The ship began to sail.
Lex sat at a table facing the window, took out a letter, a round-bellied steel pen, and ink, and began to write a letter.
'Mr. Osweld, I just returned from Skye Island, and I found that this island, like Windmill Island, believes in 'Astucca', but this island is obviously more normal, and no strange and eerie things have happened.'
'I will continue to investigate other Sea Islands. In addition, I want to inquire about three people. They should be dead, after all, they lived more than a hundred years ago. So, I would be very grateful if you could provide information about their descendants.'
'These three people are Ralph. Tyne, Celis Newman, and Jane Britney. They once took a ship named 'Shining Black Star' to Intis. After the ship was shipwrecked on the Sea, these three people came ashore at Damir Port.'
'If contributions need to be deducted and are insufficient, please allow me to make up for them later and prioritize sending me the relevant information.'
At the signature, Lex wrote the word 'Duke', and after confirming its accuracy, he waited for the handwriting on the letter paper to dry before putting it into an envelope.
Then, Lex took out a metal flute and blew it.
He felt the spread of spirituality, and a moment later, a phantom knock on the door sounded.
"Come in."
A shiny, thick leather shoe extended from the door and stepped onto the room's floor, followed by straight-lined pure black trousers, then a matching swallow-tailed coat, and finally, a headless messenger wearing white gloves fully entered the room.
The messenger pressed his hand to his chest, bowed to Lex, and then stood aside, waiting for Lex's instructions.
Lex handed him the envelope: "Please give it to Osweld."
After receiving it, the headless messenger did not immediately put it away, but smoothed the envelope over and over again, making Lex's mouth twitch slightly.
There were a few inconspicuous creases on the envelope. Until they disappeared, the headless messenger then put away the letter, bowed again, and exited the room.
After the messenger left, Lex rested for a moment. Seeing that the sun had set outside, he picked up his staff of resentment and went to the ship's restaurant.
Dinner was a buffet. There were three long tables in the ship's restaurant, and the tables covered with white cloths were filled with various foods. The variety of food was large, the portions were generous, and the taste seemed good.
It's just that the ingredients were relatively common, but those who came to the restaurant to eat were all second-class and third-class passengers.
As for guests who could afford first-class, they had their own dedicated chefs and could enjoy the ship's top-notch service, so they didn't need to visit the ship's restaurant at all.
Along the way, Lex did not find Richard, nor did he find anyone who wanted to harm him.
Lex was not worried about Richard running away, after all, he hadn't paid yet, and the person was introduced by the church, so it was impossible for him to be so irresponsible.
As for the latter, he was even less worried. He only worried that those people hadn't boarded the ship, causing him to waste money.
In the restaurant, Lex looked around and first saw Little Paul's family. The man, who was either his biological father or stepfather, was sitting at the table reading a newspaper. Little Paul sat on a nearby chair, restlessly looking around.
Ms. Maggie was choosing food for her husband and child, walking back and forth at one table several times, and finally placed a plate full of food in front of her husband, which drew a few low curses from him.
"What are you doing!"
A scream suddenly rang out. Lex looked over and saw the lady with wine-red hair from before. Her face was full of anger, and she pointed at the strong man who had complained about Lex walking too slowly when boarding the ship, the man with flaxen hair tied into a braid, and shouted.
"What did you just do!"
The man was first confused, then a hint of anger surged in him, saying: "I didn't do anything."
"Nonsense, I clearly felt someone grab me from behind just now. When I turned around, I saw you. Tell me, did you secretly touch me?"
The surrounding passengers were in an uproar, all accusing the man.
The man with a revolver on his waist roared: "Don't you slander me, I'm not as filthy as you think."
"I don't care, Captain, where is the Captain!" The lady insisted on accusing the braided man, determined to cause him trouble.
Lex shook his head, took some food, and walked to the side.
Soon the captain arrived and politely escorted the two out of the restaurant to avoid disturbing other passengers' meals.
A moment later, Little Paul's family also left. It's unclear what Maggie said to displease her husband; along the way, the man not only verbally abused Maggie but also pushed her from time to time, drawing glances from other passengers.
After dinner, Lex stood on the deck for a while, enjoying the night view of the Sea, before heading to the cabin. However, on the deck not far away, he saw the boy Paul sitting on the ground, hugging his knees, his head buried between his legs.
"What are you doing?"
Hearing the voice, Paul looked up and saw Lex.
The boy's eyes were a little red, but he pursed his lips and didn't speak, looking melancholic.
Lex squatted beside him: "Let me guess, did you do something bad and get scolded by Ms. Maggie?"
Paul shook his head, then whispered: "They are arguing, they are always like this. I'm scared, so I ran out."
"Is that so?"
"But if your mom and dad can't find you later, they'll worry."
Paul clenched his small fists and said: "He's not my dad. My dad never hits me, but he often hits me. I want to grow up quickly and then leave them."
I see.
Lex could probably guess what their relationship was like.
"How about this, it's getting late, shall I walk you back? If they're still arguing, you can stay in my room for a while, how does that sound?"
Paul looked at him: "Is that okay? Won't I bother you?"
"It's fine, come on."
Lex pulled him up and accompanied him back to the cabin, to their family's room. As Lex was about to knock on the door, he heard Maggie's scream from inside.
"Help, help."
Lex narrowed his eyes slightly and said to Paul: "Can you stay here by yourself? No matter what you hear or see, don't go into the room. Can you promise me?"
Paul nodded vigorously.
Lex rubbed his head: "You're a good boy."
Then, Lex lifted his foot and kicked the door open with a bang!
Bang.
The sudden sound made the man in the room stop his actions. He was pressing Maggie's head with one hand, pushing her head onto the table. Hearing the sound, he looked up and saw Lex calmly walk in.
"Sir, this is not what a gentleman does. I suggest you let the lady go." Lex twirled his staff of resentment, looked at the man whose eyes were bloodshot like a beast, and shook his head, saying.
"It's you? I advise you not to meddle in other people's business and get out!" The man roared.
Lex seemed not to hear, looking at Maggie: "Madam, would you like me to call the Captain for you?"
Maggie was about to speak when she heard the man beside her roar: "Kid, you're asking for it."
He let go of Maggie, stretched his neck, making crackling sounds, and strode towards Lex.
"Kurak, what are you doing? Stop it!" Maggie ran over, hugged the man's arm, trying to pull him back.
"You bitch, I knew you were eyeing him. When we boarded the ship earlier, you were always chatting and exchanging glances with him. What, are you still feeling sorry for him now?"
"Don't forget who feeds and clothes you, it's me! How dare you help another man, I'll beat you to death."
Kurak raised his large hand and slapped Maggie's face.
Maggie subconsciously closed her eyes, but found that nothing happened. When she bravely opened her eyes, she saw Kurak's hand... specifically, his index finger being held.
Holding Kurak's thick finger, Lex smiled kindly: "In our homeland, people who commit domestic violence are severely punished, just like this."
With a crunch, Kurak's finger was broken.
In the corridor outside the door, Paul suddenly heard Kurak's screams from inside, which reminded him of a pig being slaughtered by a butcher.
He had never heard that man make such a sound.
Listening to Kurak's screams, Paul not only didn't feel scared, but instead, his lips curved slightly, forming a smile.