Chapter 56: Battle Royale at Sea

Chapter 56: Great Battle Royale at Sea

In the quite spacious living room, after their embrace had ended, Anna and Joyce sat on separate sofas, separated by the lady's parents.

Joyce sighed with a look of profound satisfaction

"Steam above, how lucky I am to have returned alive, to see Anna once again."

"My poor Joyce, what on earth did you encounter?" Anna could no longer restrain herself, inquiring with deep concern.

Joyce glanced at his fiancée, his expression turning heavy

"Even today, I still feel terrified; I wake up from nightmares time and time again. Five days after the *Alfalfa* left Caesar Port, we encountered pirates—terrible pirates. The only thing worth being grateful for is that their leader was named Nast."

"That pirate who calls himself the 'King of the Five Seas'?" Mr. Wayne, Anna's father, asked in astonishment.

Although Joyce had come to visit half an hour ago, he had not detailed his ordeal, appearing timid, apprehensive, and uneasy. It was only when Anna returned and embraced him that he seemed to have truly emerged from his tribulations.

"Yes, Nast, the 'King of the Five Seas,' claims to be a descendant of the Solomon Empire and adheres to the virtue of not killing captives. Because of this, we were merely robbed of our wealth and did not lose our lives; his men even left us enough food," Joyce recalled the events of those days.

His body began to tremble slightly, but he persisted in describing the deepest, heaviest nightmare

"I lost a moderate amount of property. I thought my misfortune had passed, but during the subsequent voyage, fierce infighting broke out among the passengers and crew of the *Alfalfa*. It went from arguments to brawls, and then to drawing revolvers and brandishing straight swords, killing one another... For those days, my vision was filled with the color of blood. People fell one after another by my side, their eyes wide open as if they would never close again, with limbs, hearts, and intestines splattered all over the floor."

"Those of us who refused to become beasts—the rational part of us—had nowhere to hide and no way to escape. We were surrounded by deep blue waves and an ocean without visible boundaries... Some wept bitterly, some begged for mercy, some even sold their bodies, but their heads were still hung from the masts."

"Anna, I was filled with despair then, thinking I would never see you again. Fortunately, even in such a nightmare, heroes still appeared. Mr. Captain led us to hide in the sturdy lower decks, and by relying on pre-prepared fresh water and food, we held out until those madmen reached their limit. And Mr. Triss encouraged us, bravely taking the lead to lead us in an attack against those murderers..."

"After a bloody battle that I shall never forget, we survived, but the *Alfalfa* had drifted off course, and the sailors were reduced to only a third of their original number."

...

While recounting the most terrifying and darkest side of the human heart, Joyce could not help but recall that "hero"—the hero who called himself Triss. He had a round, kind face and a shy personality, much like a girl, always preferring to stay in corners. Only those very familiar with him could understand what a talkative person he truly was.

Yet, it was this unremarkable boy who stood firmly in front of everyone during the worst and most desperate moments.

"Oh, Steam above, my poor Joyce, what a heartbreaking ordeal you have endured. Thank God, praise God, He has spared us from separation." Tears welled in Anna's eyes as she repeatedly traced the triangular holy symbol of Steam and Machinery upon her chest.

Joyce revealed a somewhat pale smile

"This is our pious reward. The *Alfalfa* later experienced storms and lost its way, overcoming trial after trial before finally arriving at Enmat Port."

"Because such a serious bloodshed had occurred on the ship, we survivors were detained by the police and interrogated separately. I had no chance to send a telegram to my family to inform them. Once everything was concluded—which was this morning—I immediately borrowed some money from a friend and took the steam train back. Thank God for allowing me to step onto the land of Tingen again and see you all once more."

At this point, he looked at his fiancée with some confusion

"Anna, when you saw me, I could feel your joy and surprise, but what I cannot understand is why, after getting off the carriage, you rushed toward the door so excitedly. Ha, I had originally intended to give you a huge surprise."

Recalling what had happened, Anna spoke as if she still could not believe it

"There is nothing to hide, Joyce. Because I was worried about you, I went to the only divination club in Tingen City today to seek a divination. And that diviner—no, that diviner told me, he said, your fiancé has returned, and he is in the house with the toy windmill."

"What?" Mr. and Mrs. Wayne and Joyce blurted out simultaneously.

Anna covered her face and shook her head, saying

"I don't believe what I encountered today either, but it truly happened. Steam above, perhaps miracles really do exist in this world."

"Joyce, that diviner asked for your name, characteristics, address, and date of birth, saying he would perform a horoscope divination. Afterward, he asked me whether the house with the toy windmill was mine or yours. Once I confirmed, he said, 'Congratulations, Miss Anna, your fiancé has returned, and he is in your home. Do not ask about his ordeal; give him an embrace and comfort.'"

