Above the Gray Fog, the deep red star representing 'The Star' also expanded and contracted. The halo it emitted gradually overlapped with the ripples created by the other three, turning into a tide that surged and echoed throughout the entire mysterious space, causing it to vibrate slightly.
Finished recounting matters related to Klein, Leonard ended his prayer and waited for Mr. Fool to respond.
But after nearly a quarter of an hour, he still received no feedback.
"Mr. Fool's responses have always been so timely…" Leonard couldn't help but mutter softly.
Pallez Zoroast in his mind was silent for a few seconds before reminding him in a slightly aged voice: "Just think back to what the Fool has said recently."
Leonard thought carefully and said slowly: "A while back, He warned us not to go into the forests northwest of Backlund recently… Hmm, He seemed to imply that next week's gathering might not be held as scheduled…"
"As expected." Pallez Zoroast let out a long sigh. "That Fool anticipated Amon's appearance to some extent. They are probably now engaged in a covert confrontation across different domains. One wants to keep 'Sefirah Castle,' the other wants to become its new master. Your former colleague has been unfortunately caught up in this."
"Mr. Fool anticipated this? Is this a trap He set for Amon?" Leonard's green eyes lit up as he blurted out.
Pallez seemed to take some time to think, his speech slowing down considerably: "Perhaps so. Or perhaps Amon used that trap to seize the initiative. Don't underestimate a 'Blasphemer,' a mighty King of Angels."
In Leonard's current understanding, Mr. Fool was either the slowly awakening master of 'Sefirah Castle,' corresponding to some unknown deity in history, or the incarnation of the 'Primordial Substance,' currently unable to properly control His own Authority and power, requiring a further qualitative transformation.
Regardless of the possibility, Mr. Fool had not yet reached the true level of a deity and was most likely on the same level as the Kings of Angels.
Under such circumstances, it was perfectly normal for Mr. Fool and that fearsome 'Blasphemer' to engage in a fierce struggle without defeating each other for a long time. After all, the latter was one of the strongest hidden existences below the gods, even more formidable than the 'Hidden Sage,' often classified as an evil god, an existence that even deities would be wary of.
"…" Leonard's nerves couldn't help but tighten. He asked with palpable worry in a low voice, "Old man, is there any way you can help? Isn't Amon your greatest enemy?"
Such help might be limited, but it should be enough to pull Klein out of this vortex.
Pallez Zoroast chuckled at that, his tone heavily laced with self-deprecation: "Don't you have too many unwarranted expectations of me?"
"Indeed, if Amon gets 'Sefirah Castle,' I will surely die by His hand, perhaps not even surviving this winter. If 'Sefirah Castle' remains with the Fool, I might still have a chance to live in the future."
"But what can an old man like me, who has just recovered to Sequence 2, do to interfere in a conflict of this level?"
"Even if I used the 'Yesterday Once More' charm, what can I do in those fleeting two or three seconds? Yes, yes, at a critical moment, this might help that Fool twist the outcome, but I don't even know where they are fighting right now! How can I seize the opportunity?"
Leonard was silenced by the old man's string of words. He then lowered his head, raised his hands to press against his temples, and whispered to himself: "Am I… supposed to just watch helplessly again…"
Pallez sighed and said: "Patience. All we can do for now is be patient."
"That Fool should have some tacit understanding, or even a cooperative relationship, with the Night, certain deities, and Kings of Angels. They won't just let Amon take 'Sefirah Castle.'"
"Wait patiently. Perhaps an opportunity will show itself soon."
Leonard half-straightened his body, tilted his head back, took a deep breath, and then exhaled: "I understand."
…………
In the waters near Sonia Island, the 'Blue Avenger,' sent by the Church of the Lord of Storms to attack the port and Feysac merchant ships here, was hiding a little way off the safe shipping lane.
Alger Wilson stood behind the captain's cabin window, using his superhuman long-distance vision to gaze at the coastline still far ahead.
In the eyes of this 'newly advanced' 'Ocean Songster,' several 'captains' who had received similar orders were all elites among the mid-Sequences. Their joint operation was sure to inflict significant damage on Feysac's maritime supply lines.
And this meant the counterattack from Feysac would be brutal, most likely led by a Sequence 4 demigod, and a Sequence 3 'War Bishop' or 'Silver Knight' was not out of the question.
This was a dangerously complicated prospect for Alger, and he had no desire to throw himself into such trouble.
At the same time, the crew, colleagues, and partners would all be watching each other, making sure no one shirked their orders. If Alger slacked off or tried to skirt the danger, it wouldn't be long before he'd have to decide whether to kill most of his crew and turn pirate for real, or lose the 'Blue Avenger' and return to Pasu Island for an internal trial.
"By the time this operation is over, no more than a third of the original 'captains' will still be alive…" Alger analyzed coolly, quickly formulating a line of thought to escape danger.