First Arrival in the Southern Continent

"We've arrived at the Southern Continent? It seems we're a day later than expected… It must have been because the Golden Dream was knocked off course after encountering the Black Emperor…"

Setting down the long-handled scythe he had just finished crafting, Ebner thought for a moment before saying, "I still have some matters to handle. I'll join you in teleporting to Gulain this afternoon."

After all, the Edward-Bryan Teleportation Technique was expensive, and the theoretical limit for simultaneous teleportation was three people. Saving resources wherever possible was simply prudent.

Vice Admiral Iceberg Edwina nodded. "I need to procure some supplies anyway."

After exchanging a few casual words, Edwina activated her mystical concealment abilities and quietly departed Fragrant Manor, heading into Bayam city proper.

Once he confirmed her departure, Ebner blew into the copper whistle that Jane had left him, summoning her Messenger. From the void emerged a towering skeletal figure, nearly four meters tall, to whom Ebner handed the freshly crafted black scythe.

Name: Cursed Scythe

Appearance: A long-handled, crescent-shaped scythe with a massive, curved blade.

Abilities:

The blade is razor-sharp, capable of slicing through standard steel armor effortlessly. At full force, it can even pierce the hide of a Living Corpse.

Any creature wounded by the blade will be cursed and transformed into a servant puppet, taking on a form similar to that of a Werewolf under the wielder's control, though with a very short lifespan.

The wielder gains remarkable regenerative abilities, making it exceedingly difficult to kill them, even if their heart is pierced.

Drawbacks:

On nights of a full moon or blood moon, the blade must be anointed with fresh blood equivalent to a human's full volume. Failure to do so will cause the scythe to turn on its wielder, draining their blood instead.

The wielder's desire for bloodshed increases with prolonged contact with the scythe. On full moon or blood moon nights, this desire increases a hundredfold.

Recommended Usage:

Use abilities or tranquilizers that suppress violent urges and emotions while wielding the scythe.

Sealing Method:

Store in a sealed container that prevents any biological contact and blocks moonlight.

Reflecting on the Cursed Scythe's specifications, Ebner felt reasonably satisfied with his craftsmanship. Not bad for all the time and effort I put into refining this skill.

"And since Jane is a Death Pathway Beyonder, using a scythe as her weapon feels fitting—it carries the right 'symbolism.' I think she'll be quite pleased with it."

Chuckling to himself, Ebner tidied up the leftover materials, closed the workshop, and headed back to his study. There, he prepared to hear Weaver the Sea Serpent's report on his management of Amyris Leaf Bar—the main reason he hadn't accompanied Edwina immediately to the Southern Continent.

As for Helene the Red Maid, she had been utterly exhausted after assisting with the crafting of the Cursed Scythe and was still recuperating in her room.

Weaver, over the past few days, had been riding high on success. With Ebner's financial support, he had managed to smoothly take over the Amyris Leaf Bar and was already planning to host a Beyonder Gathering next Wednesday.

Though there had been minor hiccups during the transition, Weaver had handled them adeptly, without needing to call on Ebner for assistance.

Today, Weaver had come for two reasons: first, to report his success and seek praise, and second, to request that Detective Bryan oversee the upcoming gathering to prevent rivals from causing trouble.

Of course, on the surface, Weaver was simply extending an invitation to the detective. He had already delivered invitations to every Beyonder-related force in Bayam personally.

After hearing Weaver's report, Ebner thought for a moment and ultimately decided to attend the gathering in his 'Artisan' persona. If trouble does arise, it'll be a good opportunity to showcase the effectiveness of my crafted Beyonder items.

As for the authorities or other secret organizations investigating the Artisan's identity, Ebner wasn't too concerned. Before leaving Backlund, the Church of the Earth Mother had entrusted him, via Hazel, with a blank identity certificate.

If someone starts digging, I'll just forge a temporary cover identity using this certificate. With the Earth Mother Church's endorsement, most factions wouldn't dare dig too deeply.

After dismissing Weaver, Ebner knocked on Helene's door. Seeing her still visibly fatigued, he instructed her to keep an eye on the estate's ordinary staff while he was away.

Then, he descended into the underground workshop, stopping at the teleportation altar.

Just then, Edwina returned, carrying a bag.

Curious, Ebner sneaked a glance into the bag and saw that it was mostly filled with clothing and toiletries.

Noticing his gaze, Edwina said calmly, "Combat often ruins my clothes. And the ones Danitz and the others buy never fit properly… Every time, I have to alter them myself."

Lady, you don't have to explain this to me…

While mentally grumbling, Ebner also felt that this side of Vice Admiral Iceberg added a touch of humanity to her otherwise cold demeanor.

...

On a safe route within the Stormy Sea, a Loen-class first-rate sailing warship sliced through the waves as it pressed forward.

The hull of the ship bore multiple signs of damage, and even the masts displayed traces of past breaks. Clearly, it had recently endured a fierce battle.

Xio Derecha, wearing a slightly modified naval officer's uniform, emerged from the lower deck and headed toward Princess Vera's cabin.