"God..." Joyce felt this matter was simply unimaginable and incomprehensible. "Could he know me? Did someone send him a telegram? Is he familiar with the police in Enmat Port? No, that still doesn't explain it. How did he know I came to your house? How could he be certain you were going to seek a divination? Did you make an appointment in advance?"

"No, I chose it on impulse," Anna answered with a dazed expression.

"Perhaps a good diviner needs to possess a wealth of information, even if it cannot be used in the short term. Perhaps divination truly has its miraculous side," Anna's father, Mr. Wayne, concluded with a sigh. "Throughout the known thousand-plus years of history, and even during the unclear Fourth Epoch, divination has always existed and never disappeared. I believe there must be a reason for it."

Joyce shook his head slightly and instead asked

"What was the name of that diviner?"

Anna thought for a moment and said

"Klein Moretti."

…………

Inside the reception hall of the Divination Club.

Because Klein had controlled his volume, Angelica tactfully did not approach, so she only saw Anna leaving as if she had lost her soul, her expression showing shock and confusion.

Angelica walked in small steps toward the sofa and asked curiously

"A good result?"

She did not dare ask for the specific result, fearing she might violate the unspoken rules of the diviners.

"Mhm." Klein nodded and took three copper coins from his trouser pocket. "Is one-eighth of a pound one and a half pence?"

"Yes." Angelica glanced at the coins, seeing one was a penny and two were half-pennies, and quickly pushed them back. "It's an extra half-penny."

Klein smiled and made a slight pressing motion with his hand

"Thank you for looking after my guest. She gave me a tip, so I should naturally give you one as well."

*And this is thanks for your recommendation...* he added silently in his heart.

"Alright then." Angelica felt a strange sense of dread toward Klein, but seeing that the reason was appropriate, she did not refuse again.

Klein returned to the meeting room, thinking there would be more seekers following.

However, even until five-forty, he still had not waited for a second customer.

This was not because the Divination Club's business was poor, but because the vast majority of people had clear objectives and specified their diviners themselves.

"They must have been recommended by someone and had already decided whom to seek... In short, my reputation is still not enough..." Klein self-mocked using gaming terminology.

He finished his third refill of Sibe Red Tea, put on his half-top hat, picked up his silver-inlaid walking stick, and slowly walked out of the meeting room.

Remembering Gracis's instructions, Angelica hurried to meet him

"Mr. Moretti, when will you next visit the club? Mr. Gracis wishes to thank you in person."

"I will come whenever I am free. If fate allows us to meet, he will surely encounter me," Klein replied in the tone of a charlatan, feeling somewhat immersed in the role.

Then, ignoring Angelica's reaction, he stepped out of the Divination Club and took a public carriage back home.

Upon entering the main gate, Klein saw Benson reading a newspaper, while Melissa was using the evening sunlight to assemble things from scraps of gears, bearings, and mainsprings.

"Good afternoon. Did Mrs. Shode come to visit?" Klein asked in a relaxed tone.

Benson did not put down the newspaper, merely lifting his head

"Mrs. Shode sat for a quarter of an hour. She brought some gifts and was very satisfied with the small scones and lemon cake we prepared. She also invited us to visit her home when we have the chance. She is a kind, polite lady, and quite skilled at conversation."

"The only problem is, their whole family believes in the Lord of Storms and thinks girls shouldn't go to school and should only receive home education," Melissa muttered softly.

It was evident she was quite dissatisfied with this matter.

"Don't mind it too much. As long as she doesn't interfere with us, she is still a good neighbor," Klein comforted his sister with a smile.

The Loen Kingdom was a multi-faith nation, unlike the Fyssak Empire to the north which only obeyed the God of War, nor the Feenepot Kingdom to the south which only revered the Mother Goddess of Earth. It was inevitable that followers of the three major churches—the Lord of Storms, the Evernight Goddess, and the God of Steam and Machinery—would have some conflicts in views and habits. However, through thousands of years of coexistence, they had become relatively restrained toward one another, and no situation had arisen where they could not coexist.

"Mhm." Melissa pursed her lips and turned her gaze back to the pile of parts.

After dinner, Klein continued to review his historical knowledge. It was only after Melissa and Benson had each bathed and returned to their rooms that he cleaned himself, entered his bedroom, and locked the door.

He intended to conduct a review and summary of his studies and the problems that had arisen during this period, lest he forget or overlook anything crucial. Only in this way could he face subsequent developments with a clearer mind.

Klein spread out his notebook, took up his fountain pen, and began to write word by word in Chinese

"Why is the key to digesting a potion 'acting'?"

(End of Chapter)