"First, you need to understand the nature of our work. Hey, we're responsible for sending some guys to meet their gods, if they have any faith, and this time is no exception."
Sandy suddenly became talkative, gesticulating as he spoke, "We're dealing with a formidable opponent this time. He's a ruthless character who can hunt a pirate ship by himself. Of course, we're even more formidable."
"Charles has already made arrangements for this job. He hired several Adventurers to test the target's true strength. And during his time on the ship, he has observed that guy's daily routine and even his hobbies."
"Charles said that with just one more day of observation, he can finalize the details of the plan. Then, as always, we'll send this guy to meet the god he believes in, and then we can leave this ship. Charles will receive a 2,000-pound bounty from the Blood Admiral, but most importantly, we will gain an important Sea channel."
The Violinist smiled and said, "It seems you've made thorough preparations. The Charles you mentioned is indeed very capable. But you also said the target is a ruthless character; aren't you worried about failure?"
Sandy took a sip of rum, shaking his head as he said, "That's impossible. Even if something goes wrong with the plan, we have a way to remedy it. Charles has a magical item that can forcefully put the target into a deep sleep, trapping him in a beautiful dream from which it's hard to escape. Although this item can only be used once a day on the same target, it's enough for us."
"Furthermore, for a target who has fallen into a trance to wake up, it must either be when the item's extraordinary effect ends on its own, or if he can perceive that he is dreaming and kill himself within the dream. Otherwise, he cannot wake up."
"And before he wakes up, we can do a lot."
Sandy burped and said, "Actually, if you ask me, there's no need for so much trouble. We could just go directly and use that item to force the target into a trance. But Charles doesn't like to do that; he prefers to keep things under his control."
The Violinist nodded in agreement: "Your friend is indeed very cautious."
"It's getting late, I should head back too. It was a pleasure meeting you, Sandy."
At this moment, Sandy suddenly became dazed, losing all his vigilance and defenses, seemingly entering a semi-stupor.
The Violinist gently said, "In the coming days, when you hear the word 'mandrill,' you will remember that Charles once molested your sister, and you will furiously attack him, disregarding everything else."
"Remember, this is a projection of your subconscious, and then forget about our conversation tonight."
"Tonight, you simply had a bottle of wine, smoked a cigarette, forgot many worries, and happily went to sleep."
After speaking, the Violinist took off his hat, placed it on his chest, and smiled, "I wish you sweet dreams."
A moment later, Sandy's slightly unfocused eyes regained their sparkle. He looked at the nearly finished cigarette, flicked it overboard, picked up the empty wine bottle, and hummed a folk song from his hometown as he returned to the warehouse.
The Physician, still reading, looked at Sandy: "Where did you go?"
Sandy chuckled as he lay down beside him: "Nothing, just enjoying the breeze on the deck, by myself."
His breathing quickly became even; he had fallen asleep.
On Sunday morning, Charles put on a cleaner's uniform, wiped his face, and his complexion immediately turned white, his features clearly showing the characteristics of the Loen race. He was a few centimeters shorter, and his stomach protruded.
"See you tonight."
He put the folded clothes into a leather suitcase, then picked it up and left the warehouse.
At 7:30, he arrived in the corridor outside the second-class cabin, holding a broom and beginning to sweep. At 8:30, he saw a young man in a gray-striped cloak walk out, his skin slightly dark, holding a cane decorated with a terrifying skull.
Charles watched him leave that deck of the cabin.
He unhurriedly pushed the cleaning cart into a utility room in the cabin. In the utility room, he took out the leather suitcase he had hidden earlier. Charles changed into a woman's outfit and wiped his face. His hair suddenly grew long and slightly wavy, dyed a beautiful golden color.
His features became delicate, his nose higher, and his lips pink.
His skin darkened slightly, his height increased by a few centimeters, his stomach flattened, but his chest swelled, creating a pair of A-cups.
A moment later, a tall but rather ordinary-looking lady walked out of the utility room, left this deck, and arrived in the restaurant.
Charles saw the young man again, watching him choose bread, mushrooms, milk, and bacon, then sit alone at a small round table to eat.
Just then.
Someone screamed in the restaurant.
Charles glanced over; it was a lady with wine-red hair. Charles remembered her; the night before last, she had accused a man of behaving impolitely towards her. She had even called the captain, and the incident became known to all the passengers in the restaurant.
And now, she pointed at the tall man with his hair tied in a braid and shouted, "Did you push me just now? Are you trying to get revenge on me?!"
Charles didn't pay attention, continuing to watch his target, but the young man seemed to have his gaze drawn by the wine-haired lady.
"Who pushed you? I've seen too many women like you. On the surface, you act like a well-bred noble Miss, but in reality, you're just a kept mistress." The tall man used malicious words to provoke her anger.
Sure enough, the lady was so angry that she splashed the milk in her hand onto the man. At this, the situation spiraled out of control. The man roared, took two steps forward, and violently pushed the lady down.
The wine-red haired lady shrieked and fell. She instinctively tried to grab something to steady herself, but she pulled down the white tablecloth of a long table. She yanked the tablecloth off, causing the food on it to crash to the floor.
Many of the food items landed on the lady, staining her hair, face, and body.
"Serves you right!"
The long-braided man ignored the woman's screams and turned to leave.
"Stop!"
At this moment, someone stepped forward.
It was the young man in the gray-striped cloak. He said with a stern expression, "Sir, don't you think you owe this lady an apology?"
The man turned around and laughed, "I think you're asking for a beating."
He lunged forward, raising his arm and swinging his fist, his large fist smashing towards the other's face.
A gasp echoed through the restaurant. Just as everyone thought the gentlemanly young man was about to be injured, they saw him move as agile as a cat, dodging his opponent's fist, and then fiercely striking his opponent's chin with his cane, which was adorned with a terrifying skull.
The man with the long braid screamed and fell to the ground. He clutched his bleeding chin, got up, and pointed at the young man, calling out defiantly, "You just wait, I'll settle this score with you sooner or later!"
Charles sneered inwardly.
You should be happy you got your life back. Do you know who that guy is? He's a hunter who hunted a pirate ship; you should be grateful you're still alive.
Afterward, Charles quietly watched the young man again, seeing him help the lady up and say with great courtesy, "Do you need me to escort you back to your room?"