Captain – Chapter 201 – The Second Document

The bright full moon hung in the sky, casting silver-white radiance that illuminated the dark sea with a blue glow.

“Our destination is Elvet. I’ve heard my father say it’s the most prosperous trading city in the Auran Empire. In terms of circulation of gold, silver, and jewels, it even surpasses the great port of Hipalia. Even looking across the entire world, it definitely ranks as one of the most developed commercial cities.”

The young woman leaned against the ship’s rail, slightly turning her face to gaze at the deep blue sea surface. Her eyes seemed to reflect that same deep color, rippling with moving purity and innocence.

In the eyes of the soldiers surrounding Roy, listening to her describe her longing for the Empire’s prosperous city, this young lady of the York family was truly like the white rose painted on their flag—possessing both the purity and curiosity of a young woman coming of age, while also embodying the tranquility, elegance, and composure of a daughter from an ancient noble house.

She was simply a perfect pearl, radiating gorgeous brilliance, one that should forever be carefully protected, never allowing her to touch the treachery of the mundane world that might tarnish this jewel.

At this moment, even Colonel Arman, whose body and mind had been tempered as hard as iron through years of trials, shared thoughts similar to his subordinates. He even worried whether she might be deceived by those fox-like merchants of Elvet.

For this reason, he instinctively cast his gaze upon Lance, who stood straight nearby, watching Roy with an incredibly “doting” look.

Seemingly guessing the colonel’s thoughts, Lance moved closer to him and smiled, lowering his voice: “Of course, matters like conducting business and haggling with those devilishly shrewd merchants don’t require the young lady’s presence. Though it’s said she’s here to oversee everything, in reality, the master simply wanted her to get some fresh air and relaxation.”

Nodding as if suddenly enlightened, Arman smiled and said, “Indeed. Not just Elvet—even the scenery along the Loyce Canal is enough for Miss York to feast her eyes. I must say, Captain Charles, your choice of route shows excellent taste.”

As the Empire’s trading center, there were numerous waterways leading to Elvet.

In terms of voyage efficiency, the route through the Loyce Canal was far from the optimal choice—rather, it was quite lengthy. But in terms of cultural and scenic experiences along the way, this route was absolutely the best sightseeing route.

“You flatter me. Since our family has always had frequent trade with the Empire, I’m quite familiar with the various routes. We’ve received considerable help from the imperial military as well.”

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Lance humbly responded to the colonel’s praise. When he finished, the two men exchanged glances and burst into laughter together.

These two men who had never met before, and whose true identities would make them mortal enemies, now conversed as warmly and naturally as long-separated friends, completely forgetting the dazed soldiers and the young woman who had turned back with slight bewilderment.

Finally, the soldiers’ inspection of the Mermaid concluded.

“Reporting, Colonel. All cargo complies with imperial passage regulations, and there are no prohibited items.”

Things like weapons and rum that could easily cause misunderstandings had already been moved by the crew to hidden lower holds. Without someone familiar with the Mermaid’s structure to guide them, the soldiers naturally couldn’t discover anything unusual.

Hearing his subordinate’s report, Arman nodded slightly, straightened his collar, and said to Lance, “I knew there wouldn’t be any problems—otherwise, a ship this size couldn’t have passed the Empire’s naval defense line. Now then, Captain Charles, could you show me your transit documents?”

All merchants coming to do business in the Empire must submit materials at the Auran diplomatic office in the Federation and obtain transit documents. The York family was certainly no exception.

“I know where the transit documents are. I’ll go fetch them for your review.”

Seemingly finding an opportunity to interject, Roy smiled and requested permission. After the colonel nodded in consent, she passed through the path cleared by the soldiers, lifting her skirt as she ran toward the captain’s quarters.

Withdrawing his gaze from the young woman’s receding figure, Arman sighed gently: “If only the peace between the Empire and the Federation could last forever. Then I could retire and go home to see my daughter, who’s about the same age as Miss York.”

“Indeed, who doesn’t yearn for peace?” Lance sighed in response.

