"!!!"
Katarina's expression shifted dramatically.
"Lady Krismona…you're not—"
"Not what? Not supposed to be here because Judith was supposed to lure me away?" Krismona smiled faintly. "Shouldn't you be more curious where Judith went instead?"
"…"
As a high-ranking member of the Demoness Sect, Katarina naturally understood the terrifying significance of the woman before her. Beyond the deity-like Primordial Demoness who occasionally issued divine edicts, the highest authorities within the sect were a pair of twin sisters:
Krismona and Judith—the divine twin daughters of the Primordial Demoness, revered as the foremothers of all high-ranking demonesses.
However, during the War of the Four Emperors, Krismona had mysteriously betrayed the Demoness Sect. She not only ambushed several key members of the Sect but also repeatedly disrupted major plans.
For instance, Trissy Cheek, the planned vessel for the descent of the Primordial Demoness, had been taken by her. She had also nearly slain Panatiya during the recent Great Smog incident while trying to stop it.
But wasn't she supposed to have been drawn away by Lady Judith?
Why…was she now appearing here?
The sudden appearance of two stunning women aboard the pirate ship caused all the pirates to widen their eyes in shock. Those familiar with Tracy quickly averted their gazes, while the lower-ranked ones couldn't suppress the lust gleaming in their eyes.
And then—
Their skin rapidly shrivelled and blackened, cracking like stone and falling in chunks to the deck, where it shattered to dust.
Cold sweat beaded on Katarina's forehead. The scene left Tracy genuinely stunned—this was the first time she had seen her mother lose composure so completely.
Just who was this "Lady Krismona"? A high-ranking figure in the Demoness Sect? But even high-ranking members should only command respect—not such raw, uncontrollable fear.
At that moment, Krismona extended her hand.
"Hand it over."
"Hand over what?"
Katarina drew a slow breath, calming herself.
"The Conqueror's Beyonder characteristic the Loen royal family gave to your sect."
"...That was taken by Panatiya."
"No." Krismona shook her head gently. "If I've come in person, it means I'm sure—it's with you."
"Hand it over directly, or I'll kill you and take it myself. Choose."
Katarina gritted her teeth. "Lady Krismona… if I really wanted to escape, could you stop me?"
"You're free to try."
"…"
Katarina's eyes flickered as if struggling violently within.
Half a minute passed before she finally closed her eyes. The strength seemed to drain from her body.
"Tracy."
Tracy nodded. Bearing the pain in her shoulder, she hurried down to the cargo hold below deck and soon returned, leading the group of women they had just locked up.
All of them wore expressions of fear, not knowing what fate awaited them.
Olivia, too, put on a terrified expression, though in truth she was secretly watching for a chance to escape.
Just then, she saw a white-robed woman—so beautiful that even she couldn't help feeling her heart flutter—walking toward her. The woman reached out a hand.
Olivia knew she couldn't wait any longer. Her right-hand fingernails suddenly elongated, marked with mystical patterns and symbols. She slashed fiercely toward the woman.
But the very next instant, her body froze in place.
A layer of white-blue frost rapidly encased her, sealing her in ice.
Krismona hadn't even looked at her.
Because Katarina's real target wasn't Olivia—it was the woman hiding behind her, Sophia, the one who had previously greeted Edward with Olivia.
As Sophia stared in shock, Katarina's hand plunged into her chest and pulled out a crystalline, heart-sized organ that pulsed with life.
Sophia looked down blankly at the empty cavity in her chest. Then her consciousness faded, and she collapsed lifelessly.
Katarina held the still-dripping Beyonder characteristic, hesitated for a second, then tossed it lightly toward Krismona.
The latter glanced down, caught it lazily, and dropped it into a simple-looking bracelet on her wrist. Then she gave a small nod.
"Thank you. Goodbye. Tell Cheek I said hello."
"…"
Katarina's eye twitched.
Why me? I'm not even her daughter. Telling her hello for you—do you want me dead?
Krismona turned and stepped off the ship. Like a nymph from a wintry lake, she walked barefoot across the sea—each step conjuring a floating shard of ice beneath her foot, which melted into the water as soon as she passed.
As her figure slowly faded into the distance, Katarina turned back to Tracy and said coldly, "This mission is a failure. Your chance to advance to 'Despair' is gone."
"…"
Tracy's expression remained calm. "I'm in no hurry."
"Hmph. Stay at sea and play pirate admiral for now. The Demoness Sect is likely to be swept into a lot of unpredictable chaos soon—keep your distance."
"...I understand."
Just then, Katarina's figure faded from view and vanished from the Black Death.
Tracy's expression became conflicted.
Truth be told, she resented her mother deeply for forcibly transforming her into a woman. But she couldn't deny that her mother did have feelings for her.
Still…I really would rather turn back into a man.
