A Familiar Stranger

Chapter 65: A Familiar Stranger

"I didn't expect to see you here," William said, his voice light but with a touch of genuine surprise. The person he was addressing turned around, his movements precise, controlled. He looked like someone William recognized—the same neat black hair, gold-rimmed glasses, and dark brown eyes—but there was something distinctly different about him. It wasn't the Klein he was used to.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the faint sound of the bustling Bayam streets in the background, mixed with the salty tang of the sea breeze. William's eyes quickly swept over Klein's figure, noting how his posture and demeanor had changed. It was sharper, more detached—someone who had seen things, perhaps more than before.

"You seem... different," William said with a slight chuckle, breaking the silence. It wasn't a confrontation or even a probing question, just an observation wrapped in a casual tone. If Klein wanted to share, he would. If not, well, that was Klein's business.

Klein—or rather, the man who looked like Klein—gave a slight nod, his gaze lingering on William for a brief moment. The intensity in those brown eyes spoke of someone who had already made up his mind about a lot of things. His current self was clearly an act, though William didn't know exactly why. He just sensed that Klein was trying on a new skin, much like when he had become Sherlock Moriarty back in Backlund.

There was no need to question it. William trusted his friend's ability to handle his own affairs, just like before.

"Business or pleasure?" William asked, raising an eyebrow. It was a joke, but even as the words left his mouth, he knew the answer. There was no trace of the old Klein's hesitancy or casual curiosity. Instead, this version of him—whoever he was now—radiated purpose.

"Business," Klein answered, his voice calm and cold, as if it were a formality. He paused for a moment, then added, "And you?"

William smiled, shaking his head. "Same. On my way to the Southern Continent, but making a quick stop here." He didn't delve into the details. It wasn't the first time they had met under odd circumstances, and he knew that Klein—or whoever he was now—didn't need or want explanations unless necessary.

There was something new in Klein's eyes as he studied William, a flicker of interest. William could tell that Klein had changed more than just his posture. He actually didn't look the same as when they met in Tingen or even the when he was playing detective in Backlund. There was something darker now, a coldness that didn't belong to the Klein Moretti he remembered.

Still, William didn't press. It wasn't his style to pry. He trusted that whatever Klein was doing, it was something he had thought through. Everyone had their own path, after all. William's life, too, had taken twists he hadn't expected, and he was sure Klein had his reasons for whatever transformation he was undergoing.

William remarked casually. "I'd guess you're hunting someone."

Klein's gaze sharpened momentarily, but he didn't respond, simply offering a brief, tight smile—a gesture that seemed out of place on his otherwise impassive face.

William didn't need confirmation. He already knew. There was a sense of inevitability about it, like a storm on the horizon. Klein was on a mission, and it wasn't William's place to interfere.

"Well," William said, stretching his arms above his head in a relaxed manner, "don't let me keep you from it. I've got my own problems to deal with soon enough."

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them filled with unspoken understanding. Then Klein—silent as ever—turned to leave, his coat billowing slightly in the wind as he disappeared into the streets of Bayam.

William watched him go, a faint smile playing on his lips. Whatever Klein was up to, it was clear he was no longer the same person he had been before. But that didn't bother William much. He had changed too, and so had the world around them.

People grew, people adapted, and sometimes they had to act like someone else to get through it all. William understood that more than most, even if he didn't follow the same path.

With a sigh, he turned and began to walk back toward the main street. His thoughts briefly lingered on his own mission to the Southern Continent. There were still many unknowns ahead, but for now, he was content to leave Klein to his own devices.

Somehow, he had a feeling they'd cross paths again.

—----

Hehe, Gehrman Sparrow asked me to give him the pirate point of contacts in Bayam. I obviously only told him the ones that don't have a good relationship with us. There's no way he could guess that our Golden Dream point of contact is right at the dock… Danitz picked at his nose and breathed in the fresh sea breeze before a looming rain.

Bayam was a pivotal location of the Loen Kingdom's Sonia Sea colonies. It was one of the largest cities in the region. There were many powerful official Beyonders, and no matter how rampant the pirates were, they didn't dare to openly show their faces here. Most of the time, they had to rely on the local gangs or people with backgrounds to handle the loot and purchase any necessities.

Of course, this didn't mean that they wouldn't come to Bayam. The Red Theater here was the most famous brothel in the surrounding seas, and countless pirates came to patronize this famous place. Even if one or two of their peers were caught every once in a while, it didn't stop them from rushing over.

In addition to the spice trade, the brothel industry was another major pillar of the Rorsted Archipelago. Apart from the Red Theater, there were many big or small brothels, out in the open or hidden all over the place. They fully satisfied the desires of the seamen with ample energy. As for the female pirates, they didn't have to worry about this problem. As long as they were willing, they could always be satisfied. After all, there was more demand than supply. At sea, where faith in the Lord of Storms was mainstream, there had always been few females.

Similarly, the underground trade related to Beyonder ingredients and mysticism was quite frequent here, and there were many circles.

Those smaller ports are still better. We don't have to be afraid of being discovered at all, and we can just openly sit in a bar, engage in disputes with adventurers, and even fight them. As long as we don't cause any trouble or cause any deaths, the local official Beyonders will turn a blind eye. Heh, with their strength, they typically have to take on tremendous risks if they wish to interfere… Danitz thought mockingly.

At that moment, he heard footsteps and saw the door creak open. A familiar face entered his sight.

"Old man, did you not drink today?" Danitz smiled and greeted.

Standing at the door was one of the Golden Dream's contacts in the Rorsted Archipelago, Old Rinn.

Old Rinn coughed twice and made way.

Danitz stepped into the dim room, his nose twitching suddenly.

He caught a whiff of Lanti Proof.

No, Old Rinn likes to drink locally-produced Bayam Black Rand! As this thought flashed through his mind, Danitz was terrified.

Immediately following that, he saw a man with his back to him rise to his feet. He was tall, dark, and muscular, and his hair was curled like marbles.

"Steel" Maveti! Danitz's pupils contracted sharply.

This was the second mate of the Admiral of Blood, a great pirate with a bounty of 6,000 pounds!