The Final Answer

According to Klein, his Marionettist Potion had been mostly digested through several battles, especially the one in Mist Town. There, he had sacrificed his Marionette to escape Lady Despair Panacea and Mr. A, and his plan had even eliminated both threats. He had also worked out the corresponding Acting Rule.

So before they set out fully armed to hunt a Spirit World Marauder in Calderon City, he wanted to make every possible preparation and get himself into peak condition. He also needed to choose another Marionette to fill the slot he could control.

"Too bad we didn't keep that Wraith from the Rose School. Then we wouldn't have to go through all this trouble..."

Angel spoke with some regret, remembering the Sequence 5 Beyonder who had died from her improved "Disease." Across from her, Klein was thinking of Admiral of Blood Senior, whom he had sacrificed in Mist Town.

He deserved to die, but I couldn't recover his body or Beyonder Characteristic. I can't even claim the bounty, and that was a full 42,000 pounds... Klein took a sip of black tea, buried his regret, and continued:

"But I've found a new target. He's every bit as vile as Senior, and he's also a Sequence 5 Beyonder. Most importantly, I can locate him right now."

Sequence 5, and just as bad as the Admiral of Blood... Angel thought for a moment, then realized who he meant.

"Hell Admiral Ludwell?"

She remembered the Pirate Admiral well. He had held his own against her in a close-quarters swordfight. In the God War Ruins, Ludwell's Black Tulip had clashed with the Future, and as he fled, Angel's Charm had blown away half his ship. Neither of them had seen him since.

"That's him. During that battle, one of my cufflinks fell onto his