Chapter 18 Account Number

After nightfall, the snow began to flutter down again, blurring the night scene like a mist. The World's Creation, with its cold, clear light, was mostly obscured by clouds, with only a few patches of chaotic light seeping through the gaps. The gas lamps in the streets and alleys lit up one after another, illuminating the swirling snowflakes and creating a tranquil atmosphere different from that of Pland.

Vanna stood by the narrow window, gazing at the night scene for a while, then sighed. "I don't think they've transferred the money – and they've probably already gathered a bunch of experts to decipher the 'secret numbers' you left in the letter."

Duncan turned his head. "Is it really that exaggerated?"

Vanna turned to him, looking serious. "...Did you specify what that string of numbers was for in the letter?"

"No, but isn't that the standard format for a whistleblower letter?" Duncan said matter-of-factly. "You just attach the account number at the end, and City Hall will transfer the money. That's how it is in Pland. And I heard that many places deliberately avoid writing any notes before the account number, to show subtlety – I thought I should be subtle."

Vanna stared at Duncan for a long time, then couldn't help but sigh again. "Oh..."

Duncan thought for a moment. Actually, he had a vague idea of what was going on, and his tone became a little embarrassed. "It seems like it's a bit hard for them to understand?"

Vanna's voice was weary. "It's good that you understand."

Duncan lowered his head and thought carefully. "...Would it be bad to write a second letter now?"

"You... should just hope they can understand the meaning of that whistleblower letter as soon as possible," Vanna said, rubbing her forehead. She felt that she had once again discovered an unexpected side of Captain Duncan. This powerful and terrifying captain... actually had such a distinct and interesting personality?

Duncan didn't pay attention to what Vanna was thinking. He casually asked, "You took Annie home today. Is everything alright with her family?"

Vanna nodded immediately. "Everything is normal at Annie's house. There are no traces of supernatural anomalies, no signs of Annihilation cultists in the vicinity, and no suspicious people among the surrounding residents. Mrs. Beroni... our current landlady, seems to be..."

"Stop, stop," Duncan waved his hand impatiently. "I'm asking about her family situation, their current life. I didn't ask you to report according to the investigation procedures for heretics. Control your professional habits."

Vanna was stunned, then realized what he meant. She coughed twice. "Cough, sorry, I'm a bit... used to it. Everything is fine there. Although I only stayed for a moment and talked to Mrs. Beroni for a few words, I can roughly judge that after six years, they have both emerged from the shadows of the past."

"Annie is now studying at a city-state public school, and Mrs. Beroni earns income from renting out rooms and has some clerical work to support the family. After all, they are the family of a captain, and the Frost authorities take care of such dependents, just like other city-states. Overall... there's no need to worry about their situation."

Duncan listened quietly and nodded.

Vanna hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Are you not concerned about Annie telling people about what's happening here... is that really okay? Maybe it won't be long before the cemetery watchman knows that you're living openly in the city, and then this matter will be immediately reported to the Cathedral, and the gatekeeper and bishop will be alarmed."

"And then?" Duncan turned his head and asked calmly.

"And then... there might be some trouble?" Vanna said, but under Duncan's gaze, her tone suddenly became a little uncertain. "The city-state authorities might interfere..."

"How would they interfere with us? Would they send a team of guards to arrest people?" Duncan laughed. "Or would the gatekeeper come forward to talk to me? As for me, what do I care about them? Am I worried about being exposed? Or am I worried about the hostile actions of the authorities?"

Duncan spread his hands.

"It's not like I sailed the *Vanishing Sail* here."

Vanna opened her mouth.

She felt that something was wrong with this matter, but she couldn't figure out how to respond to the captain's frank words. After a long silence, she could only blurt out, "I feel like you just think this might be fun?"

"Yes."

Vanna: "..."

Duncan smiled and turned his gaze back to the night scene outside the window. He didn't notice the momentary look on the inquisitor's face beside him. After quietly admiring the night scene for a few minutes, he casually said, "Vanna, I suddenly feel like you're becoming less and less like an inquisitor – normally, when you mention the church and authorities of a certain city-state, shouldn't your first reaction be reliable allies?"

The corner of Vanna's mouth twitched obviously. She felt like a thousand words were surging in her heart, but she couldn't utter a single one.

