All those with psychic abilities possessed the gift of foresight; attempting a surprise attack on a Psyker was impossible, as no one could react faster than a Psyker’s mind could anticipate an event before it occurred.

Before Ulysses even made a move, he had already stealthily approached close to the group. Thanks to his near-Master level psychic cultivation, even Krigen, who was also a near-Master, hadn't detected him.

But the very instant he struck, Krigen foresaw it.

The silver light sword moved precisely into the path of the advancing purple light sword. Ulysses grunted, instantly shifting his blade trajectory to slash at Krigen’s throat.

Lina caught up at that moment, clutching her husband’s purple light sword, which filled her with a surge of courage.

The couple unleashed their combined sword technique once more, pinning Ulysses in place.

“These two have become even more troublesome.” Ulysses surveyed the two Psykers before him—one holding a silver sword, the other a purple one—while he himself wielded a purple sword, clearly at a disadvantage in terms of weaponry.

The dozen or so Machine Gunners standing on the rooftop immediately surrounded Yang Ying, forming a human shield. Simultaneously, they raised their Gauss Rifles, prepared to erect a barrage of fire at any moment, while the Ghost Agents leveled their Shotguns toward the center of the fray, also ready to fire.

A few Flamethrower operators charged up from downstairs; their flames were area-of-effect attacks that were difficult to evade, making them more effective against agile Awakened individuals than against Machine Gunners.

However, Ulysses gave them no opportunity. After trading a few blows with the couple, Li Xuan flashed away, vanishing instantly without a trace.

Krigen and his wife did not pursue. The others still didn't know that Number Three was dead, and to prevent being lured away from their post, the Krigens decided to let Ulysses go.

“One strike failed, and Li Xuan fled far away. Now that he knows about us switching swords, he will probably be completely prepared next time,” Lina said worriedly.

“Judging by his actions this time, he is likely still targeting Colonel Blade. Perhaps it’s to extract the whereabouts of Commander Yang Ying, or perhaps he knows you were involved in the ambush against Gato. But regardless, we will use every effort to ensure your safety,” Krigen stated.

“The problem is, Ulysses is in the shadows, and we are in the light. If we have to constantly worry about his attacks, it will be extremely difficult. One moment of slack, and he might succeed.”

Yang Ying found the situation thorny. Although Psykers possessed far superior stamina than ordinary people, it was impossible for them to remain fully alert twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Constantly watching for Ulysses’s attack was fundamentally unrealistic.

“Ugh, that scoundrel Ulysses has ruined my enjoyment of the great show,” Herona grumbled angrily.

“If Horas, the Ape Cult Master, wins in that great show, who knows what will become of Gray Harbor. Aren’t you worried?” Yang Ying asked curiously.

“What good is worrying? We are no match for Horas. If we were tied together, we probably wouldn't withstand a single move from him. We can only hope that this peak-level Ape Master cares enough about his reputation not to bother fighting juniors like us,” Krigen said with a shrug.

“To entrust your destiny to someone else—that is not good,” Yang Ying murmured.

Even though the opponent was one of only ten super-experts in the entire solar system, the feeling of waiting for someone else to decide one's fate was indeed unpleasant.

As for abandoning this city and everything in it to flee—perhaps they could temporarily escape Horas’s clutches—but such a cowardly choice was even harder for Yang Ying to accept than simply waiting to die.

In the end, even if he died, it would only be the loss of one body. If he died, so be it.

With this mindset, Yang Ying continued to wait for the outcome of the great battle unfolding in space.

In the secret base of the Caribbean Pirate Fleet, Nabu lay on a recliner. Yengus, beside him, remarked, “Master Agan should have reached Gray Harbor by now, perhaps even engaging Horas.”

“He spared no effort just to meet Ulysses.”

“...Nabu said softly.

“What is it about that emissary of the Ape Cult that Master Agan values so highly?” Yengus asked cautiously.

“What you are meant to know, you will know. What you are not told, you must not ask. Control your curiosity. After following me for so many years, you still don't understand this?” Nabu gave him a faint glance.

When Yengus met Nabu’s gaze, it felt as if every secret in his heart had been exposed. He instantly broke out in a cold sweat, his expression flustered. “My deepest apologies, sir. It will not happen again.”

“Hmph.” Nabu snorted. “The matters concerning Agan and Ulysses have nothing to do with you. Think carefully before asking questions in the future.”

“Yes.” Yengus lowered his head. Where Nabu couldn't see, his face instantly stiffened, as if enduring something immense. But when he looked up, his expression returned to one of utter subservience.

