Forty minutes after the 'fireworks display' ended, Deacon Cordoba Roye stood on the deck, looking at the 'Big Eater' which had mostly sunk, and the few pirate corpses floating on the Sea.
After capturing Danitz's last fruit in the afternoon, he gave orders to monitor the waters near Bayam. Not long ago, he received a notification that abnormal celestial phenomena had appeared on the Sea.
Cordoba immediately set off with two teams of Enforcers, taking a Storm Church ship to the scene of the incident, and saw the remnants of the great battle.
Now, Enforcers are searching the doomed ship for unlikely clues about Blood Admiral.
A moment later, Cordoba Roye received reports one after another.
"It can be confirmed that this is the 'Big Eater', and its captain is Marco, known as 'Big Eater', with a bounty of 5,800 pounds."
"The bodies of the 'Big Eater' Second Mate and Boatswain were found on the ship, namely 'White Hat' Roch, with a bounty of 1,200 pounds, and Laffey, with a bounty of 700 pounds."
"The damage to the ship was mainly caused by explosives. In addition, there were very few traces of battle, almost none. However, the possibility that the traces of battle were destroyed by the explosion cannot be ruled out."
"No trace of 'Big Eater' Marco and 'Red-haired' Zot was found, suspected to have escaped. Similarly, no trace of Hunter Rayleigh, 'Blazing' Danitz, was found."
The Deacon listened quietly, and after the last report was finished, he looked up and said, "'Big Eater' Marco is Blood Admiral's capable assistant, and like 'Iron' McVitie, he is a 'Zombie', one of the important captains under Senor."
"It seems they caught Danitz, but because Marco has a 'White Hat' Roch under him, he is a 'Diviner'. Even if Danitz is killed, they can still obtain the information they need through 'Spirit Mediumship'."
"Rayleigh should have realized this, so he didn't wait for us to act directly. After Roch and Laffey were killed by him, he created an explosion on the ship."
"Bishop Miller said he is a 'Pyromaniac', so sinking this ship is too simple for him. It seems Danitz was also rescued by him, and in order to maintain some kind of relationship with Iceberg Admiral, he is not prepared to hand Danitz over to us."
An Enforcer Captain snorted and said, "They must be returning to Bayam now, Your Excellency. We can hunt them down!"
Cordoba shook his head: "No, let's leave it at that for now. Now, withdraw. For other matters, let's discuss them after I meet with the Bishop."
Several Enforcers showed surprise, and then guessed that there might be some kind of agreement between the high-ranking church officials and Hunter Rayleigh.
Bayam.
Fragrant Tree Inn.
The innkeeper, who was already preparing to rest, suddenly saw the door open and two people walk in. Both of them were wearing cloaks, and one of them seemed to be injured, with a bruised and swollen face, looking as if he had just fought with a drunkard in a bar.
The other one was not old, with slightly dark skin and pleasant features. Most importantly, this face clearly showed he was a Loenese, a superior person!
The innkeeper's originally impatient expression immediately turned into a smile: "Is there anything I can do for you, Your Excellency?"
Seeing the innkeeper's expression, which almost had the words 'flattery' written all over his face, Lex felt a headache and said concisely, "A room, a clean one."
"No problem." The boss immediately took out the key and personally led them upstairs.
After paying the rent, Lex sent the boss away, then said to Danitz behind him: "You rest here tonight, I'll come see you tomorrow. I'll tell the boss to send food to the room. Don't go out, don't go downstairs."
"I understand."
Danitz sat down by the bed, clenched his fist, and cleared his throat: "Well, tonight, I owe you a favor."
"If the Captain is willing to let you board, if you encounter any difficulties on the Golden Dream in the future, just tell me, and I will definitely help you."
Lex chuckled: "That doesn't sound like something you would say. Is your mind alright? They didn't do anything to you, did they?"
Then he added, "Although I don't think there's anything on the ship where I'd need your help, I still sincerely thank you for your kindness."
Danitz chuckled: "Do you really think so? Leaving aside others, just Jodeson alone is enough to give you a headache. He's the same type as you, both of you are playboys."
"So, he will definitely see you as a rival. I also don't like him, so if you ask for my help, I'd be happy to help you deal with him."
Lex was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't think so. Perhaps then, you'll stand on the same front as him."
With that, he left first.
Danitz frowned his yellowish eyebrows: "What does this guy mean? Does he think I'll become friends with Jodeson?"
"That's impossible, unless he and I have a common enemy, unless..."
"Wait."
"Damn it! Is Rayleigh trying to say that he will capture the Captain's heart, so the two of us losers will stand on the same front?"
"Damn it, where does he get his confidence!"
"Cough cough..."
Tugging at his wound, Danitz coughed a few times, then took off his cloak and lay down on the bed. He was too tired today, and with his injuries, he was already snoring and falling into a dream in a moment.
He dreamed he was back on the Golden Dream, boasting to the pirates about his heroic deeds today, and then he saw Captain Edwina walk over. Danitz quickly reported what had happened today to her.
Azure Wind Inn.
Lex returned to his room, opened the window, and exhaled a long breath into the evening breeze.
He smiled helplessly.
The plan failed.
He didn't lure out the Blood Admiral, which was not what he expected.
"Things don't always go as one wishes..."
Lex consoled himself, then, after cleaning up, went to bed.
The next morning, he came to the Sea Wave Cathedral and met Bishop Chogo.
"I'm very sorry, Your Excellency Chogo, yesterday's operation failed. Although the first half went smoothly, the latter half of the plan did not achieve our anticipated goal."
Lex did not shy away from his failure, looking directly into the eyes of the tall old man before him.
Chogo smiled and shook his head: "It's nothing. If Blood Admiral were that easy to deal with, he wouldn't have lived until now. All pirates are cunning and treacherous fellows, and Admirals are even more adept at this."
"You don't have to take this matter too much to heart. Besides, you struck at the 'Big Eater', dealt with the Second Mate and Boatswain of that pirate ship. You have made a contribution to the safety of the Sea. You have done very well."
Lex cleared his throat: "It's nothing, but I want to know, can I get the bounty?"
This was Lex's real reason for coming to the church.