What should I call myself? There are far too many names. Even Liu Bo, my fellow countryman, doesn't know all my aliases...
Klein held his pose and answered in a low voice:
"Gehrman Sparrow."
"Gehrman Sparrow..." Pale Admiral Maria considered him for a moment, then looked him in the eye and said gravely, "The Naturism Sect is looking for you!"
The Naturism Sect? Isn't that the organization The Tower asked the Hanged Man to report? Why are they looking for me?
Wait... Could they also be behind the governor of Bayam inviting me to that ball?
"The governor of Bayam?" Klein asked, outwardly calm but inwardly wary.
Maria nodded earnestly. "According to my information, the governor was very likely used by the Naturism Sect."
She paused, then added, "The Rose School is behind the Naturism Sect. They're the enemy I'll ultimately have to face."
Pale Admiral has a grudge against the Rose School? No wonder she wants to deal with the Admiral of Blood too.
Klein thought for a moment, then ventured, "I'm planning to hunt the Admiral of Blood as well... Do you have any leads on him?"
Maria shook her head, then said bluntly, "You very likely have something the Rose School needs. So do I... Sooner or later, he'll come looking for one of us."
What does she mean? Does she want to use me as bait? Or herself?
But after considering Pale Admiral's usual conduct, Klein dismissed the suspicion and asked without betraying anything, "So how do you want to work together?"
Maria did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked toward Vice Admiral Iceberg, who stood nearby. Clearly, now that she had met Gehrman, the person she wanted to work with had changed.
Edwina understood at once. She gave them both a slight nod and left