Conquest Sea, shining white pearl.
Above the sea surface in the early morning, a faint mist was spreading, and within this thin sea fog, the enormous cruise ship was still sailing forward, cutting through the waves.
After a night of rest, the passengers of the shining white pearl, after washing up, walked out of their cabins and came to the luxurious restaurant for breakfast. During this process, they gathered in twos and threes, discussing a strange event that had happened early this morning.
"Have you heard? Someone wants to steal the deep blue heart."
"deep blue heart? Isn't that the gem Mr. Massimo is going to exhibit tonight? How do you know someone wants to steal it?"
"It's a Notice letter... Early this morning, many places on the ship, including here, found Notice letters written in Iweig language. A guy named Thief K announced he was coming to steal the deep blue heart."
"Notice letter? Are you kidding? Who steals something and announces it beforehand? Doesn't that just put people on guard? This is probably a prank."
"Hmm... I think so too. I wonder who did this. Do they think it's too boring on the ship and want to have fun with all of us?"
"Maybe. It's also good to provide some entertainment for everyone."
...
In the spacious restaurant, countless passengers in bright clothes were holding trays and gathered together, discussing the strange events that had happened earlier while having breakfast. Strange Notice letters were found all over the cruise ship in the morning, and many tourists saw the contents. They were hotly discussing the common signatory on those Notice letters, Thief K.
Regarding this thief who announced their theft beforehand, the passengers on the ship had different reactions. Some found it unexpected, some found it laughable, some found it absurd, and some found it boring.
Although the reactions varied, almost all passengers did not take these Notice letters seriously. Everyone just treated it as a prank, or an act of performance art. They were still just treating this Thief K as a joke to enrich their social topics.
In a corner of the restaurant, the Captain of this shining white pearl, Costa, stood here with the jewelry collector, Mr. Massimo, looking together at the scene of lively discussion before them. A hint of strange expression was revealed between their brows.
"About this so-called Thief K... what do you think?" With his hands behind his back, Costa spoke to Mr. Massimo beside him, and after hearing this, Mr. Massimo snorted coldly and spoke disdainfully.
"What else is there to think? Just a clown, wanting to sensationalize and gain attention, and then chose a ridiculous method."
Mr. Massimo said so, his words full of disdain for Thief K. Regardless of the truth about that Thief K, the Notice letters appearing on the cruise ship were a contemptuous provocation to him, so he naturally looked down on it.
In Mr. Massimo's view, this so-called Thief K deliberately created strange events to attract attention. Let alone an Extraordinary, he probably wasn't a respectable person with status even in the mundane world. He had seen similar existences before, and in his opinion, such people were similar to clowns in a circus.
"Hmm... indeed, stealing something and sending a Notice... is an incomprehensible behavior no matter what. This is likely a prank, but it's best not to take it lightly. This Thief K was able to distribute these Notice letters to various places throughout the ship without being detected, which means he has a little skill."
Holding a Notice letter in his hand, Costa said so. In his opinion, although this Thief K should also be playing a prank, he himself still had a little skill.
"Just a little... How dare he provoke me like this? If I knew who he was, I would put him on my dining table before he is eaten by Haimo Hois."
Mr. Massimo said so. For them, it was not impossible to find this prankster clown, but it would consume precious Extraordinary resources. Compared to the "enlightenment" storage items... Although Mr. Massimo felt disgusted by this obvious prank, he did not spend more resources and energy to find that clown.
Just a prankster clown, anyway, he will eventually be buried in the mouth of Haimo Hois. There is no need to worry too much about it. Mr. Massimo just felt a little regret that before sailing to the final Blood Sacrifice Sea Area, he, Costa, and the other crew members had to evacuate and could not personally witness the scene of the entire ship, including that clown, being swallowed.
"Although it's a prank, just in case, you'd better keep an eye on the situation of the deep blue heart."
Costa, holding the Notice letter, continued to speak to Mr. Massimo, who waved his hand and spoke casually.
