Volume 4: The Last Day Chapter 6 Do you have another great mentor secretly behind my back?
"Shua"
After a day and a night, the Black Pearl could already see the outline of the continent under the gloomy sky in the distance.
The kite man flew low in the sea breeze at dawn, and the small and reliable falcon backpack behind him folded up its mechanical wings in a chic manner, allowing him to land accurately next to Mason, who was in a good mood.
"Boss, Barbossa and several pirate kings are at the port to welcome your return."
Charles reported to Mason with great joy:
"They made a grand display, with everyone wearing gold and silver like fancy-dressed chiefs, but there was one woman among them who was very strange.
Barbossa said that was his 'personal' witch, but I doubt that's who we're looking for.
The human form of the sea goddess Clepso.
"Um."
Mason nodded and squinted his eyes at the dock ahead where the outline of the city could already be seen. He thought for a moment, then turned his head and whispered to the kite flyer:
"Go back to Gotham, Charles, and take my letter to Selina and Lady Elizabeth. I need them to go to Osborne Tower to help me with something.
You don't have to come over here and accompany Poison Ivy in the Forbidden Forest of Hogwarts.
If things go wrong...
I mean, if the Hogwarts world is also affected by the impact, then bring her and the resources we harvested there back to Gotham.
This is an important matter, and I need someone I trust to do it, you know."
"Okay, Boss, I'll do it!"
Kite Man patted his chest vigorously, but then asked in a low voice:
"Can you guys just stay here? Without my help..."
"What will happen if you, a scout, stay here?"
Mason looked at Charles strangely and said:
"What? Are you planning to change your career and charge into battle with Ertong? Honestly, if you really want to show off your prowess in front of a god and a group of cleaners, then I don't mind giving you a chance."
"hehe"
The kite man laughed awkwardly twice.
Although he had gone through many battles, he knew very well that his combat effectiveness was at the bottom of Team K.
Especially after the hacker girl Barbara Gordon joined the team and took over the responsibility of drones and fire suppression, Charles felt that he was increasingly marginalized.
It is somewhat sad, but lack of ability is always a big problem that cannot be solved.
Even though he himself did not dislike this kind of safe life that was gradually shifting into logistics, he still had to show his presence in front of the boss occasionally. After all, he was Mason Cooper 's number one lackey.
After driving away the kite man, Mason returned to the cabin, rolled up his sleeves and prepared to continue working on his beloved alchemy. He had been feeling like he was about to have a "breakthrough" in recent times and he couldn't afford to waste any more time.
"Jack, remember what I told you last night. You are going to talk to Barbossa and the others on behalf of Team K."
Mason took out the Hufflepuff gold cup and placed it in front of him. He added some liquor to it and said to Captain Jack, who was leaning against the door and drinking a big glass of wine:
“I now appoint you as my full representative. No matter what they ask for, you must agree to them and find out as much as possible about the situation. Also, I want to see the Trident of Poseidon up close.
See if you can arrange that for me.”
"OK."
Jack drained the flask in his hand, wiped his mouth, and said:
"I suspect that Clepso might try to win me over. You see, even an undead like my father has sensed that something is wrong, so she, a genuine sea god, must have foreseen the danger.
Maybe she will strike first.
Mason, we have to be careful."
"Be careful? Why?"
Mason glanced at the hourglass on the table. There was very little sand left on it. After the voyage was completed, there were only less than three days left before the impact.
He shook his head and said:
"Don't worry too much, Jack. If she were as wise as the sea, she would know that her troubles are caused by someone else.
We can even be her collaborators.”
"Are you kidding me?"
Jack was stunned for a moment and asked back:
"We are here to kill her!"
"No, our mission is to ensure that her divinity does not fall into the hands of the Cleaners, Jack. Killing her is only a means to accomplish the mission, not the only means."
Mason stopped cutting the herbs, looked up and explained to Captain Jack in a serious manner:
“Remember those years when Collypso was sealed as a swamp witch? Even without her divinity, she was still able to live as a mortal.
But if she fell into the hands of the Cleaners...
Although I don't know how those mad dogs will treat her, I can be sure of one thing: compared to their methods, people like us are as gentle as virgins who have never seen a woman.
So, be bold and don't be afraid.
We have all decided to save your world, and it doesn't matter if we save one more god from suffering, so the initiative is actually in our hands."
"Well, now I understand what you said."
The big pirate nodded thoughtfully.
Ten minutes later, the Black Pearl slowly entered the port. Captain Jack and his crew members, who were dressed very "fashionably", were chatting and talking with old friends who greeted them at the dock.
Barbosa was somewhat disappointed but also somewhat relieved at the same time for not seeing any members of Team K.
Especially now that the deal for the miracle drug has been completed, before the next delivery of the miracle drug, to be honest, he doesn't want to have too much interaction with these mysterious guys.
But the black-haired witch in the crowd was very disappointed that Mason and others did not show up.
Captain Jack was observing her. Although she had changed into a white-skinned, red-haired girl's appearance, her eyes were definitely the eyes of Colepso, who had some "intersections" with Jack in the past.
