Captain – Chapter 284 – The Beginning of Rebirth

The pirates’ weapons piled into a mountain.

Even the determined soldiers who had come with the purpose of capturing them alive couldn’t help but be stunned for a while at how quickly they surrendered.

However, this did not include Colonel Flynn.

Looking at the young woman’s captivating features, her golden hair flowing like a waterfall, and those distinctive dark golden pupils, Flynn immediately recognized her identity. Her reputation was simply too great, especially within the military… though not a good reputation.

Additionally, with her connection to Robert’s grand plan, written descriptions of the young woman’s appearance and simple sketches drawn by those sharp-eyed spies had been distributed to the hands of many participants. As one of the most crucial figures in this plan, Flynn had naturally received these as well.

“Captain Roy?”

Hearing the officer’s statement-like question, Roy’s smile froze.

She hadn’t expected her identity to be exposed after just one look. While this reduced many complications and misunderstandings, it also meant tremendous danger.

If the other party truly was their enemy as Caine worried, and already knew about Robert’s death, then their group of more than thirty people would likely face grave peril.

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The Mermaid’s Fighting Squad was certainly powerful, and Roy herself was terrifying like a monster, but that was only when facing enemies of comparable numbers within a manageable range.

Without the Mermaid’s cannon support, thirty-some people against nearly a thousand soldiers offered absolutely no chance of victory.

The young officer didn’t know the captain’s thoughts.

Seeing her face suddenly turn unpleasant, Flynn thought that addressing her so directly by name was extremely disrespectful in pirate circles. He hurriedly shifted his gaze to the contemplative young man beside her and asked in a low voice: “Then you must be… Young Master Caine Howard?”

If learning Roy’s identity suddenly shocked the soldiers behind the officer, then hearing their commander speak so respectfully, even with some admiration, when pronouncing this young man’s name, they couldn’t help but slightly open their mouths, their firearms unconsciously pointing to the ground.

For soldiers, those high-ranking dignitaries and politicians favored by His Majesty weren’t worthy of much respect. But when facing someone who had also served in the military and established glorious merits, they genuinely respected and cherished them.

Because that person was their current or former comrade, and moreover, the most brilliant direction and spiritual pillar to pursue when devoting oneself to the battlefield—like battlefield heroes throughout history, like the old Marshal who had devoted his lifetime of effort entirely to military affairs and the empire, and naturally including…

The Imperial Lion, both former and current.

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“Fall in.”

After Caine nodded slightly to confirm his identity, Flynn took a deep breath and issued orders to his subordinates.

Soon, the soldiers distributed around the countryside all gathered behind him, put away their weapons, stood at attention, and under Flynn’s leadership, gave the Auran military salute to the young man whom Roy had pushed to the front.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, how impressive.”

Hearing the young woman’s completely insincere praise behind him, the First Mate inwardly smiled bitterly, knowing that this pirate captain, accustomed to freedom, would certainly dislike the military’s rigid style.

Looking at the admiration and yearning in those soldiers’ eyes, seeing those army uniforms—different from naval attire yet equally making one appear spirited and resolute—Caine’s eyes revealed some nostalgia and familiarity. He returned the military salute that he hadn’t performed for a long time, yet would never forget in his lifetime.

After the salute, the soldiers escorted Roy and Caine toward the estate.

As for those pirates who felt uncomfortable at the sight of Auran soldiers, after receiving the captain’s permission, they retrieved their weapons and returned to the Mermaid first, leaving somewhat hurriedly.

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“So you’re saying the Marshal changed his mind at the last moment?”

Listening to Flynn’s recounting of last night’s events, especially upon hearing about the purple-gold badge that fell from the sky, even the composed Caine couldn’t help but change color. Unlike the captain who found it all confusing, he understood perfectly what this meant.

If the Emperor’s throne represented the pinnacle of Auran power, then the Marshal’s position was the supreme throne within the military. It should have been like the “lifetime” royal authority, accompanying that old man through the final journey of his life.

Yet last night, the old Marshal discarded the badge representing glory and the past, stepping down from that position—an extremely rare event even in the entire history of Auran.

“Yes, according to the military report transmitted to the estate last night, it seems a prince carrying the royal ring rushed to Colent and had a conversation with the Marshal. Afterward, he changed his mind and announced his resignation from the Marshal position at dawn.”

When speaking of this matter, Flynn’s tone became somewhat dejected. Although the Marshal’s final change of heart lifted a huge stone from his heart, the old man’s stepping down from that high position still made him and countless soldiers feel profound sadness and some bewilderment.

Because it meant that the sun that had always shone behind them, gently illuminating their path forward, had set. The road ahead would have to be walked by themselves, pioneered by themselves.

Recalling the old man’s benevolent countenance, even knowing he had been the most powerful enemy they faced in this storm, Caine’s heart still couldn’t generate any hatred. Instead, like the soldiers beside him and many more, he revealed slight sorrow.

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Flynn continued to describe the momentous events that had occurred in that brief time from the first light of dawn until now—events sufficient to change the entire empire’s face.

“After the Marshal’s resignation, four generals from the army and three admirals from the navy, seven high-ranking officers in total, stepped down with him. Except for the very few who needed to look after military and imperial development, personally designated by the Marshal to remain, many military elders have left.”

The youngest of those seven generals was already over fifty, while the oldest was a contemporary of the Marshal himself. Their choice to resign at this moment, besides being the old Marshal’s wish, was probably also because they truly wanted to leave room for the younger generation to advance and space for them to be tempered.

Because of the Marshal’s personal visit to Colent, four army generals and many more army officers at the general level had come with him to the military fortress in the city, all to follow his will, even at the cost of opposing royal authority.

The resignation of numerous naval leaders had actually been arranged earlier. Only after confirming that everything had concluded, no longer requiring them to painfully yet firmly oppose the old Marshal’s will, was it announced to the world through Merri’s narration and the accompanying letter.

Thus, everything, though appearing coincidental, was so reasonable and fitting.

And the military’s transformation was just the…

Beginning of Auran’s rebirth and the empire’s transformation.