Captain – Chapter 174 – Whispers from Hell

The situation on the Constantine had been brought under control.

The pirates who stubbornly resisted were divided, either forced into dead ends between the ship’s cabins or backed against the railings with fierce looks but inward fear, brandishing their swords. Some more desperate souls had simply climbed over the railings, disappearing into the raging sea.

A swinging rope carried a figure closer, and under the watchful eyes of those waiting to assist, Caine released the rope, grabbed the wooden ladder at the edge of the giant ship’s deck, and climbed onto the railing. With the help of a strong hand, he successfully made it to the deck.

“After killing a batch of them, most sailors surrendered. Now only thirty-seven still refuse to give up the fight.”

The one-eyed captain, his face covered in blood and his expression terrifying, surveyed the deck, looking at the sailors crouching with their heads in their hands. “We’ve searched the entire cabin. All survivors have been driven to the deck. Those who tried to resist using terrain advantages are all dead, but until now, we haven’t found any trace of Solomon.”

“He’s not in the cabin, not on the deck, not on the bridge. So his hiding place must be in the ship’s towers. Once we finish with these guys, we’ll immediately…”

“The captain’s quarters.”

Caine interrupted Rex’s words. Meeting the other’s gaze, he calmly said, “He’s in the captain’s quarters. I will personally end his life, and during this time, all matters on deck will be under your command, Captain Rex.”

Hearing this, Rex was slightly taken aback, then said in a deep voice, “Although that guy has indeed aged somewhat, with diminished physical strength, his cunning and unpredictability still make him a formidable opponent. Are you sure you want to… face him alone?”

Even without guessing, the one-eyed captain knew this must be Roy’s arrangement, designed to give her completely unfamiliar new First Mate an opportunity to establish authority at this decisive moment.

But the problem was that the Black Emperor was no trapped rabbit. Even with his leg caught in a trap, he would still be a dangerous wolf.

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Rex didn’t know whether the young man before him truly had the skill to establish his authority by defeating such a notorious pirate captain, or if Roy had been blinded by victory and was already distributing Solomon’s vast legacy.

“Yes, Captain Rex,” Caine responded coolly.

What Rex could think of, he naturally could as well, and he had an even deeper understanding of the girl’s intentions.

In the six months since being saved by Roy and agreeing to become her First Mate, although nominally he had left the Auran military to become a pirate, in reality, his manner of handling affairs and decision-making remained identical to that of the military officer he once was.

In the past, he had always been surrounded by soldiers willing to die for him, with the support of his family and powerful figures behind him.

Back then, he could casually command dozens of warships in battle, could watch enemies fall one after another, yet his white gloves would remain unstained by blood.

But that wouldn’t work now.

Now he was the Golden-Eyed Devil’s First Mate. Though still in a high position with significant authority, commanding warriors even fiercer than soldiers, still…

The Mermaid was not a military vessel.

To become the second-in-command on this legendary pirate ship, Roy’s support alone, along with excellent strategic vision and command abilities, was not enough. He needed to stain himself with blood—the kind of bloodshed that would make pirates change color at the mere mention.

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He needed to shed his naval demeanor and undergo a transformation to become a true pirate. He needed to establish his authority publicly, make the crew accept him from the bottom of their hearts, fear him. And killing Solomon, making the Black Emperor’s notorious reputation a thing of the past, was the best opportunity.

With this thought, Caine said no more. He strode through the crowd, walking toward the towering ship’s cabin under the watchful gaze of many eyes.

Watching the young man climb the spiral staircase and gradually approach the captain’s quarters, Rex remained silent for a long while, then shook his head with a wry smile, feeling that Roy’s new First Mate was quite different from her, yet that pride and confidence seemed cast from the same mold.

Turning his attention back to the deck, looking at the crew members who were watching the enemy vigilantly, Rex laughed and ordered: “Gentlemen, let’s get to it! Let’s end this once and for all!”

All windows in the room were covered by curtains, blocking out any light, leaving only dense, deathlike gloom.

The once beautifully decorated captain’s quarters were now in complete disarray.

The dark red wooden desk lay overturned on the floor, navigation instruments scattered everywhere, moving slightly with the sway of the giant ship. The paintings on the wooden walls, works by famous artists, had been slashed to pieces, completely losing their value.

Beyond this, expensive liquor, detailed sea charts, strategic sand tables, and even bedding, goose feather pillows, and clothing had all been cut to shreds, as if only this could vent the destroyer’s anger.

This was the scene Caine saw when he pushed open the wooden door and entered the captain’s quarters with wind, rain, and lightning. The man who had caused all this was leisurely wiping a curved sword with a handkerchief.

“Well, well, let’s see who has come to take my life at the end. Is it the dear little captain, or the resurrected Golden-Eyed Devil?”

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From his tone, Solomon seemed completely unangered by his defeat. He casually tossed aside the liquor-soaked handkerchief, then turned around with his curved sword in hand.

When their gazes met, the room suddenly fell silent for a moment.

“Oh… an unfamiliar face. May I ask who you are?”

Looking at the stern-faced young man who was clearly not an ordinary Fighting Squad member, the Black Emperor raised his eyebrows slightly. After a brief surprise, a certain flame suddenly rose in his deep, abyss-like pupils. He slowly sheathed his sword and walked forward with a smile.

“Stop.”

Watching Solomon approach, Caine gripped his sword hilt, his tone completely devoid of emotion.

“All right, sir, relax, please relax. I’ve already lost, I’m just a… defeated man who poses little threat.”

The Black Emperor raised his hand to soothe the young man’s emotions, smiling as he said: “If I’m not mistaken, you’re Captain Roy’s new First Mate, and his purpose in sending you is to establish your authority with my life, to consolidate your position in the hearts of those fools, isn’t it?”

“Fools?”

Caine slowly circled around Solomon, his gaze fixed on the man’s throat. If Solomon dared make the slightest unusual movement, the rapier in his hand would cleanly pierce his throat.

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“Aren’t they? That group forever kept in the dark, knowing only to follow orders—aren’t they foolish? On the entire pirate ship, the one who truly decides everything is actually just the captain alone.”

Solomon turned with the young man’s steps, wearing a strange smile: “With just one order from the captain, even if it means certain death, they have to go ahead. If the captain is displeased, those who offend them silently disappear. Before the captain’s interests, no one is too precious to be sacrificed.”

“Every captain harbors such thoughts; the only difference is whether they’re willing to show this true face to their crew. I refuse to perform hypocritically, so I’m crowned a tyrant, while others are different.”

At this point, the Black Emperor suddenly stepped forward.

With a soft sound, the gleaming rapier was unsheathed, its tip pointing directly at Solomon’s throat. If not for Caine’s exquisite control of force, the Black Emperor would already be a cold corpse.

“What exactly are you trying to say?” The young man’s voice remained icy.

Solomon moved even closer, completely disregarding his throat where blood droplets were beginning to appear. Looking at those azure eyes showing slight confusion, his voice was as eerie as a ghost crawling back from hell.

“I’m saying, rather than being a pawn manipulated by others, why not try to become the true power holder, the future… of the Mermaid…”

“Captain?”