บท 54: Key

To handle a Beyonder item with the "Living" trait, it can be both tricky and straightforward. As long as its limitations are discovered, and its movements restricted, success is halfway secured since it isn't truly a living being. With his Pure White Eye's analysis ability, Ebner was practically an expert in dealing with such things.

With this in mind, Ebner didn't try to face off with the armored figure wielding the massive sword. Instead, he used the "Wind Blessed Hat" to control water currents, creating turbulence that pushed the armor toward the ship's hull.

Though the ship had rested silently underwater for who knew how many years, his Pure White Eye revealed spell traps and powerful seals everywhere across its surface. If touched recklessly, it could spell disaster.

The "Living" greatsword, evidently aware of this, controlled the armor in a desperate struggle to swim away from the runes on the hull, but with limited effect against the relentless force of the currents.

As it neared the hull, the armor suddenly threw the sword away, and in that instant, the rusted armor shattered, disintegrating into dust that merged with the surrounding water.

Ebner ignored the fate of the armor, focusing on the greatsword flung away. He maneuvered with the water current to swiftly approach the sword from the side, reaching out to grasp its hilt.

The moment he touched it, he felt a unique metallic force trying to assimilate his hand. If he didn't stop it or release his grip quickly, he'd soon find himself transformed into armor, enslaved to the sword as its puppet.

Fortunately, he was aware of this during his previous analysis. Without hesitation, he reactivated the Pure White Eye, and the high-grade suppression instantly interrupted the assimilation. Ebner even sensed a faint reverence emanating from the sword.

"If I were a Polymath, able to mimic some power of the Death pathway, I could probably have a chat with it." Recalling how Klein in the original novel "negotiated" with the "Creeping Hunger," Ebner considered emulating that approach when circumstances allowed.

Seemingly intimidated by either the higher status or Ebner's unsettling smile, the sword immediately dimmed. Its once-radiant blade turned dull and rusty, like a thoroughly subdued entity.

"These 'Living' items do know when to back down—though they don't seem too bright." Ebner chuckled as he wrapped the sword in a torn sleeve, then closed his Pure White Eye.

Although the cloth meant little to the sword, it truly feared the Pure White Eye. Unaware that Ebner couldn't continuously use the suppressive ability, it dared not retaliate after the eye was shut.

With the sword temporarily "quiet," Ebner relaxed. If it had refused to behave, he would have had to discard it onto the hull's magical runes for destruction.

With the subdued sword in hand, Ebner let the currents carry him to the ship's deck. It was here, where the armor had once stood, that his Pure White Eye noted the absence of traps or inscriptions across the entire vessel.

"This deck must have originally held protective runes, later destroyed—likely by this sword, or more precisely, the individual who became this sword, a descendant of giants from the Fourth Epoch."

Examining the traces around the deck, Ebner's mind automatically entered into a reasoning mode, piecing together a theory:

"The giant's descendant, the author of Miss Gwyn's journal, managed to destroy the deck's warding runes but was ultimately killed by other inscriptions. After his death, his Beyonder characteristic gradually transformed into this 'sword-like' sealed artifact, while his body probably became that armor puppet."

"The other remnants from his possession must have scattered across this cave, consumed by various creatures, which would explain the numerous monstrous beings in the tunnels."

"As for the downward passage that connects the two caverns… perhaps it was that 'Dragon-Eyed Python' that first opened it up."

After theorizing, Ebner looked toward the sunken ship. He didn't know what was in the cabin, but the extent of the protective measures suggested it wasn't something trivial.

"Unfortunately, I can't retrieve it yet." Ebner sighed at the missed opportunity.

After all, according to his deduction, the giant's descendant who died here was likely a Sequence 6 "Dawn Paladin." Even he was killed by the ship's magic traps, so what hope did an uninitiated Sequence 8 like him have? Although he could locate the vulnerabilities of the enchantments with his Pure White Eye, he lacked the strength to break them. Moreover, it was likely that there were demigod-level forces inside the cabin!

Casting one last wistful glance at the ship, Ebner resolutely turned back, swimming out of the cave. He knew better than to covet something far beyond his capabilities.

Back on the cave's shore, Ebner briefly described his underwater experience to Xio and Miss Gwyn.

