Captain – Chapter 113 – Imaginary Rival

“The eldest young master of the Anderson family?”

Unlike the servants and maids, upon hearing the other’s noble identity, Caine didn’t show the slightest shock or surprise, maintaining his calm expression.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, searching his mind for vague impressions of that family.

What did the Anderson family represent?

Well, perhaps this family held a lofty position in the Federation, but in his eyes, it was nothing more than a leech attached to the Pronora military. The Federation Navy’s recent weakness was largely thanks to them.

Merchants pursue profit, and the Anderson family was no exception.

They controlled the lifeline of the Federation’s military industry. With a casual flick of their fingers, they could make the prices of the newest ships and cannons skyrocket, creating astronomical figures that nearly crippled the Federation’s military.

From Caine’s past position, he was naturally pleased to see this, but to say he would have any goodwill toward that family would be completely absurd.

Caine’s finger paused on the table as he asked in confusion: “Why would someone of your stature want to become a pirate?”

“Why? I’m tired of staying at home and want to find some excitement. Is that reason sufficient?”

Anderson, seeing the first mate’s slightly darkened expression, knew the other wasn’t satisfied with his answer, so he shrugged and smiled: “My reason for wanting to join the ship… is actually not much different from yours.”

“Not much different from mine? What does that mean?”

Caine’s eyebrows rose slightly, and finally some surprise appeared on his calm face.

What did he mean by similar to him? Could the other be…?

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The first mate had obviously misunderstood. The surprise on his face quickly disappeared, replaced by deep hostility: “I’m sorry, if that’s the case, I cannot accept your application.”

This time Caine’s meaning was very clear—it was that he couldn’t accept it, not that the other didn’t meet the conditions for joining the ship.

Anderson looked at the first mate in bewilderment, not knowing what had gone wrong. Just now the other had set up a negotiating stance, so how did it circle back as they were talking?

“Didn’t you say earlier that the criteria for recruiting crew members aren’t determined by your personal preferences?”

Anderson’s expression was extremely unpleasant. He had already been very polite to this first mate, compromising when needed and negotiating when appropriate, yet the other repeatedly targeted him!

Did he think he was made of clay?

“In principle, that’s the case, but if I raise an objection, I believe the captain won’t keep you either.” Caine narrowed his eyes as he looked at the other, his words sharply pointed.

As the two revealed their hostility, the atmosphere around the round wooden table suddenly became oppressive. The sailors who had been leaning against the pillars watching looked at each other, unconsciously straightening their bodies and reaching for the weapons at their waists.

Anderson coldly stared into the first mate’s eyes, his dark golden pupils rippling slightly, like molten lava about to erupt.

The previously somewhat eased atmosphere plunged to freezing point, and the tavern fell into an agonizing dead silence.

At this moment, Andre, who had finished reporting to Cecilia, pushed open the secret door and ran back to the hall, panting, only to witness this tense standoff.

The chief guard’s face turned deathly pale as his mouth hung open, silently lamenting his fate.

If these two caused more trouble, would he have to run to find the proprietress again?

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Such frequent disturbances to Miss Joyce—regardless of how the situation between the two ended, he would certainly be in for it.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, let’s talk this through. Getting angry won’t solve any problems.”

Andre approached the table with a woeful face, speaking in a conciliatory manner.

Although the chief guard didn’t know the true reason for the conflict between Caine and Anderson, what he said wasn’t wrong—mere confrontation wouldn’t solve anything.

In fact, even the two parties involved hadn’t realized that their conflict stemmed from a small misunderstanding—a cognitive bias about the first mate’s reason for joining the ship.

Caine’s reason for joining the ship wasn’t because he was tired of a life controlled by revenge, nor was it to experience the unique scenery of the sea, but simply because of that young woman.

So, he instinctively assumed that this Anderson young master had come for the captain, and as for the reason…

Roy’s appearance, identity, and abilities were more than good enough reasons.

Anderson hadn’t realized that he had inadvertently become the other’s imagined enemy, a romantic rival. He just thought Caine disliked him, disliked his family background, and was just finding fault with him.

“The Anderson family seems to have never offended you, or your father.”

Having finally found Captain Roy and wanting to join the ship, Anderson took a deep breath, trying to soften his tone as much as possible.

“True, and that’s not my reason for refusing you.”

Hearing Anderson’s coldly controlled statement, Caine was silent for a moment, then said softly.

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“Then what is it because of?”

At these words, some of the coldness in Anderson’s eyes receded. He seemed to hear something different in the other’s tone—perhaps there was some misunderstanding between them.

The Anderson young master, so keenly perceptive of business opportunities, naturally had insight into human hearts as well, allowing him to precisely capture that hint of peculiarity from the first mate.

Perhaps the captain was right—his possessiveness was indeed a bit too strong.

Caine recalled the argument he had with the young woman when coming to the Banshee’s Eye, a surge of irritation rising within him: “Young Master Anderson, if you want to join the ship, as long as you meet the conditions, that’s absolutely no problem. But if you’re coming for the captain…”

“Forgive my bluntness, but you don’t have much of a chance.”

“Chance? What chance do I need?” Anderson blinked, not understanding the other’s meaning.

Although from Sand Fox’s words, he had already learned that Captain Roy was a young woman, he couldn’t have imagined the layer of implication in Caine’s words.

“Fine, fine, perhaps there is some misunderstanding between us, but that’s not important.”

Seeing the first mate fall silent after saying this, his eyes slightly lowered, Anderson sighed helplessly: “How about this—you let me join the ship, and whatever monthly pay the captain gives you, I’ll add three times that as a bonus. How about it? Aren’t you short of money right now?”

Hearing this, Caine had no reaction, but the sailors with their hands on their weapons changed their expressions. Their eyes widened, reflecting a faint green light.

Three times the bonus!

If added to their salary, wouldn’t that mean they could receive a full hundred and twenty silver coins per month!

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Even if it was in imperial silver coins, at the current exchange rate, that would exceed one Pronora gold coin.

“Uh, First Mate, seeing how sincere this… young master is, why not let him join the ship?” A short man with muscular arms rubbed his hands together, cautiously requesting.

“Yes, I think this young master sincerely wants to sail with us,” someone agreed.

“How about waiting for the captain to return and discussing it then?” someone else suggested.

Caine glanced at them indifferently. Although these sailors were meeting him for the first time and didn’t know his temperament, feeling his impatient gaze, they involuntarily lowered their voices and eventually all fell silent.

Compared to offending the first mate, even the triple bonus didn’t seem so important anymore.

The sailors thought painfully, forcing themselves to accept this view.

Seeing this, Anderson’s mouth twitched, giving rise to a deep sense of powerlessness. Few people could push him this hard, but the former Auran commander in front of him was obviously one of them.

“Let’s resolve the issue between us first, and then discuss…” Caine’s tone was unquestionable as he withdrew his gaze.

Before he could finish, the silk curtain separating the tavern from the corridor was forcefully lifted, and Roy strode to the table, her gaze falling on Anderson’s dark golden eyes, similar to her own but somewhat deeper, as she smiled and said: “Discuss, we can discuss anything.”

“By the way.”

Her gaze circled between the first mate and Anderson, showing great interest in their previous topic.

“What problem was there… between you two?”