Chapter 383 The Way of Acting
At nine o'clock in the morning, the two arrived at the dock and saw the huge passenger ship, the White Agate, which would accompany them on the nine-day journey.
It is indeed as the guard who sells tickets at the ticketing company said, it has both the sails of the old era and the new steam engine installed, with chimneys and sails that have not yet been opened standing in layers, which is a unique style of this era.
What surprised Angel was that there were twelve large gun positions on the side of the White Agate close to the dock. And they were not just decorations. Each gun position was equipped with a cast iron cannon with the barrel pointing to the sky, as if declaring its right to sail freely on the five seas.
No wonder the guard said they'd never been robbed by pirates before. Combined with the cannons on the other side, these 24 large-caliber cannons probably surpassed the capabilities of many pirate ships. Pirates wouldn't risk a one-for-one trade to rob a ship like this; they were only after wealth, not war...
But on the other hand, the fact that even passenger ships traveling on the main waterways had to be equipped with such a large number of cannons also showed that even in the coastal areas near the northern continent, there were many pirates lingering, waiting for an opportunity to plunder passing ships.
Angel retracted her gaze and carried her luggage with Klein to the boarding ramp. She still didn't feel comfortable letting him carry her luggage, even though the "servant" Klein had mentioned earlier was most likely for the role of the "Faceless Man."
There were already many passengers waiting in line by the gangway. Seven or eight tall crew members and sailors stood in a row, welcoming the passengers like a guard of honor. They opened their coats in the cold wind, revealing their single clothes, showing their strong bodies weathered by wind and rain, as well as the revolvers and swords at their waists.
This made many passengers who were a little worried after seeing the artillery look relieved.
"Many of them have served in the military. It seems that the statement that Captain Ireland and his sailors are all retired from the navy is not an exaggeration."
Klein whispered as he and Angel stood at the end of the line. They quickly checked their tickets and boarded the White Onyx, checking in again at the reception desk.
"First class is on the upper deck, room 310. Here are your keys."
Angel took the key and was about to go to the upper level in the direction indicated by the waiter when he suddenly heard a child's sharp cry coming from the gangway.
She subconsciously tensed up, as did Klein beside her. They both looked in the direction of the shouting and discovered that two children, a boy and a girl, were walking down the gangway. The voice came from the girl in the lead.
The girl was about fifteen or sixteen years old, about the same age as Melissa. She walked in front with great energy and screamed excitedly as she looked at the spacious deck. Behind her was a boy about ten years old, who was wearing a child's formal suit and looked a little restrained.
Behind the two children were a well-dressed middle-aged couple, three servants carrying luggage and holding boxes, and three bodyguards, two men and one woman, dressed smartly with gun pouches on their waists.
There were ten of them in total, quite a large group... Angel's gaze was hidden behind the black veil of her hat, so they didn't notice her. It wasn't until the group, "led" by the girl, walked towards the inner warehouse that she withdrew her gaze and looked at Klein beside her.
The latter's eyes were also following the group of passengers, or more precisely, the girl.
He wasn't thinking of Melissa, was he? But Melissa wasn't that noisy. She would just quietly admire the mechanical equipment on the ship, and even wanted to go to the engine room to see the steam engine... Angel also recalled with nostalgia, gently pulled Klein's sleeve, and followed the team into the inner warehouse, heading to their own room 310.
Compared with the single rooms in the second and third class cabins, the living room in the first class cabin alone is a full 30 square meters, covered with thick carpets, with a solid wood desk and a soft sofa. Although there are no balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows due to limited conditions, the large portholes can still show the sea view to the residents. The two sides of the living room lead to the master bedroom and three servants' rooms, each with a separate bathroom.
"It's a shame we didn't bring servants like the family just now did. We wasted so much room."
Angel looked around the center of the living room and suddenly sighed and said that she was beginning to feel sorry for the 35 pounds of the boat ticket.
"Isn't there a... servant here?"
Klein put down his suitcase, crossed his arms exaggeratedly, bowed, and spoke humbly, but with an unnatural pause.
"Really? Then you sleep in the servants' quarters at night?"
Amused by his actions, Angel smiled and pointed to the servant's room farthest from the master bedroom. Then, carrying her luggage, she went to the master bedroom and took out her "Lucky" revolver and various ammunition, which were inconvenient to carry because she was wearing a skirt. She put her spare clothes in the closet and stuffed the alchemical tools and other seldom-used items deep in the cabinet. Only then did she realize that Klein really hadn't caught up with her.
She returned to the living room curiously and found Klein standing there with a frown on his face, staring at his palms. His expression kept changing... No, his face was constantly changing into different shapes due to the movement of muscles and skin. Angel saw Sherlock's beard, Klein's chin, and some even more unfamiliar features.
