Lord of Mysteries: Yao Guang

Walking on the streets of Byam, because Esther and Alexander were dressed like nothing more than pirates, even Mary, who was following them, did not attract any attention.

"You have also seen the serious situation recently. I heard that several airships were dispatched two days ago to search for traces of the pirates here." Alexander walked at the front, walking behind him in a low voice. Esther explained next to her.

"Then we want to take a boat to another island?"

"We just need to rent a boat at the private pier and go to the small island where we are anchored. There are many people doing this business here. Haha, you don't get seasick, do you?"

Alexander's harmless little joke made Esther slightly change her view of him. Originally, Esther thought he was a more rigid and old-school scholar. She smiled and replied:

"If I get seasick, I won't be able to make it to Bayam, and I'll have to swim back to shore halfway."

Alexander also laughed: "Oh, at least you can swim! This is a small step for you to go to the sea."

"Is it a big step to become a pirate?" Esther continued tentatively.

Mary murmured in a low voice: "I'll tell you that you are a lover of Emperor Russell. It's obvious at first glance."

Alexander seemed very happy: "No matter how many famous quotes the emperor left, they are far less valuable than one thousandth of the various machines and manuscripts he left behind. It can be said that he single-handedly promoted the development of technology in the church and the world. Unfortunately..."

Esther keenly captured that Alexander directly called the "Church" instead of the "Church of the God of Steam and Machinery", which seems to explain a lot of things - such as Alexander's identity, the believers or members of the church seem to be possible .

Judging from his "identification" ability as an extraordinary person and the tone of his comments in this regard, it is obvious that he is like a "craftsman" and is very likely to be an official member.

Could it be that the organization behind the "Clover" is the Heart of Machinery?

After ten minutes of walking, the three of them got into a taxi and staggered toward the beach.

Alexander showed erudition that matched his appearance, and even went far beyond Esther's expected professional scope. He seemed to know a lot about everything, including the music theory knowledge that Esther had a rough understanding of.

Seeing Esther's eyes gradually turning to admiration, Alexander didn't mind telling her more information in exchange for Esther's previous frankness:

"My sequence can greatly enhance the memory of knowledge. Anything I have seen, been exposed to, or learned will never be forgotten."

"Sounds like a very good and unique ability."

Alexander smiled and sighed: "Alas, it's a pity that my age has stopped me here, but I am already very content. Although the extraordinary world brings many benefits, it is also too dangerous."

Esther nodded: "I have to admit, it's hard for me to think of you as a member of some pirate group."

"I have been buried in books and machines for too long in my life," Alexander lowered his gaze, with a very gentle smile under his beard. "There is nothing wrong with coming out to take a look. Since I have been entrusted by others, of course I should be loyal to others. "

Being entrusted by others and being loyal to them?

Esther quickly analyzed and restored this sentence, and it was obvious that this was also the "proverb" left by Russell.

——

About half an hour later, the taxi stopped at a beach. After paying the fare, Mary offered to help Alexander carry the box, but the old gentleman refused:

"My body is not that old yet, so there is no need to exploit young people."

Although Alexander often smiled when he spoke, Esther noticed that his eyes were always dark and brightened only when he shared knowledge with others.

The enthusiasm in his words is more due to good cultivation. This is a person who treats himself very strictly. He only pours enthusiasm into things that interest him. Even if he makes jokes during the conversation, it is to ease my impression...

Is Mary's restraint in front of him because this "colorful pearl" is not good at facing such a dignified elder? She may have been in a very strict family environment, or had a very serious teacher who was often reprimanded and punished, which is why she was left with such instinctive uneasiness.

When Mary was alone with me, she seemed much more casual, unlike now, when she always feels itchy on her back and has a hard time staying still.

Esther followed Alexander on a fishing boat with a sail. The waves were not big today but there was a breeze, allowing the fishing boat to sail northward in a leisurely manner.

——

Bayam offshore, desert island, "Clover".

This is a pirate ship that can barely be called a medium-sized one. It is made of warm wood as a whole. There are six artillery emplacements on each side of the hull. Its firepower is not really excellent. Unlike traditional pirate ships, in addition to sails, it is also equipped with The chimney and steam drive ensure the superior speed of the ship, which means "you can always outrun me if you can't beat me".

A pirate flag with a black background hangs from the top of the mast. What is embroidered on it is not a skull but a gold-rimmed four-leaf clover. Below it are two long crossed bones.

Strangely, there was a large amount of translucent huge foam accumulated around the ship, which reflected colorful light, wrapped the pirate ship in it, and made the hull float upward, leaving most of the hull exposed on the sea. superior.

