Captain – Chapter 225 – Counterattack

The disturbance at Sanderwina Cathedral had ended, but an oppressive atmosphere enveloped the entire city of Elvet the moment the church doors closed.

The Auran military had arrested the young woman suspected of being Golden-Eyed Roy in the cathedral and were now escorting her to the fortress outside the city for interrogation.

Deliberately distorted news spread from an unknown source, quickly traveling through every street and alley. More obscure rumors claimed that the treasure ship docked at the port was the legendary pirate ship—the Mermaid—which had destroyed countless Auran warships and struck fear into the hearts of merchants from various countries.

The rumors spread like dark clouds over this trading city, causing anxiety among the residents. Some had already begun demanding that the garrison take control of the treasure ship to ensure their personal and property safety.

Before the truth was established, such proposals would certainly not be approved.

In the eyes of the dignitaries gathered at the plaza in front of the port, such unfounded rumors without evidence were simply laughable.

If the Mermaid could truly bypass the Empire’s naval defense line, traverse Franrote Fortress, and arrive at Elvet deep inland, then Auran would have long been riddled with enemy warships.

Moreover, according to the rumor, wouldn’t that mean the Imperial Navy was utterly useless?

Therefore, holding this view, merchants, nobles, and artists continued to immerse themselves in appreciating, purchasing, and bidding on ancient treasures, rather than avoiding the port out of fear and anxiety like the crowd of onlookers before.

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Trading in the plaza continued as usual, but this situation lasted for only a brief moment.

When the stern-faced First Mate pushed through the crowd, approached the Ship’s Doctor, and whispered a few words to him, this young master—equally sensitive to shadowy intrigues—immediately understood the gravity of the situation and decisively made a decision.

At the Ship’s Doctor’s signal, all the wooden tables surrounding the wishing well ceased their bidding.

The crew members neatly packed away the jewelry displayed on the tables and heavily closed the wooden chests, then carried them toward the port under the puzzled and reluctant gaze of the dignitaries.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the trading fair is temporarily suspended. I have some announcements to make.”

Anderson’s voice sounded at the opportune moment, attracting everyone’s attention.

During these days of trading, the dignitaries could easily see that it was this properly dressed young man—whose attire and jewelry were even more exquisite than those present—who was directing the fair.

His restrained and dignified smile, his ancient courtesy when departing, and the nobility he inadvertently revealed reminded people that he was certainly not just a merchant, but must come from a family of profound heritage. This was also one of the important reasons why the dignitaries sneered at those rumors.

Even the renowned Mermaid was still just a pirate ship. How could there possibly be children from great noble families aboard?

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They couldn’t be blamed for such thoughts. Trust in the Imperial Navy, recognition of the Ship’s Doctor’s noble status, and various hidden information that was impossible to know all led them away from the truth.

Feeling the eager gazes upon him, Anderson did not display his usual reserved smile but appeared rather cold, subtly revealing the authority of the Anderson family heir: “As you all know, the White Rose is a treasure ship from the Federation. The reason it could come to Elvet is because I hold a regular transit document.”

“But that transit document doesn’t actually belong to my family. When passing through Franrote Fortress, the White Rose used the name of the York family, not my own family. Unexpectedly, this has become an excuse for certain people.”

“Well then… young master, which great family in the Federation do you come from?” asked Earl Tate, who had engaged in several friendly conversations with the Ship’s Doctor during bidding intervals, as he stood in front of the wooden table where the doctor was located.

“Anderson. My surname is Anderson.”

Facing the dignitaries whose expressions had slightly changed, the Ship’s Doctor calmly said: “I am Don Anderson, the legitimate son of the current head of the Anderson family—James Anderson. I accompanied the ship to the Auran Empire, partly to ensure the smooth progress of the trade, and partly…”

“To complete my cousin’s coming-of-age ceremony.”

Upon hearing this, the dignitaries’ faces showed thoughtful expressions.

Using a successful long-distance trading voyage as a coming-of-age ceremony was not uncommon in the commerce-oriented Pronora Federation.

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But even for the Anderson family, using a treasure ship as a merchant vessel, with priceless jewels, ornaments, and ancient paintings as stakes to complete a young lady’s coming-of-age ceremony was still a remarkable affair.

Combined with the renowned young master Anderson personally accompanying her, it wasn’t difficult to see the importance that the Anderson family, that family head, and the young master before them placed on the young lady—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they treasured her.

With this thought, and recalling the rumors from the church earlier, the dignitaries immediately formed a rough guess, which was confirmed by the Ship’s Doctor’s next words.

“You may not know, gentlemen, that apart from the coming-of-age ceremony, my cousin came here to complete her engagement with her lover.”

At this point, Anderson couldn’t help glancing at the First Mate beside him, and seeing no reaction, continued: “Her beloved is an Auran, and Bishop Daniel, who has a close relationship with my father, happens to be in Elvet. Therefore, they decided to hold their engagement ceremony at Sanderwina Cathedral.”

“But unexpectedly, the ceremony was interrupted by soldiers who suddenly burst into the church. They insisted on calling my cousin an imperial criminal, identified her as that pirate captain who burns, kills, plunders, and commits all manner of evil, and forcibly took her away without any evidence.”

When speaking of the pirate captain’s “evil deeds,” the Ship’s Doctor maintained his composure, his words righteous and dignified.

“Why? Just because she has dark golden pupils like Golden-Eyed Roy and hair color that is similarly pale gold, they can label an innocent young lady, a collateral heir of the Anderson family, as an imperial criminal? Is this how the Auran Empire treats its guests?”

Anderson’s voice was cold, his tone extremely firm, truly resembling a brother enraged by the unfair treatment his cousin had suffered.

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In fact, there were many holes in the Ship’s Doctor’s narrative, whether it was the origin of that brand-new transit document or the non-existent friendship between Family Head James and Bishop Daniel. But under his seemingly restrained emotions and convincing questioning, the uninformed dignitaries couldn’t help but be moved.

“Therefore, until she is released, the trading fair is suspended indefinitely. During this process, I, my family, and even the Federation will make our position clear to the Empire. While demanding that the Auran military restore my cousin’s innocence and freedom as soon as possible, we must also receive a reasonable explanation and severe punishment for those involved.”

“And if I learn that my cousin has suffered even the slightest discomfort or harm in this process, then…”

Anderson smiled, a smile that although gentle, caused the dignitaries present to feel a chill.

“The Auran Empire will become my enemy.”

[th] Oh fucking god don anderson the goat!!

But like imagine if they get exposed that it’s indeed the pirate ship, Mermaid…[/tn]