywalker. Unknowingly, he had become one as well.
He surveyed the surroundings briefly before heading back into the house.
When he stepped into the mansion, he went back out, followed by a tall man with a sharp ponytail, dressed entirely in black, and another man who looked cowardly, also in a black suit.
They walked for a while and arrived at the ship area, then quickly stepped inside the ship.
Carl respectfully took a bag from the ponytail-haired man. The bag was about the size of a flute.
Apparently, he had received another incorrect information, Arbeola was not a Phase 8, but rather a Phase 6. He is not also only a member but the leader of the Hanged Associate under Skywalker.
Carl breathed softly as he looked at the wavering waters while the ship began to sail.
Hmmm, another bounty. And this one is by the Family of Moses. It seems they have been betrayed by someone.
He held the bag in one hand and looked out at the ocean, watching the waters ripple steadily as the ship advanced.
Then he pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket.
On it was a photograph of a man with tall hair, a clean-shaven face, and a smug smile.
Carl chuckled inwardly and continued reading.
The report described the man in particular as someone who hated women and did not believe they needed rights.
Heh heh… but now it seems he's taking the River of Clifstat. I think he's trying to avoid us.
The main road of Clifstat leads to Hanger Town, and the Bonnie Blue Ocean route is where you'll find us, and it's more easier to travel to Hanger town through the Boonie Blue Ocean.
Carl quickly pieced the situation together in his mind. He was a smart man and knew how to catch a thief, as he was one to.
Thankfully, they had received the bounty at the perfect time. They had already instructed the people stationed near the rivers leading to Hanger Town to close off all routes.
Those men had recently reported spotting an unidentified small sailboat, and Carl was certain that he had found his man.
He chuckled and looked at the photograph once more before folding it and slipping it back into his pocket.
Heh… Mr. Hater of Women, we are coming.