Chapter 567 Possible Leaker

567 Possible Leaker

The failure of the sea prayer ritual last year caused an anomaly in the sea? Lumian couldnt help but interpret it that way after going through the contents.

Studying the note in his hand, a familiar fragrance wafted to him.

After some thought, Lumian recalled the source: the Paco familys Madame Giorgias perfume.

Were they inexperienced or intentionally leaving a trace, implying the Paco family as the source of this information? Lumian mused to himself, recalling the sudden appearance of a humanoid lizard in the Paco family, the severe injuries to Rubi Pacos mother Martha, and the peculiarities surrounding them.

Is the core issue the seas abnormality? Has it weakened the Paco familys Beyonders, causing an ordinary person without sea lineage to transform into a humanoid lizard? Perhaps they dont want other sea sp.a.w.n to know and were lacking the strength to handle the humanoid lizard, thus seeking foreign adventurers to resolve it? Lumian gained a new insight into the contradictions within the Paco familys commission.

Lato Guiaro and Juan Oro hadnt mentioned the seas anomaly.

They only noted the seas increased violence without the rituals appeas.e.m.e.nt, the frequent departure of Death Navigators from their territory, and the declining strength of the Children of the Sea.

From their perspective, this situation seemed normal, foreseeable, and unrelated to any anomaly.

Did the anomaly solely affect the Paco family, or did Juan Oro, Lato Guiaro, and others intentionally conceal this matter? Are they guarding against each other? Lumian speculated as he watched the note consumed by crimson flames in his palm.

He leaned toward the latter possibility. If the Paco family wasnt unique, the seas anomaly should have widespread effects, not solely targeting them.

This understanding shed light on Rubi Pacos disdain when speaking of the Maidens of the Sea.

Discovering the truth about the Maidens of the Sea and his true lineage likely filled him with self-loathing and contempt for the entire sea prayer ritual. Hed rather forfeit his familys inheritance than marry another Maiden of the Sea. When the sea anomaly affected the entire Paco family, these emotions reached their zenith.

Lumians suspicion grew that Nolfis covert ally might be Rubi Paco.

Regardless, given the Paco familys resources and status, they could lead a comfortable life even without the sea prayer ritual.

Lugano stood to the side, observing his employer as Lumian delved into deep thought after reading the note. A twinge of nervousness and fl.u.s.ter crossed Luganos demeanor.

Is something about to unfold again?

Lumian glanced up at Lugano, his expression pensive.

Though I havent reached Highlander proficiency, Ive mastered the daily words I need. My body language suffices for a normal life in Port Santa. Plus, the folks Ill be dealing with know Intisian.

I can settle the remaining balance now and offer you a free teleport back to Trier.

Instinctively, Lugano shook his head.

You cant attend to Ludwig when youre in action. If I leave now, wholl keep an eye on him?

Its unclear whos watching whom Lumian stared at Lugano for a brief moment, sensing, for the first time, an unsettling undertone in the interpreters demeanor.

Despite prior attacks and potential risks, there was an inexplicable resistance to the suggestion of terminating the employment contract and taking his offer for a safe departure!

It wouldnt even cost him a verl dor!

Considering Luganos typical behavior and personality, Lumian a.s.sumed he would readily accept the remaining payment and leave Port Santa. Reality, however, proved otherwise.

Perhaps Lugano himself doesnt understand the rationale behind his decision. It is just an instinctive choice Lumian nodded subtly, opting not to press further on settling the final payment and terminating their employment contract.

In Milo Village, within the Oro familys extensively renovated ancestral house, Juan Oro lounged by the window, puffing on a hookah, his gaze fixed on the sun dipping below the horizon, casting an orange glow. His thoughts drifted to the impending sea prayer ritual, just over a week away.

Abruptly, he turned his head, eyeing a shadow near the door.

The darkness stirred, and a man with green eyes, sporting a golden straw hat, white s.h.i.+rt, and black vest, emergedthe adventurer, Louis Berry.

Why are you here again? Juan Oro sighed, switching to Intisian.

Lumian chuckled, dragging a chair into the suns waning rays.

Ive got another inquiry and a heads-up about a particular operation.

Juans eyes narrowed.

What scheme are you plotting now?

Tonight, I intend to infiltrate the Governor of the Seas residence. If I go unnoticed, Ill observe the rooms where the vigil ritual is conducted. If discovered, Ill make a swift exit. This fits my radical persona and purported motives, doesnt it? Itll deflect suspicion from our covert collaboration, Lumian disclosed, a hint of a smile in his explanation.

Juan Oro harbored an unexplained sense of threat from Louis Berry, yet he found no tangible evidence. Despite this, Lumians words resonated with an unsettling logic.

He drew a deep drag from his hookah in silence before he spoke.

