Lucian watched Sandman’s receding figure, wondering if he would be of help later.
However, his existence alone would draw some of The President’s attention.
An assassin who breaks free from control after contacting the target is clearly a problem.
So, he would definitely find a way to figure it out.
He hoped Soundman would return just as his tribe was being destroyed; that way, he would harbor the most intense hatred for The President.
Hatred is the most powerful driving force.
His love for his family would eventually transform into a rage directed at The President, especially since he now had the power to do so.
This would divert a large portion of The President’s attention, making Lucian’s subsequent actions much easier.
And if he successfully saved his sister, given his character, he would likely be grateful to Lucian.
Regardless of the outcome, the moment Soundman returned to his tribe, Lucian had already received his reward; after that, it was just a matter of how much profit he could gain.
Once Soundman’s figure had completely vanished, Lucian prepared to go back, pack his things, and leave.
The thick smoke from the fire would surely attract many people to investigate.
Just as he put away his canteen, Lucian realized that someone else had arrived.
Looking up into the distance, he was surprised to see Johnny and Gyro.
It made him wonder if his own progress was really that slow.
Not only had Soundman caught up, but now Johnny and Gyro had appeared as well.
It seemed almost all the major players were now in the vicinity.
The saints corpses would all appear here, followed by the struggle to claim them.
Seeing that they recognized the person standing there, the two continued to approach on horseback.
So, Lucian stopped packing his things and stood there waiting for them to get closer.
The two stopped their horses beside Lucian.
Lucian was the first to speak, smiling as he greeted the duo.
“We meet again.
I didn’t expect to see you here.” Lucian truly hadn’t expected them; he had originally planned to wait here for a few days for the race contestants.
Through the corpse part in his left hand, Johnny immediately sensed that this Easterner he had met at the starting point also possessed a piece of the Saint’s Corpse.
This was a mutual resonance between the corpse parts.
So, was this Easterner, who wasn’t even in the race, coming directly for the corpse parts?
“I didn’t expect to run into you here.” Johnny looked at Lucian thoughtfully.
“Were you fighting someone earlier?” At the same time, he whispered to Gyro, signaling that the man before them had a part of the Saint’s Corpse.
“I ran into an assassin.
I assume your journey hasn’t been smooth either?”
Lucian also noticed that Johnny hadn’t lost the Saint’s left hand, so they must have suffered several attacks already.
They both knew the answer to that question.
Gyro asked bluntly, “You knew about this even before the race started, didn’t you?”
This Easterner clearly couldn’t have been sent by the Vatican, yet he had recognized Gyro as a member of the Zeppeli Family at a glance.
The man before them was no simple character!
Lucian looked at Gyro and replied pointedly, “If you’re asking that, then yes, I did know.
And I’m not the only one.
Clearly, others know as well—for instance, the one who organized this event.”
Gyro shook his head and said, “I know who’s planning everything behind the scenes.
Perhaps he isn’t the same person you’re thinking of.”
They had already met Lucy Steel, so they naturally knew that Mr.
Steven Steel was just a figurehead set up by The President.
“I believe it’s the same person.”
“Your goal from the beginning was to find the Saint’s Corpse, right?
You know its location.
Do you have that missing map?” Gyro knew about a missing map.
“Don’t you think the race route is a bit too coincidental?
The map must be in the hands of the organizers.”
Gyro agreed with this answer.
Combined with Lucy Steel’s previous information, it was clear that The President was the one orchestrating everything.
But what role did this Easterner play in all of it?
Johnny blurted out, “Then how do you know all this?
Why would an Easterner like you come looking for the Saint’s Corpse?”
Then naturally, I have the right to seek it.” Then his expression suddenly darkened.
“Aren’t you competing in the race?
Or are you here to fight me for the Saint’s Corpse?”
At those words, the Stand Tusk Act 1 immediately manifested behind Johnny.
He was ready to act the moment things went south.
Furthermore, he wanted the Saint’s Corpse part this man held.
Nothing could stop his determination to walk again.
Seeing this, Gyro reached out and patted Johnny, signaling that now was not the time to fight.
Lucian didn’t panic.
Instead, he reached into his saddlebag, pulled out a copper pot, shook it, and asked the two, “Would you like a cup of coffee?
I just brewed some.”
Gyro tossed his cup over and said, “I’ll have one, then.”
Johnny was still wary of the tense atmosphere, his expression surprised, but he withdrew his Stand nonetheless.
Lucian took the cup, poured some coffee from his pot for Gyro, and handed it back.
After taking the cup, Gyro said to Johnny, “Aren’t you going to have some to perk yourself up?
We still have a long way to travel today.” It was clear Gyro wasn’t worried about Lucian poisoning him.
So, Johnny handed his cup to Lucian as well.
He then received a cup of extremely bitter coffee.
After taking a sip of the coffee, Gyro continued, “Now you can tell us why you know so many unusual things.”
“God told me all of this, of course.
Every step I take is guided by the Saint himself.” Lucian put on a pious expression.
“Is that so?” Gyro was skeptical.
“Haven’t you heard the Saint’s guidance?
I obtained a piece of the Saint’s Corpse long ago, and since then, I’ve often heard the Saint guiding me.
I’ve always felt that I am the one chosen by the Saint.” These were lies they had no way of debunking.
Both of them had heard the Saint’s whispers when they acquired their corpse parts, so there was a possibility that what Lucian said was true.
Based on what Lucy Steel had said about The President sending people to hunt down this Easterner, it was clear that Lucian was not their enemy for now.