Sunken Ship
The term Beyonder characteristics, along with the associated Laws of Indestructibility and Conservation of Beyonder Characteristics, is considered highly specialized knowledge. In fact, neither Xio before joining the Tarot Club in the original story nor Danitz, despite following Vice Admiral Iceberg for a long time, were aware of it. Now, Miss Gwyn—a novice, wild Beyonder—had not only used the term correctly but appeared to understand its implications, making Ebner even more curious.
Miss Gwyn looked puzzled at Ebner's words, taking a moment before nervously asking, "Is it strange that I know about Beyonder characteristics?"
"It suggests you've had access to Beyonders teachings! If you acquired such knowledge from unofficial sources, I'd advise you not to display it in front of strangers. If someone harbors ill intentions, they might covet what you know," Ebner advised her.
At that, Xio threw Ebner an odd look as if to say, Are you really one to give that advice? Ebner pretended not to notice, though he felt somewhat aggrieved. When he'd first arrived, his guard wasn't as high, and being around familiar characters from the original story like Xio and his teacher, he'd been inclined to share more than he should have.
After understanding Ebner's point, Miss Gwyn sighed in relief and explained, "I trust you… I became fascinated with adventuring and becoming a Beyonder after finding a notebook when I was young. The notebook contained various pieces of occult knowledge, even the Warrior pathway potion formulas. At the end, the writer mentioned this cave, intending to explore it... I wonder if any of the items here belong to him."
Thoughtfully nodding, Ebner walked over to the pile of items in the nest, casually sifting through some of the bags and pouches as he asked, "Who wrote the notebook? Was there any self-description?"
"There was," Miss Gwyn replied, "He claimed to be a descendant of giants… possibly from the Fourth Epoch. At least, that's what I inferred from the events he mentioned."
Ebner froze momentarily, his hand stilling. He frowned, "A giant's descendant from the Fourth Epoch? What did he describe?"
"He mentioned the Pale Disaster and a renewed alliance of the Seven Gods," Miss Gwyn said after a moment's thought. "I researched for a long time before concluding that the Pale Disaster happened near the end of the Fourth Epoch."
Knowledge of the Seven Gods' alliance during the Pale Disaster is far from common, particularly for lower Sequences or laypeople. For this notebook writer to be familiar with it, he must've been a mid-Sequence powerhouse. Yet, none of the relics here fit the profile of such a figure... Had someone taken his remains later? Or perhaps he hadn't perished here, or maybe the cave concealed more secrets?
Pondering this, Ebner scrutinized the area around the pool and activated the Pure White Eye again.
Through scene recall, he saw the Dragon-Eyed Serpent entering and exiting the pool multiple times, returning each time with fresh wounds…
"I see… this isn't the end of the cave," Ebner muttered to himself, forming an idea. He'd decided to explore the pool. Since even the poorly defended, dim-witted serpent had safely returned several times, it suggested that any danger beneath the surface wasn't too great.
Despite his determination, Ebner chose not to jump in right away. He'd just fought a battle and needed to replenish his spiritual power before venturing further.
In the meantime, they could divvy up the spoils from the nest.
After tallying up the items in the nest, they found a collection of ordinary weapons, 22 gold coins, 50 pounds in cash, and two Sequence 9 Beyonder characteristics.
After some discussion, Ebner and Xio decided to each take one of the Beyonder characteristics—the "Hunter" and the "Sailor." The cash and coins were handed over to Miss Gwyn as payment for her guide services.
As for the ordinary weapons, neither Ebner nor Xio had any use for them or the means to carry them back. They left them to Miss Gwyn, whose newly recruited crew was in need of arms.
Miss Gwyn didn't object, pleased to unexpectedly receive weapons for her crew.
---
At Tingen's Blackthorn Security Company,
Miss Anna's fiancé, Joyce Meyer, had returned to his senses after awakening but hadn't forgotten his previous madness, falling into a state of remorse and guilt.
Fortunately, Miss Anna's affection for him remained unchanged. Rather than blaming him, she comforted him with gentle care.
However, Joyce was not yet permitted to return home. After a preliminary interrogation by Captain Dunn, he was being held in protective custody at the company.
