Who are you?
The same question surfaced in Klein's and Lumian-na's minds almost simultaneously as they both turned to look at the person emerging from the shadows.
"If I'm not mistaken, you two are companions." The newcomer smiled and said to Klein and Lumian-na, "The fighting techniques and methods you just demonstrated were very much to my taste. Since you're adventurers, you must yearn for the treasures of the sea. To be frank, my companions and I came together precisely to seek treasure."
"As an adventurer, are you still pursuing those supernatural powers spoken of in legends? Join us, and you'll have a chance to obtain them!"
The black-robed man had barely finished speaking when, before Klein could reply, Lumian-na smiled and asked him, "Would you abandon your companions to join someone else's team?"
The black-robed man froze for a moment, then shook his head and answered, "Of course not."
"Then that's my answer." Lumian-na spread her hands. "We're much like you. We're companions who came together to seek treasure."
Hearing Lumian-na's answer, the black-robed man smiled, apparently in good spirits. "All right, I respect your decision. Still, I admire you both. If you change your minds later, you can come to me anytime."
For some reason, the stern-faced Klein sensed something comical about the man in the black robe. He watched the man remove his hood and announce in a more serious tone, "I'm a subordinate of Vice Admiral Iceberg, Edwina Edwards, and the fourth boatswain of the Golden Dream-'Flame' Danitz."
That name sounds so familiar... Lumian-na had already begun trying to recall where she had seen it, while Klein said in a low voice, "'Flame' Danitz, with a bounty of 3,000 pounds?"
When he had examined the bounty notices earlier, Klein had memorized several of the more famous