What are you getting at?

Lumian smiled.

Im curious to see the ring that marries the sea, its intricate engravings, and the patterns it bears.

I know youve only crafted the ring mold and havent completed the ritual to infuse it with something special. However, after serving as deputy host 11 times and a.s.sisting even more, Im confident youve memorized the patterns, symbols, and structure.

Juan Oro stiffened, his tone turning icy.

Whats your motive?

The rooms afterglow, touched by the setting sun, dimmed suddenly, as if being pulled into another dimension.

Unfazed, Lumian responded, Why all the secrecy? Havent you heard that the rings design, patterns, and structure have long been exposed?

Juan Oros eyes narrowed.When did this happen?

Lumian arched an eyebrow.

Didnt my companion inform you of the true reason behind the sea prayer ritual failure?

He merely confirmed the fake Iru on the s.h.i.+p. Juan Oro had his suspicions.

Lumian grinned, shaking his head. He began unraveling his deductions, starting with the custom-made fake ring in Torres and the orchestrated lamb sacrifice sent to the s.h.i.+p after a bribe.

Juan Oro held his silence, his countenance growing darker.

After a tense pause, he spoke in a hoa.r.s.e tone, Not many are privy to the intricacies of the Ring of the Sea Queen, and the fact that sea sp.a.w.n seldom inspect the sacrificial offerings entrails. Each of them, the Children of the Sea, veterans of countless core rituals, are still alive Iru and Salah were oblivious

As Juan Oros words, spoken through gritted teeth, reached Lumians ears, a sudden realization dawned upon him.

Ultraman is affiliated with the Fisheries Guild, a Child of the Sea endowed with numerous powers and a distinct status!

Theres also the possibility that hes manipulated such an individual, establis.h.i.+ng a clandestine partners.h.i.+p.

Without such a connection, how could April Fools possess precise details about the ceremonial rings appearance and exploit the sea prayer rituals supervisory loophole?

Even though I Know Someone mentioned that Ultraman is a Sun pathway Beyonder, it doesnt rule out his ident.i.ty as a Child of the Sea. Transforming into a Child of the Sea first and then drinking the Sun pathways potion shouldnt pose an issue. The power of the Child of the Sea resonates with the cosmos, and the Sun and the cosmos are inherently compatible. Is April Fools true motive for disrupting the sea prayer ritual preparations related to Ultraman or his collaborator aiming to fully control the power or the palace at the bottom of the sea? Lumians thoughts gradually clarified.

He looked at Juan Oro with a relaxed smile and remarked, If there wasnt a mole, how could the sea prayer ritual be disrupted so easily?

Juan Oro had harbored similar suspicions for the past year; Lumians words were irrefutable.

After some contemplation with an unpleasant expression, Juan Oro composed himself and stated, I have to uncover the traitor before the official sea sacrifice

At this point, Juan Oro turned his gaze to Lumian.

I might need your cooperation on something when the time comes.

Oh, youre fis.h.i.+ng too? Lumian replied with a smile, No problem.

Juan Oro set down his hookah and left his seat.

He walked to the desk, retrieved a pen and paper, and began sketching.

Nearly ten minutes later, the old man staggered to Lumian and handed him the paper.

Lumian glanced at it and recognized six designsrepresenting the front, left, right, back, front, and inner parts of the Ring of the Sea Queen. Each design featured intricate and mystifying symbols and patterns.

Its actually useless for you to obtain it. It wont have any effect, Juan Oro said in a low, raspy voice. The corresponding sea sp.a.w.n have to use their special abilities to inscribe them on the ring and corrode them for six hours to please the sea and gain her recognition.

Lumian nodded and replied,I have no intention of replicating one.

He was obtaining it solely to send to Madam Magician for interpretation.

He then asked, Is this the ring-making segment of the vigil ritual? Is there no other step?

Theres another step. An a.s.sistant host will take the ring to the bas.e.m.e.nt and place it in front of the patterns and symbols representing our ancestors for an hour. This is a show of respect to our ancestors, like greeting the elders before a wedding, Juan Oro explained briefly.

After a moment of contemplation, Lumian responded, Can you also draw the patterns and symbols representing your ancestors?

Juan Oro returned to the desk.

This time, he completed it in just two minutes.

Lumian took it and noticed scattered lines and arcs. Many details were missing from the middle, making it impossible to discern its original appearance.

Seeing it in person might allow you to make connections easier. Juan Oro sighed again.

Lumian nodded.

Then Ill infiltrate the Governor of the Seas residence tonight.

Juan Oro tersely acknowledged his words.

Be careful of the sea sp.a.w.n there. They have their own specialties. They might not be very strong, but they can counter certain abilities of yours.

Late at night, under the crimson moonlight, Lumian appeared near the cathedral-like building.