"I am very pleased a capable Investigator has come to Ceres Manor..."

Sayam’s fingers were interlaced over his stomach. He wore a simple black, high-collared shirt, the collar embroidered with the golden crest of the Ceres Clan: a sailboat, a shield, and a lightning bolt.

’I recall their family motto: To sail through the Storm, to hold fast, to be fearless.’

’Clearly, this is a very aggressive clan.’

Wei’en thought to himself as he took out a pen and paper. "If you don’t mind, I’d like to take some notes?"

"Please," Sayam said, watching him calmly. The deep wrinkles on his aged face didn’t so much as twitch. "Where shall I begin?"

"Well, let’s start with the Black Pearl," Wei’en said after a moment’s thought. "You’re aware they were the ones who attacked your manor last time, aren’t you?"

"Ah, the Black Pearl... an old acquaintance." Sayam’s slightly cloudy eyes gradually brightened.

"They are the emperors of the Cordo Sea, a nightmare for countless people."

"From the Caster City State to Ahmed on the Northern Continent, and then to Mukhelo on the Southern Continent, almost all ships have to hand over twenty percent of their cargo to them."

Wei’en was taken aback. "Twenty percent of all cargo?"

’That’s not twenty percent of the profits, but twenty percent of the actual cargo. It means the Black Pearl gets all those goods for free, without lifting a finger.’

’If they turn around and sell it, the profits would increase five or tenfold.’

"But those were the old rules,"

A cold glint appeared in Sayam’s eyes. "Now they’re even more outrageous. To save on ships and manpower, they’re demanding we convert the value of the cargo into gold pounds."

"In other words, before our ships even leave port, the cost of our cargo has already doubled."

"Based on a fivefold profit margin?"

"For most goods, yes. For a small portion, like metal ores, they demand ten times the cost price." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

’Good grief,’ Wei’en thought. ’Are they really that ruthless?’

’Before, they were just highwaymen who resold stolen goods. Now, they can’t even be bothered with the middleman step. They’re just stuffing sacks with cash...’

"So, your clan... ah, came into conflict with them?"

Sayam’s lips curled into a sneer, his expression dripping with contempt. "As of last month, no ship belonging to the Ceres Clan pays tribute to the Black Pearl."

"Isabella... that fool only knows how to lie on a pile of gold pounds and count his money. He thinks military might alone is enough to run rampant across the Cordo Sea. This time, I will personally sink his Black Pearl!"

’So that’s how it is.’

Wei’en put the pieces together. There was a conflict of maritime interests at play. "So, was the Black Pearl’s raid on Basil Port a few days ago also because of this?"

"In a way. But we were well-prepared by then and didn’t suffer any significant losses."

"We?"

"All the clans in the Caster City State that own ships!"

’No wonder they dared to resist. The entire city-state is backing them.’

’But this has little to do with the case.’ Wei’en got straight to the point. "Do you think Lugte’s death could have been their retaliation?"

"Impossible." Sayam denied it instantly, without a second thought. "As much as I hate to admit it, Isabella never brings his sea business onto the land."

"That is perhaps the only correct principle in that shit-filled brain of his."

’Wei’en was surprised. He hadn’t expected this Sea Emperor to have such principles.’

"Then how do you explain the appearance of Tiki and Elno? Or was their target the Divine Statue?"

"That is why I hired you," Sayam shot him a glance, his voice laced with displeasure. "Young Mr. Investigator, 100 gold pounds is enough to buy 100 high-quality maids."

"..."

’Gorantai, Zhou Bapi, Huang Shiren...’

’In that instant, a parade of classic penny-pinchers flashed through Wei’en’s mind. A case that could involve the Black Pearl, and the commission was only 100 gold pounds?’

’It should be at least...’

"Second question, then. Regarding Lugte stealing the Divine Statue..."

"Equally impossible!"

Sayam raised a hand, cutting him off, his expression souring with irritation. "Even if all the clues point to him, I refuse to believe he would do such a thing."

"Oh?"

"To the Ceres Clan, that Divine Statue represents the protection of our ancestors. It possesses no special powers. A thing like that..."

He didn’t finish, but Wei’en already understood what he meant.

’In this twisted, misshapen world, the word "antique" only referred to Era Relics, most of which possessed special powers.’

’Therefore, ordinary objects, no matter how ancient, were simply called "old junk"—a term that meant exactly what it sounded like: old and useless.’

With that thought, Wei’en put away his parchment, opened the case he carried with him, and took out "Magic Potion No. 1." "Would you object to me waking Lugte? I have a few questions I’d like to ask him."

"And besides... you could also have a chat with him?"

Sayam’s expression turned glacial. He radiated a menacing aura, like a venomous snake coiled to strike, his eyes fixed on "Magic Potion No. 1"—the Spirit Summoning Potion.

’Wei’en was unmoved. Whether for the sake of the truth or for the 25 gold pounds he was about to receive, using the Spirit Summoning Potion on Lugte, the man at the center of it all, was necessary.’

’Otherwise, his only other option was to bring the name "Vasquez" into the open and see what secrets he could unearth.’

’But what would the consequences of that be? A glance at Colins Vazquez, still standing respectfully guard outside the door, was enough to know. It would be tantamount to holding his own feet to the fire.’