Captain – Chapter 17 – Frans Island

As the sun rose slowly along the horizon, spilling onto that small island, the sailors on the double-masted merchant ship, who hadn’t seen land for a full month, couldn’t help but cheer, as joyful as if they had just escaped alive from the terrifying Fallen Triangle.

That was Frans Island, the southern frontier of imperial waters, a dagger pointing directly at the Southern Islands.

Coincidentally, just as Roy and Caine had discussed as their landing point after escaping, the high-quality wheat wine carried by Eda’s group was originally meant to supply a certain viscount who had come to Frans Island for vacation, but by now that person was no longer on the island.

Because of Caine’s promise, along with the pirate lady’s firm request, the merchant ship hadn’t changed course to deliver this fallen officer and legendary pirate directly into the imperial mainland, but still came to this barren little island.

The only somewhat populated small town on Frans Island was located by the sea, serving as the sole port on the entire island where ships could dock.

Due to its remote location and sparse population, although Frans Island was at the forefront between the Auran Empire and the Southern Islands, ships coming to do business on the island, or even just passing by, were very rare. So naturally, there were few people at the port.

As the merchant ship docked, apart from the port officer coming forward to check documents and cargo, those sitting on the pier fishing merely glanced over lazily, then continued their struggle with fish and drowsiness. They showed no enthusiasm for coming up to help unload cargo, which perhaps also had some connection to the extremely low prices and turtle-paced rhythm of life in this city.

After the wooden officer completed his inspection and returned to his post statue-like, Eda began directing this group of sailors who had been slacking off the entire voyage to transport the cargo.

After Caine confirmed the transaction details with the chubby captain, he grabbed Roy’s wrist as she emerged from the cabin and went ashore.

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“Hey, wait a minute.”

Just waking from sleep with her head still foggy, Roy only came to her senses when they passed the sparse vegetable stalls at the front of the port. She freed her hand from the officer’s grasp and looked at him with bewilderment: “Where are you taking me?”

“To Frans Island’s garrison.”

Caine didn’t look back, but squinted slightly toward the sun, gazing at this small town without boundaries, completely undefended and rudimentary. His face showed no discomfort; the familiarity and gentleness flashing in his ocean-blue eyes seemed to indicate he was very familiar with this place.

Yes, he knew all the details about this small town, because it contained too many beautiful childhood memories.

More than a decade ago, Governor Naren, who was still the naval commander, lived overseas for years, contending with pirates from the south and the Pronora Navy from the west, and had no time to return inland to accompany his wife and children.

So Caine’s stepmother, in order to accompany her husband as much as possible, and also to let the children feel more of their father’s hardships and honor, moved the whole family to Frans Island, close to the front lines.

Those days were the happiest time since Caine could remember. Besides the island scenery not visible inland, being able to live with his father, even if only for a few days each time, was much better than not seeing each other for a whole year.

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But happy times are often brief. That carefree period lasted less than a year. After that raid targeting the elder of the Black Raven Society, the tranquility on Frans Island was shattered.

When Governor Naren hurriedly rushed back to the small island from overseas, what he saw was a raging, smoke-filled fire.

The scorching flames, as if from hell, mercilessly engulfed the Howard family estate. Except for Caine, who fortunately escaped harm while playing at the garrison, his always-despised stepmother and that elf-like girl were both buried in this bloody and resolute revenge.

Thinking of this, Caine’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Since then, his father had retreated from the front lines. Although he took over as governor, he hadn’t recovered from the shadow for a long time. Being able to nearly break such a strong man, it must be said that the founder of the Black Raven Society was indeed extremely skilled at controlling people’s hearts.

“Are you planning to repay kindness with betrayal?” Roy’s gritted-teeth voice dragged Caine back to reality from his memories.

“Why would you think that?” Caine turned around, looking puzzledly at the hostile pirate.

“Taking someone like me, heavily wanted by the empire with a bounty, to the garrison—what else could it be besides selling me out? You couldn’t possibly be afraid of being punished for the fleet’s annihilation, so you’re using me to gain merit and take the blame?” Roy stepped back half a pace, analyzing logically.

“Don’t worry, you saved my life, I won’t report you. Not to mention that I’m still your first mate now.” Caine sighed helplessly.

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Roy still remained vigilant: “Richi was raised by me, yet he still betrayed me. How much more so you, with whom I’ve only had intimate relations?”

“When did we ever have…”

Caine instinctively wanted to refute her inappropriate wording, but immediately realized that this wasn’t the main point at the moment. He suddenly felt his head aching again: “I’m just going to the garrison to seek some help. Even if… we want to set sail together, with no funds, no crew, and not even a decent ship, how could we possibly make a comeback?”

“See, see, see, I told you not to return the cargo to them. It could have been used as startup capital. Now look what’s happened, you still have to…”

Realizing that the naval officer truly wasn’t planning to sell her out, Roy finally put away her dangerous demeanor and began to enumerate his faults. But halfway through, she realized something was amiss.

“Don’t we have a ship? That double-masted merchant ship, though a bit ugly…”

“I promised, I wouldn’t touch their ship or cargo.” Caine said expressionlessly: “As you demonstrated earlier, repaying kindness with betrayal also touches my principles.”

This statement completely severed Roy’s hope of breaching the contract. She stared blankly at the officer, blinking, then pointed at his nose with a trembling finger: “You still sold me out!”

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This was betrayal in another aspect. Although it only involved things that didn’t originally belong to her, having her subordinate do this still angered Roy.

“That’s why I’m going to the garrison. I have acquaintances who can help. If you don’t want to go, just stay in town obediently.” Perhaps due to some slight guilt working in his heart, for the first time, Caine didn’t argue with her. Even his tone softened considerably.

“I don’t need your pity.”

Roy was clearly still angry, responding coldly before walking away without looking back. She quickly disappeared among the narrow streets.

Caine stood silently in place for a moment. Although somewhat worried that this pirate might cause trouble, disturbing the lives of the townspeople, after a moment’s thought, he still headed toward the garrison.

He wanted to finish his business quickly, then keep an eye on this worry-inducing captain.

The garrison, located not far from the northern side of the small town, was a castle standing on a barren hilltop. When sunlight fell on the heavy wooden gates, you could even see the cobwebs formed in the gaps between the gate and stone bricks, revealing how lazy and idle the soldiers residing in this ancient castle were.

When Caine stood before the castle gate, the two guards were even dozing off. Seeing such poor conduct, his face suddenly darkened: “Stand straight!”