I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

At this moment, her journey through the Dragon Gate has come to a perfect end!

Volumes: Iberian Volume (Main Aponia, Sub-Mebius)

Chapter 1 Tavern and Investigation

In an ancient town, Saltwind, a dilapidated tavern stands forlornly, like a sentry on guard, silently watching the lightless night. Its door is partially obscured by the darkness and the surrounding mist.

The mist, seemingly alive, undulated slowly, adding an indescribable eeriness to the already dimly lit street. Few pedestrians were on the street; a few figures occasionally passed by, all with their heads down and hurrying on. This town was mostly made up of silent statues, like ancient creations occupying its territory. They hardly spoke, hardly moved, and every night they would stand there…

Inside the tavern, candlelight flickered, casting dappled, yellowish light that distorted shadows on the uneven stone walls. A damp, mingled scent of aged ale and sea salt filled the air, along with an indescribable, unsettling aroma of spices—a scent that seemed to belong to another world, capable of stirring the deepest fears and curiosities within one's heart.

The customers sat in twos and threes, rarely exchanging a word. Their gazes would sometimes fall on the half-full glasses on the table, and sometimes rise to look at the clock hanging on the mottled stone wall. If the taverns in Victoria or the Grand Knights' Domain were bustling nightlife hotspots, then this tavern was a long-dormant, abandoned graveyard.

In the corner of this dilapidated tavern sat a figure that seemed completely out of place, drawing frequent glances from others.

Despite such offense from others, the beautiful figure in light green sitting in the corner did not take any action, because she didn't care at all.

Mebius casually swirled the enamel glass in his hand, gazing idly at the wine inside, which reflected a faint glow in the dim light as he shook it…

After a short while, as if she had grown tired of the tedious activity, she shifted her gaze from the wine glass back to the recording device in her hand and began to review the notes on it.

To be honest, Mebius has gained a lot during his short time in Iberia.

Her previous guesses and ideas have been largely confirmed in the past few days. The unfamiliar knowledge and samples stirred up a wave of emotions within her.

The residents along the coast here are indeed different from those in other places.

Recalling the corpse dug out of the ground, and the inhuman changes and enhanced physical functions it had undergone, Möbius's desire to investigate Hai Si intensified.

Adaptation and evolution... what enticing terms...

However, the time is not right yet. Let her capture some individuals for research after she has achieved her goal this time.

After all, the fact that Hai Si is connected by blood and shares the same thoughts is quite troublesome, and it is easy to alert the enemy if one is not careful.

Just as Mebius was reviewing the records and thinking about the next steps, a slender figure wearing a hood that covered her face entered the tavern and then, as if with a purpose, went straight to the corner where she was.

Perhaps it was because her actions were too direct, or perhaps it was also because her attire was out of place, but many other customers in the tavern subconsciously focused their attention on her, just as they had on Mebius.

But that's about it. Apart from occasionally peeking in, most of the customers here just enjoy their cheap beer, letting themselves get lost in the alcohol and becoming detached from the world.

The cold, salty sea breeze gently blew towards Möbius as the "uninvited guest" arrived, causing her to gently put down the instruments in her hands and squint as she looked up at the newcomer.

"Wow, to be honest, the atmosphere here is really weird, Snake Sister!" After sitting down in the chair opposite Mebius, Pado couldn't help but lower her voice to complain.

Upon hearing this, Mebius did not directly respond to Pado's words, but instead glanced at the people who had been secretly watching and thought to himself.

'What were the results of the investigation? By the way, Phyllis, you weren't just busy admiring the scenery, were you?'

"Haha, how could that be? Sister Snake, just go ahead and do your job."

"Don't worry!" Upon hearing Mebius's words in her mind, Pado seamlessly changed her contact information.

"We've already searched the surrounding area and roughly know the location; all that's left is confirmation."

Although she's speaking so casually, Cat's investigation this afternoon didn't actually go very smoothly. As an outsider in a place like Saltwind City, she was too conspicuous and too conspicuous.

