Boom—

"Here we go again."

Aiven supported his forehead with his hand, helplessly watching Milan, who had accidentally stepped on his right foot with his left and rolled "thud thud thud" down the stairway from the stern to the deck.

Milan, possessing the physical fitness of an Official Knight and the perception ability of an Official Wizard, tripping for such a ridiculous reason was truly astonishing.

But after witnessing it countless times, Aiven was no longer surprised.

Leaning against the railing of the top deck of the stern, he looked down at Milan, who had agilely jumped up, trying hard to maintain his image, and said somewhat helplessly:

"I think if we let this unlucky guy stay on the ship, everyone on board will be in danger!"

Milan forcefully patted his clothes, glared fiercely at the sailors who had turned their heads to look at him on the deck, and only when they hurriedly turned away did he say with a face full of indignation:

"But I don't want this either! Who knew that talent magic could be so troublesome!"

In fact, ever since the two returned from the casino the next day, Milan had been encountering these inexplicable unlucky situations from time to time.

The first day was nothing much, but after three consecutive days of bad luck, the two gradually realized something was wrong.

Milan, who already had the "Misfortune Curse" ability, seriously suspected that his current situation was due to a similar magic effect, except less intense than his own "Misfortune Curse."

Then.

He performed a Spirit Communication Ceremony, a magic transmitted within the Prophetic School, directed at a specific highly mysterious entity, maintaining good rapport with it for a long time, ensuring its safety.

Using the firsthand experience of the magic effects these past few days, he finally deduced the complete magical effect information:

"[Talent Witchcraft: Deceitful Fate!] The gift obtained from defeating an enemy of destiny.

Effect: The strongest luck of any day of this quarter is amplified threefold and applied to oneself, lasting no more than three hours.

However, all gifts from destiny have already been secretly marked with a price tag.

Due to the conservation of destiny, the following one to three months will require enduring the worst luck of this quarter every day!"

Therefore, as he wreaked havoc in the casino for nearly two hours, Milan would need to compensate with bad luck for almost two months to make up for the overdrafted fortune.

To date, despite more than a month passing, Milan's precarious state would last for at least another half month.

Aiven was deeply sympathetic to his condition but was really helpless due to a mismatch in professional expertise.

Thunk... thunk... thunk...

Heavy steel boots walked on the deck, and a tall young knight in gleaming full armor slowly ascended from the lower cabin.

Armed with a heavy shield and giant sword, he seemed ready to charge at the sound of a horn.

However, despite his steel giant beast-like stature, the young man was amiable and greeted warmly:

"Captain, Chief Navigator, good day!

If you don't mind, how about letting me give it a try?"

Despite his relatively short time on the ship, it's impossible for him to pretend not to see what's happening with Milan.

Milan was a little surprised at the visitor.

He was not familiar with the knight who, along with a provisional command, boarded the "Storm Horn" right before departure.

After half a day, he only knew his name: "Knight Ambrose, do you have a solution?"

Even though the unlucky state wasn't life-threatening,

Tripping, choking on water, spilled food landing on his head, or bindings winding around his neck… one or two times each day was exhausting over time.

Milan wasn't familiar with this Steel Knight, but Aiven was no stranger to him, in fact, Aiven considered him an old acquaintance.

He was none other than Ambrose, the squad leader of "Iron Wall Knight Order," one of the strongest armed forces of the Church.

Aiven had dealt with him since the Crow Market, even clashing with members of his squad.

During the Killing Ghost rampage, he undertook missions together with their squad on the "Frost White Sword."

Later, it was heard that he was awarded for his loyalty and bravery during the White Whale Port Massacre.

Now Ambrose is a double-knighted figure, jointly anointed by the Black Iron Cross Church and Ilya Kingdom, holding both clerical and secular privileges!

Despite only a few brief encounters with Aiven, Ambrose left a lasting impression as someone with the Knight's Oath engraved in his bones.