"Don't worry, I just checked the condition of the deep blue heart, it's still there, perfectly fine. Our people will be watching it non-stop, there will be no problem."
While speaking, Mr. Massimo and Costa walked out of the restaurant and onto the front deck. They looked at the angel statue on the bow covered with a white cloth. In front of the angel statue was the boundless sea, and behind it were layers of standing sailors.
"What's more, we don't just have ordinary eyes to see the deep blue heart, do we?"
Mr. Massimo continued to murmur. Although they could not see the deep blue heart covered under the white cloth, by relying on the Spiritual Perception unique to Chalk class "Cup" Extraordinary, they could still sense that the deep blue heart was currently under that white cloth, in the hands of the angel statue.
With these spiritual eyes, it was impossible for the deep blue heart to be stolen from under their noses.
...
Time passed slowly, and soon a morning passed. At noon, Mr. Massimo's jewelry exhibition began to be officially set up. In the restaurant ballroom of the cabin, many small exhibition stands were set up, and many precious and beautiful jewels were displayed on them.
Mr. Massimo's jewelry attracted almost all the passengers on the ship to visit, and for a time the cabin used as an exhibition hall became very crowded. Ladies surrounded the small exhibition stands of precious jewels, exclaiming in admiration. Everyone was marveling at the treasures collected by Mr. Massimo.
Mr. Massimo announced in his on-site promotion that the daytime jewelry exhibition was just an appetizer, and the main course would be held on the front deck in the evening, the exhibition of the deep blue heart. All passengers who heard Mr. Massimo's words became extremely excited. At the same time, the rumors about Thief K were spreading more and more widely among the passengers on the ship, and some people were even starting to anticipate what kind of events would happen tonight.
After Senior Nefelnis finished watching the daytime jewelry exhibition with her classmates and Teacher Uta, she said goodbye to them and returned to acting alone. Then she began to return to her cabin. As she passed a corridor, she saw a familiar figure.
"Miss Dorothy..."
Seeing the white-haired girl in a winter mini dress before her, Senior Nefelnis spoke in surprise, while Miss Dorothy walked to her side with a smile, and quietly said.
"I've already said hello to the Great Shaman for you. You can perform the ritual directly after you return to your room in a while. Your offerings are still enough, right?"
"Hmm... enough should be enough... But, Miss Dorothy, that thing you asked me to do... I, will I be okay..."
Looking at Miss Dorothy beside her, Senior Nefelnis said with a very flustered expression, while Miss Dorothy patted her and said comfortingly.
"Don't worry, as long as everything goes according to my plan, there will be no problem. Isn't your Grandpa also a great thief? You have to believe in your talent in this area."
"My, my Grandpa is a great thief... But I've never stolen anything, and besides, my Grandpa stole things from the dead, which is completely different from what I'm going to do now..."
Senior Nefelnis continued to say uneasily, while Miss Dorothy spoke seriously.
"Believe in yourself... Senior Nefelnis, you must know that the lives of everyone on the ship are now in our hands. For everyone to reach the destination safely, no matter what, we must go for it. I will support you with all my strength, so rest assured."
"Hmm... *sigh*... Okay... I'll do my best..."
Listening to Miss Dorothy's words, Senior Nefelnis swallowed a mouthful of saliva and calmed her heart as she spoke. Indeed, if what Miss Dorothy said last night was true, then everyone on the ship was in mortal danger, and she had to go for it.
"Alright, go back and prepare carefully, and then have a good rest. The main show is tonight."
Miss Dorothy said to Senior Nefelnis for the last time, then stepped past her. Nefelnis, after taking a deep breath, continued to walk forward.
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After a while, Senior Nefelnis walked into her cabin. After closing the door, she immediately took out a piece of white paper from her luggage and placed it on the ground. When the white paper was unfolded, what appeared on it was a complex "Silence" magic circle.
"Soul Xu, please help me again..."
Sitting cross-legged by the magic circle, Senior Nefelnis murmured, then she took out three iron coins containing the Spirituality of "Silence" from her purse and arranged them in front of the magic circle.
...
