Lord of Mysteries 2: Circle of Inevitability

Chapter 511 Warning

511 Warning

Francesco let out a heavy sigh and spoke, ”Back in the first half of the year, when I tended bar on another ship, we ran into pirates. Over ten of them were among the passengers. They seized control of the engine and boiler cabins right from the start, repelling any attempts by the crew to fight back. They waited for their pirate vessel to draw near.

”Thank you, Earth Mother. They only ransacked the cabins one by one, and as long as we didnʼt resist, they left us unharmed. Naturally, the beautiful ladies and gentlemen were excluded. You canʼt expect pirates to have high moral standards.”

Lumian took a sip of mint-flavored absinthe, a smile playing on his lips.

”Arenʼt they worried that there might be someone like the adventurer Gehrman Sparrow among the passengers? What if they encounter a powerhouse unwilling to part with their money and ready to use force?”

Francesco was caught off guard by Lumianʼs question.

After a pause, he replied, ”Being a pirate involves higher risks, doesnʼt it?”

”That does make sense,” Lumian nodded in agreement.

Francesco went on, ”Many merchant ships nowadays hire retired navy personnel, maritime adventurers, and professional mercenaries for protection. Theyʼre tough and can handle onboard disturbances. Plus, they make pirates think twice, leaving room for negotiation.

”There was a similar incident on a merchant ship before. Pirates had the upper hand, took control, but hesitated to take on a sailor team led by adventurers. They opted for negotiations, demanded a protection fee, and withdrew without looting the cabins.”

Lumian chuckled.

”If I were a pirate, Iʼd start a security company in Port Gati, offering knowledgeable maritime mercenaries. If ships hire them, Iʼd earn some fees. If not, well, then itʼs time for a good old-fashioned plunder. Either way, Iʼd make a profit.”

Francesco eyed the black-haired, green-eyed man in his twenties with surprise and muttered,

”Donʼt tell me youʼre an undercover pirate? The maritime factions are in chaos. Can your subordinates protect those who hire you from other pirates? Sigh, thatʼs why Iʼve never liked the sea. Stepping on the ground gives me a greater sense of security.

”Praise the Earth, praise the Mother of All Things!”

A pure Feynapotterian who believes in Earth Mother… Lumian smiled and asked, ”If you donʼt like the sea, why are you still working as a bartender on the ship?”

Francescoʼs expression gradually became animated.

”Donʼt you find it romantic to have an independent kingdom, one that can hardly contact the outside world, floating out at sea? When you meet a beautiful lady here, youʼll feel that only the two of you are left in the entire world. You can only rely on each other.”

Your ultimate goal is to find a romantic encounter? Sometimes, Lumian found it hard to comprehend the Feynapotterians and some Trieriens who resembled them.

At that moment, Francesco gestured towards a round table.

”Thatʼs Philip, the security supervisor of the Flying Bird. He claims to be a retired officer of the Fog Sea fleet. He destroyed numerous pirate ships with his cannons and personally captured many pirates with wanted posters.”

Lumian followed Francescoʼs finger, gazing at the hall illuminated by kerosene chandeliers.

A group of men and women gathered around a round table to the side. In their midst was a middle-aged man with short light-gold hair, light-blue eyes, and a weathered face. Despite his appearance, he didnʼt exude seriousness or formality.

Philip, clad in a dark-blue tweed crew attire, raised a glass of Lanti Proof and boasted, ”When I served on the San Martin, I crossed paths with the Queen of Ailment, Tracy. Back then, she was only Vice Admiral Ailment. Tsk tsk, as expected of the most beautiful woman in the Five Seas…

”Iʼll tell you this, if we ever encounter a formidable pirate, donʼt fret. I know them, and I have a certain level of friendship with them. At the very least, I can negotiate…

”Haha, donʼt ask why naval officers have ties to great pirates. There are many things at sea you donʼt understand, and itʼs best not to delve into them…”

The men and women surrounding Philip listened attentively, occasionally expressing surprise at the mention of influential figures or when he narrated thrilling adventure stories.

At some point, Philipʼs left hand had wrapped around a girlʼs waist, and she didnʼt make any attempt to escape. Instead, she wore a shy expression.

Lumian averted his gaze and asked bartender Francesco, ”Does he really know so many great pirates? Is he genuinely a retired officer of the Fog Sea fleet?”

Having finished wiping a cup, Francesco spread his hands and said, ”Who knows? However, since he took over as the Flying Birdʼs security supervisor, we havenʼt faced any pirate attacks during our five trips out to sea in the past few months. I donʼt know if itʼs luck or if he truly knows many pirates and can spot spies at a glance, giving them an advanced warning.”

In the Five Seas, where pirates are a constant threat, the likelihood of avoiding encounters on five consecutive long-distance voyages is slim… Lumian turned his body again, scrutinizing Philip, whose skin bore the rough, red, and weathered marks of a seasoned mariner.