"Speaking of which, was Snake Sister's lunchbox delicious?" As if suddenly remembering something, Pado asked the person in front of her curiously in her mind.

Möbius raised an eyebrow slightly. 'Heh~ barely acceptable, not nearly as convenient as instant noodles.'

"It's clearly because Snake Sister let it cool down..." Pado couldn't help but mutter under her breath after hearing Mebius's words.

Others might not know, but as one of the individuals who shared the same thoughts, how could the cat not know what the snake had done?

She had specifically instructed her before going out to investigate at noon, but once she got into the research, Mebius completely forgot about lunch and let the bento box Mei had prepared for her get cold.

"Ok?"

"We didn't say anything! Snake Sister, you misheard!" Meeting Mebius's ambiguous smile, Pado reacted instantly.

"Heh~" Seeing the satisfied little expression on Paddo's face, Möbius couldn't help but chuckle softly, then continued in his mind: 'Alright, enough of the unnecessary nonsense, let's talk about your investigation plans~'

Because they understood each other perfectly, the two did not engage in the complicated information exchange that others did, but instead completed the task in their minds very efficiently and quickly.

After exchanging information, Möbius raised an eyebrow slightly, rested his chin on his hand, and smiled as he mentally reminded her, 'Phyllis, be careful with your investigation at the church. I think his name is Quintus; he's been here for quite a while now.'

'If things go wrong, I think I'll be really sad~ If I don't get the guinea pigs, I might have to…'

"Alas!"

Pado, having grasped the unspoken meaning of Mebius's words, instinctively trembled, and the fur on her tail stood on end.

"Don't worry, Sister Snake, we'll definitely complete the mission!" After saying that, Pado jumped up, looking like she was about to rush out and complete the mission.

There was no way the cat wanted to lie on Mebius's cold operating table. Even knowing he wouldn't actually kill her, so what?!

'Heh, I look forward to your good news, Phyllis~'

"Hmm." Pado nodded gently, agreeing, and then left the old tavern, ignoring the prying eyes of the others.

After watching Patto's figure disappear from sight, Möbius leisurely stood up. "It's still early, let's go back and check on the new samples."

As soon as he finished speaking, Snake picked up his things and walked out of the tavern at a leisurely pace, disappearing quietly into the thin mist.

P.S.: Finally! Finally!

Chapter 2 The Cat Eavesdrops

After leaving the tavern, Pado leaped onto the low-lying houses of Saltwind City. The salty sea breeze, mixed with the smell of decay, formed the sea fog of the night, making one feel nauseous.

Just moving around on the rooftops made Pado feel her clothes getting wet. Wandering through the narrow streets and dense rooftops, even the wind seemed to be whispering evil and malevolent words.

Churches are not hard to find in the city. The Court of Justice Church, which stands in the heart of the town, is the tallest building in the small town. It is like a guardian of time, witnessing the changing times and vicissitudes of Saltwind City.

The stone walls are thick and solemn, sculpted by time, giving them an indescribable sense of historical weight. Once, they may have possessed unspeakable grandeur, but now only decay seems to remain.

On the front of the church, two dilapidated bell towers point straight to the sky. The broken spires no longer have the imposing presence to pierce the heavens, just as Saltwind City is now almost completely reduced to dust and hidden in the waves.

Standing atop the houses surrounding the church, Paddy took out her binoculars. In the darkness of the night, such an action would normally be futile. But her luck was exceptional; by the time she reached the church, the thick sea fog that had obscured the full moon had been completely blown away by the sea breeze.

The full moon hung in the boundless sky, radiating a soft and clear light. The moonlight, as if washed clean, silently poured onto the ancient stone walls of the church. This light seemed to emphasize every exquisitely carved relief and intricate arch outline, as if draping this solemn building in a silver veil, making it even more mysterious and elegant in the night.

He placed the binoculars on a shelf and began observing the situation at the street corner.

Not long after... the guy that Pado was monitoring appeared in her binoculars under the moonlight.

She walked resolutely along the paved cobblestone path toward the church, the silver light draped over her like that of a pilgrim disciple.