Meanwhile, in the New World, in the inland forest not far from the east coast, the Tupa Tribe camp.
Inside the Shaman's large tent of the Tupa Tribe, the Old Shaman Uta, dressed in full ritual long robes and covered in colorful patterns, was sitting cross-legged on the ground smoking a pipe. At this moment, Kapak, holding a picture book not far away, suddenly spoke.
"Teacher Uta, the preparation is complete on that side, we can begin."
"Alright... alright... I know..."
Hearing Kapak's words, Uta exhaled a long puff of smoke, then looked towards the ground in the center of the large tent. A larger and more complex magic circle was drawn there, and beside the magic circle, a lynx spirits was leisurely floating.
"Soul Whisker, please take your position. I am about to start the reverse spiritual communication ritual... The worshiper over there is the one you met last time. She has already prepared the delicious offerings you tasted before."
Hearing Uta's words, the leisurely floating lynx spirits suddenly shivered. After licking its lips, it immediately floated to the center of the magic circle and squatted down. Then, Uta stood up, leaning on his cane, and slowly walked to the side of the magic circle and sat down.
"I never thought that one day I would also participate in a transaction with the white skins. I hope all of this will ultimately bring good results to the tribe..."
Sitting beside the magic circle, Uta sighed and murmured. Then he raised his hands, using his ability as the Great Shaman, and began the advanced application of the spiritual communication ritual targeting the Wilderness Spirit Soul Xu: reverse spiritual communication.
...
Time flew by quickly, and soon another afternoon passed. As the sky darkened, night once again enveloped the vast sea.
On the boundless Conquest Sea, the massive shining white pearl continued to cut through the waves. Although the sky was dark, points of dazzling Light still brightly illuminated the huge cruise ship.
The wide front deck of the shining white pearl was crowded with people. Countless gentlemen and ladies in bright and proper attire were milling about, almost completely filling the entire front deck.
At this moment, all the passengers on the entire ship were gathered on the front deck of the shining white pearl. Because there wasn't enough space on the deck, passengers who didn't get good spots gathered on the upper structures in the front part of the cruise ship, leaning against the railings and looking towards the direction of the bow in the distance.
Gentlemen and Misses from various countries and places, all dressed in bright attire, were gathered together at this time, chatting and waiting. Even with the howling cold sea wind outside the ship, their enthusiasm did not diminish much. Everyone wore expectant expressions, waiting for the most spectacular and shining moment of this journey.
The exhibition of the deep blue heart was the highlight of this voyage of the shining white pearl and the moment everyone anticipated. Everyone present was eagerly looking forward to the first appearance of what was called the most beautiful sapphire in history. They wanted to be among the first audience to admire this famous gem.
The atmosphere at the exhibition was enthusiastic. While people were talking and eagerly anticipating the radiance of the deep blue heart, the content of the morning's announcement was also occasionally brought up. After being dismissed as a joke and laughed off by everyone, many people also felt a sense of anticipation for the upcoming exhibition moment, expecting that something different might happen.
As time passed little by little, finally, the appointed moment arrived. The deep blue heart was about to appear. Amidst a burst of warm applause, the famous gem collector, Mr. Massimo Russo, dressed in formal attire, walked from the exclusive passage to the bow. In front of the angel statue covered with white cloth, under the bright Light, and amidst strict guard, he smiled and waved to the applauding audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the final exhibition venue of this exhibition. Under this vast sky, on this boundless sea, how magnificent must the exhibition scene be to fully showcase the greatest beauty of the deep blue heart's Light."
"Thank you all for coming tonight. As a reward, you will enjoy a sight you will never forget!"
Raising his hands, Massimo shouted loudly to the audience before him, and the audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers. As the cheers subsided slightly, Massimo continued to speak with a smile.
"Everyone, I'm sure many of you saw the mischievous notes this morning. I wonder how many of you truly believe there is such a thing as Thief K. However, I need to clarify one point: those notes were absolutely not deliberately distributed by me to create a gimmick. With my reputation, Mr. Massimo, I don't need to resort to such petty tricks to attract attention. Therefore... this morning's incident was purely a prank. That Thief K is just a clown. I think he succeeded in making me laugh."
