Ed didn't actually sleep long, either. When he woke up, it was the dawn of the next day. The early autumn sun is bright and clear, and the cool morning breeze is dyed with a layer of gold, filling the room.

His eyes were blankly open, his body still so heavy that he didn't even want to move a finger.

“...... Did you dream again?"

The man sitting next to his bed casually threw away a heavy leather book and asked, sarcastically but not sharply, sounding like a complaint: "Your goddess can't change her tricks......

Ed sat up without a sound, his left hand pinching exactly on the other's cheek, pulling it outward.

Is, who had been pinched because he was unguarded, instantly lost his voice, and his eyes widened in astonishment, staring straight at him.

“...... Really. ”

Ed confirmed the sensation, sighed contentedly, let go of his hand and fell straight down, slumping back on the bed.

Isis was silent for a while, and all kinds of emotions collided together, and finally erupted into a roar: "...... Get up!"

He lifted the blanket off Ed's body, and the young man, who was still struggling half-asleep, squirmed and curled into a ball.

"Cold. He muttered in a daze, "Where's my clothes?"

The petite and clever maid ran over with a smile, and her soft voice seemed to be coaxing a child: "You have to let go of my cane before I can help you get dressed, Master Ed." ”

Ed's eyes were half-open in confusion, and he raised his right hand in front of him. After a moment, he sat up jerked to his feet with a look of horror.

"My hand ......," he wailed, "I can't move my finger!!"

.

Young Master Ed, who couldn't take care of himself, finally came to his senses after being kicked by Is, and used magic to solve his stiff fingers, silently dressed himself, and just got out of bed and was driven back to bed by the housekeeper who heard the news, and began to greet waves of enthusiastic visitors.

The first to come was the panicked Bumbu, followed by Gavin, who had already made a trip back to Neo City. When almost everyone flocked to Ed's room, the housekeeper simply had the dining table moved in so that they could exchange messages over a hearty breakfast.

While not everything can be said like this, the atmosphere of chatting with friends in a tavern makes Ed feel very relaxed.

But when he mentioned the keel, which seemed to come to life in the deep sea, the air grew heavier.

"You mean, that ship turned into a ship of the dead?"

Taras concluded with great interest, more curious than apprehensive, "It has grown wings...... Do you think it can fly?"

But for the people on the Unicorn, things are much more serious.

Bangbu felt that he couldn't even eat the fragrant sausage that he cherished until the end on the plate. The black ship was already very difficult to deal with, and if it really turned into something like a magic ship, it would fly...... Perhaps they will never be able to avenge their dead comrades.

"I ...... I wasn't really sober at the time. Ed hesitated, "Maybe I'm wrong......"

Even Bangbu could hear it, and it was nothing but comfort.

After breakfast was cleaned, the others left in agreement, with only Bertram and Gavin staying.

"On the bright side," said Gavin, "the Archmage Tower won't be able to hold the Black Sails now." ”

The "collaborator" who was supposed to be able to hold it in the palm of his hand is out of control, and it is absolutely intolerable to the arrogant guys in the archmage tower.

Bertram smiled wryly - Gavin still didn't know much about Nine Toes.

"I don't think Nine Toes is the kind of person who thinks he can conquer everything if he has a magic ship in his hands. "In fact, he was quite cautious, and always kept his true purpose well hidden." He must have other leverage...... Or something else. At least for now, I don't think he's stupid enough to confront the Archmage Tower directly. ”

Gavin smiled meaningfully.

"Well...... "Well," he said, "sometimes I can't help him." ”

Bertram's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood.

"What's ...... about you," he said eagerly, and then stopped, looked at Ed's incomprehensible eyes and mottled gray hair, rolled his eyes, and enthusiastically put his hand on Gavin's shoulder.

"I still have a few good bottles of wine on board. "It's the old captain who left it over," he said...... Do you have time to sit down?"

Ed watched them leave shoulder to shoulder, and couldn't help but feel a little lost.

"Isn't it just sowing discord? He muttered, "I'd love to hear that, too." ”

Iss rolled his eyes.

"They won't hide it from you if you need to know. He said, "Are you ready? Go see your father first." ”

Whether or not Nine Toes had gotten what he wanted, at least, Ed and River were alive and out of his grasp—and thankfully.

.

Is's brow furrowed as Ed took out the Book of the Dead. Even though Ed had explained it to him, he still felt that the old mage who had shoved the book into him had bad intentions. Dragons do not distinguish between good and evil magic like races made by the gods, but necromancy ...... Most of them come at a huge cost.

Fortunately, it is not difficult to return a soul to its own body, especially if that soul is not marked in any way and is not harmed.

When confusion, surprise, and fear that had not yet dissipated, emerged from River Singer's empty eyes, Ed finally put his mind at ease.

It's just that somewhere in the chest, there is inevitably a mess of something, and I want to vomit but can't vomit.

“...... Do you remember what happened?"

"What's wrong with your hair?"

They asked almost at the same time.

Ed touched his head. After the initial shock and frustration, he didn't really care much about it.

"Magic or something......" he mumbled perfunctorily, "you were kidnapped, remember?"

River nodded, sullenly looking away.

"Black Sails. "The pirates are getting rampant...... I thought that at least the route between Neo and Rainbow Bend Island would be ...... There is no danger...... You paid the ransom?"

His voice was dry and hoarse, his tongue was unusually clumsy because he hadn't spoken for too long, and he spoke a word in staccusa but quickly grasped the point.

Ed handed him a glass of water, nodding his head and not knowing what to do. Nine Toes didn't seem to have touched the ten boatloads of gold and gems at all, perhaps worried about what he had marked on them...... I knew he should have made a mark, maybe he could get the money back.

“...... If you pay it, you can pay it. River said, "I'm not going to do business anymore anyway." I've also hidden a lot of valuable things, which should be enough for us ......."

"Are all you hiding is 'something of great value?'" Ed couldn't help but interrupt him, and asked uncontrollably in his puzzled eyes, "My 'sister'...... What's her name?"