After asking a few more questions, Doyle quickly understood the whole story.

"It’s a misunderstanding, let them go."

Someone couldn’t help but speak up: "...Mr. Doyle, if they haven’t done anything wrong, why did they run?"

If they hadn’t run when called, naturally, they wouldn’t have been chased.

Hearing this, Doyle shook his head: "You all heard earlier, they were from the Secret Society trying to find out our attitude towards the different species."

"Other churches only have the stake for different species..."

The crowd fell silent upon hearing this.

No wonder they had to run once their disguise was uncovered.

Kegate also felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing this.

I thought we caught a big fish, but it turned out to be a mix-up...

At this moment, Pik and Papua also awoke from hypnosis.

"Alright, let’s disperse." Doyle said to the crowd, then turned towards the two, apologetically:

"Sorry, earlier was a misunderstanding. These young men thought you were spies, so they acted."

"You can leave here and move freely on the island, but you must abide by the law, understood?"

Papua and Pik exchanged glances, feeling both astonished and overjoyed, quickly nodding.

Doyle also left with his men at this time, but before leaving, he gave a reminder.

"Don’t wear masks and hats on the island, or there might be another misunderstanding, the patrol won’t arrest you."

After saying this, Doyle left.

Before leaving, Papua overheard Ashru and Doyle discussing something about "reporting to the Secret Society"...

Once the Black Tide Secret Society dispersed, only a few passing pedestrians remained, casting curious and strange looks at Papua and Pik as they brushed past.

Papua appeared somewhat dazed, and Pik was the same.

Until a raindrop from the eaves fell on Papua’s head, awakening her as if from a dream.

Unable to hold back, she embraced Pik beside her, breaking free from her usual calm and steadiness, and wailed: "Waaa... Pik... We... We finally don’t have to hide anymore!"

"Yes... You can finally enjoy your rightful reputation... Papua..." Pik was also in tears.

At this moment, the sea breeze blew, the gloom lifted, and sunlight once again shone upon them.

...

Pik and Papua walked down the streets of Sphincter.

Passing pedestrians couldn’t help but cast curious or strange glances at Papua.

Of course, some from the former Kizi Church spat viciously at Papua: "Ugh, disgusting creature!"

"I think this Black Tide Secret Society is insane!"

"They let these disgusting creatures in, they’re doomed sooner or later!"

This was an old-looking beggar.

Clearly, remnants of old ideas ingrained deeply from Kizi Church’s past rule.

Yet, even in this situation.

Papua’s face still bore an irrepressible smile.

She’d seen exposed creatures dragged naked through the streets, and blackened bodies post-execution...

Being spat on? That’s nothing.

By comparison, Papua thought, finally living in the sunlight is what is most precious.

"Pik."

Suddenly, Papua looked at him, seriously saying: "I want the Snowmen to come here and live."

She then added: "...Right now I want this!"

Pik hadn’t had the chance to speak.

A familiar man’s voice emerged behind him.

"How does it feel? Didn’t I say so?"

He turned suddenly and saw a familiar tall figure standing before them.

It was the strange man who once had them repair the pointer!

"Let me introduce myself, I am Rogel, also the Archbishop of the Black Tide Secret Society."

Rogel chuckled lightly, walking up to them.

This was his descent form.

After all, Papua was one of those he was closely observing, thus he always monitored her.

"Archbishop..." Pik was a bit stunned, understanding well that an Archbishop in such a grand organization as the Black Tide Secret Society holds great power and status.

But he couldn’t fathom why such a person would care so much about them.

"I misunderstood you, Archbishop Rogel." Papua sighed, then added: "Is there anything you need me to do?"

She was smart.

She realized she must have something valuable that caught Rogel’s attention to warrant such effort from a significant figure.

If nothing else, it must be her skills...

"I need you to establish a guild on Scot Island and teach students."

Rogel didn’t beat around the bush and spoke directly.

Papua’s skills as a Master Artisan should not go unpassed.

If under Black Tide Secret Society’s rule there could be a group of skilled artisans, it would certainly boost the society’s development massively.

Pik looked a bit pained, glancing at Papua with words left unsaid, but ultimately stayed silent.

However, Papua didn’t hesitate: "Alright, I agree to it, Archbishop Rogel."

"But, I hope you can grant me a request, will you?"

"Go ahead." Rogel nodded.

"I hope the Black Tide Secret Society can take in my members from the gathering house... I guarantee they won’t cause any trouble, is that alright?"

Papua pleaded, yearning intensely to establish herself under Black Tide Secret Society rule.

Even if she had to endure discrimination, it was living in the sunlight!

To this, Rogel merely smiled slightly: "It’s their own freedom to come, as long as they abide by the law."

"...That barely counts as a request, the value of your skills far exceeds this, do you need anything else?"

Papua was very moved hearing this: "No, I have no other needs, Archbishop Rogel."

"Very well, if you need anything, just tell me." Rogel nodded, then said: "Once you’re ready, go to the Grand Cathedral to find Doyle, I will inform him to make arrangements for you."

After saying this, under Papua’s excited gaze, he walked to a nearby shop and packed up some sweets.

"By the way, one more thing." Rogel suddenly seemed to remember something, smiling at Papua: "Perhaps you can try researching more efficient tools."

"Of course, this is just a suggestion, not a request."

"See you next time, Papua."

After saying this, Rogel gracefully walked into a nearby shadowed alley.

Just as his body touched the shadows cast by the eaves, he dissolved into black mist, vanishing.

After he left, Pik couldn’t help but look at Papua.

"Papua, do you really want to pass on your artisan skills to others?"

Skills are a way to make a living, their importance goes without saying.

If held by Papua, a creature, such skills hold even greater value.

After all, with such skills, sometimes they can be used to save one’s life.

But if such skills lose their worth, their value naturally diminishes as well.

Papua nodded: "If it means the Snowmen can live here, I feel it’s worth it."

"Alright..." Pik could only respond helplessly.

"Enough about that, let’s finish shopping and quickly bring the Snowmen over."

"I want to buy a cake!"

Papua cheerfully headed to the shop where Rogel had just bought sweets, took out gold coins, and handed them over.

The shopkeeper looked at her with somewhat odd eyes, but still handed her a piece of cake.

After getting the cake, Papua eagerly began eating.

Only then did Pik notice her eyes were red again.

This made Pik silent.

"Sigh..."

He sighed slightly, his expression a bit dazed.

For over ten years, Pik had been the one bringing Papua food and drink.

This... seemed to be the first time Papua had openly bought something...