The guests were silent for a mont before soone rembered the na and there were constant exclamations, with joy showing in their eyes. They tried to approach Ewen for a conversation, but at this point, Nolen suitably intervened and barred their way.
Nolen could understand the guests’ excitent and curiosity. As a well-known author, the influence of the Crown Blue Raven was profound. Yet, unlike others who thrived in the public eye, he hid beneath the world’s awareness.
To the world, everything about the Crown Blue Raven was a mystery. Apart from his works, he left no traceable marks, like a silhouette in the dark.
Now, the enigmatic Crown Blue Raven appeared before the guests, which was far more fascinating than any precious treasure, and everyone was elated.
Fortunately, this was a banquet, and the guests knew what they were here for. The small riot Ewen induced quickly subsided, although each guest paid a bit more attention to Ewen. Ewen guessed that after the banquet, he would certainly receive invitations from many attendants, but he detested invitations.
Nolen escorted Ewen out of the banquet hall, distancing them from the clamor, allowing peace to finally surround them.
"Ewen, I thought the last ti we t would be the last ti,"
Nolen murmured, evidently pleased to see Ewen.
Ewen smiled and replied, "Life is always full of surprises, isn’t it?"
Nolen’s smile lingered for a mont before turning ice-cold. He said nothing, rely stared directly at Ewen, his gaze filled with taphorical blades and swords.
"I think I made everything clear the last ti we t,"
Nolen rummaged through his pockets and lit a cigarette. Like Hert, he had a smoking habit under the influence of Illusion Syndro, albeit less severe than Hert.
"Ewen, you don’t belong to that world. Stop digging deeper into it. Isn’t it good to enjoy a peaceful life as an ordinary person?"
Nolen took a large puff, surrounded by smoke while Ewen, still smiling, seemingly ignored the threatening tone, remaining imrsed in the joy of reuniting with an old friend.
"Sigh..."
Nolen sighed, recalling the first ti he t Ewen, a mory from many years ago. But now, it felt like just yesterday.
The Free Port was much more chaotic back then, with constant gray transactions, even involving the Gray Trade Association, who were smuggling large shipnts of Alchemy Armant.
To the United Company, the Gray Trade Association was always a love-hate organization. They brought substantial profits annually, but also nurous disturbances and disputes.
Due to the Gray Trade Association leaking a large number of Alchemy Armant inside and outside the Free Port, several areas fell into anarchy temporarily. Nolen was responsible for tracking where these Alchemy Armants were headed, eventually catching a mysterious buyer—Ewen.
"Damn it, Ewen, didn’t you retire from writing?"
Nolen cursed softly, "You shouldn’t need ’creative inspiration’ anymore, right?"
According to the rules, Nolen should have executed Ewen, as the customs of the Tide-born were always like this, their blood holding the pirate aptitude.
Just as Ewen was about to be decapitated, Nolen discovered who Ewen was. Nolen couldn’t believe he almost killed his favorite author. Ewen never thought being an author could actually save his life.
After a brief Q&A, Nolen roughly understood Ewen’s mindset. Like many people Nolen had t, Ewen sohow learned about the existence of the Condensers and beca curious about the Extraordinary World, seeking to gather related items, even dealing in Alchemy Armant.
"So, you got these things just for... just for inspiration?"
The young Nolen felt surprised by Ewen’s answer, while Ewen loudly retorted, "What else? I’m an author. If not for inspiration, what would I use them for? Robbing? Am I complaining that my royalties aren’t enough?"
Ewen was several decades older than Nolen, practically an old codger. Even when Nolen was a child, Ewen was already quite famous. Now, he had amassed enough wealth to live extravagantly for the rest of his life. In every sense, Ewen had reached the pinnacle of life, only waiting to die.
Or to write sothing more interesting before death.
Nolen was persuaded by Ewen.
Later, Nolen did regret it, thinking he might have been deceived by Ewen. But after a few years, he received a new book from Ewen, with a handwritten signature and a letter. The book was titled "Night Hunter."
The letter content was simple, formulaic greetings, reminiscences, and an invitation about eting up. Ewen’s inspiration had dried up, and he wanted more knowledge about the Extraordinary World.
Thus began a peculiar friendship. They would et every so often, with Nolen trying his best to share trivial secrets with Ewen. Nolen knew he was wrong for doing this, but as people often say, his pirate inheritance was in his blood, so who cared about right and wrong.
Nolen just wanted to know if Ewen could write more interesting stories.
Returning to the present, all these years, Nolen had told Ewen too many stories about the Extraordinary World, making their relationship tighter.
Nolen had nothing more to tell Ewen; saying too much would get Ewen killed. Thus, after their previous eting, Nolen insisted that everything should end there.
Yet, Ewen still appeared before him. Nolen felt both joy and anger, knowing what the real Extraordinary World looked like, and Ewen shouldn’t be involved.
"Let say sothing first, okay?"
Ewen waved his hand, trying to halt Nolen’s reprimand. Nolen went silent, absorbed in smoking while Ewen muttered, "The lad back then has beco the head of the United Company."
Nolen asked, "Why are you here?"
"Just to see a friend."
"That’s all?"
"What else?" Ewen said, "Did you read the news?"
"No," Nolen shook his head, "I’ve been busy with work."
"Then you missed a big headline, Nolen," Ewen said, "I’m releasing a new book."
Nolen’s movents paused while Ewen continued, "This book is truly my last one. For this, I planned a journey before the launch to visit friends who once helped ."
Ewen added, "You are the last stop."
Nolen extinguished the cigarette butt on the trash can. If his forr self heard about these things, he would have been excited. But now, Nolen only felt fatigue and couldn’t recall the last ti he read a book.
Nolen said blandly, "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Ewen said, "None of this was easy, was it?"
"Yes."
Nolen nodded, feeling a headache and fury thinking about what he faced next.
Vivid red flashed before his eyes, and Nolen took two steps sideways, the red following suit like a ga of eagle catching chicks.
Cinderella still couldn’t escape in the end. Alert, she poked her head out from behind Ewen’s back, surprising Nolen who hadn’t noticed another person, thankful that their conversation didn’t involve matters of the Extraordinary World.
Nolen wondered, "Your daughter?"
Ewen couldn’t hold back, laughing out loud, "No, it’s not."
Nolen also chuckled at his own words, knowing that Ewen never married, likely wouldn’t in the future either.
Checking the ti, Nolen hastily bade farewell to Ewen, "Don’t leave after the banquet. Wait for , please."
Ewen nodded, and Nolen turned and strode towards the corridor’s depths.
The conference room was now full, everyone awaiting Nolen. The next second, Nolen pushed the door open and appeared before everyone’s eyes.
Nolen glanced over the attendees. The board directors had long road the high seas, sending representatives for this eting. Before Nolen could speak, the representatives rose, showing the board’s discontent.
"The board has made a decision; Hert’s issue must be resolved today."
Nolen responded with firmness, "I am the Navigator, I am in charge here."
"The board isn’t making a suggestion, Navigator," said the leading representative. "We are notifying you."
Nolen stood frozen in place, as if plunged into an icy abyss.
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