The area where the Queen Mystic was located resembled a library.
Massive floor-to-ceiling windows faced the setting sun, and golden light poured in, warming everything around it.
By the window sat a natural wood table and chairs with backs.
Deeper inside stood densely packed bookshelves, and the Queen stood by the spiral staircase descending from beside the shelves, watching Silas.
Because of her elevated position, her legs appeared even more slender.
"Finally, I see you again."
Silas relaxed slightly. "How's the battle with the 'King of the Black Throne' going?"
"We've separated temporarily."
Bernadette answered. "Do you have that thing?"
She must be asking about that black key.
"I have it."
Silas nodded. "Let's find a place to meet up so I can return it to you."
This key was most likely something important. Holding onto it was burning his hands.
If things went wrong, he might get hunted down by that "King of the Black Throne" or some other force. It was best to return it to the Queen as soon as possible.
Moreover, Silas still needed the Queen to point him in the right direction to find traces of that Aurora Order saint.
"...You keep it for me for now."
A trace of hesitation flashed through Bernadette's eyes as she shook her head.
"Barros is still in these waters. He's also trying to find you. If we meet up, we'll make too big a target."
Hearing this news, Silas immediately felt a headache coming on.
Because dealing with a Sequence 3 was truly difficult for him.
With Silas's current strength, he was clearly stronger than an ordinary Shepherd.
If he encountered a Sequence 4, he could also rely on that illusory sea to take them on, at least not falling into a disadvantage in the short term.
But when facing a Sequence 3, these things weren't quite enough.
Just like in Sodrak Palace, Silas had risked his life, fighting on the verge of madness and losing control, transforming into a river of blood with all his means on display, only barely able to restrain Prince Grove.
And that was under the circumstances where the opponent was restricted by protecting the Emperor, while also having Medici's full cooperation.
One could only say the situation at that time was coincidental enough. If the setting had changed, if the time had lasted longer, he himself would very likely have collapsed.
"Then why don't you tell me a location, or someone reliable you know, and I'll leave it there..."
Silas offered a solution.
But just then, the library door was pushed open from outside.
"Creak..."
Outside the door stood none other than Barros, the "King of the Black Throne," his hair slicked back, elderly yet dignified.
He sat in a wheelchair, being pushed by a giant red-eyed white rabbit wearing human clothes, slowly entering.
"Am I interrupting you two?"
Barros smiled in a gentlemanly manner.
"You arrived too quickly."
Bernadette said coldly.
"After all, controlling dreams is my specialty."
Barros chuckled lightly. "Of course, here one must maintain sufficient humility and not attempt to touch the dreams of those deities..."
But Bernadette only watched him coldly.
The two didn't immediately fight, seemingly wary of each other, or perhaps worried about drawing the attention of something more terrifying from deeper within.
The air quieted for a moment, with only the rabbit in formal wear occasionally twitching its ears.
"This gentleman should be the [Blood Reverend] who caused such a commotion in Backlund before, correct?"
Barros turned to look at Silas.
"..."
Silas ignored him.
"There's no real conflict between us. Perhaps I could pay a certain price to exchange for that item?"
Barros continued.
"Did you forget that you tried to use dreams to harm me earlier?"
Silas couldn't help asking.
"Heh heh… At the time, it had to be done."
Barros replied without the slightest change in expression.
"Now that you've separated from the Queen, the situation is different. Maybe we can talk things through and settle our conflict…"
"I'm not that shameless."
Silas said softly.
"...How unfortunate."
Barros didn't display much emotion.
The rabbit pushing the wheelchair glanced at Silas curiously.
Just then, blinding light suddenly surged from all directions, filling the entire library.
The dream had ended.
"Meow..."
Silas felt something cool on his face. Opening his eyes, he found Luna rubbing him with her wet nose.
The night had departed, and the entire sea was once again illuminated by the fierce light of noon.
One moment noon, the next deep night. The contrast between the two was so great it was hard to adapt.
"Finally over."
Anderson jumped up from the beach, patting off the sand that had gotten on him.
He looked at Silas and asked curiously, "In the dream just now, you seemed to suddenly disappear?"
"You remembered wrong."
Silas stood up, saying casually.
After all, the other person was just dreaming. Getting some things mixed up was normal.
"No, you definitely disappeared."
Anderson said, "After I saw that mural, although my luck got worse, I gained the ability to stay conscious in dreams.
You were talking to me when you were suddenly swept up by a vortex and then vanished..."
Silas couldn't be bothered with this guy's rambling. He himself had just confronted a Sequence 3 powerhouse and was currently annoyed.
After all this trouble, it's all because of this thing...
He couldn't help pulling out that black key from his pocket.
Under the noon sunlight, the key was pitch black, with no reflection whatsoever.
Nothing special about it at all...
Silas thought, examining the key from different angles.
"...Hm?"
After flipping the key over, he suddenly froze.
On the back of this pure black key, a string of tiny characters was carved, barely visible under the sunlight.
And this string of characters was in the writing of Silas's homeland!
The characters read:
"Black King."
Silas subconsciously read it aloud.
The next moment, he regretted it.
Because that ordinary-looking black key suddenly lit up!
Not only did it glow, it spun while glowing, and even started playing music!
"Den den den, den den den den! Den den den... den den!"
What the hell!
Isn't this the One Piece theme song?!
Even under these circumstances, Silas couldn't help but mentally complain.
At this moment, he was absolutely certain this was definitely something left behind by his transmigrator predecessor!
"Fortunate successor, congratulations on receiving the gift of I, the Great Emperor Roselle. Take this key and go find the vessel I left out at sea!"
A voice that was majestic yet carried a somewhat mischievous tone rang out after the music ended.
No, I'm not lucky at all. Don't come near me!
Silas cried out internally.
He tried to shake his hand open, but the key had already transformed into a streak of light, rapidly shooting toward his chest, then drilling inside.
It drilled inside!
Holy...
Silas's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What happened? What was that thing?"
Anderson was startled by the sudden sound and light, quickly asking.
"..."
Silas didn't answer.
He felt a slight headache, unsure whether this was a blessing or a curse.