Chapter 923: After Effects

Cielf didn't notice the change in Alger's eyes. He pointed at one of the

"cremated" Primordial Moon believers and said, "That cane was taken from

me. It's called 'Word of the Sea.' It can release lightning at a target.

Waving it and striking it will cause it to be augmented with wind

blades. Apart from that, it can also create large water spheres and

corrosive rainwater. It can also allow the wielder to not be afraid of

deep-sea pressure. They can freely extract oxygen from the water. At the

same time, it can also be used as a wand to provide flight.

"There are three negative side effects. First, it enjoys singing. Every

six hours, it has to belt out a song. The resulting effects don't

discriminate between friend or foe. Due to the different choices of

songs and styles, it can make one's mind go adrift or have one's mind

and soul shocked, and at other times, cause one to be irascible and be

in a state of lowered reason. Of course, even without waiting six hours,

it will also be very willing to sing if you so desire.

"Second, you can probably tell that it's equipped with living

characteristics. Furthermore, it's one that is rather testy. It enjoys

tripping, beating, or pulling the wielder down stairs when they aren't

paying attention.

"Third, it will cause the wielder to easily be struck by lightning.

Therefore, on stormy days, either don't go out or don't bring it along."

*This is the Sealed Artifact that was made from Gehrman Sparrow's Ocean

Songster Beyonder characteristic. If he were to know that you had

already made it and had allowed the Primordial Moon believer to take it

away, you will definitely be sold to someone who is need of you---in the

form of a Beyonder characteristic...* Alger looked towards the

dining table and saw the black silver-inlaid cane.

From what he knew, regardless of whether the other negative effects were

severe, mystical items with living characteristics were considered

Sealed Artifacts. This was because there were unpredictable dangers

associated with them.

With Cattleya and her companion not telling him that he was done, Cielf

could only continue taking out mystical items with a glum face.

"This short knife is called 'Blade of Poison.' The effects are obvious.

There's no need for me to give any additional information, right?

"Eh, every time it deals damage, it will add on a random poison. As for

what it is, it's all luck.

"Its negative effects aren't too serious. It will only cause medical

treatment to fail and the feeling of being drunk to accumulate within

the wielder."

Cielf continued introducing a few mystical items and finally heard

Cattleya say, "Excellent, the rest are yours."

Phew... She still left me with three... Not only did Cielf not

bear a grudge, he felt deep down how nice a person Admiral of Stars was.

It was as though he had suffered some psychological ailments.

Cattleya then turned to look at The Hanged Man.

"You pick first."

She knew that The World Gehrman Sparrow had commissioned a mystical item

to be made by the Artisan. Therefore, The Hanged Man had to first select

the crazy adventurer's item first.

Alger nodded and took the Word of the Sea and the Gargoyle Glasses.

Then, he indicated that the rest were spoils of war.

Cattleya thought for a moment and said, "Pick another one. The rest will

be mine."

She wasn't too interested in the remaining mystical items because she

had two rather powerful items that suited her. She had also obtained the

Scales of Luck and Judge Button later; thus, covering all her bases.

Under such a situation, the stacking of negative effects was something

to be considered. Unless it was something extremely special, it wasn't

something she would take a second look or choose to exchange.

Of course, as a pirate admiral, she never found mystical items too

excessive. After all, she had to hand over some of them to the Moses

Ascetic Order and leave the rest to reward her crew.

Alger fell silent for a moment. Starting from what items and Beyonder

powers he had, he chose the Blade of Poison.

Following that, Cattleya instructed Bloodless Heath Doyle to move the

mystical items that Cielf had placed on the ground, and the remnant

items left by the Primordial Moon believers, out of the room.

Then, she looked at the Artisan with her dark purple-hued eyes.

"Why do the Primordial Moon believers want to control you?"

Cielf's eyes flickered.

"Isn't that simple and obvious? To get me to make mystical items for

them..."

Just as he said that, his heart skipped a beat as a result of the purple

eyes that were coldly looking at him. He hurriedly added, "They also

seem to have some plan that needs the help of an Artisan. As for what it

is, I've no idea because it hasn't started."

Cattleya retracted her gaze while seemingly in thought. Exchanging a

silent look with The Hanged Man, they nodded simultaneously.

They decided not to take away the Artisan today and to leave him there

to monitor the subsequent developments.

In other words, they wanted to figure out the Primordial Moon believers'

plans from monitoring him.

Actually, for The Hermit and The Hanged Man, whatever the Primordial

Moon believers were plotting wasn't something they cared about. They

just each had matters they were concerned about. The former used it to

communicate with Queen Mystic to provide her reference material for her

strategies in the supernatural world. The latter could use this matter

to earn contribution points from the Church; therefore, they had

instantly come to a tacit agreement to investigate deeper.

