On the vast ocean, the heavily scarred Cantona was lucky enough to encounter a merchant ship after a day and night of drifting. The captain was kind, not waiting for him to perish before collecting his corpse, but instead just charged a gold coin for passage and let Cantona eat a full meal.

Captain McLenny of the Dawn also felt good because he wanted to reach Five Claw Island before the storm struck. However, they were caught right in the storm's path, and the entire crew thought they were doomed. Unexpectedly, the storm ended before reaching its peak strength, which usually lasted a week to half a month, meaning certain death despite anyone's rich maritime experience.

Rescuing someone was also considered a form of gratitude for the Sea God's blessing. Normally, he would not involve himself in unnecessary trouble. Drifting amidst the sea at this time, who knows what kind of problems a severely wounded person might bring?

Cantona nursed his injuries while onboard. The merchant ship had dozens of crew members, all appearing robust and calm. Those who live off the sea often like to shout, but these men didn't speak much, really looking like a disguised navy. The captain didn't seem easy to deal with either, brimming with strong masculine Knightly Path energy, and daring to rescue him showed his significant confidence in his own strength.

Surviving such a disaster indeed meant better luck, but for him, the real test would come after reaching Patulu Five Claw Island. The Death Church's ritual was certainly completed this time, but in the plan, he was also supposed to be a part of the offering, yet now he's still alive. How will the Death Church deal with him? Even if they don't kill him, his undercover mission has become unpredictably complicated.

After the Nether God's Court received his message, they didn't respond promptly. Now he's unwittingly completed the Death Church's urgently needed revival ritual, and the key is that he's still alive. How do they view him?

Damn, the hardest thing is being caught in between, not pleasing either side. Being alive turns out to be the biggest problem. The worst case now is that both sides want to kill him, but he has no choice; even if they all want him dead, he must face it. If he runs away, he's essentially dead, as none can die well under the old and new gods' church warrants.

Standing at the bow, looking at the blood-red moon, the somewhat melancholic Cantona wanted a smoke, but found empty pockets. A cigar was handed over, and just a glance revealed it as top-grade Moncalleta. Cantona didn't hesitate, while McLenny held the ship's rail with one hand, "Mr. Cantona, you're a tough survivor."

"That must thank the captain for the life-saving grace."

McLenny waved his hand, "I charged you, we're square. When we reach Five Claw Island, let's act like we haven't met."

Of course, McLenny knew the other party surely had a background, drifting in the storm zone covered in wounds, with extraordinarily resilient life force, and exuding a distinct church aura.

"How about the cigar?"

"A gift. Rescuing you is like fulfilling a wish." McLenny said with a smile, looking towards the sea's horizon. His journey this time also carried huge risks; otherwise, he wouldn't have braved advancing into the storm. Yet, arriving at Five Claw Island is the key to this voyage.

"Haha, then I won't hold back."

Cantona already lit the cigar, inhaled deeply, and smoke vented from his nasal cavity, relaxing him completely. He cared little about whatever nonsense was happening. If it was destined for him to live this chaotic life, why worry? The most is reincarnation, could the next life be worse?

The two middle-aged men silently puffing clouds by the ship's side, yesterday's stormy sea transformed into serene calm, deep and boundless like a lurking behemoth gazing at everything silently, awe-inspiring. At this moment, the red moon in the sky not only brought light but also hope...

Night, Twelve Zodiac Star Disc.

Under the vast sky, the starlight filled the expanse, and members of the Round Table Conference arrived one after another. Clearly, everyone was much more motivated than before, each appearing in their high-backed chairs in their optimal posture. At this moment, they were no longer mundane individuals, as if possessing their divine seat, even freshly survived Cantona couldn't help but feel confident.

Miss Aries began the Round Table Conference with her sweet voice.

Cantona glanced at Virgo's high-backed chair, finding it empty, with no response from Miss Virgo.

Estella looked around at everyone, very orderly. "Then next, let's begin the sharing session."

The crowd nodded, and Estella, as usual, went first. Lately, she's indeed more liberated, besides studying at the Academy of Natural Sciences, she started participating in social activities. Her father's death unavoidably inflicted some damage to the royal family's prestige, which demands collective efforts from the royal family for recovery. Simultaneously, she also received some secret intel from Achilles, "I've received precise information that followers of the old gods are becoming active: Death, various Sea Gods, Fallen Mother Goddess, etc. Could it be some kind of omen?"

For royal power, the frequent activity of the old gods is a significant threat to national stability. Lately, even the always carefree second brother lost his composure.

"The activity of old gods' followers has always existed, though indeed more frequent recently." Cantona agreed.

"The case I encountered last time also seemed similar," Li Xin chimed in, as there's no news from Shadow Owl, he hoped to gain extra intel from the Round Table, "Which deity's activity would end like this?"

Without planning, everyone looked toward Mr. Cancer; Christian slightly lifted his head, "The end of the deity era occurred at the end of the Fourth Epoch and the beginning of the Fifth Epoch. Some deities fell, some became dormant, but their falling state was known only to a few. These old gods never relinquished their return, spanning the entire Fifth Epoch to the Sixth Epoch. Deities' activities were cyclical waves; legend says the end of the Fifth Epoch's papal era was due to the resurgence of old gods. Judging by results, their resurgence failed." Christian said, then paused, glancing at Gemini, "I asked you to submit the report, why are you still tangled with such a minor case?"

Li Xin twitched his lips, was this minor? He was the vice-captain of Shadow Owl, Estella almost spoke but restrained herself.

"Such sudden physical decay can only mean one thing; they were originally dead. Any curse or hidden power cannot achieve perfect decay, and would always leave traces, so it's more likely the experiment of a secret organization, and considering no destruction, it shows this organization doesn't want to attract attention." Christian said, "Judging from the traces, it seems like the activity of the Nether God Church or Death Church, but regardless, there would be excellent Mask Makers involved."

Li Xin had similarly speculated, the likelihood of Death was higher. The relationship between Li Long Kingdom and Nether God's Court wasn't good, with continuous historical wars, mainly as the invaded party, until Governor Luthor emerged to establish the United Kingdom to alter this situation. Li Long's growing strength vigilantly guarded against Blackfall; for Death's revival, adequate Wish Power was required. Moncalleta was difficult, Blackfall wasn't easy, whereas Li Long seemed a suitable place.