’Then what was yesterday’s ceremony and reception? Just a formality?’

Just as they left the central area, Marco looked at the people around them. "Damn it, I can barely stop myself from starting a fight."

Wei’en snapped back to reality and glanced around, immediately understanding the anger in Marco’s voice.

In just a few short minutes, no fewer than a hundred people had shot them hateful looks—anyone would have been furious.

"The Ill-Omened. I can’t believe we’re seeing them again. What bad luck."

"It’s all their fault. If it weren’t for them, I could have started my journey on the path of Dawn’s faith yesterday..."

"Sooner or later, we have to drive them out of Caster City State. Nothing good will ever happen with them here."

"Exactly! There was an aberration in the Natali District last night, too. I bet it’s because of them..."

*Tsk.* ’Looks like Director Ales’s words yesterday morning, interrupting the Dawn ceremony, have stirred up a fair bit of hostility from these Dawn Believers toward us.’

’They’re even spouting all this malicious slander.’

Marco forced himself not to look at them, muttering, "If I’d known this would happen, I would have changed my clothes before we came out."

"Don’t pay them any mind, Marco."

Lisi stared straight ahead, completely ignoring them. "The Dawn Believers are all like that... uh, sorry, Kali, I didn’t mean you."

Halfway through her sentence, she realized her mistake and looked at Kali with some embarrassment. She had almost forgotten that the team now included a member of the Dawn Church.

’And a devout one at that.’

Hearing their conversation, Kali said apologetically, "If it weren’t for me, what happened yesterday wouldn’t have occurred. And Wei’en..."

"I’ve already heard about what Melbel did to you. I’m sorry. I apologize to you on their behalf."

"Hey, don’t say that, Kali. They are them, and you are you. You can only speak for yourself, not for anyone else."

Lisi slung an arm over her shoulder and said casually, "Especially that bastard Melbel. I curse him to run into Contamination the moment he steps outside and turn into an Aberration. That way, I can be the one to take him out..."

Kali: "..."

Her eyes widened as she looked at Lisi. ’Th-th-that kind of curse... isn’t that a little too much?’

"That’s right. Daring to make a move on Wei’en, that bastard was asking for death."

Marco was just as indignant. He looked at Wei’en and said, "With how fast your power is growing, I bet you’ll surpass him soon. When that time comes, don’t show him any mercy. Just finish him with one shot, like last night."

Wei’en looked at him suspiciously. "Last night... you were there watching?"

"N-no, I heard about it from other people afterward." Marco gave a dry laugh. ’Damn it, I’ve said too much.’

"I doubt it was just you, right? Was a certain Miss Lydia there as well?"

Lisi shot him a sideways, disdainful look. "Since this morning, I’ve been smelling that Klande perfume on you."

"Perfume? Really? Where?" Marco quickly sniffed his clothes. Awkward. It was really there...

"No wonder you look so pale, Marco," Wei’en said, finally understanding. He gave him a meaningful look. "You need to take care of your health."

"Shut up. I didn’t. Don’t talk nonsense."

Marco issued a rapid-fire denial, acting as if he had no idea what they were talking about. He would die before admitting he was with Lydia last night.

Kali stared at the three of them, completely bewildered. ’Weren’t they just denouncing Melbel?’

’How did the topic suddenly switch to Klande perfume?’

’And what’s wrong with Marco being with that lady named Lydia and getting some perfume on him? Why would that make him look pale?’

’Is the perfume poisonous?’

’I don’t get it... these people are so hard to understand...’

...

...

「Meanwhile, in the Andrea City State, inside a tavern called "The Three Muskets".」

Yuan sat alone at a table by the window. The exquisite, ornate suit he wore was a stark contrast to the rough, oilskin-clad patrons around him, making him look completely out of place.

He sipped the tavern’s specialty, White Wood Beer, while occasionally surveying his surroundings.

The tavern’s interior was shabby; it was clearly quite old.

The wooden floor was covered in scuff marks, the carpet’s original color was long gone, and the very air was a mixture of stale tobacco and sweat that never seemed to fade.

It was a pungent, acrid smell that was beloved by those familiar with it, and made those who hated it want to cover their noses and flee.

A few pieces of equipment hung on the surrounding walls: a rust-spotted sword, a heavily creased nautical chart, an old-fashioned telescope... all of them aged items.

Yuan knew this was the gear the tavern’s owner, Buck, had used when he went to sea in his youth. It had probably been hanging here for nearly fifty years...

Behind the bar at the back of the room, a burly bartender with a stubbled face stood wiping a yellowed bottle with a tattered rag.

On the wooden shelves behind him were several barrels full of beer.

And hanging next to the barrels was a worn-out sign bearing a skull and scythe, with the words "Pirate Port" written on it.

Yuan stared blankly at the sign. The last time he had seen it was twenty years ago.

Although it wasn’t yet noon, the tavern was already full.

At the long wooden tables, all sorts of people were gathered in groups of two or three or sat alone, drinking and laughing loudly. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The scene brought a nostalgic look to Yuan’s face. ’What a familiar yet strange feeling.’