As unfathomable as the sea, as cold and endless as a storm, and as unpredictable as the tide.
“Yo.”
At the welcoming banquet that followed, Captain Jack and his "old friends" drank a round of wine and took the time to approach the witch and whispered:
"My captain is a very suspicious guy. Perhaps you should talk to me before meeting him, ma'am."
"Thank you, Jack."
The witch said without any interest:
"The rat who escaped from this world before it was in danger should have some self-awareness. I only talk to people who can really take care of things. You are a lackey now, not a captain, and the steering wheel is not in your hands.
If you dare to talk nonsense, you will be whipped like those sailors who stick their butts up to wipe the deck."
"Huff, huff, what a good temper."
Captain Jack sneered.
He lowered his head and picked up a sicca cigarette, saying:
"I wish you could be as tough as this when those mad dogs from outside come to your door, Collipsso. You don't know what you will face, but I know. I have seen it with my own eyes.
I personally experienced another apocalypse and fought my way back to my hometown from hell.
So, now we want to talk?"
Faced with Jack's invitation, the witch hesitated and looked up at the dark night sky without stars or moonlight. There was fear in her eyes that she could hardly conceal.
As the pirate captain waited and watched, the incarnation of the sea god, who had once raised waves and buried countless fleets and travelers, finally nodded.
She whispered:
"Then let's talk, before those 'mad dogs' you mentioned arrive."
——
The Black Pearl was still docked at the dock. The ship had been blocked, and several black heavily armed drones were flying back and forth around the ship, preventing anyone from approaching.
This once legendary battleship has become the residence of Team K. The first mate, Mr. Gibbs, personally carries two modified and reinforced AK47s and leads his men on patrol to prevent any blind guys from disturbing the captain's manufacturing business.
“Done!”
In the cabin, Mason finished outlining the last line of golden inscriptions, dropped the Touchstone, stepped back a few steps, and admired the second set of Isu Vanguard Armor he had just made.
The black armor gleamed in the gloom, and the pale circles of light on its arms, chest, leg armor and boots shone brightly, looking very cool.
“Very sexy.”
The guy next to him gave an accurate evaluation.
He was now wearing the barely stitched magic cloak, and the bright red cape covering his figure made him look very much like Gandalf.
He pouted and said to Mason:
"I don't want this thing. It's too shiny and doesn't fit my low-key and luxurious style. Don't make it for me."
"You really do want it."
Mason snorted and said:
"I made this for myself. Didn't you see the data port reserved for connecting to the power armor? But since you don't need it, you can make your own equipment later, John."
"Don't!"
Zha Kang immediately jumped up and begged with a playful smile:
"How can a pathetic third-rate spellcaster like me find powerful things? I was counting on you to quickly become a master craftsman and help me repair the Elder Wand .
Those gravity rings and earrings you made are pretty good. Hurry up and practice them. I’ll depend on you as a craftsman for the rest of my life... eh?
Someone is coming!”
Before he finished his flattering words, he immediately turned his head to look at the end of the cabin. Under the enhanced magic control, he clearly felt the disturbance of time and space. When he was about to cast a spell to seal it, Mason reached out and held him down.
The young man said:
"It's okay. A friend is here. You should step aside for now. No matter who comes, I think it's best for you to participate in the conversation that follows. Here, go to the shore and find a few people to try the medicine on."
Mason handed several bottles of bloody liquid to Zha Kang and told him:
"This is the 'beastial' drug I prepared last night using the Isu's biotechnology. It contains samples of the Minotaur and the Snakeman. Don't drink it carelessly. The effect is not stable yet."
"Who would drink something that obviously has an unknown origin? Do you really think I'm you? I'm just like you, willing to throw anything into my veins."
Zha Kang curled his lips and rolled his eyes, then held a cigarette in his mouth and waved his cloak coquettishly, allowing the magic floating cloak, which still had ugly traces of stitching, to drag him up from the spot and sway out of the cabin.
This thoughtful guy didn't forget to close the hatch.
And just a few seconds after he left, the space-time disturbance that had been brewing quickly turned into a stream of silver light, and then the hunter walked out of it.
"Hello, Mr. Hunter."
Mason stopped pretending and stood up to welcome him with an exaggerated gesture:
"Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Nilfgaard, the 'Young Lion' of Cintra, Gevielle of Kaer Morhen, Daughter of the White Wolf, Her Royal Highness Cirilla Fiona Ellen Lillanron, is here aboard the Black Pearl.
Your arrival brings glory to this shabby ship."
Mr. Hunter was about to speak when he was stunned by the long list of titles that were so exaggerated that even the Mother of Dragons would call her an expert. Then she stomped her feet in frustration and helplessness.
Finished.
The identity was leaked.
"How do you know my true identity?"
She didn't waste any time, stretched out her hand to hold the sword, and asked directly:
"Who told you that? Was it Old K?"
"Actually, Sir Geralt told me in a dream, the night I entered Star Castle."
Mason, who had just cleaned the gold cup and was preparing for the next round of production, said without even looking up:
"The old demon hunter who won the Lady of the Lake's Holy Sword with the five virtues also specifically told me that if his daughter turns into that disgusting hound, I should scold you for him.