Klein, who hadn't participated in the interrogation, asked Dunn curiously, "Captain, what exactly happened?"
Dunn, dressed in his black trench coat and hatless, handed him a sheet of paper. "Take a look at this wanted poster. It seems we have a particularly vicious Beyonder in Tingen."
Klein took the paper, his gaze immediately drawn to the sketch.
The subject had a round face, an innocent yet shy demeanor, and looked no older than eighteen or nineteen.
"Tris, suspected Beyonder, preliminarily evaluated as a Sequence 8 'instigator,' with possible ties to the Circle of Ineffable Knowledge. Perpetrator of the Clover disaster... Witnesses have testified that he left Enmat Harbor and traveled to Tingen. Current whereabouts unknown…"
Tris… the Clover… So it really was the work of a Beyonder? Klein thought back to his vision during the dream divination, where Joyce was swimming in a sea of blood.
"This 'instigator' initially tried to disguise himself as a hero who had saved the Clover, but somehow he slipped up. As soon as he stepped ashore, several of his supposed allies pointed to him as the mastermind. Unfortunately, with no Beyonder teams present, the regular police couldn't stop his escape," Dunn's expression was neutral as he added a detail.
"So he came straight to Tingen?" Klein asked, setting the poster down.
"Not directly. He committed a series of crimes in Enmat Harbor first. Most of those who identified him as the culprit were goaded into killing people close to them." Dunn's gray eyes remained impassive as he added.
"So Joyce was among them?" Klein's words followed the topic, though he privately wondered if this "instigator" was in the process of acting. Was the Clover massacre not enough to digest his potion… did he still need to incite more murders?
"Yes. Joyce and the Clover captain were the first to step forward and accuse him. Only after they insisted did others seem to recall certain details," Dunn paused, then continued, "It's all rather strange. Under normal circumstances, two ordinary people wouldn't be able to see through an Inciter's tricks… Once Mr. Meyer is fully recovered tomorrow, I'd like you to work with him on a dream divination."
"Yes, Captain." Klein nodded.
"Wait… take Old Neil with you as part of your training," Dunn added after a moment's thought.
"Understood…" Klein agreed, waiting for him to continue.
"One more thing. I'll send a telegram to Daly for any recommended supplementary herbs."
---
Back at the pool in the island's cave, Ebner waited until his spiritual power had recovered enough before planning to investigate the depths.
This time, he decided to go alone, as neither Xio nor Miss Gwyn could move freely underwater. If they encountered danger, escape would be nearly impossible.
Nodding to the two women who remained onshore, Ebner adjusted his Sea Wind Hat and dove into the water.
Thanks to the night vision, underwater breathing, mobility, and pressure resistance abilities granted by his mentor's mystical item, Ebner could still breathe smoothly in the deep pool and swam with great agility.
Before long, he found another underwater passage at the bottom of the pool. Recalling the scene of the Dragon-Eyed Serpent's entries and exits, he hesitated only a moment before swimming through it.
The tunnel wasn't too long, and within two minutes, he surfaced in a vast cavern.
The cavern was mostly empty except for seawater. Rather than a cave, it looked more like a trench.
Looking around, Ebner's gaze landed on a large, ancient-looking sailboat lying at the very bottom.
"Is this the ship that the giant descendant in Miss Gwyn's notebook was searching for?" Ebner thought, quickly swimming toward the sunken ship.
But as he neared it, a rust-covered suit of armor on the deck suddenly stood up. Raising a glowing greatsword in both hands, it swung down at Ebner.
Fortunately, they were underwater, and the sea hindered its swing. Ebner, having foreseen this move through scene recall, calmly drew his cane-sword, blocking the blow.
Unexpectedly, the greatsword was incredibly sharp, managing to chip Ebner's sturdy cane-sword, nearly snapping it. Unable to maintain its enchantment, the sword reverted to its cane form, effectively rendered useless.
Though pained by the loss, Ebner had no time to dwell on it. The Pure White Eye had already analyzed his opponent's nature.
It turned out the gleaming greatsword was the real entity, while the armor was merely a puppet it manipulated. The sword was a sentient sealed artifact!