"Klein!"
Her heart tightened, and she quickly ran forward, gripping Klein's shoulders tightly with both hands. Ignoring his squirming features and the thin, long buds sprouting from his cheeks, she pressed her forehead against his and whispered again:
"Klein, relax, I'm right here..."
As if awakened from a nightmare, Klein looked at Angel blankly. Their eyes were so close that it was difficult for him to focus. However, he gradually calmed down under the gentle gaze of the purple eyes. The flesh and skin on his face fixed themselves again, and he turned back into the person she was familiar with.
"Sorry... I just, something was wrong just now..."
Klein's face turned pale, as if he had consumed a lot of his spiritual energy. After Angel helped him sit on the sofa, he recovered a little and explained what had just happened.
"Because of what I just said..."
"It has nothing to do with the joke you just made," Klein replied immediately, his tone serious. "I just have some doubts about my identity, or more precisely, the identity played by the Faceless Man."
When he designed the identity of "German Sparrow" for himself in Backlund in order to go to the sea and practice his role as the "Faceless Man", he prepared to be an independent adventurer on the sea, exploring the "Mermaid Legend" closely related to the next sequence of potions, while pursuing other treasures and leaving his own legend in the five seas.
But when he was with Angel these days, he couldn't help but let his way of thinking and actions return to Backlund's Sherlock Moriarty period. This is why, although he has changed to the appearance of "German", Angel still calls him "the great detective" from time to time.
Then, just now, when he saw the family of four with bodyguards and servants, the girl who was about the same age as Melissa did, as Angel expected, evoke memories buried deep in Klein's heart, making him become the "Klein Moretti" in Tingen again.
Several different "settings" intertwined in Klein's mind, finally causing him confusion. This conflict reached its peak when the "servant German" appeared just now, causing his thoughts to become chaotic, even manifesting in the extraordinary abilities of the "Faceless Man".
After listening to Klein's explanation, Angel sighed softly. She hadn't expected that after being promoted to Sequence 6, Klein would become so abnormal due to the conflict between his different "identities." Although it wasn't out of control, it was not far off.
And there seems to be a negative role played by her in this, otherwise this "German Sparrow" should just be a simple adventurer with an urge to hunt for treasure, right?
"No, it's not just about taking risks. Hermann also plans to hunt down some notorious pirates to feed him that magical item that consumes lives every time it is used. This makes him hide a hidden madness beneath his politeness and courtesy."
Crane continued to explain, holding out his left hand, displaying the "creeping hunger" disguised as an ordinary black glove.
He had calmed down by now, and his tone was even, as if he was talking about the character and behavior of a third person.
Why does it feel like the split in identity has become even more severe... Angel looked at Klein with some concern.
Could this be the hidden danger of the "Faceless Man"? But he has only been assuming this new identity for a few days.
She herself had experienced the process of suppressing various internal impulses during the "joyful" period of Sequence 6, becoming confused and ultimately relieved. It was not that she couldn't understand Klein's confusion caused by his eagerness to act. However, if this continued, it wouldn't be long before this guy, constantly wavering between "crazy Gehrman Sparrow" and "kind and polite Klein Moretti," would run into big trouble again.
Fortunately, I still have some clues...
"So, from now on, you are Gehrman Sparrow," she said, staring into Klein's brown eyes, her tone gentle, as if to soothe the rest of the "person" within him. "Not the best brother or younger brother, not the cautious yet occasionally impulsive detective, but the crazy adventurer who makes pirates tremble with fear, Gehrman Sparrow. Okay?"
Klein didn't nod immediately. Instead, he gently closed his eyes. His facial expression shifted along with his skin and flesh, revealing various forms that were familiar or unfamiliar to Angel. Finally, he settled on a face that was thin but angular, with black hair combed to the side. Only then did he open his eyes, a hint of deliberate ruthlessness in his gaze.
"You don't seem crazy about pirates..."
Angel laughed a little. She knew that this transformation might not be so easy. Even with the help of extraordinary abilities, she would probably have to gradually adapt to her new identity.
"But you must remember, no matter how you 'act', you are always just yourself, Klein Moretti. Even if you forget, I will never forget."
She said this solemnly, and only relaxed after Klein nodded slowly, ending this serious conversation.
"So, Mr. Crazy Adventurer, shall we go have lunch first, or..."
Angel changed the subject, speaking softly in a tone that was a mixture of his own seduction and the dignified and reserved temperament that he imitated from "Lady Despair".
How did I become a 3K beast? I can’t finish writing it, I can’t finish it at all... This is just a degeneration.
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