Even if Raymond didn't guess what the "parting gift" he said to Elijah was, he still got double the reward from the girl.
After the joy, I felt a sense of loss.
After all, as she said, this night is a parting gift.
Early the next morning, Ilya took the two golden statues of the six-armed Yama and left the hot spring hotel.
Raymond felt as if he had lost something important, feeling empty.
...
Three days later.
It didn't snow today, it was one of the few sunny days in the year.
Hippocratic City is the capital of the "Kingdom of Orens" and consists of more than fifty steamship islands, large and small.
The inner city is mostly populated by the permanent residents of the kingdom, and there are a large number of doctors and research institutes there.
Most of the migrant population gathers in edge urban areas.
Birds of a feather flock together, and pirates and adventurers like to gather in District 47 to treat their injuries or recruit doctors on board the ship...
Therefore, there are many pirate taverns in this area.
Raymond, whose face was covered by a cloak, walked into a pirate tavern with the sign "Hyacinth Tavern" and found a seat by the window on the second floor and sat down.
Looking from the window, there is a house with "red cross" paint on the wall in the distance.
It looked a little rusty, but Raymond knew that there was a secret hospital equipped with cutting-edge medical equipment.
Intelligence shows that [Elephant King] Taimo was treated for his injuries there.
And today, Ilya will be there to hunt down this "Eight Endless Emperors"!
...
It's afternoon now, and there are not as many people in the tavern as there are at night, and it's not too noisy.
Raymond asked for a bunch of golden rum, and leaned quietly by the window, taking a sip of wine from time to time. The brim of his hat was deliberately lowered to cover his deep gaze, and occasionally he could hear a voice like fine lines murmuring to himself:
"I hope today goes well..."
Today is not only the day when Ilya hunts [Elephant King] Taimo, but also the day when everyone in the "Ghost Group" plans to take advantage of the chaos to rescue Lulu's parents.
...
A few hours ago, everyone in the "Ghost Group" gathered in the hot spring tavern.
Raymond laid out today's rescue plan, while Anna, Sol, Lulu, Colin, and Fat Cat were listening with serious expressions.
"Lulu, Shitou, Colin... you took advantage of the chaos and sneaked into the research institute. If my information is correct, there are three password doors to enter the secret detention cabin. The passwords are '332420', '355663', and '435345'.
..”
"This is the detailed layout of the laboratory. I have set up two routes for you, one for entering and one for retreating. It is best not to attract the attention of the guards before confirming that your parents are there..."
"This time there will definitely be top experts from the World Palace coming. I will create noise outside to attract the experts from the World Palace... Then you will act according to the opportunity..."
"..."
No one doubted how Raymond got the information, and no one questioned where the access codes that even the laboratory members didn't know came from.
Everyone in the "Ghost Group" has absolute trust in their captain.
Past facts have also proved that Raymond is trustworthy.
Of course, passwords are not really information.
Even Arno, the captain of CP9, doesn't know what the access code is that only those inside the laboratory know.
But in the game, the secret laboratory of the world headquarters has almost no secrets for players. Whether it is the access code or the design drawing of the secret laboratory, there is detailed information on the game forum.
This is also one of the reasons why Raymond dared Lulu and the others to sneak into the laboratory for rescue this time.
Of course, the most important thing is that the helpers sent by Mr. Capone are already in place!
Raymond's plan was very simple, which was to first create a disturbance in the city and lure out the ambush masters from the World Headquarters.
After all, his threat level at the CP9 headquarters has been raised to "S". Once his whereabouts are leaked, the top combatants around Sequence 0 will definitely come to trouble him.
The Endless Sea is so big that the high-level combat forces of the World Headquarters will not be spared just one day to recruit him as a "newcomer". As long as one comes, the defense force in the laboratory where Lulu's parents are imprisoned will definitely be reduced. Big cut.
With the lab data in his past life memories, Lulu and the others can sneak in secretly and have a much higher chance of rescuing the hostages.
...
With the experts sent by Mr. Capone, the rescue plan is not much worth worrying about.
He was more worried about Ilya's beheading.
"Eight Endless Emperors", this is an existence that the Navy Headquarters has been unable to do anything about for many years. No matter how many people mention its name, they will tremble...
Hunting down this legendary pirate is a crazy plan that many people would never dare to think of.
What's more, there are many captains and elite members of the [Elephant King] regiment in this city... That is a super power that is enough to destroy a powerful country.
Before I knew it, most of the rum in the glass had been filled.
"It's almost time..."
Raymond looked at the hands of the clock on the wall from time to time. The "ticking" hands announced that a terrifying war was about to break out in the city.
This will definitely be a battle that will go down in history.
As for the "forbidden martial law" rules in the city, they are like the laws of the kingdom. They are more used to restrain civilians and lower-class citizens. The high-ranking nobles are beyond the law.
The reason why few people in the city use force on weekdays is that low-level extraordinary beings cannot do so, while high-level extraordinary beings with superior strength mostly abide by a tacit understanding.
