Captain – Chapter 143 – A Gathering of Power and Profit

“That concludes the plan set by the Captain. To execute this difficult mission, we need at least one hundred volunteers. Those who wish to step forward, come out now,” Caine said calmly after explaining Roy’s admittedly insane plan.

Silence fell under the rain shelter. The sailors exchanged glances, but no one stepped forward.

Though Captain Roy’s story of escaping death and returning was heart-stirring, and the betrayer and tyrant’s actions filled them with rage, after hearing the plan that was practically suicide, both excitement and indignation seemed to have been extinguished by the downpour, leaving no warmth.

Did these pirates not want to become crew members of the Mermaid? Did they not want to restore Yadris to its former state?

The answer was obviously no—everyone wanted that.

If they had a two-masted warship, if the hope was just a little greater, they would all charge against the Mermaid’s cannons for the glory and riches that would come with victory, but…

They only had a merchant vessel. Using such a ship to deliver Captain Roy to the Mermaid was simply sacrificing their lives to fill a bottomless pit.

Even if the Golden-Eyed Devil was as terrifying as the legends said and could truly capture the Mermaid and the hearts of its crew, how many of those participating in this mission would survive?

They were pirates. When it was within their capabilities or when the profit was sufficient, they would willingly join the battle. But if it meant going to their deaths—well, they weren’t fools to be easily deceived.

Feeling the First Mate’s calm gaze, most sailors lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes, fearing that in his extreme disappointment, he might directly order them to participate.

But in truth, Caine wasn’t particularly disappointed. He had anticipated this reaction and simply waited quietly for someone to break the deadlock.

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Among the sailors, some had already guessed his intentions.

Harriet stood with folded arms, leaning against the wooden frame of the rain shelter, scanning the crowd just as the First Mate was doing. She noticed the eager looks in the eyes of a few familiar, money-over-life ruffians, and after a brief consideration, raised her hand before anyone else could step forward.

“First Mate, I volunteer!”

The crowd parted to make way, and Harriet walked forward slowly, smiling smugly at those who now regretted their hesitation.

Although this crew meeting was about selecting a suicide squad, it was also a gathering steeped in power and money. The first person to break the silence, whom Caine had been waiting for, would get the biggest slice of the pie.

Even before the meeting began, Harriet had understood this. During Caine’s earlier speech, instead of becoming excited or indignant like most, she had observed those behind the First Mate—the ship’s doctor, the bosun, and that boy with the worshipful face.

Those positions belonged to Captain Roy’s confidants, her trusted inner circle, the future power holders of the Mermaid.

And now, Harriet wanted a position too.

Caine looked at the person who had stepped out of line, and asked expressionlessly, “Are you certain?”

“Yes, First Mate,” Harriet grinned, showing no signs of regret.

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At this, Caine nodded slightly and asked, “Harriet Murphy, if I remember correctly, you’re a member of the Fighting Squad?”

“Yes.” Harriet’s eyes gleamed with ferocity and excitement, seemingly having guessed what would happen next.

“Very good.”

Caine smiled and said, “Then from now on, you are the Captain of the Fighting Squad. Stand behind me.”

A commotion erupted under the rain shelter. The sailors stared in disbelief, while those ruffians who had been beaten to the punch by Harriet wore ugly expressions as they cursed under their breath.

Damn it! If Captain Roy truly won, and if Harriet was fortunate enough to live to see that moment, then she would be the Fighting Squad Captain of the Mermaid?

Even newcomers to pirate ships knew what kind of power this position represented, and what influence it would carry in Yadris.

Just by being the first to step forward, Harriet had obtained a status that these men could hardly achieve in a lifetime. Even though it was only a promise for now, it was enough to make them green with envy.

“I apologize, gentlemen, I seem to have forgotten to mention something. Those who participate in this mission will have their wages and allowances tripled. When sharing spoils, they will have priority in selection according to the order they stepped forward. They will enjoy certain privileges on the Mermaid and in Yadris, and of course, their share of the profits will also increase.”

Caine spoke unhurriedly. Some impatient men had already quickly walked out from under the rain shelter, standing in the downpour and looking at him breathlessly. The bosun stepped forward to record their names according to their order.

“Also, although this mission is dangerous, given the limited visibility caused by the storm, I am confident I can minimize the risks, so…”

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The First Mate smiled with composure and said softly, “Actually, the chances of survival are quite high.”

After finishing, Caine fell silent, slightly lowering his eyelids to await the results. He had done everything he could, and whether they could gather a hundred people would depend on the effect of his words.

If they couldn’t get enough people, perhaps this could persuade the Captain to change her mind.

The First Mate thought silently. About ten minutes later, no one else stepped forward from under the rain shelter, not because they feared for their lives, but because…

They were already at capacity.

The Osprey could accommodate about one hundred and twenty people, so when the number of volunteers reached this limit, Ben had already stepped in to prevent more from coming forward.

“First Mate, there are one hundred and twenty people in total. All fifty-four members of the Fighting Squad have joined, and…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Ben casually added, “The seventeen who followed us from Frans Island are all on the list, in high positions.”

Knowing that the bosun wanted to promote these sailors who also came from Auran, Caine nodded, “I understand. Later, you lead these people aboard first, but before that, I have a few more orders for you to arrange.”

“Yes, First Mate,” Ben responded respectfully, stepping back behind him.

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At Caine’s signal, the one hundred and twenty participants all returned under the rain shelter. He then turned to a small table and bent down to write arrangements for those staying in Yadris, illuminated by the lantern held by Daniel.

In fact, whether it was monitoring Old John’s daughter or placing people throughout the Horn of Plenty to achieve perfect control when needed, all were his initiatives.

As for the Captain…

Caine smiled helplessly. Apart from providing intelligence, Roy completely ignored these matters. Her gaze had never rested on Yadris, but on the turbulent sea beyond.

After finishing the orders, Caine straightened up, handed the parchment to Ben, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

Giving a speech to so many pirates and arousing their desires from various angles was no easy task. He wondered how the young woman had managed her subordinates in the past.

Thinking silently, the young man smiled and shifted his gaze toward the acacia tree not far away. His smile gradually disappeared.

The Captain, who should have been leaning against the tree and waving to encourage him, had gone somewhere unknown, perhaps making some arrangements in secret.

Caine’s concern deepened, as heavy as the dark clouds on the horizon. No matter how he tried to reassure himself, he couldn’t be convinced. Finally, he made a quiet decision.

When the Captain returned, perhaps they really needed to have a proper talk.