Nabu seemed to be talking to himself. “Agan dared to go to Gray Harbor this time, thanks to Gato’s death. When I initially surveyed the capabilities of the Tremain Mercenary Group... I never expected things to turn out this way.”

“The Tremain Mercenary Group taking down Gato was beyond the expectations of both myself and Agan. Even the Thirteenth Fleet, to set a trap to kill Gato, would have needed to lure Gato into it first. Deceiving a Master-level expert is incredibly difficult because they are not easily fooled. I don’t know how the Tremain Mercenary Group managed it.”

“However, borrowing the strength of the Thirteenth Fleet clearly shows they didn't have anyone comparable to a Master-level expert themselves. Thus, the Tremain Mercenary Group is ultimately not a force that can rival a main military fleet, and they would have no power to fight back against Horas.”

“Upon learning of Gato’s death, Agan likely realized that the window between Gato’s demise and Yege’s arrival was the best opportunity to contact Ulysses. So, even knowing this was a trap set by Horas to lure him out, he jumped right in.”

“No matter who wins or loses after Horas draws him out this time, it will be impossible for Agan to return to his reclusive life. The war between humanity and the Ancient Legion is approaching a turning point. At this juncture, once one is drawn into the vortex of conflict, one only sinks deeper. But I suppose Agan realized this.”

Cough, cough...

Nabu coughed violently, as if trying to expel his entire lungs. Yengus handed him a white handkerchief, which Nabu used to cover his mouth. When he pulled the cloth away, the center was stained bright red.

“My body is failing. I fear the time is near for Heaven to reclaim me. I don't know if I can hold on until this turning point ends, to see with my own eyes whether humanity or the Ancient Legion prevails.”

Yengus watched the elderly man, frail as a dying candle, serving him with his usual cautious diligence, just as a true butler would serve his master. He couldn't tell if Nabu’s demeanor was an act or genuine frailty.

As far as Yengus knew, this old man had never trusted a single human in his life, including him, and including that boy named Apollo. The only being Nabu trusted was the Ape Master, Agan.

Yengus sometimes suspected that it was precisely because Agan was an Ape that Nabu trusted him.

Yengus had followed Nabu for years and knew well his considerable ambition, otherwise, he wouldn’t have reached his current status. Yet, even though Nabu was near the end of his life, Yengus couldn't muster an ounce of rebellious thought. Any ambition for further advancement would be crushed in its infancy by his own will.

Even if Nabu were close to death, as long as his mind remained clear, he was still that formidable, terrifying Pirate King.

In the space outside Gray Harbor, after exchanging thousands of blows, the two peak Masters separated once more, standing proudly in the void two hundred meters apart, locked in silent confrontation.

Although the battle had been fierce, neither Ape Master suffered serious injuries. Agan had some scorched patches of fur, and several burn marks dotted his chest, abdomen, and legs. Horas had a few shallow cuts across his body, which he closed with muscle contraction; not a single drop of blood emerged.

They paused the fight because they sensed something simultaneously.

“It seems Yege is rushing here. The best opportunity has passed,” Agan admitted that his strength was nearly equal to Horas’s. If the latter gained the aid of another Master-level helper, Agan’s chances would be slim.

“If you want to flee, go ahead. The Legion is about to achieve final victory; how long can you run? As long as Ulysses is in my hands, you will reappear. You cannot escape the Legion’s judgment,” Horas coldly watched Agan, as if mocking his foolishness.

“You will not understand my intentions, and I long ago stopped expecting anyone from the Legion to understand them. I have fought enough today. If there is a chance, we will meet again.”

Saying this, Agan flew toward the depths of space at extreme speed.

“I’ll let you live a few more days.”

Horas did not pursue. He simply activated the communicator on his wrist and said, “Yege, is the task complete?”

Yege’s holographic image appeared on Horas’s wrist. “Everything is done. However, the people at the Temple of Psykers may have discovered my actions. Therefore, we need to proceed with the second step of the plan before they realize what I did.”

“How urgent is it?” Horas asked.

“As soon as possible,” Yege replied.

“Then let’s begin immediately.” Horas tapped the communicator again.

Ulysses’s holographic image appeared: “Apologies, my lord, I have not completed the mission.”

“Postpone the mission for now. Yang Ying is very weak; he can be killed anytime. You, Li Xuan, return to the City of Sin and prepare for the second phase of the operation. That is the priority.” Horas commanded.

“Yes, my lord,” Ulysses replied respectfully.