Even if a top expert like Ilya, who is one of the "King's Seven Martial Arts", breaks this rule, she will be verbally reprimanded at most. Who can really do anything to her?
As for the boycott of the medical profession around the world, she, the high priest of the Knicks, doesn't care at all.
...
Raymond seemed to be in a daze, but he was aware of the movement around him. At this moment, some gossip suddenly entered his ears, catching his attention.
The tavern is a mixed bag of dragons and snakes, including the sailors with yellow teeth and black faces armed with muskets.
After drinking, everyone became as talkative as a troubadour, gossiping about the gossip they heard everywhere.
"Hey, hey... have you heard that the captain of the 'Ghost Group' [Ghost] Raymond recently came to Hippocrates!"
"Is it the 'Pirate Supernova' that has been the most popular recently?"
"What 'Supernova'! Now [Ghost] Raymond is a big pirate at the level of captain of the 'Eight Endless Emperors' division. Which 'Supernova' dares and has the strength to kill an entire division of [Elephant King]?"
"Hehe, let me tell you, the "Koenitz Sea Area" used to be more exciting than what was reported in the newspaper. I have a brother-in-law who is a peripheral member of [Flamingo] Rhine's squad..."
"..."
As soon as Raymond listened, his name appeared on everyone's lips, and he became somewhat interested.
But he was also shocked at the same time. How did these guys know that he had come secretly without being exposed?
Could it be possible that he was exposed inadvertently at some point?
If not, he hadn't sensed any hint of hostility after seeing and hearing the domineering power, and he would have even thought that his infiltration plan would have been discovered by the spies of the World Headquarters.
Raymond was doubtful, but when he heard it again, his expression immediately became strange.
"Let me tell you...top secret news! [Ghost] Raymond is planning to recruit team members in Hippocrates City. I heard that [Blood King] Capone is going to set up a new division, and this Raymond is the new division captain. ..."
"Ah, can you become a formal member of the squad leader of the 'Endless Eight Emperors'? This is a great opportunity! If you can join that legendary fleet, you can have the world's top resources, top extraordinary potions, equipment, and martial arts inheritance. ...You can get it all..."
"Then [Ghost] Raymond, what are the requirements for recruiting crew members? For example, extraordinary rank or something?"
"Isn't that true...I heard that Raymond is raising military expenses for the war for Capone. The conditions for joining their "Ghost Pirates" are very loose. Each person needs one hundred gold coins..."
"One hundred gold coins? That's one million quarks, quite a lot..."
"Hmph! One million quarks can buy you a chance to join the 'Endless Eight Emperors' fleet. Is that too much? Let me tell you, as far as I know, there are thousands of people who have signed up for the 'Blue Rhino Collar' next door. , everyone is fighting over who wants to go. This Raymond will stay in Hippocrates City for who knows how many days. He is too slow to take action. I am afraid he won’t have a chance..."
"..."
The more Raymond listened, the more something seemed wrong.
Mr. Capone is going to set up a new division, why didn’t I hear about it?
Also...when did I start recruiting members and will I still be charged?
Is this rumor still valid, talking about raising military funds for Capone?
Why does this sound like a pyramid scheme fraud group?
"No one is going around using my name to cheat, right?"
There were many questions in his mind. Raymond's face twitched and he vaguely guessed something.
Probably, we met the "Li Gui Tuan" again.
Ever since the "Ghost Group" caused a scene in Eludnis, the "City of Eternal Night", and was published in the newspapers under the name "Pirate Supernova", there have been endless imitations of them.
From the ships to the personnel, the imitators used everything.
But after all, as his strength soared, the threshold for imitation became higher and higher... The navy's reward notice also included his high-definition photos and information, so it stands to reason that it would not be difficult to distinguish the true from the false.
But it's not like those pirates were telling lies. Were thousands of people really fooled?
This city of Hippocrates is not some remote sea area. What on earth is going on?
...
Raymond listened with a question mark on his face. He was still hesitating whether to go up and ask for details. Something even more bizarre and coincidental happened!
The pirate who helped brag about the "recruitment conditions" was like a brag. As soon as the atmosphere of hunger marketing was created, the real owner appeared immediately!
Pirate A: "Look, who is that!"
Pirate B: "It's actually... [Ghost] Raymond who has a bounty of 888,000!"
Some people also questioned: "It can't be fake, right?"
Pirate C: "There is absolutely no mistake! Didn't you see that there is still a wanted poster for him on the wall? It's exactly the same! And...this pressure is definitely the pressure of a top powerhouse...this [
Ghost】Raymon is indeed as legendary as he is, possessing the level of a captain of the Eighth Emperors!"
A certain pirate with a bounty of over 100 million said: "Not bad! Before, I suspected that the newspaper exaggerated Raymond's strength, but now it seems... I'm afraid it's underestimated! I also have a bounty of over 100 million, and I am considered the best in Sequence 3.
I was actually a little out of breath due to his aura..."
