Arthur

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Arthur (亚瑟) 1
Alias(es)	Mansus — identity used within the Secret Sect Long Table; Sherlock Albert — planned scholar identity 2 37
Species/Race	Human 1
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Great White Shark Pirate Group; Stuart Family; Shadow Temple infiltrator; Society of Hours 1 15
Occupation/Role	Captain of the Great White Shark; pirate; secret-sect leader; aspiring scholar 1 21
Status	Alive; preparing to discard his pirate identity while directing an operation against Rhine Island 49
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Moth Principle	1	Obtained through Dream Entry at the Secret Sect Long Table; grants access to Moth-derived Invisible Arts.
Strengthened Moth power	13	His Moth power increases after he follows his passion during the battle aboard the Jasmine.
Scholar Path — Sequence 9: Reader	29 31 32	Receives and consumes a Scholar Potion, gaining Reader abilities including enhanced interpretation, photographic memory, and perception of transcendent power.

Background

Zhang Wei, a player of Cultist Simulator, transmigrated into Arthur's body after the previous owner was killed by the Bronze Parrot. Arthur inherited command of the Great White Shark and a dangerous position between the Stuart Family and the Shadow Temple: the Stuarts ordered him to secretly protect their freighter, while the Shadow Temple ordered him to raid it and expose its smuggling operation. 1 3

While struggling with these contradictory loyalties, Arthur discovered the Secret Sect Long Table and obtained the Moth Principle through Dream Entry. He used its [Explore] function to locate and summon Arina Stuart, then removed the Black Devil's Curse from her and adopted the identity of “Mansus” before her. 1 2

Arthur began developing followers through the Long Table, granting Arina the Molting Technique and later expanding the table to accommodate Edmond Tide. His concealed identity as Mansus became the basis of the Society of Hours. 2 15

Personality

Arthur is calculating, adaptable, and strongly prefers controlling a situation over confronting danger directly. He dislikes physical combat, but compensates through preparation, concealed weapons, psychological pressure, and unconventional Invisible Arts. 7 8

He is willing to manipulate allies and subordinates to protect his own plans. He arranged for Parrot Gro to torment Marcus with nightmares, intended to have Quartermaster Wick killed after the Jasmine operation, and used his public image as a pirate hero for political and financial gain. 3 8 20

Arthur is also ambitious about knowledge rather than merely wealth. He seeks extraordinary texts, languages, and the Scholar Path, intending to abandon the identity of Captain Arthur and enter England University as a linguistic scholar. 14 21 22

Abilities & Skills

Secret Sect Long Table

Arthur commands the Secret Sect Long Table, a mysterious space through which he develops powers, gathers followers, and maintains the persona of Mansus. 1 2

• [Research] — Deciphers mysterious writing and patterns, studies Invisible Arts, and can later research physical objects after Arthur offers a flintlock pistol in a ritual. 1 15
• [Explore] — Locates acquaintances and pulls them into the Long Table; Arthur used it to summon Arina Stuart. 1
• [Rite] — Allows special methods of communicating with Great Beings and offering items or oneself. Arthur used it to study Despair and Swordsmanship. 1 9
• [Dream Entry] — Produces dreams and temporary states such as Ease and Dread, which can be preserved through Research. 3 8
• Follower development — Followers may receive Moth-derived Invisible Arts and gradually master Principles, while Arthur receives feedback from their growth. 2

Moth Principle

The Moth Principle centers on shedding, transformation, dream influence, and unnatural bodily flexibility. Arthur initially used it to strip the Black Devil's Curse from Arina. 2

• Curse removal — Can shed harmful influences from a target, though the Black Devil's mark remained on Arina after her curse was removed. 2
• Power growth through passion — Arthur's Moth power strengthened after acting on his impulses during the Jasmine battle. 13
• Identity shedding — Arthur intends to use the Molting Technique to cast away his roles as pirate captain and Shadow Temple agent. 13

Whisper of the Moth

Whisper of the Moth projects a buzzing voice directly into another person's mind by consuming Moth power. 2

• It can distract, intimidate, or unsettle targets in combat. 2 34
• Arthur used it against Dorian to contest Moon Bone's bewitchment. 11
• He used it to disrupt Brawler Buck before firing the Fear Musket. 34

Molting Technique

The Molting Technique is a Moth-derived Invisible Art based on casting off restrictive conditions and identities. 2

• Arina received the technique to escape the Black Devil Order's control. 2
• Arthur later planned to use it as part of his own identity transformation. 13 21
• Its ritual requires preparation and a plea to Mansus for Moth power. 2

Joint Combat Art

Created by researching Ease alongside Martial Arts, the Joint Combat Art consumes Moth power to make Arthur's joints move in physically impossible ways. 3 7

• Allows attacks and defensive movements from unnatural angles. 7 11
• Enhances the force of Arthur's strikes when combined with his Martial Arts training. 7
• Causes physical exhaustion after use, though Arthur experienced no other harmful aftereffects. 8
• Its unsettling movements make Arthur appear to be a Transcendent despite his lack of a formal combat Sequence at the time. 8 14

Despair Waltz

Despair Waltz was created by researching Swordsmanship and Despair. It turns a longsword into an extension of Arthur's body through Moth power. 12

• Uses waltz-like footwork, flexibility, and close-range swordplay to destroy an opponent's body. 12
• Requires Arthur to remain close to his target. 12
• Its combat effectiveness depends heavily on having a suitable sword. 32

Reader

As a Sequence 9 Scholar Path Transcendent, Arthur can perceive and interpret information that would otherwise remain hidden. 31 32