The dark-skinned, muscular boatman followed Alexander's instructions and placed the three of them on a rock with barnacles on the side. After taking the fare from Alexander, the boatman left quickly, as if he didn't want to stay long at all.

Mary pointed to the strange piece of foam in the distance: "This place is quite famous nearby. It is called the 'Ghost Reef Island' by fishermen and sailors. If it were not for the floating system designed by Mr. Alexander and the assistance of Mr. Toma's magic, we would have I would never dare to come here.”

Esther looked at the hill-like foam group, and it was difficult to see the whole picture of the "Clover": "There are a lot of reefs here?"

Mary nodded: "Yes, and for some unknown reason, the underwater reefs sometimes change their positions and often float in unexpected corners, so very few people come to this entire sea area."

Alexander raised his hand toward the sea: "There should be some kind of curse under this reef. There are almost no living aquatic life, only barnacles and a lot of seaweed. Even the local fishermen are unwilling to come."

“No wonder the boatman’s face was full of reluctance when Mary told her the destination.”

In the end, Mary promised to pay three times the shipping fee, and the other party reluctantly agreed.

While the three of them were talking, Esther could finally see the hull of the ship. The pirate ship surrounded by foam was slowly rising, revealing the tip of the mast and the flag inside.

The hull of the boat actually left the water slightly, and slowly moved towards the reef where the three of them were, floating in the air, but the speed was quite slow.

It was the first time Esther saw such a wonderful ship with her own eyes, and she felt as happy as watching a fantasy blockbuster: "Is this really—that ship itself is also a magical object?"

"Your intuition is very keen, Miss." Alexander raised the corner of his mouth and smiled proudly, "But this 'ghost ship' has a bad temper. It sometimes likes to maliciously turn into reefs or undercurrents, or attract some... It’s a sea monster that gives people a headache. If Aaron hadn’t been so lucky and had someone else control it, the ‘Clover’ would have sunk itself long ago.”

Esther found it even more interesting. Although the ship had such a clover name, it actually had such unfortunate negative effects.

But soon, Alexander's words of "not having a good temper" came true.

A tall, thin, brown-haired middle-aged man waved his arms vigorously at the bow of the boat and shouted in Intis language to the three people below: "The princess is out of control again! Get out of the way quickly, she is about to run over." !”

The ship was so close that the three of them had no time to move to the rocks on the other side.

Mary also yelled at the bow of the boat: "You couldn't have told me earlier!"

Alexander reacted faster than Esther and quickly found the most appropriate response method. He grabbed the two girls' shoulders: "Quick! Jump into the water!"

The three of them held their breath, and under Alexander's pull, they fell into the sea water next to them with a "pop".

A strange feeling of weightlessness appeared under the feet, automatically holding the three people in a position where they would not fall into the water, and the suitcases including the three people floated.

Esther was still a little confused, because she had just heard that the man on the bow and Mary were not shouting in Loen language, but in Intis language, which Esther had not had much actual contact with, but she could clearly distinguish it. revealed the meaning of those words.

Because language is just a medium, the meaning of communication can be received directly? It's like I skipped hearing and was "perceived" directly by me.

She had not paid such careful attention before, and when she heard the exchanges between local residents in Bayam, she did not focus on distinguishing them.

The ship slowly sailed over the heads of the three of them, casting a shadow like a meteorite. Large pieces of foam hit their heads, making Mary sneeze. Mary's wig was soaked through and stuck to her head like a ball of black seaweed.

Esther glanced into the sea water. A blue light curtain was emitting from Alexander's suitcase, which continuously increased the buoyancy of the surrounding sea water. Therefore, the three of them could easily stick their heads out of the water, and the suitcase did not sink.

No wonder Mr. Alexander doesn't worry about his luggage at all. His suitcase has been specially protected. Even the suitcase has special functions. This kind of handwriting is more mechanical and does not care about wear and tear.

Is this the willfulness of "craftsmen"...

Esther, who was observing the nearby blue light group, was stunned. Her perception was suddenly touched by something, and she captured a very subtle buzzing sound.

Esther immediately raised her head. The thing calling from above was surrounded by numerous bubbles. She stretched out her left hand and raised it slightly, as if to say hello to the "Four-Leaf Clover".

It was obvious that she was still far away from touching the hull, but the ship immediately stopped where it was, as if it had come specially to wait for its guests and crew to board.

Alexander looked quite surprised when he saw this scene: "Oh? She stopped unexpectedly, let's swim from the side."

Mary couldn't wait to swim at the front, grabbed the rope ladder thrown down from above, held her suitcase in her mouth, and climbed up with dexterity using her hands and feet.

Judging from the fierce look on her face, she probably wanted to get on the boat first to curse.