"I also feel tight in my chest. Raymond's momentum is too strong..."
"..."
As soon as he showed up, "Raymon" entered the tavern and attracted everyone's attention.
His aura was so intimidating that when exposed to the outside, the air in the tavern seemed to be stagnant, making it difficult to breathe.
Even Raymond himself, who was beside the bed, was shocked when he saw the guy who looked exactly like him!
He has a long sword at his waist, sword-shaped eyebrows and hawk-like eyes, he is handsome and elegant... (Lei's first perspective.)
It's like looking in the mirror, exactly the same!
In fact, the pressure that that guy exudes is more like the description of [Ghost] Raymond in the newspaper than his own body, the absolute pressure of a top powerhouse.
At this moment of meeting, even Raymond himself was suspicious... Could it be that he was a fake?
"Bartender, please bring me some golden rum..."
"Fake Raymond" waved his hand and drank, expressionlessly walking towards the bar of the pub.
He took steps step by step, as if pushed by an invisible force, causing the pirates who were originally sitting around the bar to involuntarily give up their "C positions."
This "fake Raymond" didn't say anything and sat on the bar, maintaining a top-notch cool temperament.
While he was accompanying him, a red-haired woman spoke at the right time and asked in a pretentious manner: "Captain, how long will we stay in Hippocrates City?"
"About two or three days..."
"Fake Raymond" followed the topic and added: "Master Capone is fighting a war, and there are not enough doctors in the regiment. I want to recruit some doctors, and by the way, recruit some talented crew members to raise some military expenses."
..."
"..."
The two of them chatted one by one. After joining, the members must be given sufficient top-level resources. Martial arts, exercises, magic potions, and equipment are all obtained from the [Blood Emperor] headquarters...
It suddenly struck me that with one hundred gold coins you could buy an "ultimate gift package" and reach the sky in one step!
For anyone else, this would be a pie in the sky.
...
When the bystanders in the tavern heard this, their expressions suddenly brightened.
Sure enough, Boss Raymond is here to recruit crew members!
But just to watch the fun, if it is really your turn to pay, some people will still be suspicious.
"It's exactly the same as the one on the wanted poster. I'm sure I'm the one..."
"But it's such a coincidence..."
"One hundred gold coins is a lot. Most of my belongings are gone. Is there any problem..."
"..."
Under normal circumstances, people with a little sense would probably doubt this, and they would definitely not pay so easily.
After all, joining the "Eight Endless Emperors" fleet with one hundred gold coins sounds a bit mysterious.
But if there are a few "shills" hidden in the crowd in advance, the deception becomes much easier.
"Liar? The majestic [Blood Emperor] of the Eight Endless Emperors will give up his reputation for your one hundred gold coins?"
"Then Raymond has been confirmed by the World Headquarters as a direct subordinate of [Blood Emperor] Capone. Will he value your money?"
"You guys chat slowly, there are not many opportunities, I will sign up first!"
"I'm going too... Who can lend me a few gold coins? I'm still a little short of..."
"I, I, I... Count me in, I want to sign up too!"
"..."
Under the performances of all the sitters, the atmosphere in the tavern immediately became lively.
It's very similar to Raymond's previous life, when those real estate developers hired sitters to queue up overnight to buy a house.
One by one, they held their money bags high and made a "clattering" sound, fearing that when it was their turn, the opportunity would be gone and they were "hungry".
Not long after this, not only the "Hyacinthe Tavern", but even all the nearby pubs heard the news. Pirates holding money bags rushed into the pub crazily...
The news of the "ghost group" appearing in the medical capital spread throughout the entire Hippocratic City in a short period of time, as if it had wings.
Not only the pirates and adventurers got the news, but also the intelligence departments of the major forces, the [Elephant King] Group, CP9, the Navy, the Harris Family...
...
"Damn it, one link after another, this method is really professional..."
Raymond, who was sitting by the window, looked at the recruitment drama in front of him, his expression getting weirder and weirder.
But he did not stop him, but continued to watch with great interest.
The purpose of his coming to the tavern today was not only to watch the battle, but the most important thing was to find an opportunity to reveal his presence when chaos broke out, so that people from the World Headquarters would come to his door.
Before, he was thinking about how to attract the attention of the World Government in a short time without appearing too deliberate.
it's good now...
This "fake Raymond" did everything he wanted to do and successfully attracted everyone's attention.
If someone does the work for him, he is happy to watch the fun.
Raymond ignored the people pouring into the tavern and had no intention of revealing the truth, and continued drinking.
However, there is one thing that makes me unhappy.
He had a warm relationship with Anna last night, and now he looked at the red-haired woman in the liar gang, and he couldn't help complaining in his heart: "The liar leader looks exactly like me, but this 'Anna' looks a bit ugly. ..”
Complaints are all complaints, but I have to say that this is a very professional team of liars in front of me.
Pity...
The famous [Imitation Fruit] made Murphy the former "Ocean of the Seven Warlords", but now it has become a means of deception for swindlers.