• Possesses photographic memory and enhanced interpretation ability. 32
• Can perceive transcendent power on objects, beings, and concealed vessels. 31
• Can use consciousness to occupy and control insects, including a Green Mantis. 31
• Excessive interpretation of transcendent matters risks misfortune, distortion, or unexplained death; Reader warns him to clear his mind. 32

Martial Arts and Swordsmanship

Arthur inherited Stuart Family training in Martial Arts and swordsmanship, giving him a combat foundation beyond that of an ordinary pirate. 4 7

• Defeated the Moon Bone-controlled Dorian through a combination of flintlock fire, Joint Combat Art, and close combat. 11
• Killed Brawler Buck after adapting when the Fear Musket initially heightened Buck's desire to fight. 34 35
• Uses strategy, terrain, and surprise rather than relying solely on direct strength. 35 36

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Secret Sect Long Table — Arthur's primary supernatural system and the foundation of Mansus's Society of Hours. 1 15
• Parrot Gro — Bronze parrot contraband capable of navigating the Mist Sea and interfering with dreams. 3
• Whale Herder Sword — Nautical longsword gifted by Galen and Rad Lee before the Blue Bay Island battle. 33
• Fear Musket — Tier 1 Document-grade contraband that manifests fear within a target and generates ammunition from that fear. 27
• Modified leather trench coat — Once fitted with four concealed flintlock pistols, firing ports, and trigger threads for surprise attacks. 8
• Jana Snake Bone — Bone bearing ancient Sea Race characters; Arthur bought it at the Old Wood Ship Auction, though it contained no detectable transcendent power. 27
• Golden Palm Leaf contraband — Created from a Golden Palm Leaf through Research; possesses the ability “Fascination.” 43 44
• Twin Coconuts — Stolen by Arthur from White Sand Island while Gabala and Tubala slept. 49
• Sun Medal — Former Church of Light protective medal that cleansed negative conditions; Arthur later traded his medal, noble badge, and Letter of Marque for gold. 5 20 21

Relationships

• Arina Stuart / Arena Stuart (“Miss Moth”) — Stuart noble and Arthur's first follower. Arthur removed her curse, granted her the Molting Technique, and supports her ambition to challenge for the Stuart inheritance. She later agrees to help establish his Sherlock Albert identity and secure entry to England University. 2 6 37
• Parrot Gro — Arthur's bronze parrot navigator and obedient subordinate. Arthur spared it from sacrifice after learning of its usefulness, then employed it for navigation, dream interference, and surveillance. 2 3 38
• Kaia — Trusted member of the Great White Shark crew. Arthur entrusted her with selling cargo, managing crew matters, and gathering intelligence on Blue Bay Island. 13 22
• Edmond Tide / Mr. Red Grail — Society of Hours member with a mermaid bloodline curse. Arthur helped decipher the Mermaid Book and traded linguistic services and Tarot knowledge with him. 15 22 46
• Deacon Wallace — Shadow Temple superior who assigned Arthur to attack the Jasmine and supplied a Sun Medal. Wallace grew suspicious of Arthur's resistance to serving the Theocracy, and their relationship broke down over Arthur's conduct after the battle. 5 18
• Governor Drew — Governor of Rhine Island and recurring business partner. Arthur received his honorary barony through Drew, then sold his noble badge and Letter of Marque to him for 4,100 gold coins. 19 20
• Quartermaster Wick — Subordinate who repeatedly questioned Arthur's orders. Arthur planned to have him killed after the Jasmine operation; Wick was ultimately killed by Arina. 8 13
• Brawler Buck — Black Devil Order assassin sent to kill Arthur. Arthur defeated and executed him during the Blue Bay Island crisis. 33 34 35
• Black Devil Order — Hostile cult that cursed Arina, pursued Arthur over the Moon Bone incident, and later received an oracle specifically demanding his death. 2 36 37

Story Role / Major Arcs

The *Jasmine* Operation

Arthur navigated conflicting orders from the Stuart Family and the Shadow Temple before agreeing to Arina's plan to bombard the Jasmine. During the raid, he fought the Moon Bone-controlled Dorian, helped defeat the Black Devil Order's scheme, and gained public recognition as a pirate hero. 1 6 11 17

Abandoning Captain Arthur

After the Jasmine battle, Arthur decided that his pirate and Shadow Temple identities had become restraints. He began gathering extraordinary knowledge and funds for the Scholar Potion, intending to become a scholar capable of investigating the Mist Sea and New Continent. 13 14 21

The Old Wood Ship Auction

Arthur traded away his honorary status for gold, used his apparent knowledge of Sea Race writing to cultivate the fictitious scholar “Sherlock,” and acquired the Jana Snake Bone and Fear Musket. 20 25 27

Scholar Path and the Blue Bay Island Crisis

After obtaining the Scholar Potion from Arina, Arthur became a Sequence 9 Reader. When the Black Devil Order sealed Blue Bay Island for a sacrificial ritual, Arthur killed Buck, sabotaged Simon's ritual, and survived the Black Devil's oracle naming him as a target. 29 32 35 36

Sherlock Albert and Rhine Island

With the Black Devil Order pursuing him, Arthur arranged to adopt the identity Sherlock Albert under Arina's recommendation. He continued investigating Rhine Island's defenses and the Sky Thief case while preparing pirate forces for an attack on the island. 37 39 40 46 49

Notable Quotes

“You may call me—Mansus.” 2

“Cast away my identity as a pirate and as a follower of the Shadow Temple. Pursue the grand voyage I yearn for.” 13

“An excellent scholar, proficient in language, geography, astronomy, and history, is better equipped to explore the Mist Sea and the New Continent, and to touch upon the deeper extraordinary.” 21