Captain – Chapter 371 – Escape is Shameful and Useless

“Surrender?”

Hearing the young woman’s plea, the Devil was slightly stunned, then laughed: “Why surrender to me? Child, we are not enemies.”

Not only were they not enemies, they were family.

“But my decision…”

Roy continued to play the pitiful role, not finishing her sentence, but clearly implying: I had already made such plans, don’t you see this as betrayal?

“A decision is a decision, an outcome is an outcome. Even human hearts change at any moment, let alone choices that are intangible and haven’t reached their conclusion?”

Hearing this, the Devil smiled indifferently: “I think, compared to Isaac, I understand you better, knowing what you truly want.”

Indeed, as soon as the young woman heard this, she immediately became interested, the pitiful expression instantly vanishing from her face, replaced by a cat-like dignity.

As if waiting to be fed.

“Ancestor, are you… trying to bribe me?”

Seeing the young woman change her expression so quickly, the smile on the Devil’s face grew more pronounced: “Bribe is not a nice word. Given our relationship, this is my compensation, my reward to you.”

“What kind of benefit?”

More impatient than the Devil had anticipated, Roy pretended to be reserved for just a moment before lowering her voice, asking with feigned secrecy.

It was as if all the previous conversation, emotional revelations, and even the choice she had made were all an act, all for this moment.

“Meow.”

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Seeing this conversation concerning the fate of countless people trending toward marketplace haggling, the Siamese cat couldn’t help but call out mournfully.

This ancestor and descendant, cut from the same mold, were both so irresponsible… and such jerks.

“Child, whatever you want, I can give you.”

The Devil said leisurely: “Power, wealth, strength, or promises—as long as it’s not otherworldly or unreasonable, I can fulfill your desires.”

The Devil’s promises were sometimes more reliable than a deity’s.

He possessed the crown of the Pirate King, wealth rivaling nations, controlling fortunes on the scale of the Federation.

Once freed from his confinement and becoming a god, Roy, as his most perfect descendant, would naturally become a true divine offspring, a being more flawless than the Siren.

Moreover, the most important point was that he had no reason to deceive her.

They were true family. In terms of bloodline and life form, their connection was closer than any physiological ties in the world.

At least Roy believed that as long as she didn’t touch this ancestor’s bottom line or most fundamental interests, he could accommodate and even love her.

Furthermore, he had already said he didn’t care about this world, was indifferent to past events and old grudges, and would leave once free.

Just as deities don’t care about mortals.

Given all this, what was there to hesitate about?

But after hearing his conditions, Roy, who had been full of interest, suddenly fell silent, not responding even when the Siamese cat called out.

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This was the first time during this conversation that the Devil failed to read her heart.

“You still refuse to agree?”

After a long while, the Devil asked softly, but was met with the young woman’s stubborn silence.

Although he didn’t know the reasons, the Devil had anticipated this situation even before her arrival, so he showed neither anger nor helplessness.

“Then… let it be.”

Even the resolute Roy was startled upon hearing this, seeing her ancestor give up persuasion so easily. She stammered: “What… what did you say?”

“I mean, this conversation ends here.”

The Devil remained calm and courteous, not appearing as if he would lose his temper, which slightly reassured the young woman.

“Child, you are truly like my beloved. Once you’ve made up your mind, it’s hard to change. So I know, saying more would be meaningless.”

The Devil waved his hand slightly, and the objects on the table began to move again.

Wine bottles, glasses, and navigational instruments all flew away, returning to their respective positions. Even the reclining Siamese cat floated up gently.

“Meow.”

The Siamese cat hovered above the wooden table. Although its call was displeased, its body was relaxed, with all four paws hanging softly, showing no tension.

As if it had been “suspended” like this many times and was used to it.

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In Roy’s slightly dilated pupils was reflected a dark silver, ancient and exquisite wooden box, carved with stars, moons, blazing suns, and wave patterns.

That was Annisdora’s Box.

The box wasn’t large, just barely able to be held in one hand, and it wasn’t the solemn, square shape the young woman had imagined, but an octagonal shape with rounded outer corners, looking like…

A music box?

While Roy was letting her thoughts wander, comparing the box to familiar objects, the wooden box had already silently landed on the table in front of her.

Without any preamble, the Devil had given her the box, seemingly unconcerned about potential risks, or rather, he wasn’t worried at all that the young woman wouldn’t choose him.

Where did this confidence come from?

“Perhaps Isaac told you that when you cannot choose, follow your heart, your intuition, to grasp that momentary flash of thought.”

At this point, the Devil laughed lightly: “But if I were to say, this is merely evasion, child. You should know, escape is shameful… and useless.”

“What value is there in a decision made in confusion? My dear First Mate guides you thus, but can he convince himself?”

“I’m not like him, seeking grandiose reasons to persuade myself. I always make the most clear-headed choices after seeing everything clearly.”

“I hope you do the same.”

Looking at the young woman’s eyes filled with indescribable emotions, the smile gradually faded from the Devil’s face as he said seriously: “Child, I give everyone the chance to choose freely, and you are one of them.”

“So, take it back with you, see how Isaac will choose, see clearly this ‘hero’s’ selfish heart, and then, make the choice you should make.”

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After hearing this, Roy’s eyelids lowered slightly, knowing her ancestor had seen through her wariness toward the First Mate and was using this to make it sink deeper into her heart.

But she didn’t understand why he was so certain that First Mate Isaac would choose the path against his own heart.

Could it be… that emotions are truly more important than beliefs?

The Devil didn’t explain further, returning to his casual demeanor from the beginning of their meeting, smiling and saying: “Although we’ve been talking for some time, you don’t need to rush.”

“Once you’ve entered this time period, you’re completely isolated from the outside world. Whatever time you came in is the time you’ll leave. There’s no concept of ‘too late.'”

“So, if you wish, you can stay here for a few more days, think more about things, celebrate and relax with the crew, or… learn more about Isaac.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary, Ancestor.”

After thinking, Roy still declined her ancestor’s invitation to stay.

Firstly, she worried that staying too long might influence her resolve. Secondly, although the people here were real, they were ultimately just old shadows.

How could they compare to the people she cared about?

“But, Ancestor.”

Although she didn’t want to stay longer, the young woman showed no intention of getting up to leave. Instead, her eyes turned slightly, smiling coquettishly as she requested in a soft voice:

“Before I go, may I… have something more?”