It was challenging to discern if this person was a Beyonder, let alone determine his Sequence. However, Lumian could deduce from the physical details that he had spent considerable time at sea.

Lumian focused and briefly observed Philipʼs luck.

It carried a hint of blood.

Thereʼs a possibility of combat and injuries in the future, but it wonʼt endanger his life… Lumian frowned, finishing the absinthe in his hand and requesting another glass of Lanti Proof.

Before long, Philip left the bar with the girl still wrapped around his waist, his face flushed.

Lumian clicked his tongue and shook his head.

”You Intisians.”

After a while, rhythmic music filled the bar. Many customers stood up and rushed to the empty space in the middle to dance.

Lumian held the liquor, swaying gently to the rhythm, appearing lost in thought.

Since discovering that the evil godʼs bestowed beings were up to no good, he hadnʼt felt this relaxed in a long time.

The Hostel plan was now in the past. The investigation of April Foolʼs key members could only commence upon reaching Port Santa.

This was a rare vacation.

Estimating that it was time for Ludwigʼs second late-night snack, Lumian set down his glass and left the bar on the deck.

As Lumian made his way back to the first-class cabin, he suddenly whispered, ”Temiboros, is there any way to identify Beyonders on the ship and the passengers disguised as pirates? I want to visit them one by one, warn them to behave, and not interfere with my enjoyment of the journey.”

If anyone refused to heed the warning, 007 could assist in collecting the bounty. The Beyonder characteristics they produced could also be exchanged for money!

Termiborosʼs majestic voice echoed in Lumianʼs ears.

”Only when you become an Inevitability demigod or switch pathways will you have a solution.”

Without waiting for Lumianʼs response, the sealed Angel added, ”With Alista Tudorʼs lingering aura and the slight corruption of 0-01, thereʼs a high chance that youʼll trigger a calamity if you really warn those people.”

Does that mean Iʼm the greatest calamity and just need to take care of myself? Lumian, who had hoped to reorganize the Flying Birdʼs dark world and ensure a pleasant journey, understood Termiborosʼs meaning. He had no choice but to give up.

At that moment, the Flying Bird had fallen into a deep slumber. Lumian walked across the solid floor, the faint creaks and muffled cries echoing around him.

Somewhere within the ship, a woman wept in heartbreaking sobs.

Lumian was no stranger to such despair. Heʼd often heard Miss Ethans, the object of Charlieʼs admiration at Auberge du Coq Doré, cry in similar anguish.

There are people who suffer everywhere. Sad people… Lumian, influenced by his writer sister, possessed a touch of the artistic spirit.

Shaking his head, he returned to Room 5, his first-class cabin.

Lugano had already retired to the servantsʼ quarters, while Ludwig, clad in pajamas and a nightcap, awaited his late-night snack.

Lumian sighed and retrieved the easily preserved food from his Travelerʼs Bag, grateful heʼd restocked at Port Gati.

He calculated the cost of Ludwigʼs daily meals—100 verl dʼor, translating to almost 40,000 verl dʼor annually. A wave of vexation washed over him. At this rate, Ludwig would deplete his savings within two years.

He couldnʼt help but wonder if Baron Brignais had breathed a sigh of relief upon confirming Ludwigʼs ”disappearance.”

After settling the two midnight meals, Lumian quickly washed and settled into the master bedroom.

As the gentle sway of the ship lulled him, his mind drifted off to sleep.

Lumian woke up at 6 a.m., feeling refreshed.

The dining table was bare, Ludwig and Lugano still asleep.

He pushed open the window and stretched, inhaling the crisp morning air.

Just before seven, the doorbell rang.

My breakfast was scheduled to arrive at 8:30 a.m…. Lumian opened the door and found Philip, the Flying Birdʼs security supervisor with his blond hair, blue eyes, and weathered face, standing before him.

Philip looked grim, a stark contrast to the jovial man heʼd been at the bar the previous night.

”Iʼve confirmed that your identification documents are fake.”

How did he confirm it? Why did he specially check our identification? Lumian didnʼt feel that anything about them stood out after they boarded the ship.

Suppressing his confusion, he frowned and asked, ”Are you attempting to extort us?”

Philip glanced at the living room and said solemnly, ”I donʼt care who you were or what you plan to do. Just behave yourselves during your stay on the Flying Bird. Enjoy the journey, donʼt cause any trouble, and weʼll all be fine.”

Heʼs really confirming if we are problematic… How did this guy do it? Heʼs quite capable. Heʼs not as frivolous and simple as he seems… Lumian replied calmly, not giving in, ”Iʼm afraid I donʼt understand. Perhaps thereʼs a misunderstanding?”

Philip locked eyes with him for a long moment.

”As long as you understand what Iʼm saying,” he finally replied before turning and walking away.