Ebner looked around and found that, aside from Admiral Edwina, there were two other women present in the captain's cabin.
One of them was wearing an Intis-style suit of knight armor, a longsword hanging from her waist. Her delicate yet heroic face made her identity unmistakable—Admiral of Pale, Maria, whom Ebner had met once before.
Standing beside Maria was another lady with black hair and brown eyes, dignified and beautiful. She wore a robe bearing the characteristic style of the Southern Continent's Balam Empire, with the unique crest of the Aegis family sewn over her chest.
So this must be Old Roselle's lover—the former princess of the Balam Empire, Bruna. Jane mentioned her once, saying she was gentle and kind… though in his diary, Roselle said she wasn't particularly bright. Well, that much doesn't show on her face.
While Ebner was quietly studying the two women, Edwina stepped forward and introduced them:
"This is Lady Bruna of the 'Numinous Episcopate's' Royal Faction, a Sequence 3 Ferryman.
"And this one you already know—Admiral of Pale, Maria. She's a Sequence 5 Wraith, but through the 'Pale Justice,' she can unleash an attack powerful enough to kill an ordinary demigod… though that attack is uncontrollable and easily harms her allies."
Such a detailed introduction? Ebner raised a brow. Is she laying everyone's cards on the table for coordination in battle? But won't that annoy them, revealing their trump cards so openly?
Thinking that, he glanced again at the two women's expressions—yet both Bruna and Maria looked perfectly composed, as if they'd already known what Edwina would say.
Then Edwina half-turned and said to the two ladies from the Numinous Episcopate,
"This is my associate and the demigod I brought for this operation—the 'Prophet,' Professor."
Upon hearing his introduction, Ebner removed his hood and gave a formal bow.
"As for me," Edwina continued, "I'm Admiral of Iceberg, Edwina Edwards, and I command a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact—'Silent Winter.' It allows me to summon a demigod-level spirit for thirty seconds of combat."
'Silent Winter' hadn't originally possessed that ability, but after being reforged by Lilith on the first floor of the Dream Labyrinth Tower, it had taken on its current form.
"Ah, a 'Prophet'… I know one too," Bruna said with a teasing smile. "She's very resourceful, but when it comes to fighting, she lacks strong offensive means. Good at bullying the weak and supporting allies, but against a real opponent, she either runs or stalls. Of course, Prophets rarely fight head-on—they always prepare the battlefield first."
Edwina shot her a look and said seriously, "Lady Bruna, please refrain from badmouthing Miss Isabella when she's not present."
"It's just a joke… You 'Readers' take everything so seriously after years of teaching." Bruna pouted lightly but didn't press the matter. Instead, she asked, "Where's the other group? Just me and this Prophet won't be enough to stop Hardy and Idith."
Admiral of Pale, Maria, spoke calmly: "Gehrman will be here soon."
"Gehrman? My, Maria, you say his name so naturally," Bruna drawled playfully. "Seems like you're quite fond of him?"
Maria's expression didn't change. She replied earnestly, "The 'Pale Justice' trusts and likes him—so naturally, I trust and like him too."
That's… not exactly what 'liking' means, Bruna thought, opening her mouth to tease further—when her spirituality suddenly stirred. She turned sharply toward the dressing mirror in the cabin.
A moment later, a lady in a black Gothic court dress and small hat stepped through the mirror, holding the arm of a cold, sharp-featured man with a parasol in hand.
They were none other than Sharon and Klein.
Because he had stayed up late last night watching the "live broadcast" of the exploration through Miss Justice's perspective, Klein had slept in, which was why he hadn't arrived earlier.
As the two demigods turned toward them, Sharon floated slightly off the ground, light as air, curtsying elegantly—though her eyes flicked subtly toward Maria a few times.
Klein followed suit, greeting politely, "Good morning, Lady Bruna, Miss Maria, Miss Edwina—and good morning, Professor."
He had already met Bruna after agreeing to participate in the "hunt" the day before.
After the greetings, Edwina, as the organizer, checked her pocket watch and said evenly, "It's about time. If we teleport now, we should arrive just in time to intercept Senor."
At that, Ebner frowned slightly, watching her begin to prepare the teleportation altar. Something didn't sit right.
"No tactical discussion? We're just going straight in?" he asked.
Before Edwina could answer, Bruna chuckled. "There's an upper demon among the enemies. The more detailed our plan, the easier it'll be for it to perceive. So it's better to strike directly—an ambush on instinct.
"I know you Prophets love to plan everything, but not every fight goes your way. You need to learn to adapt."
Adapt? This sounds less like strategy and more like recklessness!
Still, what puzzled him even more was Edwina's uncharacteristic aggressiveness. She's usually so composed… Whether hunting the Admiral of Blood or rescuing that scientist, she could have chosen a better opportunity—one when fewer demigods were around. But now this? This 'encounter battle' feels more like picking a fight on purpose.
If not for his many hidden trump cards—and the lack of any ominous premonition—Ebner might have refused altogether. Even the Spirit Angel Tholzena seemed to be expecting something.
Out of habit, he glanced toward Klein, only to find him calm and unbothered, as if he knew more than he was saying.
What he didn't realize was that Klein was thinking the same in reverse:
For Mr. Tower to take part in such a sloppy operation, there must be something deeper going on. With his background, losing is nearly impossible… and I didn't divine any danger in the gray fog.
Hopefully, after this is over, he'll tell me what's really happening.
The two exchanged a look—each thinking the other understood—but completely misreading each other's intent.
At that moment, the teleportation altar activated. A ring of flame appeared midair, reflected in everyone's eyes.
"What a delicate piece of mystic art," Bruna murmured in admiration before stepping through the fire with Maria.
Sharon and Klein followed, and finally, Edwina and Ebner entered last.
Just before stepping into the fiery circle, the Admiral of Iceberg, carrying her oil lamp Silent Winter, spoke in an almost offhand tone:
"Because of the 'prophecy'…"
(End of this chapter)