At 10 p.m., the Swordfish Bar.
After waiting all afternoon without receiving the bounty, Klein deliberately went out, circled in front of Ux Kent, and got the answer that the process had finished but the money wouldn't be disbursed until tomorrow morning.
He also disguised himself to participate in the adventurers' private trades in the Swordfish Bar, but unfortunately didn't discover any main ingredients or mystical items for the "Marionettist" potion.
Reverting to his original appearance, Klein pressed down on his top hat and tried to squeeze through the crowd to leave the bar, which was at its most lively and chaotic moment.
At that moment, gazes swept across his face. Most of them were stunned at first, then they paused noticeably for two seconds, as if trying to recognize something.
Suddenly, they all averted their eyes at the same time and retreated away from Klein, like parting tides.
They already knew about Gherman Sparrow's appearance and strength from newspapers and rumors, and more details had gradually spread among adventurers, pirates, and gang members, giving many a preliminary understanding of the situation—how Gherman Sparrow immediately drew his gun and shot the moment he found the "Silver Tongue" Misael Gold. So everyone consciously stayed away from this dangerous man.
The merchant Ralph was drinking at the bar when he suddenly sensed something unusual. He instinctively half-turned and looked over.
He quickly saw a silent gentleman with a thin, angular face, and naturally a corresponding portrait from the *Daily News* came to mind:
Gherman Sparrow, who had hunted the "Silver Tongue"!
Then, Ralph recalled the casual talk he had with the rebel leader Kalate when they met in the evening, and confirmed that this crazy adventurer didn't refuse the "Sea God" and had even witnessed the private transaction between the rebels and the "Vice Admiral Iceberg".
Perhaps I could develop him into a believer of the "Sea God"... Even if he's not interested in the future of the islands, he might provide help in certain matters... Ralph clasped his hands together, placed them in front of his mouth, and made a gesture like blowing a conch shell—one of the postures for praying to Kalvetua, the "Sea God".
Then he suddenly stood up and walked toward Gherman Sparrow with his beer mug.
At this moment, Klein also noticed Ralph's approach and recognized who he was.
This was the devout believer who once wanted to offer two-thirds of his 20,000-pound fortune to the "Sea God"!
This was the former pirate, now merchant, whom he had sent to do a children's charity fund!
Through news related to the charity fund and the man's always pious prayers, Klein's understanding of Ralph could be said to be comprehensive. So he was puzzled as to why the man would try to get in touch with Gherman Sparrow.
A commission? Something the rebel army couldn't do for various reasons? Klein stared at Ralph and slowed his pace.
"Mr. Gherman Sparrow?" Ralph raised his beer mug.
Klein nodded, naturally maintaining his persona, and said:
"I don't know you."
"Haha, adventurers always get to know each other very simply—maybe just over a drink." Ralph pointed to the bar, "Would you be interested in a drink?"
"Sure." Klein hid his doubts and responded simply.
Seated at the corner of the bar, he ordered a glass of Southwell beer, drank it as he looked at Ralph, not taking the initiative to speak.
Being silently stared at by a pirate-general–level powerhouse was not a pleasant experience. Ralph took a sip of beer to mask his high tension, and laughed:
"I've heard of you. Before today, I knew you were a true gentleman with no prejudice against colonial natives."
A series of lines flashed through Klein's mind, and he finally settled on a few words that fit his persona:
"Get to the point."
...Ralph almost choked. He coughed lightly and said:
"Would I have the honor of introducing you to our god, the Savior of the Islands, the Beloved of the Sea—Kalvetua?
"You know, the sea is so vast, the storms so terrifying. Relying only on oneself, even a king-level figure cannot guarantee overcoming all difficulties and surviving. At such times, we need a god, a god who can answer you, who holds the authority of the sea and storms."
Introduce myself to myself, then make me believe in myself... Klein controlled his twitching lips, then said:
"What I'm more interested in is whether you have any mystical items—powerful, highly aggressive ones."
Ralph showed a sincere smile and said:
"We don't.
"But as long as you devoutly believe in the 'Sea God', perhaps one day you will receive a corresponding blessing."
I don't... Don't make promises for me! Klein felt both amused and annoyed for a moment.
Feeling that this conversation couldn't go on, he downed his nearly full glass of Southwell beer and said:
"I'll think it over."
Just as he was about to leave, the bartender suddenly leaned in and said with a flattering smile:
"Mr. Gherman Sparrow, there's a commission here for you."
"What?" Klein glanced at Ralph.
The latter tactfully picked up his beer and left his seat.
He was already satisfied with today's outcome, because he hadn't expected to turn the crazy adventurer into a believer of the "Sea God" in one go. His goal was only to let the other party know that such a possibility existed and to actively weigh the pros and cons.
When the corner of the bar quieted down again, the bartender quickly chuckled:
"He said he's an apothecary you know. He has a task he wants to entrust to you. If you're interested, you can wait here, and we'll contact him as arranged."