Chapter 153 - - 153 The person closest to the Sea God Scepter_1

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“…Beneath your feet lie more than a dozen chests, and the smile on your face is quite delightful. The light of Gold Coins is reflecting from one of the half-open chests… I think you must have either encountered Selma or found the Destiny Sea Map…”

“…Cannonballs are piercing through the deck beneath your feet, and you are fighting with the enemy. However, behind you on the sea, three ships bearing the same flag as yours suggest that your fleet has grown larger…”

“Congratulations, First Mate, although I don’t know why you chose to leave Lewan Les, you certainly now have your own pirate ship…”

…

Heightened senses and exceedingly high spiritual power granted Duge an extremely detailed observation ability.

Through reading people’s expressions and words, he could always precisely cater to his clients’ needs, turning each one into a fish in his pond.

No.

To be accurate, everyone received the future they desired.

It was a scenario where everyone was pleased.

After all.

In this world, witches and Sea Demons represent mysterious forces, symbolizing prophecies and justice. People typically do not doubt a witch’s fortune-telling.

Otherwise, people wouldn’t be flocking to witches to seek clues about the Sea God Scepter.

…

Everyone had their fortunes told except for the gingerbread vendor, who, although he recognized Paul as a character from the plot, still maintained a healthy level of caution.

Duge did not even glance at him, considering him an inconsequential individual, and stood up, saying, “All right, gentlemen, our fortune-telling session has come to an end. But I must tell you something: fate is full of uncertainties, and you must actively strive for it if you wish to achieve the results you want. If you go back, lie on your bed, and sleep soundly, waiting for the goddess of fate to arrive, then in the end, you will gain nothing.”

Ace Bar turned to the gingerbread vendor and said, “Let’s go, Sheldon. It’s time for us to leave.”

Previously, the gingerbread vendor talked about assassinating Paul, but he never took action. Ace believed he would no longer make a move.

After all.

Nobody would have thought that Paul would become a witch.

Nobody wants to kill a witch.

Now, having learned many important secrets from Paul, they have achieved their goal and no longer need to bring the witch back to Herd Island.

“Captain Paul, would you be willing to tell my fortune?” the gingerbread vendor, seeing that Duge paid him no attention, finally settled down and asked proactively.

Duge had been fortune-telling while he observed quietly, eventually confirming his judgment.

He was indeed a plot character with no relevance to the keywords.

If chaos is the keyword, then there could be no fortune-telling ability, as no examinee can turn fortune-telling into chaos;

If the keyword is fortune-telling, there is no need for such a huge commotion. After all, even before snatching Marsha Hewitt away, Paul was already renowned;

And certainly not happiness, because his actions had nothing to do with happiness. Adding a suffix like ‘Eel’ to the name doesn’t make any sense to him…

In sum.

No keywords fit Paul’s current behavior.

Since he is a native, why not seize the opportunity to tell his own fortune?

Moreover.

Everyone else has had their fortunes told.

Not doing so himself would seem rather abnormal.

“Of course.” Duge looked at the gingerbread vendor and nodded with a smile, “How many Gold Coins are you willing to pay for this?”

“I have over eighty Gold Coins in my bag, and I hope you can tell my fortune more clearly,” the gingerbread vendor said, untying a bulging purse from his waist and handing it to Duge with a smile.

Duge’s eyes sparkled, but he didn’t take the bag of gold, instead asking, “Which aspect would you like to have predicted?”

“The future,” replied the gingerbread vendor.

Duge spoke gently, “May I know your name?”

“Sheldon Gis,” said the gingerbread vendor without hesitation.

“Would you like to add a suffix like ‘Eel’ to your name to increase your luck?” Duge asked with a smile, enhancing his persuasiveness. He had not yet let go of his suspicion of the gingerbread vendor.

“Sheldon Gis Eel,” having determined that Duge was a character from the plot, the gingerbread vendor simply let go.

After all,

there had been many players who sought fortune-telling from the witch He Ya in pursuit of the main storyline.