Massimo spoke to the audience in a rather witty and humorous manner, and hearing Massimo's words, the audience couldn't help but burst into laughter. Seeing this, Massimo continued to speak.
"Oh... oh... it seems this Thief K made me laugh, and also made everyone laugh. It seems he has quite a talent for comedy. Perhaps he can get a decent job in a circus in the future."
Massimo said this, and along with his words, the audience laughed even more happily.
"Alright, alright, that's enough jokes for now. Let's get down to business. Everyone, pay attention! The deep blue heart is right behind me, in the hands of the Holy Mother angel statue behind me. Although it's covered with cloth, I can't see it, but I can still feel its existence! Yes! I can feel it! This is the wonderful magic between me and the deep blue heart!"
Massimo continued to speak. There was no falsehood in his words. As an Extraordinary, he could indeed feel the Spirituality of the deep blue heart. He was certain that the deep blue heart was still in the hand of the angel statue under the white cloth. He had personally secured it there!
Immediately, Massimo slowly retreated to the angel statue covered with white cloth, and grabbed the white cloth covering the angel statue, which had already been untied from its rope fixation. Seeing his action, the audience present couldn't help but hold their breath and focus, watching his every next move.
"Then finally, bear witness! This deep blue radiance! This is a wonder you have never seen in your life!"
In his final declaration, Massimo yanked the white cloth with the hand that was holding it. The white cloth covering the angel statue was pulled off, and the image of the angel statue was once again revealed before everyone's eyes. The audience present focused their gaze on the hands of the angel statue, while Massimo, standing beneath the angel statue, waited for the exclamations of mortals.
However, the expected exclamations did not appear. Instead, there was a murmur of whispers. Massimo looked at the audience in front of him and found that although they were all staring wide-eyed at the angel statue's hand, their eyes did not show surprise. At this moment, Massimo also realized that something was wrong. He also sensed the abnormality behind him.
Massimo turned his head to look at the angel statue behind him. What he saw next was a large blue gem embedded in the hand of the angel statue. This sapphire was very similar to the deep blue heart in his memory, but it was incredibly dim and emitted no Light. More importantly, Massimo could not feel any trace of Spirituality on this gem.
His Chalk stage "Cup" Spirituality sensing was actually unable to sense any trace of Spirituality on that gem! That sapphire that could not emit Light and had no Spirituality, in the eyes of Massimo and a crowd of audience members, was just like an ordinary sapphire, nothing special.
On the sapphire in the angel's palm, the Spirituality and blue Light had disappeared. In their place was a note attached to it. The note was written in Iweig, which was familiar to Massimo.
...
The real deep blue heart, I have taken it.
Thief K
...
Seeing this scene, Massimo was startled. He widened his eyes, then immediately pulled out a key from his pocket, a key to unlock the embedding mechanism, and climbed towards the angel statue, climbing towards the deep blue heart that had been "swapped."
And at this moment, below the sapphire in the hand of the angel statue, in the part embedded in the inner side of the angel statue's hand, a spider Corpse Puppet that had crawled in through the mechanism keyhole was clinging to the sapphire. Without anyone seeing, it tightly grasped the sapphire, and this sapphire was the genuine deep blue heart.
Dorothy, hidden in the crowd in the distance, controlled this spider Corpse Puppet, making it climb onto the deep blue heart and "hold" the deep blue heart. Then she used spiritual threads to transmit the hidden effect of the ring of concealment, "conceal all spiritual characteristics," to the spider Corpse Puppet, allowing the spider Corpse Puppet to hide the deep blue heart.
Under the effect of the ring of concealment, the deep blue heart's spiritual Light and spiritual traces were hidden. Combined with the note on top, in the eyes of Massimo and Costa, it became a fake.
Looking at Massimo climbing onto the angel statue with the key, Dorothy's mouth curved into a smile.
"This thing... you'll have to take it down yourself..."