After the rain, the sky over Saltwind City cleared again, and a somewhat blurry rainbow was faintly visible on the horizon.
After the rainwater washed over it, Saltwind City appeared much cleaner; the mud on the streets had disappeared, revealing its original white color.
As the sea water changed from dark black to light blue, the surface of the sea sparkled beautifully.
This was the original appearance of the Iberia coast, and the original appearance of Aegir.
Based on geographical selection, perhaps from the very beginning, Saltwind City was intended to be used as a tourist city.
However, all beauty could only exist in past imaginings; Saltwind City and countless other mobile coastal cities were still in distress, a problem that could not be solved by a brief spell of good weather.
"Behave yourselves, you scum who worship evil gods! We didn't even realize you'd been entrenched here for so long—hurry up, don't try any tricks!"
With faltering steps, three Abyssal Hunters dressed in dark green robes slowly walked through the streets of Saltwind City, under the control of a young Inquisitor.
"It failed, the Priest was wrong."
"It's terrifying, truly, very terrifying, even more terrifying than the great sea."
"He, she can control lightning, the moon; he summoned the moon! He is the true God!"
Although the Inquisitor behind them held a rapier and a pistol, the cultists seemed unafraid of these weapons, instead repeatedly uttering certain phrases.
Evidently, they had gone mad.
"These strange people... Teacher! Beneath the church, I discovered an underground research facility. The information within proves that Cleric Quintus impersonated someone else to infiltrate Iberia as a cultist. These are the three cultist heretics we arrested..."
Seeing the Grand Inquisitor at the end of the street, the young Inquisitor immediately bowed in salute.
"Everyone else has been eliminated, by... that Hunter and Skadi the Singer. They fought these cultists in the church and subdued me when I arrived later. I apologize, Teacher, I was no match for him."
Looking somewhat embarrassed, the Inquisitor felt quite remorseful.
"That Hunter provided me with evidence of Quintus's crimes, then fought a giant beast that emerged from the sea, ultimately eliminating it—they shouldn't have gone far. If we continue to pursue..."
The Inquisitor's words were cut short by the Grand Inquisitor's wave of a hand.
"Enough, no need to say more about this matter. You few, control the criminals and reassure the citizens. I will personally go and collect the evidence."
He nodded to his student, dismissing the other Inquisitors from the scene. No expression could be seen beneath the Grand Inquisitor's mask.
"Tell me your judgment, Inquisitor. What did your eyes see? I want to hear your assessment of this incident, including these Aegir people."
The young Inquisitor hesitated for a second, then immediately answered truthfully—Iberia forbade the spread of rumors, and he was equally honest and loyal.
"Yes, Mentor! There are two forces among the Aegir people: one has infiltrated Iberia and has intricate ties to the monsters in the deep sea, while the other is hostile to them. Their power... is exceptionally strong."
Recalling the fierce battle he witnessed in the underground laboratory, which had a large hole smashed through it, the young Inquisitor still felt lingering fear.
Each strike from those two white-haired Aegir people could directly force the mountain-like monster back several steps. The terrifying strength even surpassed engineering machinery—this was completely beyond his comprehension.
And the leading male Aegir was as swift as the wind, engaging in an intense battle with a humanoid, deformed beast on the giant beast's back, making it impossible to even clearly see his movements.
Finally, he even summoned lightning and thunder, using the power of nature to attack his enemies!
Simply unimaginable!
With such methods, the Inquisitor even recalled stories he had heard: in Yan Country, there were indeed warriors called "Heavenly Masters" who could summon wind and rain, control thunder and lightning, helping the Son of Heaven of Yan defeat heretical gods.
Recalling his own reckless questioning, the Inquisitor felt a wave of fear, but that was also his duty.
"The existence of either side is a threat to Iberia. For the former, we must resolutely eradicate them; for the latter, we need to remain vigilant but not overly provoke them—not all Aegir people are criminals, good and evil need to be distinguished."
Hearing this, the Grand Inquisitor pondered for a moment, then nodded and reached out to pat his student's shoulder.
"Good, more or less correct. Always remain vigilant; that is what an Inquisitor should do—continue to investigate, compile evidence. We must make good use of all available information to uncover the supporters and sponsors behind these cultists."
Turning around, the Grand Inquisitor walked towards the burned-down church.
"Cults are like great trees; no matter how lush the branches and leaves appear on the outside, they are nourished by deep roots below—a new witch hunt needs to begin."
In his heart, he had already recognized his student's Aptitude and intended to recommend him as his successor in the near future.
Always loyal, always vigilant. Although still a bit rash, at least he knew how to think, and that was enough.
And only by ascending to the position of Grand Inquisitor would his apprentice be qualified to understand the true nature of the country, uncover Iberia's secrets, and achieve further growth.
Iberia was teetering on the brink; whether it would experience Rebirth from the ashes or perish depended on everyone's efforts.
"Then, Teacher, those Aegir people—should we search for them?"
"No, avoid conflict with them. Just report truthfully what you saw. Just say we encountered a Skadi the Singer, and a... Hunter."
Recalling the dusty stranger, the Grand Inquisitor looked towards the distant, long-unseen azure sea—this sea had regained its vitality.
Although he had only met him once, the Grand Inquisitor, who had seen countless people and events over the years, instinctively felt that this outsider... was extraordinary.
"When it's time to meet, we will meet again—whether they are friends or foes depends on their choice."
