Half an hour ago.

The streets of Old Dunling were shrouded in mist, with a slightly pungent smell in the air. This was a unique scent of Old Dunling, caused by the discharge of water treated with disinfectant, resulting in steam mingling with it. Of course, sometimes to cooperate with the Purification Mechanism, some odd substances would be poured into the Furnace Pillar, like Merlin's specially crafted alchemic potions.

Unconsciously, this steel city has developed a "mechanical" ecosystem. Simply press a few buttons on the control panel, and the city will transform differently according to its goals.

Railways extending, Furnace Pillar exerting power, gears interlocking for city overload operation—it's so terrifying that it seems the city was in preparation for something from the very beginning.

A girl stood on the street, gazing upward at the giant whales drifting within the clouds, their figures appearing and disappearing, as if it were a scene from mythology.

Suddenly filled with emotion, she felt insignificant compared to this steel city, unworthy of mention.

The old butler came forward from behind, Yawei draped a coat over Selyu. These days of the Divine Birthday are the coldest of the season, but the last few days as well. Once the cold passes, warmth will return, and spring will revisit this land.

"Are you sure we want to go?" Yawei asked, still not liking the upcoming journey.

"I've arranged to meet Mrs. Van Rudd; she hopes I will visit her," Selyu said, "I am not one to break a promise."

"No, no, no, actually we could totally invite her here." Yawei pointed to the mansion behind him, which significantly dwarfs the property at 121A Cork Street.

Selyu glanced up at her, as usual maintaining a cold demeanor. Yawei sighed, knowing he wouldn't sway her, so he took out his pistol and checked the ammunition.

"What are you doing?"

"Just in case," Yawei said, though he wasn't sure what he was guarding against.

It seemed age has made Yawei find it somewhat amusing.

"Selyu, you've done well in this."

"Done well in what?"

"I mean in terms of strategy?"

"Strategy?" Selyu was clearly puzzled by Yawei's words at the moment.

"Lorenzo! He's an outright lunatic, difficult to understand. You might flatter him one moment and then he might just whimsically decide to kill you... That's why I hate people like him," Yawei looked at the girl, "uncontrollable, unpredictable, you never know whether he'll burst into tears the next second or laugh while shooting."

"Sounds like him."

The final scene flashed in his mind, a man seemingly near death suddenly became insane, speaking strange tales and then taking Lawrence to Hell along with him.

"Indeed, his life will never be dull or boring, much like a pirate, forever riding the waves."

Speaking with a hint of envy in his expression.

Who wouldn't envy such a life? Like a damn pirate story, the great Captain Lorenzo Holmes and his beloved pirate ship Winchester roaming the Seven Seas, pillaging from North to South, East to West, as long as there are ships on the sea, that scoundrel would never be bored.

"But for such a life, forget it; everyone grows old, even the young heart seeks settlement." Yawei sighed.

He is just a mortal, everyone is just a mortal, they all get weary, and one day wish to put down the helm and find a place to settle. But Lorenzo is different; he will never stop. When he does, it will be his end, and such people have only one end—buried at sea.

"So before conquering this lunatic, conquer his family first."

"Hmm? Family, Mrs. Van Rudd? Wait... do you think Lorenzo has such a 'family' concept?" Selyu bluntly stated.

Yawei was slightly stunned, not expecting Selyu to say this.

"He won't be bound by anything, Yawei, even if he becomes a pirate he'll steal others' ships, maintaining a pirate ship is a hassle for him, after all."

"Forget it, it's just a holiday."

Selyu concluded.

...

121A Cork Street.

The indoor atmosphere brightened considerably with Selyu's arrival, but actually it was only her and Mrs. Van Rudd's joy.

Lorenzo sat obediently to the side, appearing reserved, like an outsider in his own house while Yawei, the true outsider, kept a keen eye on him from not far away. Lorenzo had no idea what was happening, he just sensed a hostile aura on Yawei.

Thinking back carefully, he had come straight back after getting off the train, so he shouldn't have provoked him.

Though already accustomed to Yawei's nature, how it sharply contrasted with today's joyous holiday, Hig was caught in the middle, understanding nothing, as if he wasn't part of this world.

The unfortunate boy sat uneasily, longing to quickly finish dinner and slip back to his room.

After wolfing down his food, Hig wiped his mouth hoping to leave unnoticed, but just as he began to move, Yawei, who had been silent, spoke:

"Who is this?"

Though often barging into Lorenzo's room armed, Yawei wasn't familiar with Hig.

"My roommate, Hig."

Lorenzo leaped up, draping an arm around Hig's shoulders, a gesture of camaraderie.

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