At the same time, outside Frost City-State, in the vast sea shrouded in the dark night, a huge fleet was slowly slowing down and maintaining a low-speed cruise amidst the cold frozen fog and surrounding floating ice.

The majestic steel bow of the *Sea Fog* towered in the darkness, its corner illuminated by the light from the navigation lights on the side. Nearby, lights from the side of the ship shone on the dark sea, and faint reflections could be seen rising and falling in the sparkling waves.

They were fragments of floating ice.

On this frigid sea, every captain has heard the saying –

When the mist suddenly appears, and floating ice emerges from the fog, gradually imprisoning your ship like shackles, then be prepared, the *Sea Fog* has come.

The *Sea Fog* has now come, and the entire *Sea Fog* fleet has come.

Tirion stood on the high bridge, looking out through the wide window.

At this distance, Frost City-State cannot be seen directly – but in the dark background, he can still see a glimmer of light floating there, which is the direction of the city-state.

The *Sea Fog* fleet is actually heading towards Dagger Island. Tirion himself has no intention of landing on the Frost mainland – but for the Frost people who have been nervous for half a century, there is no difference. As long as the banner of the "Iron Vice Admiral" appears on the nearby sea, it is enough to make them unable to sleep or eat.

He could almost imagine the chaotic scene of the city-state's defenders at this moment.

Footsteps came from the side. First Mate Aiden came to Tirion's side. This rugged, bald strongman looked quite cheerful. "Captain, the *Sea Raven* and the *Fjord* have led their respective frigates out of the fleet. They are expected to reach their designated positions and block the sea route in twelve hours. The *Sea Fog* herself has lifted her light restrictions – those Frost people won't be able to sleep well tonight."

Tirion nodded, with a slight smile on his face, and glanced over the sea around the *Sea Fog*.

In the darkness, the entire Endless Sea remained silent. Only the *Sea Fog*, with its light restrictions lifted, floated here, as conspicuous as a gas lamp in the dark night.

Under normal circumstances, naval warships on military missions at night must restrict their lights. Unnecessary lighting would expose their position and easily cause confusion when friendly forces identified light signals – but the *Sea Fog* simply put itself out there in such a generous manner, as if provocatively showing its existence to Frost.

Tirion was not worried that this would provoke the Frost City-State Navy, nor was he worried about so-called accidental shootings.

In this world, no one except the *Vanishing Sail* can defeat the *Sea Fog*, this "living ship," in a night battle. On the other hand... if the Frost Navy was really foolish enough to attack proactively today, the other six warships hidden in the sea around the *Sea Fog* would immediately teach them a lesson.

Of course, Tirion's high-profile behavior here was not just to vent his anger and provoke Frost. His more important purpose was to complete the task his father had given him –

Make Frost City-State nervous, the more nervous the better. It would be best if they directly blockaded the entire Frost mainland and prohibited all sea routes in and out.

From what has been observed so far, this goal should have been achieved – the Frost City-State's garrison navy has blocked the port and sent signals to surrounding city-states to suspend shipping.

Everything is developing as his father planned.

At this moment, a voice suddenly came from a copper pipe nearby. Aiden immediately walked over, exchanged a few words with someone at the other end of the pipe, and then returned to Tirion with a smile on his face. "Captain, the Frost people seem to be a little restless – a small boat has appeared on the nearby sea."

Tirion raised his eyebrows. "A small boat?"

"Yes, it doesn't seem to be armed, and it's actively flashing a three-yellow-one-white signal, as if afraid of causing any misunderstandings," Aiden said. "The boat is carefully stopping outside the range of the searchlights, as if it wants to carry out an observation mission without any engagement or hostility."

"Observation... well, at least they have some composure," Tirion shrugged. "Let it observe. Open fire to warn it if it gets too close."

"Yes." Aiden immediately took the order, but before he turned around, Tirion suddenly stopped him again. "Wait."

"Do you have any other instructions?"

"Send them a light signal," Tirion said.

"A light signal?" Aiden was slightly stunned. "What kind of content?"

The corners of Tirion's mouth turned up. The infamous sea pirate on the frigid sea had a mischievous smile on his face. "Content? What content – just flash it randomly."

Aiden: "...Huh?"

"Let the signalman flash it randomly," Tirion stroked his chin and said happily. "Give the Frost experts and consultants a little century-level problem to solve."

A visible smile appeared on Aiden's face, and even his bald head seemed to shine.

"Yes, Captain!"