Captain – Chapter 210 – Black Raven Society Visitor

While the square was packed with people and normally high-and-mighty individuals were red-faced as they bid for treasures, the captain and First Mate, disguised as ordinary merchants, had already left the Mermaid. They boarded an inconspicuous four-wheeled carriage waiting at the port and took a detour toward Elvet’s prosperous district.

The main color of Elvet’s buildings leaned toward cream yellow, with red roofs that were particularly eye-catching in the strengthening sunlight. Behind the peach-pink shutters, thin curtains danced lightly, occasionally allowing glimpses of the exquisitely detailed designs and decorations within.

“Compared to the western part of Auran, this place could truly be called paradise.”

Lifting the carriage curtain and observing the various pedestrians on the spacious road—people in proper attire either walking toward the square holding parasols or standing by the street chatting—Roy seemed to recall her childhood days and remarked quite emotionally.

Although living in the same powerful Auran Empire, the residents of Elvet, who spent their days immersed in elegant music and art salons, lived in a completely different world from those in the west who had to wake up to heavy farm work and constantly worry about their livelihoods.

“Captain, do you like it here?”

Hearing the First Mate’s question, Roy lowered the carriage curtain and smiled, shaking her head: “I admit everything here is beautiful, and living here might be a good choice, but… you should know, Caine, this lifestyle doesn’t suit me, nor could it ever belong to me. I’m a sea fish destined to be homeless.”

Looking into those azure eyes, the captain said softly: “I won’t let myself be trapped in a fishing net, even if that net is called engagement, even if the person holding the net is you… I thought about it all night and finally decided to be frank with you. If…”

At this point, a wild smile blossomed on the girl’s face, like a beautiful and elusive mermaid from mythology: “If you truly want to hold me along with the seawater in your hands, then you must also be prepared for the moment when I might jump back into the sea and turn into a pile of foam.”

When mentioning this, Roy actually told a small lie. Her attitude toward this engagement, or rather this relationship, had been decided long ago, not after a night of peaceful, dreamless sleep.

Reаd οn ΚаtRеαⅾіոɡСαfе

Seeing the persistence and seriousness revealed in the captain’s casual expression, Caine gently shook his head: “I’ve never expected or wanted to keep you trapped in my palm, Captain. As long as I can be by your side when you need me, that’s enough…”

“It’s enough.”

The carriage swayed along the boulevard, finally stopping in front of a small, vintage tailor shop.

Welcomed by the tailor’s apprentice, Roy and Caine entered the shop. After presenting the Howard family crest, the usually arrogant owner, who liked to look down his nose at people, immediately changed his attitude. He not only came out to greet them but was as warm as if meeting his own children.

“Mr. Batt is a renowned master tailor in the Empire. He used to serve my family, but after those events, my father dismissed most of the household staff, including him.”

This was young master Howard’s explanation for the scene.

With less than three days, it was impossible to custom-make a brand new wedding dress and formal attire; they could only modify existing styles.

However, their requirements and potential difficulties in the adjustment process were mere trifles for a master tailor. So after explaining their preferences for the style, taking measurements, and confirming that the finished products would be delivered to the Mermaid within two days, the stage of ordering the necessary attire successfully concluded.

Leaving the tailor shop, Roy gave a small yawn: “I thought it would be more troublesome, but in the end, it didn’t even take an hour.”

Rеаd οո ΚаtRеаⅾіոɡСafе

“Since it’s still early, why don’t we stroll around the city and visit Sanderwina Cathedral to get a feel for it?” the First Mate suggested.

Looking along the spacious city boulevard toward that pure white, sacred, and solemn cathedral in the distance, Roy thought for a moment and said: “That sounds good.”

This trading city, so novel in outsiders’ eyes, was a place Roy had actually visited years ago. She had already seen all the iconic buildings, the leisurely scenic river, and even the open palace built on the city’s edge.

But hearing the rare anticipation in the First Mate’s tone, the captain decided to revisit these places, considering it as an extra benefit for this subordinate with special circumstances.

It wasn’t until the sunset dyed the distant heavy clouds red, reflecting on Elvet’s vast red roofs making them appear deep red like fire, that the carriage—which had rolled through Elvet’s streets, stopping at museums displaying various artworks, ancient palaces rich with symbolism, and the pure white cathedral—slowly drove back to the port.

Opening the carriage door, the young man got out first, then took the girl’s hand, leading her back to this place near the water, filled with the scent of sweat left by the sailors’ hard work.

Glancing over the still lively square, Roy gazed at the Mermaid quietly anchored nearby. The weariness in her eyes gradually receded as she smiled and said: “Compared to Auran’s land, the deck still makes me feel more at ease.”

“Perhaps you’ve been drifting on the sea for too long and can’t immediately adapt to inland life rhythms. This situation is common among soldiers who guard the sea defense line for years. With enough time to familiarize yourself with the environment, you can readjust.”

Hearing the First Mate’s consolation, Roy withdrew her hand from his and smiled: “Or perhaps I’ve been a pirate for too long and can no longer blend into this peaceful life. Well, Caine, it’s getting late. You should head back to the ship first.”

Rеαԁ оո КαtRеaⅾingСαfe

Hearing this, the First Mate was slightly startled and instinctively asked: “What about you, Captain?”

“Me? I want to see how the ship’s doctor is doing.”

Seeing Caine’s slightly furrowed brows, Roy tilted her face and explained: “As you know, this isn’t Yadris. Among those dignitaries, there might be someone who knows you. So just to be safe, I’ll have to trouble you for now.”

“Really?”

Hearing the captain’s natural explanation, the First Mate asked skeptically. In the past, she had often used this demeanor to deceive him, then go do dangerous things behind his back.

“Really, why would I lie to you? You can just ask the ship’s doctor later if you don’t believe me.”

Seeing that the young man was still hesitant, Roy clicked her tongue: “Come on, I’m just going to check on the ship’s doctor. I promise I’ll be back before you within a quarter of an hour. Is that satisfactory? Your desire for control is inexplicably strong.”

Having received the captain’s promise and seeing her truly walk toward the square, threading through the crowd approaching the goddess statue, Caine sighed helplessly and turned to walk toward the small boat moored at the pier. He wondered if his desire to control the girl was indeed too strong, to the point where he was unwilling to be separated from her even for a moment.

Looking back from a distance, after confirming she had left Caine’s line of sight, the girl finally stopped.

Rеaⅾ on KаtRеαԁіnɡСαfе

She lowered her eyelids slightly, carefully sniffing amidst the heavy perfume scent around her, distinguishing that ghostly fragrance that had followed her and Caine all day—a meticulously blended scent slightly different from the popular violet perfume in the Empire.

That was the unique scent of an executioner of the Black Raven Society.

The executioner’s target was clearly herself, and the reason this person had followed so silently for so long without showing themselves was likely due to concerns about Caine’s presence.

Sure enough, after parting with the First Mate, that scent, like a sharp blade, cut through the perfumes used by the nobles and entered Roy’s nostrils, becoming increasingly clear and rich as time passed.

Her eyes shifting slightly, the captain’s gaze swept over the face of every person nearby, not even sparing those servants with sweat-covered faces and fawning expressions.

Finally, after her gaze passed a nobleman, Roy saw a person dressed no differently from ordinary servants. However, he seemed to have been separated from his master and was now lowering his head, carefully asking nobles and their servants to make way, thereby shortening the distance between himself and her.

Seeming to feel the girl’s gaze, the servant paused, then slowly raised his head.

Beneath the person’s disheveled hair was an ordinary and humble face, along with a pair of deep purple eyes—devoid of any emotion yet as penetrating as a venomous snake.