Who was it just now who thumped his chest in front of the Captain and promised to be the bait himself? Now he's backing out? Even worse, he wants me to be the bait. Do you think I'm an idiot?
Danitz flew into a rage, slapped the table, and stood up.
His action made two guests in the restaurant look over.
Lex coughed into his fist: "3000 pounds."
Danitz's anger immediately dissipated by half. Before he had fully stood up, he sat back down. He also moved his chair back slightly, making it seem like he had only stood up to move the chair.
After sitting down, he sneered: "What, even a great Adventurer is afraid?"
Lex gave him a faint look: "If you're not afraid, you go."
Danitz was at a loss for words. He snorted, picked up his beer, and continued to drink.
At this moment, their breakfast was served. Lex cut a slice of bread, spread honey on it, placed smoked ham on top, and brought it to his mouth.
He took a bite, chewing his food as he said: "I'm not deliberately targeting you. If your brain is still working, you'll know that if you were the bait, the Blood Admiral would be even more tempted."
"After all, you are a member of the Golden Dream. You are the Fourth Mate. The information you possess is naturally more valuable than mine."
Danitz thought about it; it seemed that was indeed the case.
"But you're the one who promised the Captain to be the bait, not me." Danitz took a sip of his milk soup, a smile playing on his lips, "So, I won't agree."
Lex shrugged: "Whatever. But now I know that your loyalty to the Golden Dream and to Captain Edwina is only this much."
"Then I'm relieved. It seems that after this matter is over, the Captain will look at me with new eyes. After all, I am more self-sacrificing and more loyal than you."
Lex extended his hand, a sincere smile on his face: "Thank you for backing out."
Bullshit!
So you were testing me!
What kind of damn Hunter are you? You're too despicable, too shameless!
This guy will definitely tell the Captain about this after boarding the ship, and he'll exaggerate!
No.
Having one Jodeson on board is enough; with another, the Captain will be deceived.
The Captain needs upright people like me. I can't let them succeed!
In an instant, a wave of self-sacrifice surged forth. Danitz glared fiercely at Lex: "I'm just refusing your proposal, but I would do this for the Captain and for the Golden Dream even without you saying so!"
He forcefully brushed Lex's hand away.
Lex smiled and retracted his arm: "So I misunderstood you. Well, even though you rejected my proposal, I still have to say, don't be impulsive, follow my arrangements."
"After breakfast, I'll go to the Sea Wave Cathedral. I'll contact the Storm Church's parish bishop. I'll act as a bridge between you and the Church to seek cooperation."
"I believe that compared to you, the Church is more concerned about the Blood Admiral. This way, there will be a basis for cooperation."
"In short, later, go back to your room and don't go out."
Danitz said impatiently: "Got it. Also, everything I do is for the Captain, and it has nothing to do with you, including my temporary acceptance of your arrangements!"
"I am very clear and understand."
Lex cut another piece of bread and looked at Danitz: "Want some?"
Danitz firmly said: "I'll get it myself!"
At nine in the morning, Lex arrived at Bayam's Sea Wave Cathedral. He had already hung the storm emblem on his chest. After entering the church, he didn't delay, stopping a priest and sincerely saying: "I am Hunter Rayleigh. I have an important matter that I need to report to Your Excellency the Bishop."
The priest's gaze fell on the storm emblem on Lex's chest. He nodded: "Please follow me."
A moment later, Lex met the bishop of this church, Jorgell.
This was an old man with graying hair, but he was in good spirits, his eyes bright. He was robust, his full muscles straining against his bishop's robe. His breathing was heavy like a bellows, and he spoke quickly, as if he would rush out at any moment to personally solve all problems.
"Hunter Rayleigh, I know you. You've done very well. Miller speaks highly of you, and Duvale also says you are very efficient. Why don't you join our Church? The Enforcers welcome excellent fellows like you."
Under the old man's rapid-fire speech, Lex couldn't find any opportunity to interject, so he had to listen patiently until he finished before saying: "I apologize, Your Excellency. I don't have such plans for now, and I am not a Beyonder of the 'Sailor' pathway. The great Lord of Storms probably wouldn't like a fellow like me."
Jorgell laughed heartily: "That's not necessarily true."
His gaze fell on Lex's storm emblem, sweeping over it quickly, then he rapidly said: "Do you have something to report?"
"It must be related to the Blood Admiral, right?"
Lex nodded, not surprised, then said: "Last night, I had some contact with the pirates on the Golden Dream. Among them, 'Blazing' Danitz is willing to use himself as bait to lure the Blood Admiral into capturing him."
"Once successful, we can obtain the Blood Admiral's exact location through Danitz."
"But with just us, it would be difficult to carry out this plan. Therefore, I want to request cooperation, to ask the Church to temporarily set aside its prejudices and cooperate with the Golden Dream."
"After all, if successful, the Blood Admiral can be eliminated, making the Sea safer."
Jorgell did not immediately agree. He scrutinized Lex from head to toe and said: "Do you trust the Golden Dream, trust Iceberg Admiral?"
"No, but I believe that hunting the Blood Admiral will benefit the Golden Dream, the Storm Church, and me."
"Yes, I prefer to believe in interests. When interests align, there will be no traitors, at least not before the Blood Admiral is eliminated."
Jorgell laughed heartily, nodding vigorously as he said: "Mr. Rayleigh, you are well-versed in the Path of Sea survival."
"How do you wish us to cooperate?"
Seeing that he had convinced the parish bishop, Lex breathed a slight sigh of relief, then continued: "I hope the Church can create a tense situation, even sending Enforcers to pursue 'Blazing' Danitz."
"I believe that even if the Blood Admiral is not in Bayam, his minions have already infiltrated. If they know Danitz is in Bayam and being pursued by the Storm Church, they won't miss this opportunity."
"Therefore, I hope the Church will let Danitz go at a critical moment, so that the Blood Admiral's minions will have a chance to act, and our plan can succeed."
"I will secretly keep an eye on Danitz. I will find the Blood Admiral's location. However, there's a problem: I don't know how to notify the Church at that time."
Jorgell nodded and said: "That's simple. Later, I'll give you a 'Storm Charm'. Activated with ancient Hermes, it will create a small storm, which will cause interference and also mark the Blood Admiral's location."