It would be best if I could scold you to wake you up.
Look, so many disasters are happening before our eyes.
We have to intervene if we have the ability. If we sit back and do nothing, the blood buried under the apocalypse will taint our hearts."
"Don't be silly, Mason."
Ciri didn't pay attention to Mason's nonsense. The talk of dreams was simply nonsense. She saw with her own eyes that . In that situation, it was impossible for anything to remain.
But she wasn't here to argue with Mason about this.
She said:
“Norman Osborn, the seventh member of the Quint Society who just joined, reported to the top management that you sent someone to Osborn Tower to contact him and asked him to prepare to accept about one million refugees.
This matter has come back to me, and they asked me to come and see what you are up to.
Without the transfer gate, it is impossible for you to transport everyone here before the impact comes. Either you are pretending, or you have received unknown help.
From what I know about you, the latter is more likely."
She stared at Mason and said very unhappily:
"Someone is secretly helping you? And it's not one of ours. Did you call the Justice League?"
"you guess."
Mason grinned mysteriously, and Ciri was so angry that she wanted to draw her sword and kill the guy who almost made her fuming yesterday by playing charades with her, but in the end she suppressed her anger.
explain:
"My application was approved this time. They temporarily agreed to your action. I brought the components of the transfer gate."
"No need."
Mason waved his hand and said:
"Take it back to someone who needs it more. I've already taken care of it here. I don't need the help of the Quint Society. I can do it myself, so they should never try to control me like they control you."
"Bang"
A magic bag was smashed on the table. Ciri took off her mask to reveal her silver hair. She stared at Mason fiercely and said through gritted teeth:
"Don't go too far, Mason! Don't talk like I'm a puppet on a string. You're asking for a beating, you know that?
Especially after I helped you."
"I apologize, my boss. Please don't get so mad that you become sick. I was only joking."
Mason immediately stood up, smiled and brought a chair for Lady Hunter to sit down, and offered her a cup of hot tea, but Ciri looked at it suspiciously.
Ever since she was knocked unconscious by Mason with a sleeping pill last time, she is now wary of anything Mason gives her.
Who knows what this crazy young man will do?
This guy is even braver than the legendary whale shark.
Mason saw that Ciri didn't drink it and it wasn't wasted, so he leaned aside with the teacup in his hand and analyzed for his boss:
"They didn't bring this portal to help me, Ciri. When they received Norman's report, they realized that I no longer needed them. But they needed the Isu blueprints in my mind, so they quickly sent you to bring me the portal to try to save the situation.
Wake up, Ciri.
This was accomplished not because you begged them twice, but because we still have value and they cannot risk abandoning me and losing their loyalty.
The fact that you were able to bring about the transfer portal so easily shows that they are fully capable of doing it.
But they simply don’t want to do it.
They don't care about what you and I think, and you used to think you were important to them... Take my advice, my boss, if you really want to avenge your adoptive parents and your own world, and really want to bring down the Star Society, you have to work with me!
We have to rely on ourselves.
Those bastards with ulterior motives can't be trusted.
And now you should go. A great mentor suddenly coming here will attract a lot of attention. I only realized last night that someone was monitoring Team K."
Mason picked up the magic bag on the table, put it into Ciri's hand, and said to her:
"Don't think too much. You are still a trustworthy friend and good superior of Team K. This incident will not affect our life-long friendship. But in the future, please consult with me before they ask you to do anything.
You are in dire need of an 'external brain', and I am happy to offer myself."
Hunter Ciri lowered her head and put on her mask. Although Mason's words were brief, they were spoken from the bottom of his heart, and some of the details he pointed out did make Ciri feel a little creepy.
It's not that she wasn't aware of these details, she just hadn't thought about it in that way before.
So she hesitated for a moment and whispered:
"They decided to promote you to Class B personnel. I thought it was because you brought back the golden apple as a reward..."
"They are trying to bribe me or warn me about this restless little guy."
Mason blinked and said:
"If I remember correctly, to be promoted to B-rank one needs to pass a very difficult task. With my current ability, it is impossible for me to pass it safely, right?
Keep quiet, pretend you know nothing, and continue to play your role as a puppet.
I'll take care of these troublesome things.
But when this is over, we need to talk.”
Mason said to Ciri:
"You and me, just the two of us! You have to tell me everything you know, only then can I have a complete overview. Of course, you can also inform on me.
The choice is yours.
They just want to use you but I'm different, my dear boss, just like the big bad guys in Gotham City, they know who to turn to for help when they get into trouble.
You see, I am unwilling to give up even such a broken world, which fully proves my strong character.
Therefore, when you need it most, I will do my best to help you just as I would help the world, so why don’t you go back and think about it carefully when you take a bath.
Who are your friends and who are your enemies? "
Watching the silent hunter Ciri disappear in the cabin, Mason turned his head to see that the second pot of medicine in the golden cup was already boiling. He walked to the window of the cabin and looked at the brightly lit pirate city in front of him, and uttered two complacent snorts.
He said:
"If you all survive, remember to thank Master Mason for his kindness, you fools."
