Chapter 449 - 190: I Choose You, Leonard

"In that case, thank you, First Officer Jack."

As he spoke, Wei’en thrust the blueprints into Marco’s hands. "Take them."

Marco stared at the blueprints in his hands, knowing full well that Wei’en was helping him. He was silent for a few seconds, then put the blueprints away before finally speaking. "Thank you."

"Just don’t forget our agreement from last night."

Wei’en winked at him, reminding him of their promise to return to the Eastern Continent together.

"Yeah!"

"All right, you can go now." Seeing that the two had finished their business, Menor waved at Black Jack and Yuan. "Next time, I’ll come find you on Wojciech Island."

"Hm?"

"Hm?"

Black Jack frowned. "You’re going to Wojciech?"

"Oh, I was just talking." Menor shrugged. ’These two are too sensitive. Good thing I didn’t tell them the truth last night, or news about the Dusk Sect would be all over the Cordo Sea Region by now.’

"..." Black Jack glared at him. "You bastard, don’t let me see you again!"

’Just talking?’

’I doubt it!’

Beside him, Yuan watched Menor thoughtfully, speculating to himself. ’It seems the Eternal Life Association really has learned something about the Cordo Sea; otherwise, Menor wouldn’t have said that.’

"Let’s go, Plague Doctor. Time to depart."

Black Jack was the first to jump off the ship. He was afraid if he stayed any longer, these people from the Eternal Life Association would make him burst a blood vessel.

"Got it."

Yuan looked at Wei’en. "Don’t take what Kali said last time to heart. She’s not in her right mind right now."

Wei’en nodded. "I understand."

’After experiencing the blessing ritual of the Authority of Kindness, he had a deeper understanding of the Dawn Church’s power. It could alter faith and even memories. It’s hard to say if Kali even has a self anymore...’

"We’re off."

With that, Yuan bid farewell to Menor and led Marco and the others back to the *Bai Ke Li*.

"Captain Wei’en, don’t forget to send over those sniper rifles on time! If the boss and Hammer find out I made a deal for eighty thousand gold pounds without getting the goods, they’ll kill me."

Wei’en waved in their direction. "Don’t worry, First Officer Jack! I’ll do it as soon as I can!"

Soon after, the *Bai Ke Li* weighed anchor and set sail, heading south. Its sails caught the wind, and it quickly picked up speed.

Just then, Marco’s shout echoed from the distance. "Wei’en, stop impersonating me!! And... see you next time!!"

Hearing his voice, Wei’en broke into a smile. ’See you next time, Marco...’

"Alright, I’m heading back too."

Just then, Menor also prepared to leave. He looked at Wei’en and Clelia and chuckled. "For the rest of the voyage, I’ll have to ask you two to keep a low profile. No more big scenes like last night. That was terrifying."

Clelia huffed and said bluntly, "Just go already. And while you’re at it, take care of that Secret Cultivator business."

Menor: "..."

’Take care of a Twilight Secret Cultivator?’

’Do you have too high an opinion of this old Elder?’

"Wei’en, keep an eye on her. Don’t let her do anything reckless."

"Mm," Wei’en nodded. "Noted."

"You!?"

"I’m off!"

Before she could finish, Menor waved his hand, tore open a spatial rift, and jumped inside. "Clelia, you should make a few more necklaces!"

"That bastard. He’s lucky he’s a fast runner!"

Seeing him vanish, Clelia turned to Wei’en. "You think he’s right? That I’m reckless?"

"More or less," Wei’en nodded. "I’m already considering having you and the guards stay in the theater to train for the rest of the voyage. It’s too dangerous outside..."

Clelia frowned, but then her expression softened, a seductive smile playing on her lips. "Are you worried about me~?"

"Yeah, yeah. I’m worried you’ll get yourself killed out of nowhere, just like what almost happened last night."

With that, Wei’en turned and bolted, giving her no chance to argue.

"You bastard! Menor’s an old bastard, and you’re a young one—Hmph!"

Clelia watched his retreating back, muttered to herself, then walked toward her Queen’s Guard.

’But training in the theater is worth considering. The guards are even weaker than the pirates on this ship. It’ll take them a while to get stronger...’

Wei’en had Shawa and Zero-Type take Tina to the ship’s cabins to pick out rooms. He himself went to the wheelhouse, located just in front of the captain’s quarters of this ship, the *Kenzan Frolov*. Seeing Ronan at the helm, he asked, "How is she? Is the ship usable?"

"Captain, no problem!" Ronan stood up, his face alight with excitement. "This ship is in better condition than I thought! Even with a missing mast, she won’t be much slower than the *Ronan*."

"That’s good," Wei’en said, glancing out the window at the deck. He gave his orders, "Since she’s seaworthy, we’ll wait until we reach the next island to find a shipyard for repairs."

"Are we setting sail now? Should I get rid of the Dawn Church markings first?"

Wei’en considered this. "Yes, get rid of them. It’ll save us unnecessary trouble if we run into other ships."

Unlike on the Eastern Continent, in the Cordo Sea Region, the Dawn Church had an even worse reputation than pirates.

Although they never attacked merchant ships, their habit of boarding vessels at will to hunt for heretics or ’purify’ people had earned them the resentment of many.

"Then... the design for the flag..." Ronan asked cautiously. "The red hair, or...?"

The *Ronan* was destroyed, so flying its flag wouldn’t be appropriate anymore.

"That is a problem," Wei’en said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

His identity had been exposed this time, so continuing to pose as Marco was no longer an option.

Moreover, the Dawn Church, which hated his guts, had ways to track his location. Hiding and concealing himself was pointless.

’The Ghost Soul School and the Eternal Life Association are out. Those two have even more trouble than I do...’

In that case—

"Let’s go with Leonard. The *Leonard*."

"The *Leonard*?"

Wei’en nodded. "It’s from the Gonzalez language. It translates to ’clown.’"

Ronan looked at him, puzzled. ’A clown? That doesn’t seem to reflect the captain’s power, does it?’

"Just do as I say. Let’s set sail as soon as possible."

"Understood."

Ronan hurried out to get the few remaining pirates busy.

’Clown...’

Wei’en thought of the Demon Clown mask, and the corners of his lips curled up. Since everyone already knew he possessed the Demon Clown, he might as well let that impression sink in even deeper.

’If they really think my strength comes only from the Demon Clown... all the better!’

With that thought, Wei’en returned to the theater space. It was time to take stock of his recent gains.

BZZT BZZT BZZT...

He had just returned to his workshop when he saw the black communicator on the table buzzing incessantly. It seemed to have been vibrating for a long time, as it had nearly moved to the edge of the workbench.

"Hm?"

PS: Still only one Chapter today. It’s the last day of the month, and I still owe four bonus Chapters. I’ll get them out to everyone as soon as I can.

Please use your guaranteed monthly tickets! I’ll still be releasing bonus Chapters next month under the same rules: one new Chapter for every two hundred tickets...