— — — —
In the residential area of Saltwind City, citizens who had been evacuated a short while ago returned to their homes after Inquisitors confirmed there was no danger of Originium contamination nearby.
And deep in the alley, where the Hunter and Skadi the Singer had temporarily resided, Anita stood at the doorway, waiting for her guests to return.
"So unlucky, fewer churches mean less food. I wonder how Hunter Big Brother and Skadi the Singer Big Sister are doing."
Suddenly, Anita, who had been waiting at the door for a long time, saw familiar figures.
Still dusty from travel, the tall Hunter leaned on a somewhat bent cane, followed by the white-haired, red-dressed Skadi the Singer, and an unfamiliar white-haired older sister.
"Hunter Big Brother! You're safe, that's great!"
Seeing that they were fine, Anita's heart relaxed, and she happily and joyfully skipped over.
"Yes, we're all well, my little darling."
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Goki scooped Anita up directly, twirling the little girl around, and rubbed her cheek with his slightly stubbled face, making the little one giggle with delight.
"We're here to say goodbye. We came to Saltwind City to find a friend, and now that we've found our friend, it's time for us to go."
Goki turned around, letting Anita look at Specter behind him. Specter gave her a slightly terrifying smile.
"Hey! Hello there, Anita!"
Hearing this, Anita's expressive little face visibly showed disappointment and loneliness.
"Oh... yes, you wouldn't settle down anyway, hmm—"
But then, a quiet, pleasant song suddenly reached her ears.
"Eh—"
Anita looked curiously to the side and saw that Skadi the Singer Big Sister was holding a small music box.
"A gift, for you, Anita. You're a good child."
Speaking the words she had prepared, Skadi presented the small gift Goki had given her to Anita—the small music box was beautiful, and if Goki hadn't promised her more gifts, she would have been a little reluctant to part with it.
[Small Music Box
A small music box given by a young Yharnam girl, playing a song her parents once sang.
Inside the lid is a small piece of paper, perhaps an ancient message, though very blurry, two names are discernible.]
This was a nice little item, given to Goki by a little girl from Yharnam, hoping he would pass it on to her mother.
Unfortunately, her mother had long since died, and her father, as a Hunter, had fallen into madness—Father Gascoigne would even experience a significant stun when he heard the music box, allowing Goki to skip the fight entirely.
As for later... the little girl was carried by Goki to Oedon Chapel and remained safe after the Blood Moon arrived—he always preferred to take the fourth path. Rather than liking beautiful girls, he preferred to let good people live.
Goki had kept this small music box, intending to give it to a lovely little girl. Skadi was clearly a bit too old, but Anita was obviously a perfect fit.
"Eh, is it for me? It's so exquisite, this must be something from a big city—thank you, Skadi the Singer Big Sister!"
Not yet old enough to be modest, Anita's eyes lit up. She immediately took the delicate music box with curiosity, admiring it with great interest.
"Also, remember to give this to your Uncle Hearth. I believe they know what this represents—Specter?"
"No problem, Little Brother Goki—come, see what Big Sister brought you."
Goki looked at Specter on the other side. Hearing his words, the nun-dressed sister immediately held up what she had in her hand.
A sea fish weighing nearly ten pounds, enough to make any fisherman laugh with joy, and it was still thrashing alive.
"Wow—fish!"
At this, Anita's eyes immediately widened, and her mouth dropped open.
The last time she had seen a fish was when she was very young.
After the Seaborn were eliminated, the entire coast "came alive." The Seaborn lurking in the deep sea began to retreat, and fish from beyond the shallow waters swam back in—for Abyssal Hunters, catching fish was incredibly simple.
As for why, the two Abyssal Hunters were not clear, but Goki knew it was definitely related to him slaying the First Speaker.
Even, related to his own blood.
In short, those Seaborn eventually left out of fear, designating this nearby area as a Forbidden Land.
Saltwind City, for a long time, should be temporarily free from the troubles of famine.
"Yes, it's fish, such a big fish—thank you, Big Sister, thank you, Hunter Big Brother! I need to go tell everyone, there are fish in the sea!"
Compared to spiritual enjoyment, Anita was indeed more concerned with filling her stomach.
She rushed directly in front of Specter, barely managed to hug the large fish, nodded vigorously at the three Hunters, and eagerly clutching the big fish, ran into the distance.
"Uncle Hearth! Grandma Petra—"
Watching Anita's retreating figure, Goki shrugged.
"This is much better than a sad farewell, right?"
"This is your decision. At least the people here can live now, there's nothing to be sad about."
Skadi nodded, thinking this was also good.
"Whatever you two want, I don't care about this anyway—*yawn*, so sleepy."
Specter, on the other hand, was even more nonchalant, just shaking her head occasionally, seeming a bit tired.
"But, that one over there, aren't you going to say hello? Or is that an enemy, time to fight?"
Pointing to the green figure at the alley entrance, Specter was excited.
Goki had already noticed the figure, who made no attempt to hide, and waved to her.
"Doctor Kal'tsit—good afternoon?"
"Not good, because of you, my research probably can't continue. I can't find any experimental samples on the coast of Saltwind City anymore."
Maintaining her indifferent expression, Kal'tsit slowly walked in front of the three Hunters, twitching the triangular ears on her head.
"I just want to ask, Hunters... what are your plans next?"
Facing the Old Lynx's question, Goki paused for a second, then nodded seriously.
"Of course, I've found my goal—let's get ready and talk outside the city."
The hunt was over, and in this familiar yet strange world, Goki had also found his direction in this battle.
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