Of course, Alger always believed in a principle:

The more information he wielded, the more benefits he could obtain from

various matters!

After a brief silence, Cattleya said to Artisan Cielf in the same tone,

"Since you're already a Primordial Moon believer, taking you with me

provides me with no benefit."

Cielf nodded immediately, agreeing with what she said.

Cattleya paused for a moment before she said, "However, I wish to

establish a long-term working relationship with you. Therefore, I need a

few drops of your blood. This will aid me in finding you at any time."

Cielf wore a miserable look as his lips quivered, but he was unable to

object to it.

Phew... He suddenly exhaled and said, "Okay."

With that said, he picked up a paper cutter beside him and sliced his

forearm, letting a few drops of blood drip out.

Cattleya immediately raised her right arm and gently flicked her wrist,

causing the few drops of blood to float and fly towards her.

After observing the blood in her palm, this pirate admiral suddenly

asked, "What's your last name?"

"June," Cielf replied instinctively.

Cattleya didn't say a word as she turned around and walked out the door.

Alger followed closely behind.

The room quickly turned silent as Cielf sat on the sofa. He sat there

motionless for quite a while, as though he was deep in thought over the

encounter, being unable to extricate himself from it.

Ten minutes later, he suddenly stood up and took out a small

human-shaped figurine from his inside pocket.

The figurine was brass-colored, and its face was empty. Blood slowly

seeped out from it and remained on its surface.

Cielf hurriedly wiped the figurine's face with a handkerchief before

heaving a sigh of relief. He curled the corners of his lips and silently

muttered, Thankfully I have this Fate Puppet...

*Humph, Let's see how you can find me with those drops of blood! Don't

even think of cursing me!*

In the poverty-stricken district of Bayam, on a street without any

street lamps.

The masked and hooded Alger looked at The Hermit beside him. With a deep

voice, he said, "After Cielf escaped from the Church of Steam, he has

been living safe and sound to this day. This means he's not a fool. For

him to so easily give you the blood in such a relaxed manner without

putting up any resistance means that he has the means to avoid your

tracking.

"Besides, he didn't mention an explanation of how the Primordial Moon

believers found him."

Logically speaking, the believers definitely would've asked him for the

origins of the Werewolf Beyonder characteristic, but Cielf hadn't

mentioned Alger at all.

As Cattleya took out the pair of heavy glasses and wore it, she said

without a change in tone, "It isn't used for tracking."

Alger nodded in thought before bidding her farewell, turning into a dark

alley.

He made several detours and found a chance to remove his disguise before

leaving Bayam. After he returned to the Resistance's private harbor, he

boarded the Blue Avenger.

His sailors had pretty much spent most of their energy and money over

the past few days. So at that moment, they were all on the ship, waiting

to set off for the seas again.

Upon seeing him return, one of the sailors stood up immediately and

asked with a smile, "Captain, have you had dinner?"

"Not yet. Make something simple for me." For the operation, Alger hadn't

had a chance to fill his stomach.

The sailor who also did some cooking on the side immediately replied,

"Alright. We got some fresh mushrooms in the forest today. How about I

pan fry it with some butter?"

"..."

Alger's face twitched as he shook his head with a normal expression.

"Searing a steak would do. Medium rare, uh---Medium-done."

East Balam, by the periphery of a forest.

With his two marionettes, Klein wasn't in a rush to leave. He entered a

city and planned on getting some dyes to disguise Admiral Hell Ludwell's

mask.

And before that, he had other things to do.

It was to seek out a helper for his exploration of the periphery of

Calderón!

Klein was never a lone wolf, and it was even more so the case when faced

with danger. Therefore, unless he had no options, he would always invite

powerhouses to provide him with help by sharing the coordinates and

paying the corresponding price. He wasn't one to rashly enter.

To him, being able to obtain the desired ingredient while alive was most

important!

*If it wasn't because I know it's impossible, I'd even wish to wait one

to two weeks before I carry a baby or push a pram to head for

Calderón...* Klein sighed silently as he took out the

adventurer's harmonica and blew into it.

Silently, Reinette Tinekerr with her four heads in hand walked out of

the void.

Klein deliberated over his words and said, "I plan on exploring Calderón

City soon. Well, I've already obtained its coordinates in the spirit

world. I'm wondering if I can hire you for your help? What would be the

price?"

The four heads in Reinette Tinekerr's hand spoke one after another:

"Won't do..." I..." "Can't..." "Enter..."