Miss Gwyn merely regarded it as an adventure story since she lacked the skills to dive that deep herself.

Xio, however, furrowed her brow with worry, saying, "Ebner, that sword is dangerous. You'll need to find a way to properly seal it!" She was unaware of the high-level support Ebner possessed and thus remained wary of the sword.

"Don't worry; I've got a plan. For now, I'll keep it with me, and once we're back at Damir and I have the right materials, I'll conduct a ritual to seal it." Ebner reassured Xio with a simple explanation.

Miss Gwyn looked at the sword wrapped in cloth, pondering its possible connection to the journal's previous owner, and asked, "Mr. Ebner, if it's 'alive,' shouldn't we give it a name?" This would, in a way, be like "reviving" the giant's descendant.

Surprised by her suggestion, Ebner thought for a moment, then smiled. "It seems to like sunrises, so let's call it 'Sword of Dawn.'"

…

Name: Sword of Dawn

Danger Level: "2" – High-risk; exercise caution and restraint in use. Can be handled under the Pure White Eye's suppression for prolonged periods.

Sealing Method: Place within a non-biological container and use ritual magic to invoke the powers of Death or Darkness domains to seal it.

Description: Resembles a rusty greatsword, which shines brightly when its activity level increases.

"Derived from the Beyonder characteristic of a fallen 'Dawn Paladin,' it exhibits a 'Living' trait.

"Based on the analysis, any prolonged contact with this item leads to gradual assimilation into a suit of armor under its control. If contact is broken before full assimilation, the user will gradually recover; however, once complete, transformation is irreversible, and the user becomes the sword's puppet.

"The item may be used with caution but must be exposed to sunlight every morning. It is sharp, and durable, and each strike purifies evil. It can invoke a 'storm of light' once a day, destroying bodies, dispelling spirits, and wounding evil entities. With the Pure White Eye, it can project a weightless, full-body armor for protection (otherwise, instead of forming armor, it initiates assimilation)."

The above is the analysis report from the Pure White Eye.

---

On the morning of July 9th, Ebner and his companions left the small island, setting sail on their way back. Shortly after they returned on a ship, the Golden Dream, which reflected golden light under the sunlight, arrived.

Blazing Danitz, Flowery Bow Tie Jodeson, and the other pirates with bounties of thousands of pounds jumped off the deck and came to the cave behind the stone hill.

And behind them was the beautiful and outstanding Vice Admiral Iceberg Edwina Edwards. At that moment, her shoulder seemed to be injured as it was wrapped in bandages covered in mysterious patterns.

"Captain, someone seems to have been here before. Let's go back. You haven't recovered from the injuries inflicted by the Oracle from the Aurora Order…" Danitz said worriedly after sizing up the cave.

"That thing is still down there!" Edwina closed her eyes to sense it before saying with certainty.

Seeing how determined the captain was, the others didn't dare to persuade him any further. They quickly arrived at the pool in the deepest part of the cave. After a preliminary investigation of the traces left behind by Ebner and company, Edwina took Danitz and Jodeson to use the underwater movement charm to dive into the water and found the dangerous sunken ship.

The spell traps that could not be helped in Ebner's eyes were not a problem for Edwina. She only analyzed them for a while before using various secret arts to dismantle most of the seals and traps on the deck and the ship. She opened the door to the cabin.

However, after arriving here, she finally stopped because there was a demigod-level inscription in the cabin!

In the face of a demigod's power, even Vice Admiral Iceberg did not dare to act rashly before he was fully prepared.

However, they could already see what was hidden in the cabin.

Danitz craned his neck and looked over. Then, he saw a huge black iron key. It was a huge black iron key that had been soaked in seawater for years without any signs of rust!

---

On the morning of July 9, Klein, who was resting at his house, paced back and forth, as though he was thinking about something.

His footsteps were silent, and he walked around in circles. After a long while, he let out a long sigh, and his expression became excited.

Following that, he silently chanted,

"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era;

The Mysterious Ruler above the Gray Fog;

The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck…"

"I don't know if the ritualistic magic will be effective according to these three paragraphs, but I'm certain that it won't attract the attention of other existences, and it won't put Justice and The Hanged Man in danger…"