———
On the other side—
Krismona strolled calmly across the sea, advancing steadily through the crashing waves as if she were simply walking along a quiet street.
No one knew how long had passed when, all of a sudden, a rift opened ahead of her. Azik Eggers stepped out from the Spirit World with Priscilla, and Medici appeared the very next moment, eyes cold as he glared at her.
"Hand it over."
"Lord Medici." Krismona offered a soft smile. "I've been expecting you."
"Hmm?"
Just then, a tall figure emerged behind Krismona.
She had long, silky black hair and deep sapphire-blue eyes that glittered like stars. Her attire was simple yet elegant, distinctly out of place in this era, and it accentuated her graceful figure.
The moment she saw Medici, her beautiful face blossomed into a radiant smile.
"It's been a while, Medici."
"!!!"
Rare for him, Medici's emotions surged violently. He whispered in disbelief:
"You…You're not dead?"
"Lilith!"
———
The next day.
As the sun slowly rose over the sea, signalling the start of a new week, Lilith came dashing out of the tent barefoot, laughing gleefully as she ran along the beach. Every now and then, she bent down to scoop up seashells, crabs, and other tide-pool treasures left behind by the receding waters.
By the time Edward stepped out of the tent, the little one already had her arms full.
Grinning with pride, she ran back, boasting, "Edward! Look how much I found~!"
"Then seafood it is for breakfast."
"Eat it?"
She froze for a second, then quickly turned her body away and exclaimed, "No way! I'm going to raise them as pets!"
Edward narrowed his eyes with a smile. "Are you sure you don't want to eat them?"
"Nope!"
——
Twenty minutes later.
Lilith squatted in front of a campfire where a grill rack had been set up. She stared at the seafood roasting over the flames, drooling slightly.
"Why isn't it ready yet…Miss Lilith is starving…"
Edward mixed up a simple dipping sauce using the few seasonings they had, placing the bowl on a makeshift table.
"It's ready. Careful, it's hot."
"I'm not afraid."
She extended her tiny hand—already wrapped in a thin layer of icy frost that insulated against the heat—and skillfully began eating the roasted crab.
After they'd eaten their fill, Edward took Lilith with him and teleported directly to Bayam. Their destination: the Amyris Leaf Bar on the island.
Perhaps due to the early hour, there were only a few patrons inside. Some were slumped over tables, others sprawled out asleep—likely leftover drunks from the previous night.
Edward walked in and, seeing the empty bar counter, knocked and called out, "Anyone there? Are you open for business or not?"
"Hey…"
After a moment, a sleepy-looking young man in a bartender's uniform walked out, rubbing his eyes. He still looked half-asleep and confused.
"Ugh…Who the hell's drinking this early…yawn~…"
He yawned again mid-sentence.
Edward pointed at himself.
"Do you know me?"
"???"
The bartender blinked. "Should I?"
"Dawn?"
"Huh?"
Edward shrugged. "Thanks. Sorry to bother you."
"???"
As Edward turned and walked out with Lilith, the bartender's grogginess gave way to irritation. He snapped, "You've gotta be kidding me! Waking me up this early just to ask if I know you?! What are you, a gold pound or a gold coin?! So what if I did? Ugh! Don't let me catch you again—you better believe I'll make you pay!"
Lilith, hearing the bartender's angry rant, turned back with puffed cheeks.
"Edward, he's yelling at you! Miss Lilith will teach him a lesson!"
"Uh, no need," Edward replied sheepishly. "It's my fault. If I were him, I'd be even angrier."
"Oh."
Lilith tilted her head. "So, what are we doing again?"
"Looking for someone."
"Who?"
"Someone from The Dawn…one of Bernadette's people."
"Oh…" She nodded with a slightly confused look. "Why not just send a messenger to Bernadette directly?"
Edward smiled.
"No need to bother her with something this minor. Let's go—next place."
Soon, they arrived at another bar a few streets away. Fortunately, this one was already open, with staff tidying up for the day. Edward walked in as usual.
The bartender immediately said, "Sir, we're still cleaning up. If you're here to drink, please wait a little."
"Well…" Edward cleared his throat. "Do you know me?"
"Uh?"
"Dawn?"
"Uh…?"
"…Thanks."
Before the man could respond, Edward took Lilith's hand and quickly left again.
Then came the third…the fourth…
By the time the clock neared 10:30, Edward once again emerged from a bar empty-handed. Just as he was about to ask again—
A woman pushing a cart of fruit came walking toward him. She had sun-kissed brown skin, looking very much like a native of the Rorsted Archipelago. As she neared, she glanced at Edward with a conflicted expression and sighed.
"Mr. Edward, must you really let all of Bayam know that The Dawn has an informant here?"
Edward scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.
"…Sorry."
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.