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For pirates, peace meant more merchant ships and more treasures and goods to plunder, so when saying these words, he was entirely sincere, without any performance or pretense.

“By the way, Captain Charles, that gentleman who’s been standing at the bow—his identity must be quite extraordinary as well?”

Suddenly remembering something, Arman turned his gaze toward the bow, looking at the young man dressed in luxurious formal attire whose demeanor was at odds with the sailors. He asked with considerable curiosity.

Judging from his earlier position standing alongside Miss York, that young man’s background must be significant.

Lance looked at the young man’s back, his expression instantly becoming more solemn: “Yes, that’s the eldest son of the Shelley family, Carl Shelley. He’s typically cold toward outsiders, so I hope for your understanding, Colonel.”

Shelley…

Hearing this surname, Arman’s pupils trembled slightly. He had guessed the young man’s extraordinary background, but hadn’t expected it to be of this magnitude.

The Shelley family was the royal house of the Mistel Empire, and the Mistel Empire was one of the core member states of the Pronora Federation.

Given the position and power that empire held within the Federation, the direct eldest son of the Shelley family, in terms of nobility, could be directly comparable to the Crown Prince of the Auran Empire!

“Of course, royalty is always difficult to deal with.”

Arman smiled self-deprecatingly. As he continued gazing at the “prince’s” back, accompanied by a series of light footsteps, a perfectly preserved scroll was presented before him.

“Thank you for your trouble, Miss York.”

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The colonel accepted the scroll, pulled open the binding, and after carefully reading it through, his expression changed once again: “A transit document personally signed by Governor Federo—this is truly rare. I recall that the governor only signed one for a friend some ten years ago.”

“Grandfather Federo’s dear friend is my father.”

Roy smiled in explanation. The only transit document signed by the Dark Governor had indeed fallen into the hands of the current York family head, which was precisely why the ship’s doctor had her borrow this family’s name.

As for the prince of the Shelley royal family… that was merely a bluff.

“No issues. The inspection is now complete. After daybreak, you may enter the waterway.”

Reclosing and returning the document, the colonel said with evident relief: “I was quite tense earlier, but now it seems I was worrying needlessly. Well then, Miss York, Captain Charles, farewell. If you’re interested, feel free to visit the fortress anytime—just say you’re my friends.”

After leaving some warm parting words, Arman led his subordinates back to the Wanderer and ordered it to slowly sail toward the fortress.

“Alright, thank you everyone for your hard work. You may disperse.”

At the colonel’s command, the soldiers scattered in pairs and small groups.

In the end, only Arman and his adjutant remained standing at the stern, watching the increasingly distant Mermaid and the young man standing at the warship’s bow, whose face was no longer visible.

“Why aren’t you resting?”

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Arman’s voice held considerable fatigue, as if his advancing age made his body unable to withstand even the occasional night duty.

“That document was problematic, wasn’t it?”

The adjutant didn’t answer his commander’s question, instead asking with a grave tone.

When examining the document earlier, the colonel’s hand had clearly trembled for an instant. Others might not have noticed, but as someone who had served as Arman’s adjutant for nearly ten years, how could he miss this detail?

It was well known that this commander whom he so admired always had hands as steady as iron clamps. Whatever could make Arman tremble with surprise would likely be no good thing.

“Yes, the York family head indeed possesses a document, but that’s from over a decade ago. It couldn’t possibly be that new, unless…”

Arman paused, with fear churning in his pupils: “That’s the second document—the second document that Governor Federo recently granted to the Golden-Eyed Devil!”

After experiencing momentary shock, the adjutant quickly calmed down: “Then what should we do? Stop them outside the fortress and wait for reinforcements?”

“No. Since Governor Federo has granted that devil a document, it represents his will, and simultaneously the will of Governor Naren. Don’t forget, the Imperial Lion is on that ship too.”

The colonel breathed rapidly several times. After remaining silent for a long while, he seemed to have made a decision, speaking with a calmness that bordered on indifference: “Let them pass first, and then…”

“Immediately notify Governor Robert.”