Bargaining

A few weeks later, the patrol boat they had seized from the laboratory deep within the Calm Belt finally wobbled its way into High West.

"Pay the entry deposit."

Kaido snorted out a thick breath, lifted his spiked club from his knees onto his shoulder, and stepped over the rail. Abel followed behind him.

Apparently, he still had no intention of paying the deposit.

However, after the old guard's gaze paused briefly on Abel's wings, he withdrew his hand and tilted his head toward the gate.

"Lord Annus is waiting for you in the temple."

Kaido's brows lowered half an inch, and something between irritation and helplessness flickered through his eyes. He glanced back at Abel before striding toward the temple.

Abel followed at an unhurried pace.

Along the stretch from the Cloud Rail platform to the temple colonnade, the Winged Heavenly Soldiers and God Guards tightened their grips on their weapons as usual when they saw Kaido. Yet their gazes quickly shifted away from Kaido and settled on Abel.

There was wariness in those looks, along with curiosity.

As they passed through the colonnade, they ran into Sariye.

Sariye was standing beneath the corridor.

Today, she wore a dark gray long dress, her hair pinned behind her head with an exceptionally slender Glaze Cloud hairpin. She was giving instructions to a God Guard beside her.

Hearing the footsteps, Sariye raised her head. Her gaze first fell on Kaido's face, then shifted behind him.

Abel was watching Sariye as well.

The two Lunarians looked at each other beneath the colonnade.

Kaido passed between them. After hesitating for a moment, Abel followed. His steps slowed for a beat as he passed Sariye, but he did not stop.

The doors of the Central Hall stood open. Morning sunlight streamed in through the