Bayam, the Wave Church of the Church of Storms.
"Hanged Man" Alger Wilson wore a common linen shirt from the harbor district and met Jogoli, the bishop of the parish, under the pretext of confession.
The two entered a secret chamber behind the church, where Alger reported his movements near the Gargas Archipelago over the past month or so to his superior.
Of course, there was not much useful information. More than a dozen ships from the Church of Storms had scurried around the Sonia Sea like headless flies, covering nearly every inch of it, yet they had failed to find the Ghost Empire.
"Your Excellency Jogoli, is there any point to what we're doing?"
After finishing his report, he saw that the bishop's expression remained calm, unchanged by the mission's failure. After giving it some thought, he hesitantly asked the question.
No matter how devout a Storm Believer was, after wasting more than a month at sea like this, they should not have remained completely silent. That would only make him seem even more suspicious.
Jogoli's expression darkened.
"Whether it has meaning is not for you and me to decide."
Seeing Alger lower his head in alarm, he softened his tone and continued:
"Whether we find that legendary Ghost Ship is unimportant. What matters is that the other factions have not found it either."
Other factions... Feysac's garrison in Gargas, Beyonders from the Church of Evernight, Loen's fleet, perhaps even other pirates? As long as no one found it, the situation across the Five Seas would remain unchanged. And that was what the Church of Storms wanted to see!
His inner suspicions confirmed, Alger raised his head. Surprise first appeared on his face, followed by understanding.
"You performed well in this mission. The Blue Avenger will rest in Bayam