In this world, fortune-telling was a commonplace matter.

And indeed, as Paul had said, destiny was not immutable; many who had sought divination from the witch He Ya were secretly murdered by him!

If his fortune turned out to be ill-fated, he could simply change his future strategy.

Duge smiled at him again, took the purse from the gingerbread vendor’s hand, and as he took the money, his little finger inadvertently brushed against the palm of his hand, making him his own private possession.

Then,

he sat down on the ground once more and uttered the fortune-telling incantation.

The gingerbread vendor held his breath in concentration, feeling for any changes within his body, but when none occurred, he breathed a sigh of relief.

After a moment,

the light on the crystal ball faded.

Duge opened his eyes and looked at the gingerbread vendor, remaining silent for a long time.

“Captain Paul, what did you see?” asked the gingerbread vendor.

Duge opened his mouth, then hesitated as if holding back.

“Is it an ill-favored future?” the gingerbread vendor chuckled. “Speak boldly, I can bear it.”

“May I speak with you alone?” Duge got up to his feet and glanced at the gingerbread vendor, frowning.

The captains were stunned and looked at the gingerbread vendor curiously, not understanding why Paul was treating him specially.

“Okay,” nodded the gingerbread vendor, who, having become Duge’s private property, would unconsciously comply with Duge’s harmless little commands.

“Follow me,” Duge said, turning and walking towards the other side of the deck.

The gingerbread vendor followed.

Vito hesitated for a moment but did not follow. Duge had orchestrated the fates of these people and was destined to let them go. Following would serve no purpose and could ruin Duge’s plan, which would be less than ideal.

Standing at the stern, away from the others, Duge looked at the gingerbread vendor with a grave expression: “Sheldon, you are different from the others. I saw blood and corpses; you stood amidst the bodies, a look of triumph on your face. One of the people you killed held the Sea God Scepter…”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The gingerbread vendor’s heart, hitherto calm, began to beat violently. His face showed joy, and he could not help but step forward, trembling as he asked, “You really saw me standing amidst a pile of corpses?”

Duge instinctively shrank back and said, “Sheldon, the crystal ball cannot be wrong. I don’t understand why you, not a captain, would have such a fate foretold, but the crystal ball shows you, alone, in a pool of blood, surrounded by strangers you’ve killed. I saw neither Captain Ace nor the Snow Dragon…”

That’s right!

I don’t know that idiot Ace at all, having him around would be a surprise…

First!

I’ve killed everyone; I am the first in the simulation!

The gingerbread vendor was overwhelmed with emotion, utterly losing himself in ecstasy. His decision was indeed the right one, and his keywords were truly invincible.

…

Definitely a player!

I really want to kill him!

Duge easily confirmed his identity but ultimately restrained his murderous impulse, after all, he needed these people to lay out his plans.

He addressed the gingerbread vendor, “Sheldon, among all the people I’ve divined for, you’re the closest to the Sea God Scepter. I don’t know what will happen after you kill the one holding the Sea God Scepter, but you are undoubtedly a powerful person. I want to ask you for a favor.”

“Speak,” the gingerbread vendor said, his mind clouded by the prophecy of the future.

“I hope you will help me kill Mahamadu in the future. I don’t want Marsha and me to live in fear of being hunted by him.” Duge said. “In exchange, I will keep your secret of obtaining the Sea God Scepter.”

“Of course, no problem,” the gingerbread vendor agreed readily. Killing Duge would bring great danger, and if he was willing to keep a secret for him, that would be best as he didn’t want to become a target for all.

“To tell you the truth, if it weren’t for the fact that Marsha and I weren’t part of your future, I would want to follow you,” Duge said with a sigh of relief, smiling, “But sadly I cannot. Having us by your side would significantly impact your future, possibly costing you the position of the Pirate King. Mr. Sheldon, I hope you won’t disclose the content of the divination; otherwise, there would be endless troubles…”

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