Golden Palm Leaf

Oil lamps burned on either side of the gloomy castle, their faint light illuminating the corners while dark holy emblems were carved into the hallway ceiling.

Arena followed the familiar path into the castle hall.

The chandelier in the hall barely lit the space in the middle; the surrounding darkness swallowed the light like an abyss.

"My dear sister, what you did on Blue Bay Island caused quite a sensation. The Archbishop of the Church of Night even wrote to Father personally to express his gratitude to our family."

A low voice echoed through the hall. The darkness that swallowed the light concealed every figure.

An Archbishop of the Church of Night was equivalent to a Sequence 5 Beyonder. There was only one in the entire Tudor region, responsible for all the Church of Night's affairs in the Tudor Dynasty.

Their Stuart Family, dukes of the Tudor Dynasty and leading representatives of the conservative faction in the House of Nobles, had to bow their proud heads even before an archbishop.

Reilly Stuart watched his sister, who had quietly accomplished something so grand.

The precious dark Beyonder material, the Moon Bone, which he had gone to such lengths to obtain from the New Continent, had apparently been snatched up by his sister.

Arena gripped the Dark Griffin with both hands. Its blade shone with the radiance of the Silver Moon, revealing Reilly Stuart's figure.

"Brother, did you have a reason for waiting for me here?"

Her gaze fell on Reilly. She couldn't gauge her brother's strength, but estimated he was around Sequence 7 or Sequence 6.

"Of course, my dear sister. To celebrate your victory, I've arranged a grand banquet and invited the nobles of Fog City."

"Among them are Prince Henry, the Duke of York's son, the Earl of Nottingham's son... and many other outstanding men. You're of marriageable age now, too."

The moonlight on the blade in Arena's hand grew purer. Although she was the daughter of Grand Duke Stuart and held the title of "Daughter of the Duke of Stuart,"

she had no real right to inherit, and couldn't even control her own life.

From having the Black Devil mark removed, to using the Molting Technique to rid herself of the mark on her body, to coming into contact with Mr. Mansus's mysterious gathering—

for Arena Stuart, all of it had been her greatest opportunity and good fortune.

"If you're interested in those dukes' and earls' sons, you can marry one yourself—or bring them into the family as husbands."

"But the Church of Light might call you a heretic and tie you to a stake to be purged."

Arena sneered at Reilly and said coldly, "The Arena Stuart of today isn't the Arena Stuart of the past."

"You don't represent the family. You don't represent Father, and you don't represent the Church of Night. You certainly don't represent me."

Reilly stepped into the lamplight, his face darkening as he demanded, "Are you going to betray the family's interests?"

Arena raised her sword and said calmly, "In two weeks, I'll challenge every Beyonder in the family, including you."

"If you can't even defeat me, then inherit your title quietly from now on. Stop trying to tell me what to do."

Reilly's face flushed. Arena's words had enraged him. This was a blatant humiliation.

An insult to his swordsmanship, his status as heir, his ability!!!

"Two weeks from now, I'll be waiting for your challenge."

Reilly's gaze turned vicious. Anyone who threatened his inheritance of the Stuart title would be swept aside.

No one would be spared, not even his own sister.

Arena walked out of the gloomy castle, sliding her blade into its sheath. She never once looked back.

Secret Sect Long Table.

Mist-formed words floated before Arthur, describing the Golden Palm Leaf.

Golden Palm Leaf: A specialty of the Mist Sea, a rare mutated palm variety rich in life energy.

A Beyonder material for the Earth Path, the main ingredient for Sequence 8: [Planter]. A substitute is the Golden Potato.

A palm leaf brimming with vitality—one of the main ingredients for the Earth Path, with an alternative Beyonder material available as well.

Arthur stroked the Golden Palm Leaf. The name of the Earth Path's Sequence 8 was a little abstract, but it suited the Age of Discovery.

He closed his eyes, and the Moth Principle appeared in his mind. He opened [Research], placed the Golden Palm Leaf inside, then added a dose of Fascination.

"Fascination" + "Golden Palm Leaf" = ?

Countdown: 24 hours.

With Arthur's deliberate guidance, the Golden Palm Leaf would eventually take the form of a forbidden item.

The model for this forbidden item was the Winged Doll from the simulator.

[It descended upon White Sand Island.]

Arthur swung his mantis knife, hacking recklessly at the Golden Palm Leaf's stalk and cutting through the fibers at its base.

It was rare to have a chance to obtain Beyonder materials. How could he let such a great opportunity slip by?

"La la la~ la la la~"

"I'm a merry lumberjack~"

From his high vantage point, Arthur cut at the Golden Palm Leaf as he searched for Twin Coconuts.

The Golden Palm Leaf was an extra windfall. Twin Coconuts were the main ingredient he needed most.

He gazed out at the surroundings and suddenly spotted a Big Gray Duck landing on the beach nearby, a small white fish clamped in its beak.

Danger was closing in!

Arthur cut off a second Golden Palm Leaf, then immediately hid in the middle of the palm tree to avoid the Big Gray Duck's attack.

Back in reality, he sat up in bed, left the captain's cabin, and asked, "Have any pirates contacted us?"

Kaia hurried over and said quietly, "Captain Rosen of the Giant Catfish Pirate Crew has agreed to meet at sea. They'll send someone to contact us soon."

"Two other pirate ships have also contacted us to discuss where to meet."

Arthur nodded. "Reply that we'll meet at sea. To protect our safety, we'll decide on the location once they arrive."

The Tuna Pirate Crew.

Captain Harlin was savoring freshly caught tuna sashimi. His blade sliced through the deep-red flesh, and he sprinkled on a little seasoning.

The fish melted in his mouth, its rich fat blending with the spices in a burst of flavor.

"The Great White Shark Pirate Group wants to gather. Did they say what it's about?"

"They didn't give any specifics, but it has something to do with Rhine Island. They've been contacting pirates all over the place."

"What's the news from Rhine Island?"

"Rhine Island was robbed. They lost a large amount of gold, as well as a forbidden item.

"We have reason to suspect the thief may still be on Blue Bay Island or Rhine Island.

"The fleet from Rhine Island is patrolling aggressively. There's no way that considerable sum of gold has been taken off the island."

Captain Harlin finished his tuna sashimi and let out a long breath. "Send a small boat to contact the Great White Shark Pirate Group. I'll go see what all the fuss is about and find out if there's a chance to make a profit."

The near seas were turbulent, the situation shifting in unpredictable ways.

On the evening of October 22, after choking down a gruel of hard biscuits that was difficult to swallow,

Arthur came to the Secret Sect Long Table, preparing for the third Society of Hours meeting.