Captain – Chapter 203 – Only Love, No Killing

Everything proceeded more smoothly than expected.

As Arman had promised, when the morning sun climbed the horizon the next day, the Mermaid sailed slowly and steadily through the checkpoint guarded by Franrote Fortress, officially entering the Loyce Canal.

On this wide, azure river, merchant ships of all sizes passed continually. Various flags and sails fluttered in the morning breeze, and countless sailors worked in the not-yet-scorching sunlight, shouting as they labored. If they couldn’t finish their tasks before noon, they would suffer when the fierce sun hung high.

Still wearing her snow-white dress, Roy had unusually risen early and now leaned against the ship’s rail, gazing dreamily at the passing scenery.

She looked at the dazzling array of sails, the ports even more prosperous than Yadris, and the well-dressed upper-class residents on the docks who watched with interest as sailors unloaded cargo. For a moment, she seemed to return to the past.

Back then, she too had been like those underdeveloped little ones mixed among the sailors, carrying loads larger than herself, enduring the mockery and pointing fingers of the upper classes.

But she didn’t hate these people. On the contrary, it was because of their existence that her days back then were slightly more bearable.

These people from high society, especially young ladies and older noble women, always harbored nearly boundless compassion for the weak. On lucky days, Roy could receive one or two pieces of soft white bread from these kind-hearted people, or even some small change.

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Thinking of this, the captain smiled somewhat emotionally and said to the young man who had walked to her side, “When I was twelve, I was one of them, hauling cargo every day to exhaustion, all for just a piece of black bread as hard as a wooden board. Although it couldn’t fill my stomach, it kept me alive.”

Following the young woman’s gaze, Caine looked at the sailors whose short shirts were soaked with sweat and said softly, “It’s hard to imagine.”

He truly found it difficult to imagine that a twelve-year-old child would have to do such heavy physical labor for survival. Even in the port of Yadris, the youngest pirate was a fifteen-year-old youth.

“Yes, it’s hard to imagine. Not just for a nobleman’s son like you—even children of commoners wouldn’t have such a concept.”

Roy shrugged and smiled, “But there was no choice. The little troublemaker was still small then, and I made an agreement with the merchant ship’s captain that until he could work, I would do two people’s share to support us both. Perhaps that’s why I’m so strong?”

Seeing her first mate’s furrowed brow, the young woman seemed to understand his thoughts and said softly, “Don’t think that captain was heartless, not sparing even such young children. Without him, the little troublemaker and I probably couldn’t have escaped Ilruwin. In that city of sin, even the right to survive was stripped from the weak.”

“Ilruwin…”

Caine repeated the city’s name. He was not unfamiliar with that chaotic city; the formation of that city of sin was entirely the result of Auran’s deliberate neglect.

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Only this way would desperate criminals not wreak havoc everywhere in despair, but instead rush toward Ilruwin like moths to a flame.

And only this way could those truly powerful figures more conveniently engage in smuggling and fence stolen goods, reaping profits tens or even hundreds of times greater.

For this reason, even though the military repeatedly demanded the revocation of that city’s autonomy and the dispatch of troops to bring all the vicious thugs to justice, they always met with enormous resistance and matters ended inconclusively for inexplicable reasons.

“Those days lasted about two years. Then, during an ocean voyage to purchase goods, our merchant ship was attacked by pirates. Everyone was driven out of the cabins and ordered to crouch on the deck with their heads down.”

The captain’s narrative interrupted Caine’s thoughts. Looking at the smile blooming on her face, he also smiled gently, “That pirate ship was the Mermaid led by Captain Ilias, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, thinking back now, I was really lucky. Who would have thought I’d coincidentally meet… that dead man’s acquaintance.”

At this point, Roy’s eyes dimmed slightly, but soon shone like gems in the sunlight again, “I still remember being lifted by the arm to stand before Captain Ilias. Looking at that old face with a beard as thick as a forest, I was terrified and almost cried.”

“But who would have guessed, Captain Ilias just patted my head and laughed loudly, saying: ‘Captain, this is the treasure we want, so until we meet again!’ Then, ignoring my struggles, he carried me on his shoulder and left. If Richi hadn’t screamed in panic, he would have been left behind.”

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As she spoke, Roy couldn’t help but laugh, her laughter crisp and melodious, making nearby sailors exchange glances, not understanding why the captain was in such a good mood.

“That night on the Mermaid, Captain Ilias held a feast to celebrate finally fishing me out of the vast sea onto his ship. The sailors sang ship songs aloud, and the table was filled with platters of salted meat, bread, and foods I had never seen before.”

Roy waved her hand toward the rippling water surface, “And Red Beard waved just like this, as if giving me all his treasures. What he said afterward, I still remember clearly to this day.”

“I’ll take you to find the real treasure?” Caine guessed uncertainly.

“No.”

Roy glanced at the young man and said, “He said, ‘Eat as much as you want, little ones. You’ll never go hungry again!’ To me back then, this was far more romantic and magnificent than treasure hunting.”

Seeing her first mate’s somewhat stiff expression, the young woman turned her face away, looking at the bellflowers that covered nearly half the hillside beyond the port, and sighed, “So you see, we’re not from the same world at all. If not for that devil, we might still be mortal enemies fighting on the sea.”

“Come to think of it, compared to our current situation, such a relationship would be quite romantic, wouldn’t it? Just like my dead father and yours—the greatest Captain Roy and his arch-enemy, the Imperial Lion Caine, engaged in a thrilling contest on the high seas.”

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Reaching out toward the morning sun, using her fingers to divide it into several pieces, Roy softly recited words like the grand opening of an epic.

“And then love as deeply as they fight, like in the stories?”

Taking advantage of the captain’s distraction, Caine slipped his arm around her waist and, under her slightly widened gaze, smiled and waved at the children standing on the hillside, curiously watching the Mermaid.

“But since everything has already happened, and the great Captain Roy has become a young woman, let’s forget about the fighting. We’ll just love each other. What do you think, Captain?”

“Damn it, are you flirting with me?”

The captain said, spoiling the atmosphere, but in the end, she copied him, waving at the children.

“But… whatever you say.”