10 PM, Swordfish Bar.
Klein, who had been waiting all afternoon without receiving his bounty, went out and circled around Oz Kent. He was told that the process was complete, but the money wouldn't be paid until the next morning.
He also pretended to participate in the adventurers' private transactions at the Swordfish Bar, but unfortunately failed to find the main ingredient or magical item for the " Marionettist " Potion.
Returning to his original state, Klein adjusted his top hat and tried to squeeze through the crowd to leave the bar, which was currently at its most lively and noisy stage.
At this moment, gazes swept across his face, most of them first pausing for a moment, then clearly stopping for two seconds, as if trying to discern something.
Suddenly, they both averted their gaze and retreated away from Klein, like parted tides.
They already knew about Gehrman Sparrow's appearance and strength from newspapers and rumors. More details gradually spread in various places where adventurers, pirates, and gang members gathered, giving many people a basic understanding of the situation at the time Gehrman Sparrow's crazy act of instantly drawing his gun and shooting " The Sweet-Talker " Misor King Mithor. Therefore, everyone consciously stayed away from this dangerous guy.
The trader Ralph was drinking at the bar when he suddenly noticed something unusual over there. Instinctively, he half-turned and looked over.
He quickly spotted a thin, angular, silent gentleman, and the corresponding portrait published in the News naturally came to mind:
Gehrman Sparrow, the hunter of the " Sweet-Talker "!
Immediately afterward, Ralph recalled his casual conversation with the rebel leader Kalat that evening, confirming that the mad adventurer before him did not reject " Sea God " and had even witnessed the rebels' private deal with " Vice Admiral Iceberg ".
Perhaps he could be developed into a follower of the " Sea God "... Even if he's not interested in the future of the archipelago, he might still be of help in some matters... Ralph clasped his hands together and placed them near his mouth, making a gesture as if blowing a conch shell, one of the gestures used to pray to the " Sea God " Kavithua.
Then he abruptly stood up, grabbed his beer mug, and walked toward Gehrman Sparrow.
At this moment, Klein also noticed Ralph's approach and recognized who he was.
That was a devout believer who once wanted to donate one-third of his 20,000 gold pounds to the " Sea God "!
That was a former pirate who had been sent by him to work on a children's charity fund!
Through news about the charity foundation and the other party's always devout prayers, he knew a great deal about Ralph, so he was puzzled as to why the other party would try to contact Gehrman Sparrow.
Is there a request? Something the resistance can't do for various reasons? Klein glanced at Ralph and slowed his pace.
"Mr. Gehrman Sparrow?" Ralph raised his beer glass.
Klein nodded, naturally maintaining his persona, and said:
"I don't know you."
"Haha, acquaintances among adventurers are always simple, perhaps only requiring a drink." Ralph gestured to the bar, "Want one?"
"Okay." Klein replied simply, his doubts hidden.
He sat down in the corner of the bar, ordered a Southville beer, and watched Ralph as he drank, without saying a word.
Being silently watched by a pirate general-level powerhouse was hardly a pleasant experience. Ralph took a sip of beer to mask his intense tension and chuckled.
"I had heard of you before this incident, and knew you as a true gentleman who showed no discrimination against the indigenous people of the colony."
Klein's mind flashed through lines of dialogue, finally settling on a few words that best suited the character:
Get to the point.
... Ralph nearly choked, coughing twice before saying:
"Am I honored to introduce you to our God, the Savior of the Islands, the Blessed of the Sea, Kavithua?"
"As you know, the sea is so vast, and the Storm are so terrifying. Even a powerful figure like one of the Four Kings cannot guarantee that he can overcome all the difficulties and survive on his own. At this time, we need a god, a god who can answer your call and who holds the power over the sea and the Storm."
Introduce yourself to me, and then let me believe in myself... Klein controlled the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, and instead said:
"I'm more interested in whether you have any magical items, the kind that are very powerful and aggressive."
Ralph smiled sincerely and said:
We don't.
"But as long as you have sincere faith in the ' Sea God,' you may one day receive the corresponding blessings."
I didn't... Don't make promises for me so easily! Klein was both annoyed and amused.
He felt the conversation couldn't continue, so he downed most of a glass of Southville beer in one gulp and said:
"I'll think about it."
Just as he was about to leave, the bartender suddenly leaned over, grinning ingratiatingly:
"Mr. Gehrman Sparrow, there's a request for you."
"What?" Klein glanced at Ralph.
The latter, sensing the situation, picked up his beer and left his seat.
He was already quite satisfied with today's results, because he hadn't expected to turn the crazy adventurer into a follower of " Sea God " in one go. His goal was simply to let the other party know that such a possibility existed and to encourage him to consider the pros and cons.
