Captain – Chapter 307 – A Lighthouse Like Starlight

As the Mermaid drew closer to the ice plains, the song became increasingly clear.

Roy held the wheel, turning it left and right occasionally, steering the warship toward the source of the song while instructing her first mate beside her: “The lighthouse isn’t far now. When we arrive, I’ll go alone. Once it’s lit, you take the Mermaid and leave first.”

Looking at the young woman’s profile, at that face full of determination with raindrops streaming down it, Caine remained silent for a moment, then said: “I’ll go with you. Alexis can take the helm, and Ben can manage the crew. There won’t be any problems.”

Since departing from Yadris, Alexis had been handling the helm, never making a mistake regardless of how severe the weather. Moreover, the battle with the Constantine had already proven his exceptional sailing talent.

And being appointed master helmsman with the right to participate in routine meetings indicated that his loyalty had passed the first mate’s scrutiny, leaving no cause for concern.

As for Ben, nothing more needed to be said. Looking across the entire Mermaid, this bosun’s ability and loyalty could rank in the top three. In some ways, he had even replaced Old John’s position in Roy’s heart, genuinely becoming the third-in-command on the Mermaid.

With Lance and others added, even with Caine gone, the Mermaid would surely remain safe.

“No.”

But facing her first mate’s suggestion, Roy refused without a second thought. Before he could even ask why, she began explaining: “Don’t think about loyalty and trust. Even though these people are indeed good, and I’ve changed some of my past habits, for pirates, such things remain as fragile as paper.”

Pirates aren’t naval officers—this was a principle the young woman had repeated many times.

Caine understood the captain’s meaning, thinking she still harbored suspicions about the crew members, even those close to her. He fell silent, not knowing how to respond.

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In terms of ability and loyalty to the Golden-Eyed Devil, who in this world could surpass Richi and Old John? Yet when she was stranded on that lonely island, they betrayed her without hesitation. This wasn’t because she failed to win people’s hearts, but simply due to the nature of pirates.

They pursued profit and ideals—who wouldn’t betray for these? Especially when facing life and death.

Seeing the first mate’s silence, the young woman glanced at him, realized he had misunderstood, and smiled: “I think you’ve misunderstood. When I said I would change, I certainly wasn’t merely paying lip service and forgetting it immediately. After all, when has Captain Roy ever…”

“Well, sometimes I do go back on my word, but that’s only with enemies or people with whom I have purely business relationships. For you, Ben, and the others who follow me, things are naturally different. As I just said, these people are good.”

At this point, a smile appeared on Roy’s face, seemingly genuinely satisfied with the people gathered around her now. She explained softly to her first mate: “It’s not that I don’t trust everyone. I believe that under normal circumstances, even when tempted by profit, they will continue to support me as always.”

Things were different now compared to the past. Her reputation among the crew was stronger than ever. Add to that the monthly allowance distributed by the ship’s doctor, the changes in Yadris, and the existence of Solomon’s treasure—she believed that as long as she was willing to change, the crew wouldn’t betray her like those in the past.

Money, power, good wine, and beautiful women waiting in Yadris—wasn’t this everything a pirate could dream of?

Having all these already, what was worth betraying for? Disloyalty had always been like dancing on a knife’s edge, with death possible at any moment.

Moreover, all these benefits came because of Roy and would disappear with her departure. So the crew members would be eager to support her, not thinking about overthrowing her.

Understanding this, realizing there was indeed nothing to worry about, Caine became even more confused: “Then why won’t you let me come with you?”

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“First, the current situation differs from what I described.”

Roy looked ahead, discovering that the closer they got to the ice plains, the thinner the rain became. Now she could clearly see the dark icebergs and the glaciers and reefs distributed near the ice plains. She controlled the Mermaid to turn the bow, following the direction of the song, sailing westward along the shoreline.

At the same time, she continued her explanation: “You’ve heard Bivis talk about the Death Silence. Now, that ghost ship is following behind us. The Mermaid could be attacked by it at any moment, or face an assault from those monsters. When that happens, danger and death will be imminent.”

“There might indeed be people in this world willing to face death for some noble goal, but pirates certainly aren’t among them. Even I fear death, let alone the crew members. There’s no shame in that.”

“The problem is, when faced with death and fear of the unknown, people realize that everything they’ve pursued before—if they can’t live to enjoy it—is just empty talk. In such situations, they lose their reason and become extremely frantic.”

“In that state, who can guarantee… betrayal won’t happen again?”

Hearing this, Caine thoughtfully asked: “So you want me to stay on the ship to try to control those people?”

If death approaches and those with weak resolve break down first, no one’s words or authority would matter then, leaving only blood and slaughter to suppress the chaos.

So by “control,” Caine actually implied something more ruthless.

Hearing this, Roy couldn’t help turning her face and giving him a look: “What are you talking about? Are you already thinking about what to do after defeat before the battle even begins?”

Suppressing panic and dealing with deserters were certainly things to do after a defeat, most commonly seen in military settings.

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Caine was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses and smiled bitterly: “I jumped to conclusions, didn’t think that far.”

The captain shook her head, not taking it to heart, and continued: “I asked you to stay partly to stabilize morale, or rather, to intimidate. But most importantly, facing such bizarre entities, even Harriet might waver, but you won’t. That’s why I only trust you.”

Having spent so much time together, Roy was well aware of how steadfast this first mate’s resolve was.

After all, he was once the commander of the Auran Navy who had faced the Federation fleet. The title “Imperial Lion” wasn’t given without reason. In terms of baptism by fire and smoke, he probably rivaled even his father.

How could such a person fear the Death Silence?

“Although I haven’t faced it before, I imagine that ship won’t be easy to deal with. When the time comes, you take the helm. Don’t engage unless absolutely necessary. Wait until I return.”

Hearing the young woman’s request, Caine nodded in agreement, but quickly thought of something else and asked: “If we leave first, how will you return?”

With a look that suggested she was dealing with a fool, Roy pointed to the dark sky, her meaning crystal clear.

Among things on the Mermaid that could relate to the sky, there were naturally only those two little flying creatures.

Alfie was often responsible for delivering messages, while transportation duties naturally fell to Nidhogg. After assassinating Robert, Roy had escaped from that mansion with its help.

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Though the result had been a bit awkward.

“So, another reason you can’t come is that Nidhogg can only carry one person. Add you, and it won’t be able to fly.”

Roy smiled and then beckoned for the first mate to come closer.

Seeing this, Caine stepped forward, not knowing what she intended. He thought she might want to whisper something, or perhaps… make a ceremonial farewell?

Seeing the young man come close but remain motionless, the captain widened her eyes slightly, perplexed. But she quickly understood his thought and said helplessly: “What are you thinking? Am I that kind of person? Take over already.”

When had Captain Roy ever said goodbye with anything more than a wave before walking away? She was naturally unencumbered, never engaging in those so-called deep and touching gestures. Even at the Sanderwina Cathedral, it was all just an act.

Only then did Caine react, taking the wheel with slight embarrassment. Then he looked ahead and saw that the curtain formed by the downpour and darkness had finally parted.

Following the glacier forward, at the end of the shoreline near the ocean, a lighthouse stood silently.

The lighthouse emitted a faint blue glow so weak it was barely discernible. It was completely crystal clear, as if built from the purest diamond, standing firm amidst wind and rain, like a star guiding ships through the eternal night to reach the most mysterious shore beyond.

That was the Acherousian Lighthouse.