Sometimes Aiven even thought, if the sky ever fell, it might be someone like him who'd unhesitatingly take the stand.

Though he was already a powerful veteran Official Knight, he still practiced his knightly ways from the most minor details!

Humility, honor, sacrifice, heroism, mercy, spirit, honesty, justice; what he thinks is what he says, and what he envisions is what he acts.

To him, being a knight is not merely an extraordinary profession, but more importantly, the ultimate faith in practicing the divine path!

Such a person, regardless of whether people of various standpoints agree with his words and actions, is... impossible not to admire for his character!

Aiven felt the same way.

"Milan, Sir Ambrose is a knight of the Iron Wall with steadfast faith, let him give it a try.

Perhaps the goddess's glory can help dispel the misfortune on you."

Upon hearing the highest officer of this battleship comment on him, Ambrose showed no change in expression, only slightly bowed to express gratitude to Aiven for trusting him.

In fact, soon after returning from Crow Market that day,

through the Church's internal records of the blessed "Iron Cross Medal" issuance, he found out that the person he encountered was most likely this young and accomplished navy officer.

As the godson of Diocesan Bishop Benedict, he also knew many secrets that could not be disclosed to others. One of which was the wizard identity of this youngest battleship captain of the Kingdom Navy, as well as his latest invention, the "Siren's Song."

The plan was to deliver a batch of these latest alchemy tools, which was also one of the purposes of this cross-country mission.

However, Ambrose was not a fanatic but a true believer.

He possessed enough wisdom to discern what was good and what was bad, and he highly respected Aiven for his significant contributions to humanity's nautical endeavors.

"Oh, alright, then I'll trouble you, Knight Ambrose!"

Milan, of course, had unconditional trust in Aiven's words, and upon hearing them, did not hesitate further, allowing Ambrose to proceed.

"It's my honor!"

There was no need for complex ritual preparations like witchcraft because the core of divine art lies in "borrowing."

The more devoutly one worships and practices the divine path in action, the higher their position in the divine art system, and the stronger the power they can borrow.

So, amidst the undulating waves and the cries of sea birds.

Right on the deck of the battleship, Ambrose traced a shape over his chest with his hands, chanting the goddess's holy name, and then slowly directed his palm towards Milan.

Pop—

A warm and gentle light of pale gold rippled out like water waves, softly enveloping the tense Milan who held his breath.

[Divine Art: Saint's Gospel!]

A wave of warm energy spread through his body, cleansing even the most minute corners.

It was as if every cell, every bone, every nerve in his body was soaked in hot spring water, a relaxation so complete it felt like even the tips of his hair floated upwards.

"Ah!"

A full minute later, Milan, with a slightly flushed face, finally opened his eyes and let out a long breath: "This is really... too comfortable."

"How is it? Have the negative effects been lifted?"

Aiven asked expectantly. If the negative effects could be dispelled by divine art, then the practical value of "Deceitful Fate" would be greatly enhanced.

However, in response to Aiven was...

Smack!

Milan wiped his forehead with his hand.

The next moment.

Ah—!!!

A piercing scream echoed throughout the entire "Storm Horn."

After moving to the more spacious "Storm Horn," Aiven had straightforwardly transformed part of the ship's space into a nest for sea birds, allowing them to openly use the battleship as a mobile "carrier," with sea birds frequently flying up and down on the warship.

Though the sea birds Aiven modified were much smarter, sometimes this instinctive reaction... well...

"I... I have a pot of medicine brewing in my room, I must go."

Seeing the unfavorable situation, Aiven made a quick escape; after all, however unlucky that guy might be, the birds were ultimately his.

Beside him,

Ambrose also understood that while the goddess's power was great, it did not involve the domain of destiny.

Clearly, even the strongest divine art he mastered, the "Saint's Gospel," which combined purification, blessing, and inspiration, had no effect on the navigator's inexplicable ill luck.

Thus, with a light cough, he followed closely behind Aiven.

"Ahem, Captain, wait for me! I just have something to discuss with you!"