The sailors on the deck instinctively stood straighter when they saw the imposing woman, their faces full of respect.

After all, during the earlier boarding battle, this petite lady had single-handedly held off at least ten pirates and had even punched through the mast of the enemy ship, preventing a bounty of 6,000 pounds from escaping.

"I heard some of the pirates wet themselves just from looking at her…"

"But why? She's actually quite cute."

"Heh, you don't know? Miss Xio is famously known in Backlund as 'The Invisible Fear.'"

Hearing the whispered conversations around her, Xio pursed her lips. Even though they were compliments, she wasn't particularly pleased by them.

Taking a deep breath to adjust her mood, she knocked on Princess Vera's door.

"Come in," came Vera's gentle voice from inside.

When Xio entered, she was about to greet the princess but immediately noticed the book in Vera's hands—Fors's Wuthering Storm Manor.

That book… I know it well. I practically nagged Forsi into finishing it, and the editor even treated me to dinner and gave me an advance copy. I recognize that cover anywhere.

So, the princess likes romance novels too? Well, it does have elements of horror and mystery…

While Xio was lost in her thoughts, Vera put down the book and asked softly, "How did the interrogation go?"

Snapping back to reality, Xio handed over a detailed report and said, "As with the previous groups of pirates, these ones were also incited by unknown forces to attack us, believing there was some 'huge treasure' aboard this ship.

"The only difference was their strength. That Wind-blessed, combined with his Sealed Artifact, was stronger than a typical Sequence 5. If not for your presence, Princess, this warship might have been seized."

Vera smiled faintly and said meaningfully, "Even if I weren't here, nothing would have happened."

Xio immediately caught the implication, her mind working quickly. She nodded thoughtfully, hesitating to ask what precious cargo the ship was transporting that had warranted repeated attacks.

However, before she could voice her question, Vera's composed face suddenly changed, her expression turning sharp as she stood abruptly.

For a brief moment, Xio sensed something terrifying flash across Vera's form—something both familiar and unplaceable.

"Princess, what happened?" Xio asked cautiously, carefully choosing her words.

After a few moments of silence, Vera exhaled softly and said in a somewhat vague tone, "It's nothing… it's already passed."

That's… not a convincing answer. Xio's lips twitched, but she chose not to press further.

Nearby the Western Coast of the Southern Continent, From the void, a massive black galleon suddenly materialized, crashing into the waves below.

On the deck, Horror Viscount Bird Mustang observed the surroundings through a monocular telescope before his brows furrowed deeply. He turned and strode swiftly—covering an impressive distance in only seven or eight steps—to stand beneath the Captain's quarters.

Bowing respectfully, he reported, "Count, something went wrong during the Black Emperor's transit. We failed to arrive at the intended location and instead emerged near Berenz."

After a brief silence, a deep and commanding voice replied from the captain's quarters, "I am aware… Hunt nearby, in Berenz."

"Yes, your will shall be done!" Bird Mustang bowed again before departing to relay the orders.

Once alone, Five Seas King Nast leaned back on his iron-black throne, his dark eyes glinting with crimson light. He muttered to himself, "That mist just now… what was it?

"Is that the result of Adabao's probing?"

Sonia Island, Conrall Town. In a sealed chamber, a thick cloud of black smoke dissipated, revealing a thin-faced man wearing round spectacles and a red formal suit. His appearance was haggard, his movements slightly unsteady.

This man was none other than Duke of Terror Adabao, who had previously assisted Nast in fighting off Panin, the high-ranking priest of the Church of the God of Combat.

At the moment, Adabao was in a miserable state. Molten lava dripped from his nose and mouth, while devilish wings and a tail burst uncontrollably from his back, tearing his suit. Clearly, he was on the verge of losing control.

If not for Panin's Beyonder ability to seal space, half the Beyonders on Sunia Island would have noticed the presence of a demon.

After several minutes, Adabao finally managed to suppress his condition, retracting his wings and tail.

"So it was you…

"I never expected you to become an Augustus princess…"

Adjusting his glasses, Adabao smirked, his expression exaggerated and sinister.

Southern Continent, Gulain City

After teleporting from Fragrant Manor to the Golden Dream, Ebner quickly entered the tiered, mountainside city of Gulain.

Disguised as Doctor Strange, with a suitcase in hand, he wandered aimlessly through the streets, searching for a suitable place to 'borrow'.

I'm not planning to stay at an inn or rent a house through official channels. If I'm going to stir up trouble, I can't have people knowing where I live.

At that moment, a young girl, around ten years old, ran up from behind him, holding a silver card in her hand.

"Sir, you dropped this!" she called out.

Stopping, Ebner turned to face her, smiling warmly. "Thank you, little girl. Your honesty is worth more than this card. So, I've decided… you can keep it."

Before the girl could protest, Ebner had already disappeared into the bustling crowd.

The girl hesitated, clutching the card tightly, before sighing. I'll keep it for now. Maybe tomorrow I'll find him and return it…

Simultaneously, silver cards began to appear across Gulain City—in pockets, bags, and even directly in people's hands.

(End of Chapter)