Captain – Chapter 209 – Agreement

Passing through Elvet’s port, a small and exquisite square paved with white marble came into view.

In the center of the square stood a statue of the Auran Goddess releasing white doves, and beside her was a spacious wishing pool, its clear water filled with glittering gold and silver coins.

The morning sun slowly rose from the distance, directly facing the city’s avenue. Its pale golden light was split by the spire of Elvet’s largest and most magnificent cathedral, first illuminating the splendid palaces and solemn churches on both sides of the city. As the sun ascended, the light spread from the outside in, falling on the downtown area, the river, and finally extending to the square.

The pure white goddess statue gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight. The white doves that should have been visible everywhere in the square, searching for food, had today taken flight early, landing on buildings surrounding the square, curiously watching the bustling crowd gathered in the center.

Long before light broke through the night sky, the square was already packed with people.

These were people who had learned about the treasure ship’s arrival the previous night and had come to trade goods or purchase treasures. Most were dressed in splendid attire, accompanied by large numbers of servants. They were clearly either nobles of high status or wealthy merchants.

Among these people were also a few dressed plainly, unconcerned with appearances, some even sporting messy beards. These were artists wholly devoted to their craft, rarely concerned with worldly matters.

Nobles, merchants, artists, and upper-class spectators had crowded the already small square to the point where even water couldn’t flow through. They all craned their necks, looking toward the port.

There, soldiers maintaining order had already lined up. Sailors in Federation navy uniforms were carrying heavy wooden boxes one after another, containing treasures of historical significance or created by contemporary master artists, worth vast fortunes or even beyond price.

“Captain, if all goes well, the gold coins we could get just from selling this small portion of treasure would be enough to fill three ships the size of the Mermaid.”

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The ship’s doctor, dressed in a black formal suit and leaning on his cane, came to Roy’s side. Together they gazed at the magnificent scene in the square, his face bearing a proud smile: “Look at those fellows. Noble lords, wealthy merchants, even artists, crowding together like locusts over some treasures.”

“I must say, even though this city’s economic standard ranks among the highest in the world, when it comes to taste, discernment, and dignity concerning wealth, these people are not worth a fraction of even the poorest nobles in Hipalia.”

Hearing Anderson’s harsh criticism of those distinguished people, the captain shrugged and said with a smile: “We’ll just deposit the extra gold in the Volkin Bank. As for these people… they are ultimately our patrons. When negotiating later, please restrain your temperament, my young master.”

“Rest assured, Captain. With such people, only by completely overwhelming them in momentum and vision can we subdue their arrogance and make them willingly part with their money. That has always been my specialty.”

The ship’s doctor slightly bent his body, elegantly turning his hand, performing an ancient Federation gentleman’s bow to the girl, then walked with light steps toward the gangway.

Smiling bitterly and shaking her head, Roy continued observing the scenes in the square, her eyes slightly unfocused, obviously not concentrating on the trading event that would bring enormous wealth.

Suddenly, the sound of flapping wings approached, interrupting her thoughts.

The girl looked up to see the black raven flapping its wings, gracefully flying down and finally landing on the railing in front of her.

“How did it go, Alfie?”

Stroking the little one’s smooth feathers, Roy’s tone was full of curiosity.

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Today the captain had also risen early and, before anyone from the warship arrived, had sent the raven ahead to deliver a message to the father and son, as her answer to the question the governor had posed the previous night.

The message the raven delivered was clear and distinctly pirate-like.

It was simply two words—”I agree.”

Just like in routine meetings on pirate ships when people expressed their attitudes toward certain decisions, the captain had given her answer regarding the so-called engagement, the so-called major life decision that must be carefully considered, as casually as if deciding whether to dock and replenish rum supplies.

And now, she was curious to know how the young man, who had waited for this answer all night, or even longer, would respond to her straightforward reply.

The raven pecked at the captain’s finger and softly responded: “I agree.”

Slightly startled, Roy chuckled and said: “He’s becoming more and more like a pirate. No, I should say he has thoroughly become one of us. Perhaps I should be proud of this? So, Alfie, did he say anything else, or does the Governor have any message for me?”

Hearing this, the raven tilted its head, then straightened up, assuming a stern appearance.

“Oleg, take a squad to guard the port and maintain order in the square.”

“Aber, send someone to notify the other merchant ships that the area within a hundred meters of the Goddess statue is temporarily requisitioned by the Empire. No one is allowed to trade goods within it.”

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From the first sentence the raven uttered, Roy knew it must have come from the Governor. By the time she heard this far, she smiled wryly and asked: “Isn’t this an abuse of public power for private purposes?”

The raven shook its little head, imitating Naren’s calm tone: “How so? The Empire has always given preferential treatment to treasure ships. Now we are merely enforcing national laws. Who could find fault with that?”

“Alright, alright, stop mimicking him. You know what I really want to know isn’t this.”

The captain shook her head, both amused and exasperated, then lightly patted the raven’s little head, gesturing for it to say something useful.

“Caine, we’ll choose Sanderwina Cathedral as the engagement venue. Coincidentally, Bishop Daniel is in Elvet inspecting church affairs these days. We can ask him to be the witness. As for the formal attire and wedding dress, whether buying ready-made ones or having them custom-made, it’s all up to you two to decide.”

“Finally, try to complete it within three days. I still need to return to the imperial capital to report to His Majesty.”

The raven repeated the governor’s decisions in a calm voice that somehow sounded especially warm, then its small eyes blinked as it watched the girl, seemingly waiting for a reward.

“Three days, that’s quite urgent…”

Sighing softly, Roy stroked the raven’s chin while watching the First Mate board a small boat and slowly row toward the Mermaid under the escort of soldiers.

Soon, Caine climbed over the railing onto the deck. After scanning around and confirming the captain’s position, he quickly came to her side.

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The young man’s expression remained as calm as ever, but the faint dark circles under his eyes indicated that during that particularly long night, he hadn’t rested well.

Despite this, Caine’s spirits remained high. After glancing at the raven enjoying the captain’s gentle strokes, he turned his gaze to the girl: “Did Alfie… tell you everything?”

“Everything, just like when it tattles on you every time.”

“Then we…”

Roy glanced at the hesitant First Mate: “Why so shy? This isn’t like our young master Howard. In the past, when you needed to be blunt with me, you never spared your words.”

Clearing his throat lightly, the young man smiled and said: “Then may I have the honor of inviting Miss Elizabeth to visit Elvet’s tailor shop to order a… wedding dress?”

“So pretentious.”

The captain gave the First Mate a sidelong glance, then slightly turned her face, allowing the gentle breeze to tousle her hair.

“Since you’ve asked this way, then this captain will reluctantly… accompany you just this once.”