Sequence Suggestions

"Mr. Sifa, are you all right?"

The familiar voice brought Sifa back to his senses. Before him stood a blond young man with an aquiline nose. Joyce looked somewhat worried.

Sifa wiped his face. "I'm fine, don't worry. Although they won't let me send a telegram, I believe Father will be keeping a close eye on news from Enmat Harbor."

"As long as he learns that the Clover has docked, he'll definitely come. Then I'll have him hire a lawyer, and we'll surely be able to go home."

As he reassured everyone in the cell, Sifa was not actually very confident. After all, Enqi Town was far away in Desi County. Besides, he wasn't sure whether the police would make the Clover's return public.

Perhaps by the time his family received the news, he would have already been thrown into a real prison.

The afternoon passed in anxious unease. Then, the cell door suddenly opened, and a police officer in a black-and-white checkered uniform asked, "Which one is Mr. Sifa?"

Sifa looked up in astonishment, rose to his feet, and answered, "I am."

The officer took a step back. "Please come with me."

Tris stood up inside the cell. "Where are you taking him?"

The officer waved his baton. "That's none of your business. Sit down!"

Sifa turned back and said, "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

I hope so, he silently added.

Sifa was brought to a quiet room and told to sit and wait. Throughout the entire process, the police officer revealed nothing.

Before long, the door opened again, and a burly figure squeezed inside.

He was a tall, middle-aged man. He wore a top hat, had sharply defined features, and a carefully groomed beard that gave him an added air of authority.

Dressed in a white shirt, black waistcoat, and matching formal suit, he entered from outside with an exquisite cane in hand.

"They didn't hit you, did they, son?"

Sifa shot to his feet and cried out, "Father?"

The man who had entered was Sifa's father, Baron Bison Disraeli.

A nobleman dissatisfied with the status quo and filled with ambition. In recent years, he had been actively expanding his social connections in order to enter the Loen Kingdom's center of power and secure a seat in the House of Lords.

"How did you—"

Bison raised a hand and gestured downward. "Sit. We'll talk."

He pulled over a chair and sat down. "We received news from the sea some time ago. I learned that the ship you were on encountered trouble after leaving Caesar Pier. Your mother was terribly worried, so she asked me to wait in Smart Harbor for news."

"I've been here for nearly two weeks, sending people to the harbor every day to inquire."

"This morning, I went to see a friend. When I returned to the hotel in the afternoon, I heard that the Clover had come back."

"At the same time, I heard that everyone aboard had been detained. The police refused to reveal anything further, but I heard there was a massacre on your ship?"

Sifa nodded. "Father, I need a lawyer."

Bison leaned back slightly and nodded faintly. "I know. Before coming here, I had already contacted Zilif. He will arrive tomorrow, or the day after at the latest."

"Before then, don't say anything. I've already made arrangements. They'll put you in a private cell shortly."

Hearing that Bison had already hired a lawyer, Sifa finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then he added, "Father, I hope Mr. Zilif can defend the other people on the ship as well."

Bison frowned. "May I ask why? You should know this is no simple case."

Sifa organized his thoughts before answering. "There are two reasons. First, I promised them on the ship that once we reached port, I would hire a lawyer to defend them."

"You often told me that reputation is the foundation upon which we stand. Now is the time for me to honor my promise."

"Second, it will help shape your image and improve your public reputation. Please believe me, Father. We were victims of the massacre aboard the Clover. We are innocent, even if blood did get on our hands."

"So, if you hire a lawyer and help these people receive fair treatment, then I believe the image of a baron willing to speak for ordinary people will help narrow the distance between you and the members of the House of Lords."

Surprise flashed through Bison's eyes. Then he fell into thought, before finally nodding lightly. "You've convinced me. Very well, I'll discuss it properly with Zilif."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. A police officer entered and cleared his throat. "Time's about up."

Bison stood and adjusted his top hat. "Stay put and don't worry. Next time, I'll come see you with the lawyer."

After his father left, Sifa was taken to a private cell.

The room was not large, but it had a bed and a separate washroom. Compared to the previous cell, the conditions were far better.

After the door closed, Sifa sat by the bed. He observed the room for a while and, after confirming that no one was watching him, walked to the high barred window.

He intended to summon that mysterious tome.

During his time aboard the ship, Sifa had not dared attempt the ritual again for fear of drawing attention.

Now that he was alone in the room, it was the perfect chance to test some of his ideas.

Sifa raised his hands level in succession and recited the incantation.

This time, he did not draw a hexagram or arrange any candles. Sifa could not be sure whether the ritual would succeed.

Yet moments later, he saw the colors in the cell begin to deepen, while the dust in the air once more froze in place. These signs all indicated that he had succeeded.

That illusory tome appeared again. Instinctively, Sifa did not look up, keeping his gaze on the floor as though afraid of seeing something he should not see.

When the patterns and information on the mysterious book's cover had fully appeared, Sifa felt its heavy weight. Suppressing his fear, he opened the cover.

He saw the pages, and the message he had written on the message board. As his gaze moved downward, he saw several new messages.

Replies to the questions on the message board!

Sifa's mood instantly turned to delight and excitement.

Sure enough, this mysterious tome could connect worlds from two different dimensions, allowing him to communicate with its "readers."

He eagerly looked over the replies.

"Endless Mountains and Seas: What Sequence should you choose? Of course it's Assassin! Trust me, the high Sequences of this Pathway hold some surprises ╮(￣▽￣)╭."

That tone... and you even added an emoticon afterward. I'm scared.

Sifa continued reading.

"Protect Our Warrior: Go with a mutant. If you're a man, take cassava."

"Blazing-Eyed Garen: Hahaha, definitely Mystery Pryer."

"Faceless: Assassins rejoice. All right, just kidding. Let me answer this seriously. Can I get this pinned?

"I originally wanted to recommend the three cowardly Paths, but considering the protagonist is a nobleman, Arbiter, the Sequences controlled by the Church, such as Sailor, Savant, and Sleepless, are all worth considering."

"These Sequences have detailed official information and allow for stable advancement to high Sequences. The only problem is that advancement is slow, and you'll be monitored by the authorities."

"As for other Sequences, I personally think Hunter is also a good choice. It strengthens your physical fitness from the very start, especially your combat abilities.

"Advance a little, and you can start playing with fire. In terms of sheer destructive power, this Sequence can absolutely squeeze into the top three!"