The fact that Miss Gwen had become a new pirate admiral was something Ebner was actually already aware of. After all, he had recently not only commissioned Cattleya to transport supplies to "Morning Star City," but had also loaded the goods gathered in Intis onto Gwen’s fleet and had them transported to Alvin’s new territory obtained in Feynapotter — the peninsula of Sevia on the western shore of Dacy Bay.

Miss Gwen was quite pleased to be rid of the nickname "Lady of Dragon’s Majesty," yet was not particularly satisfied with the new title of "Vice Admiral Dragon Force"... She was rather more fond of the word "Dawn."

However, since the "transformation" provided by the "Black Throne" had recently yielded, in addition to that extremely embarrassing "exoskeleton armor," a new form she had developed called the "Mech Dragon" — that was how the title "Dragon Force" had come about...

Though according to Ebner’s guess, this was in all likelihood yet another name coined and spread by Lydia... just like the previous "Lady of Dragon’s Majesty."

"Speaking of which, Lydia has already advanced to Sequence 6 and become a ’Potions Professor,’ and Tran had drunk the ’Warlock’ potion and advanced to Sequence 7 several months ago.

"On top of that, there’s Miss Gwen, who, with the enhancement of the ’Black Throne,’ is considerably stronger than an ordinary Sequence 5 — their fleet truly does have the strength of a ’pirate admiral’ now.

"Of course, more importantly, behind them stands the support of the Surrey family, the Soren family, and myself... That’s quite a substantial backing."

As his thoughts turned, Ebner could not help but feel a swell of sentiment. Among the seven pirate admirals currently on the open seas, aside from "Vice Admiral Dusk," who was backed by the Church of the God of Combat, and the pirate admiral supported by the "Rose School of Thought" who had already been killed according to Cattleya, all of them were now his friends or subordinates.

And among the pirate sovereigns, the "Queen Mystic" and the "Queen of Stars" went without saying. The ship of the "King of Immortality" had already entered his collection, and the Beyonder characteristic of the "King of the Black Throne" was also within his grasp. Only the "King of the Five Seas," Nast, had little connection to him... though they were not adversaries either, since Nast happened to be the largest "customer" of the "Transformation Wand" series of items.

When I think about it carefully, my current forces are truly rather terrifying... Setting aside the fact that my power at sea is no weaker than that of any major nation, the "Demoness Sect," the "Secret Order," and even the "Psychological Alchemists" and other hidden organizations are almost entirely under my sway...

On top of that, there is the backing of three True Gods behind me... No wonder George III, even knowing only a portion of these forces, wishes to win me over and is unwilling to easily make an enemy of me.

No wonder even Amon took the initiative to ally with me...

And none of this has accounted for the Abraham family and "Morning Star City" and other forces directly under my command.

Nor has it accounted for Bernadette’s "Elements Dawn," the "Moses Ascetic Order" now dominated by Yaloran, nor Lilith’s vampire clan and Cohinem’s elves...

When I actually add it all up — without realizing it, I have apparently already become capable of mobilizing nearly half the forces of this world... If they could truly be unified, the remaining forces would find it very difficult to resist...

This is likely one of the calculations made by my former self, as well as the Goddess and Lilith — the plan to use "me" as the "adhesive" between all parties and consolidate the power of the entire world.

That makes sense too — if, when the apocalypse arrives, everyone is still mutually suspicious and scheming against one another as they are now, there really would be no hope left.

Ebner was lost in thought for quite some time, and had not listened at all to Cattleya’s introduction of the new pirate admiral put forward by the "Rose School of Thought" — since that person was already dead, and he also had no idea it was Jane who had killed them.

After that, free exchange continued for a while longer, until "The Moon" Emlyn materialized several vials of potion and pulled "The World" Gehrman aside for a secretive private conversation of a few minutes, at which point everything came to a complete end.

After watching Miss "Justice" and the others in their bowing state depart, Klein turned his gaze toward Ebner, who had remained behind.

"Is there any way to ask that ’Chained God’ to stop — to stop going around stealing Emlyn’s dolls?" Klein weighed his words carefully as he spoke.

"Was Emlyn’s private chat with you at the end about this matter?" Ebner was first somewhat surprised, but then seemed to realize something, and studied the gentleman at the lowest seat with a teasing look for a few seconds before saying with a smile: "He used those potions to ask for your help?"

"Don’t talk nonsense — I have absolutely no need for those potions!" Klein said with righteous conviction.

"Oh~" Ebner deliberately drew the syllable out. "So those potions really are for your use! Let me guess what effect they would have..."

Klein took a deep breath. Knowing that continuing this line of conversation was very much not in his favor, he made the strategic decision to deflect with a counter-question: "Didn’t you say last time that the ’Chained God’ was purchasing Emlyn’s dolls as revenge for what Emlyn did to Her reincarnated self’s brother?

"But as far as I know, Aitris left Backlund for Lenburg several months ago, didn’t she? Surely the anger has subsided by now..."

This was something his true Blessed, Danitz, had reported to him... since the one who had recruited Aitris to Lenburg was none other than the "Strongest Hunter" Anderson, who had been traveling alongside Danitz all along.

Ebner shook his head. "Ha — in fact, Tolzna had not come around to ’shop’ for several months already. The reason she made her move last week was because the character doll Emlyn purchased did not come from legitimate channels..."

So your subordinate Angel is out there fighting piracy? Klein mocked inwardly.

"That doll was in essence a very cleverly disguised ’Moon Envoy’! Emlyn having it on his person could very well have put him in danger, which is why Tolzna ’purchased’ it away." Having said this, Ebner paused, then added: "Emlyn should actually be thanking Her."

"A ’Moon Envoy’... what is that?" Klein asked in puzzlement.

Since Emlyn had not participated in the "Hunting Competition" as in the original story, Klein had yet to encounter such a thing to this day.

"It is a Beyonder item crafted by worshippers of the ’Primordial Moon’ through bloody rituals spanning several centuries. It is said to have had divine power imbued into it, and every single one possesses a terrifying quality that is difficult to imagine." Ebner said gravely.

"The ’Primordial Moon’? Was She not replaced by Lilith, the progenitor of the vampire clan? And besides — why would Emlyn happen to buy one?" Klein furrowed his brow. He had vaguely sensed that there was likely something problematic lurking behind all of this.

"All I can say is that at present, the majority of the ’Primordial Moon’s’ symbols have indeed passed to Lilith... But ever since the anomaly occurred on Siiakha’s side, the one out there has regained a certain degree of influence over it!"

Ebner first answered the question about the "Primordial Moon," then added with meaningful implication: "As for why Emlyn ended up buying one — that is in all probability aimed at you!"

"Aimed at me?" Klein was first puzzled, but then it came to him at once. "If Emlyn were to be contaminated, he would certainly seek help from Mr. ’Fool’...

"Is it Zaratul or Amon?

"Have They traced a flaw in Sherlock, and are now using Emlyn — who is friends with Sherlock — to probe further?"

Upon hearing this, Ebner curved the corner of his lips and said: "My guess is Zaratul!"

(End of Chapter)