Captain – Chapter 177 – The Sleeping Girl

“The prisoners have been secured, and everything of value from the Constantine has been emptied. What’s next is up to you, our imposing First Mate.”

Hearing Rex’s words and seeing the crew members standing before him, looking at him with reverent gazes, Caine raised his chin slightly: “Well then, gentlemen, let’s return to the Mermaid.”

After a chorus of responses, the crew members nimbly climbed onto the planks, heading toward the Mermaid.

Only after the last crew member boarded the ship did Caine release a light sigh, turning to look at the one-eyed captain who was appraising him admiringly: “What about you? Why aren’t you returning to the Orca?”

“With Laurent there, the Orca won’t have any problems. I’d like to go to the Mermaid to see someone.”

Rex smiled and shrugged, his usually fierce face showing slight awkwardness—a timidity born from not having seen an old friend for a long time.

Thinking Rex wanted to see Roy, Caine didn’t say anything more. The two of them stepped onto the only remaining plank between the ships and returned to the Mermaid’s deck under the eager gazes of the crowd.

Only one person’s gaze was different.

Victor pushed through the crowd and came forward, his eyes as cold as ever.

Before Caine could say anything, the one-eyed captain walked forward with a grin. Under the First Mate’s surprised gaze, he put his arm around Victor’s shoulders, then waved to everyone: “You all continue with your business, ah, continue with your business. We’ll… we’ll catch up, catch up.”

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Saying this, regardless of the marksman’s reaction, Rex led him toward the other side of the deck.

Surprisingly, Victor, who normally hated people approaching him, let alone physical contact, showed no signs of disgust or rejection from beginning to end. He even occasionally responded to Rex’s careful, somewhat ingratiating greetings.

“What’s their relationship?”

The gentle breeze from beating wings came to his face. Caine watched these two completely different men, seemingly from entirely different worlds, feeling the inexplicable harmony and subtle warmth between them that even the wind and rain couldn’t suppress, and quietly asked the raven on his shoulder.

“Father and son, father and son.”

The raven tilted its head slightly, also watching the two men, its small eyes widening somewhat, as if seeing something incredible.

“Strange, they used to be bitter enemies who couldn’t stand each other.”

Hearing the little creature’s confused musings, the First Mate suddenly understood many things—the source of Victor’s confidence, or the perfect coordination between the Orca and the Mermaid. The reason all this happened so naturally should be rooted in this relationship, in the blood bond between father and son.

Thinking of this, Caine suddenly recalled a stern face, remembering that iron-willed man, now one of the most powerful figures in the Auran Empire—Naren Howard, his father.

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It had been half a year since he left Frans Island. His father should have already learned from Grandfather Federo that he was still alive, but he didn’t know if his father would be utterly disappointed in his decision, or whether he could… accept Elizabeth’s identity.

“First Mate, First Mate?”

Harriet’s voice startled Caine from his thoughts. He turned his head to look at the respectful squad leader and asked: “What is it?”

“All grappling hooks and planks have been withdrawn. We can set sail anytime, but there’s still one question—what should we do with the Constantine?”

Hearing this, Caine cast his gaze back to the massive ship gradually drifting away with the waves.

This majestic warship, once called the emperor of the sea, now looked utterly miserable. Besides the huge hole blasted in its bow and the hull burnt pitch black by flames, not a single cannon could be seen in those dark gun ports—all had been moved onto the Mermaid and the Orca.

Such a half-wrecked warship posed problems—how to bring it back to Yadris was the first issue, and secondly, carrying such a conspicuous and cumbersome giant while exploring and searching the ocean was clearly not a good choice.

Of course, the Constantine still had great value. If repaired completely, it would be virtually impregnable as Yadris’s bridgehead.

But after learning those secrets from the Black Emperor’s mouth, knowing this warship might have some connection with that witch, Caine didn’t even think twice before abandoning this option, deciding to destroy the Constantine completely.

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In his view, if that witch was as he suspected—Annisdora’s true form or incarnation—then this giant ship, like the Victoria, might bring some curse or ill omen.

“Sink it.”

With this thought, Caine hesitated no longer and coldly gave the order.

Amid a succession of commands, the Mermaid and the Orca opened fire simultaneously on both sides of the Constantine. After several rounds of cannon fire, this fortress-like giant ship finally gave a sound of breaking under the unbearable strain.

The main keel of the giant ship broke, the ship’s tower collapsed, and the entire vessel capsized in violent explosions and fires, eventually becoming black wreckage on the sea surface.

The Black Emperor and the Constantine, at this moment, became history.

Although they had anticipated this result, after witnessing their side defeat such a massive ship and end the life and legend of Tyrant Solomon, the crew members still couldn’t help cheering with raised arms, for this great victory and for their bright prospects.

Traitors and enemies had fallen one after another, Captain Roy had returned triumphant, and they would become the Mermaid’s new core crew.

Feeling the crew’s uncontainable excitement and joy, Caine smiled with satisfaction, then said to Ben beside him: “Make sure everyone doesn’t get too carried away. If they want to celebrate, wait until we return to Yadris.”

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Knowing the First Mate’s current state of mind, the bosun smiled rarely and answered: “Alright, First Mate, you go do what you need to do.”

Having his thoughts seen through by Ben, Caine coughed lightly, but showed no discomfort. He nodded slightly and walked quickly toward the captain’s quarters through the path cleared by the crew members.

Watching the First Mate’s somewhat eager steps, the crew members couldn’t help but smile teasingly. However, those originally from the Mermaid looked at each other, their eyes containing strange expressions.

Pushing open the wooden door of the captain’s quarters, Caine walked in quickly, then turned to gently close the door, shutting out the wind and rain.

All the windows in the room were covered by thick curtains. The desk had been shot into a honeycomb by bullets. The once-burning candelabra had also flown into the downpour with it, its light extinguished by the rain. Therefore, the captain’s quarters were dim, and Caine had to adjust for quite a while before he could barely make out objects.

“Captain, Solomon is dead, the Constantine has been sunk, and we are now…”

But when the First Mate was reporting the situation while approaching the miraculously intact large bed, he saw the girl with closed eyes, pale face, breathing rapidly, and her tightly clenched silk quilt soaked in blood.

At this moment, the joy brought by victory, the peace and warmth of homecoming all suddenly vanished, leaving only a hoarse, heartbroken, anxious call.

“Captain!”