Having confirmed the location of the target's movements, Pado wasted no more time and began her own operation, following the target's path.

The church was large enough that there was more than one way to get in, and Quintus was seen entering through a side door.

Pado simply climbed over the wall and went inside.

She is very clear

Inside the church, there are the bishop's preparation room and the choir's practice area. The place isn't large, but it's relatively secluded.

With practiced ease, she scaled the wall and landed without making a sound. After briefly reviewing the church's layout in her mind, she slipped into the confessional.

This area is usually located on the side of the main cathedral hall, so the two walls are basically flush.

The soundproofing of this dilapidated church is also quite poor.

"How's the situation?"

Just as Paddo had predicted, when she pressed her ear against the wall, the message reached her ears and she heard it clearly.

The one who spoke must be Quintus.

Thinking about it, Pado couldn't help but smile happily. It seemed that the matter that Mebius had asked for would soon have an answer.

While Paddo was caught in her own internal monologue, an extremely aged-sounding old woman replied to Quintus, "The Inquisition has finally withdrawn completely. They've abandoned this place and will probably never return. So, are you now going to begin spreading miracles?"

“Hehe~” Quintus said calmly, “People only crave salvation when their hearts are in turmoil.”

“People only cry out for God’s salvation when they are hungry. Some have already succumbed to hunger and joined us. As the Iberian Tribunal withdraws, this hunger will not decrease but will only increase. Only then will I show God’s grace and the string called reason break.”

"Then, when people will no longer fear the swords and guns of the court, no longer yearn for the salvation of the lantern, then Saltwind City will truly belong to us. So, madam, what are you worried about?"

Quintus’s words were seductive, his syllables uttered like those of a choir, carrying complex emotions and a powerful, resonant tone.

"Or perhaps you're worried about that stranger who was swept ashore by the waves... that white-haired girl?"

Quintus, as the cult leader, was extremely adept at manipulating people's minds. During their conversation, he astutely noticed the hidden thoughts flickering in the old woman's eyes. He then brought it up.

Hearing this from outside, Pado became even more engrossed, hoping to glean more information from their conversation.

Seeing that the old woman did not continue the conversation, Quintus began to look at him with a worried expression again.

Quintus continued, "She has a rather large wound on her body, and there are some problems in her brain. Her treatment will take more time. Please trust me, okay?"

Quintus comforted his wife for a while, knowing why the situation was like this.

It's just a simple empathy effect.

Her son refused to eat the twisted food and starved to death, which is why she now remembered that equally pitiful lady.

When one's anchor disappears, one seeks another. If it weren't for her help in deceiving the court, he wouldn't have been able to obtain such a valuable experimental subject.

After a while, the old woman received assurances and decided to return to her own residence.

Quintus didn't really want her to live; her body wouldn't last more than a few days. And he didn't want the secret to be passed on to someone else. Kind people are always kind; perhaps when she was on her deathbed, the secret wouldn't be a secret anymore.

A cautious person must always be cautious; even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit.

Caution is always a virtue.

However, Quintus had no intention of getting his hands dirty. He watched the old woman leave the church, saying, "Let her rest in peace in the alley, and I will give her a dignified funeral."

He walked with his hands in his pockets, very slowly, as if floating on the sea, as if stepping on soft sand, without making a sound.

Pado observed Quintus's movements. The layout of the church area was fairly familiar to a master thief. His actions just now convinced her that Quintus was heading towards the church cemetery.

So, is it inside a tomb?

The cat isn't stupid; the other party's intentions have already revealed their location. So, is the next step to enter the tomb and investigate?

But just as she was about to follow Quintus, he suddenly stopped and looked abruptly toward the warning room...

In an instant, Pado knew she had to leave...

Chapter 3 Möbius's Objective

Quintus, as a deep-sea bishop, considered himself cautious and possessed fairly accurate intuition. Therefore, upon sensing something amiss, he immediately trusted his instincts and stopped.

Something was watching him, which made him feel slightly uneasy.