Once the corner of the bar was quiet again, the bartender quickly smiled and said:
"He claims to be Apothecary you know and has a task he'd like to entrust to you. If you're interested, you can wait here, and we'll contact him as agreed."
Apothecary I know? The chubby Darkwill? The Darkwill who owns a chubby owl? What kind of request could he possibly have? Rescue his teacher King Roy? I can't do that, the risk is far too high... With these thoughts racing through his mind, Klein decided to first hear what kind of request the other party had:
"Good."
Around 11 o'clock, Klein met the timid, overweight Apothecary Darkwill in billiards room number 3 of the Swordfish Bar.
The other person had changed out of the relatively conspicuous country witch doctor's robe and into the local attire of a tarpaulin, wide-legged trousers, and a thick brown jacket. The round-faced owl was perched quietly on Darkwill's right shoulder, its eyes fixed intently on the adventurer opposite.
The way " Justice " sized up the other members of the Tarot Club was very similar to... This owl might truly be an extraordinary creature, an " Spectator " type? Klein had a judgment in his mind, but on the surface he remained calm and asked in a low voice:
What is your request?
"It's like this." The portly Apothecary had his left hand in his pocket, clutching the ring box tightly. "I'm about to go on a Travel to another island, hehe, it'll probably take three days. Because of some things, I might encounter danger, or maybe not, but anyway, I need a bodyguard, and you're the best person I can think of."
The way you're saying that makes it sound like I'm not actually that great, that you just don't know many people... Instead of saving the teacher, you left Bayam to find help? Or have you already rescued him, and the danger is actually from the military's pursuit? Klein calmly asked, pondering the truth of the matter:
How dangerous is it?
Darkwill murmured a few times before saying:
"I can't be sure. If, if the danger is beyond your control, you can simply hand me over to the other party. This is a promise we've made now, and it won't damage your reputation."
If I didn't know you weren't always the most pleasant-to-talk person, I would have thought you were using reverse psychology... Klein thought for a moment and said:
What kind of compensation can you pay?
Darkwill initially wanted to give the answer he had already considered, but hesitated for a moment because the situation was indeed very dangerous. If the offer wasn't strong enough, it would be difficult to sway Gehrman Sparrow. He feared that if the "senator" appeared, the bodyguards would give up before things became hopeless. This was why he insisted on hiring a strong person.
Klein glanced at him and said coldly:
You can think about it first.
"I'm going to the restroom. Tell me your answer when I get back."
With that, he turned around, walked to the door, turned the handle, and stepped out.
His response seemed sophisticated, displaying the nonchalance and ruthlessness of an adventurer and bounty Hunter. However, he didn't actually want to give the fat Apothecary time to think; he was simply looking for an opportunity to go to the restroom and Divination above the Gray Fog.
That's the key question of whether or not he should accept the mission!
After leaving the billiards room, Klein waited in line for a while before finally getting a toilet available.
Upon entering, he immediately frowned, feeling nauseous from the filth and stench, and nearly turned away.
He forced himself to close the door, then disgustedly pressed the flush button. While lamenting the appalling environment for Divination, he took four small, reversed steps to begin the ritual.
Inside the card room, Darkwill waited until Gehrman Sparrow's figure had completely disappeared before quickly closing the door and asking the owl on his shoulder:
Will he betray me?
"No," the owl muttered. "And, when you ask me a question, be polite. Call me Mr. Harry."
Darkwill's chubby face twitched slightly.
"Mr. Harry, what kind of compensation do you think he would accept?"
"I have a hard time reading him; he's good at hiding his expressions," the owl replied frankly.
"Damn Mr. Harry, no, damn stupid bird!" Darkwill cursed under his breath, pacing back and forth, pondering his options.
After a while, Klein returned to billiard room number 3 and asked:
Have you thought it through?
He had already Divination above the Gray Fog, and the level of danger of this mission was acceptable, plus he also wanted to leave Bayam in the near future.
"800 pounds for three days, and our friendship—I mean, the friendship between my teacher and his friends," Darkwill said somewhat uncertainly.
Klein paused for a few seconds and then said:
£1,000 for 3 days.
"Also, if your organization helps me obtain a powerful offensive magical item, I will pay you in cash at a reasonable price."
1000 pounds? I don't have that much... Darkwill hesitated for a moment and said:
"I'll prepay £300, and pay the rest once I reach my destination and find the person I'm looking for."
He planned to have his teacher's teacher pay the remaining balance.
Klein nodded calmly:
"Make a deal."
The portly Apothecary, Darkwill, immediately breathed a sigh of relief, then shamelessly grinned and said:
"Can I assume that the protection is effective from now on?"