A Beyonder was allowed to leave the fleet? Danitz didn't need to explain—Klein easily understood why he found it strange.
In the Nighthawks, even pure desk workers were subject to strict restrictions. Those who formally resigned would sign lifetime confidentiality agreements and couldn't leave the jurisdiction of their original Nighthawks branch without approval. After being approved to relocate to another city, they had to immediately register with the local
From these regulations alone, one could see the official attitude toward supernatural powers and related matters. A Beyonder who had drunk a potion couldn't just leave the organization so easily.
Klein clearly remembered that "Justice" had early on possessed both the channel and the means to become a Beyonder, yet had been unwilling to try. The reason she gave was that she didn't want to lose her freedom.
Similar thoughts turned over in his mind but didn't become words, because the polite yet cold Gehrman Sparrow wouldn't be interested in such rumors.
"So what?" Klein looked at the tableware on the table and asked calmly.
What a conversationalist! "Flame" Danitz silently drew a breath, forced a smile, and said:
"Haha, I just find it strange. We all suspect he joined
That's possible... Klein picked up the glass of plain water and took a sip.
The dishes he had ordered were arriving one after another in course order, and the restaurant also included two complimentary glasses of sweet, bubbly, light-golden pre-dinner wine.
Klein said no more, focusing on enjoying the food, feeling that this was indeed much better than the second-class dining room.
The sound of violins drifted melodiously through the air, interspersed with the faint clinking of knives and forks against porcelain plates. Beyond the window, the azure, expansive sea surface gently undulated. Everything appeared so beautiful.
Just as Klein was reaching the dessert course, a crew member came running in with thudding footsteps, heading straight for the table where Ireland sat.
"Captain, there's a pirate ship!" He made no effort to lower his voice.
Most of the passengers were startled and stopped eating.
Klein raised his head, his gaze dark and cold as he looked across at Danitz.
"Flame" Danitz stiffened for a second, a bitter smile forming as he lowered his voice:
"I swear this has absolutely nothing to do with me. Do you believe me?"
Klein relaxed his eyelid muscles, which had nearly started twitching from the strain of acting, and slowly curled his lips:
"You guess."
Guess, my ass! Danitz seethed with fury, nearly blurting out the curse.
He maintained his smile and said:
"Your wisdom is sufficient to judge everything."
At this point, Ireland had quickly ascertained the situation and stood up, addressing the somewhat panicked first-class passengers:
"There's only one pirate ship. We have more than enough capability to handle it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please return to your rooms in an orderly fashion and await good news. Trust me, the damage caused by chaos far exceeds that of a pirate attack. I don't want rumors spreading later that while the White Agate successfully repelled the pirates, five, six, seven, or eight passengers injured themselves in the panic."
Under his arrangement, and with the crew members maintaining order, Tana and the others left the dining room one by one and returned to their cabins. This included Klein and "Flame" Danitz.
"I thought you'd temporarily take command of the White Agate and try to ensure the ship wasn't damaged at all." In Room 312, Danitz closed the door while asking with the attitude of someone watching a drama unfold.
Being able to spot a suitable candidate and immediately extend an offer while enthusiastically discussing principles and compensation—that was enough to show he was by nature an outgoing boatswain who enjoyed conversation.
Klein glanced at him, walked to the window, and looked outside. At the point where sea and sky merged into one color, a large vessel flying the red skull flag was heading their way. It had both smokestacks and sails.
"Do you know them?" Klein stood behind the thick glass window with his hands in his pockets.
Danitz came to his diagonal rear, gazed for two seconds, and said:
"The Red Skull pirates. A small-to-medium faction.
"Their captain is 'Sea Wolf' Johnson, bounty of nine hundred pounds. The first mate is 'One-Eyed' Anderson, bounty of five hundred pounds."
In the pirate world, bounties served as an important benchmark of identity and status.
Considering that he currently lacked decent underwater capabilities, and that allowing the pirates to board could easily result in casualties among innocent people, Klein remained silent for a few seconds before asking:
"Do they recognize you?"
"Of course!" Danitz straightened his back instantly. "They're qualified to attend pirate gatherings. I've kicked their backsides before."
As expected of a three-thousand-pound wanted pirate... Klein asked again, his expression unchanged:
"Do they have telescopes?"
"That's essential equipment. Even after seizing a ship, there would be sailors standing in the lookout post, using telescopes to observe the surrounding situation and guard against surprise attacks," Danitz replied with hidden disdain.
He could tell now—this dangerous fellow was a newly minted adventurer, and very likely it was his first time at sea.
Formerly a famous bounty hunter? A member of a secret organization? Danitz subconsciously began speculating about Gehrman Sparrow's past.
"At times like this, would the captain and first mate use telescopes to observe this side?" Klein had initially wanted to refer to them by their bounties—nine hundred pounds and five hundred pounds—but felt that might be a bit rude.
"Definitely. They need to constantly keep track of the situation with their target," Danitz replied with some confusion.
He didn't understand what Gehrman Sparrow's purpose was in asking these questions. By his own reckoning, if he possessed the kind of overwhelming power that the other man did, he would absolutely let the Red Skull pirates approach and then find an opportunity to board their ship and eliminate everyone.
Klein turned his head to look at Danitz, revealing a refined, warm smile:
"That's good then."
What are you trying to do? Stop smiling like that! Danitz was suddenly gripped by panic, summoning the courage to put up a fight.
"Take off your wig," Klein instructed calmly.