Captain – Chapter 383 – The Boundary of Great Love

The small boat drifted, like a coffin.

As if by coincidence, when the great battle between the Death Silence and the Mermaid concluded, the small wooden boat also returned to its side at just the right time.

The black rope, like withered wood, descended from above, and the moment it touched the sea’s surface, it seemed to come alive, moving like a nimble snake.

After automatically securing itself to both ends of the wooden boat, the black rope began to contract, and before long, pulled that “wooden coffin” up to the height of the deck.

“How did it go?”

The youth climbed over the railing, returning to the deck of the Death Silence, surrounded by terrifying water ghosts with eerie glowing eyes.

Vivian stood in front of the water ghosts, asking him in a slightly hoarse voice.

Of course, she didn’t really need to ask.

Richi spread his empty hands and said flatly: “Couldn’t steal it.”

There was no further explanation, but the young woman didn’t ask more, as if she had already anticipated this result and wasn’t particularly disappointed.

Her thinking was simple.

Since the Devil had agents at the ice tower, in the waters of Satin Island, and throughout the sea, naturally there would be some at the magical box’s hiding place as well.

Faced with the Devil’s calculations and the captain’s methods, Richi returning empty-handed was not unexpected.

This was also the Lady’s view.

But what they didn’t know was that the youth had never set foot in that forbidden area, only remaining at the exit of the Satin.

He didn’t care about the magical box at all, so why would he risk himself?

“What’s the situation now?”

Richi walked with the young woman through the water ghosts toward the bow, asking her naturally.

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As if there had never been that conversation with Roy, never been that betrayal that had yet to occur but was utterly despicable.

Oh no, in the youth’s words, it was a choice.

“Couldn’t defeat them.”

Vivian responded in a muffled voice, her tone slightly bewildered: “For some reason, the grudge fire had no effect on that ship.”

Grudge fire referred to the ghostly fire triggered by the Death Silence’s mysterious cannonballs, the manifestation of the water ghosts’ heavy resentment.

Roy and her companions’ conjectures about the grudge fire weren’t entirely correct.

It was indeed a strange entity that devoured life, but it didn’t possess substantial destructive power and wouldn’t burn people to ashes.

It would only cling to people, gradually burning and consuming their spirit, will, and soul.

Until only an empty shell remained.

This was the most cruel punishment for sinners and blasphemers.

Throughout history, the Death Silence had encountered countless warships, but none had escaped the devouring of the grudge fire.

But now, an exception had occurred.

“In the past, we never encountered such a situation, never prepared conventional cannonballs, so we fell behind in firepower.”

Arriving at the bow, Vivian gazed into the distance at the ship’s silhouette and said: “Moreover, they clearly have an understanding of the Death Silence.”

“Their earlier exhaustion of ammunition was likely intended to exceed its repair speed, aiming to cripple us.”

“That way, we would have no chance to intervene in subsequent matters.”

Brushing aside the white hair covering her eyes, the young woman looked at Richi, who was gazing intently at the Mermaid, and said softly: “So, I ordered the Death Silence to retreat.”

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For the greater situation, a temporary withdrawal was a wise choice.

Obviously, the youth agreed: “You’re right.”

Because of this retreat, the plans of those on the Mermaid had all fallen through. The Death Silence only needed to follow at a distance to maintain its deterrent effect.

And at the most critical moment, pull the trigger of the hunting rifle.

“But…”

Hearing his approval, Vivian suddenly changed her tone, but before she could finish, he interrupted with a raised hand.

The bow fell into a brief silence.

With his blood-red eyes slightly rippling, Richi turned around and coldly ordered the water ghosts: “Full sail, follow that ship.”

His voice wasn’t loud but transmitted to every water ghost’s ear through a deeply engraved soul imprint, driving them to action.

It was truly irresistible.

After giving the order, the youth withdrew his gaze and explained to the silently standing Vivian: “It’s about to begin over there.”

Hearing this, the young woman couldn’t help but turn her gaze toward the fleeing, approaching Mermaid.

With her divine gift, she saw clearly the scene upon it.

She saw the sailors orderly entering the cabin, saw Roy and Caine standing side by side, saw that elegantly posed cat.

Saw… that ethereal white figure.

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

“What were you going to say?”

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Only when the youth’s question reached her ears did Vivian suddenly awaken, saying with a slightly sunken tone: “But I’m somewhat worried.”

“Worried about what?”

Hearing this, Richi fixed his gaze that was about to turn toward the Mermaid, raising his eyebrows slightly, asking the frowning young woman.

“Worried that the sinner will betray the Lady again.”

“Sinner?”

Repeating this word, Richi asked in confusion: “That scholar? But didn’t you say he was the Lady’s lover?”

“What does being in love matter?”

Thinking of something, Vivian lowered her eyelids and said: “Even so, hundreds of years ago, didn’t he still betray the Lady?”

“There must have been a reason.”

Hearing the implication in her words, Richi couldn’t help but shrug and say: “You know, emotion is a very powerful force.”

Emotions are something that can’t be clearly explained or articulated, and truly unwavering love is an unbreakable bond.

For the scholar to set aside this bond and take a completely opposite path, it seems the other side of the scale was equally heavy.

“It seems… it was for mortals?”

The young woman lowered her head slightly, searching through fragmented memories, saying uncertainly: “Anyway, it was for many, many people.”

She didn’t know it was for the entire world’s people.

“Oh, great love.”

Richi smiled indifferently: “Throughout history, there have always been such people who need to choose between personal affection and great love.”

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“However… I don’t think this is worth worrying about.”

“Why?”

Hearing this, the young woman raised her eyes, looking at his bright, clear ruby-like eyes, and asked softly.

Like sleep-talking, like murmuring.

“Because he has already been a great hero once, sacrificing everything for the people he loved, even love itself.”

“So, this time will naturally be different.”

Seeing the young woman’s brow furrowing again, Richi didn’t wait for her to speak before continuing: “I’m not speaking fallacies.”

After speaking, the smile on his face gradually faded, and he said seriously: “Every kind of love has its limits, even so-called great love.”

“The scholar may be a passionate person, willing to embrace and love all people, but even so, those people must have had some connection to him.”

“This connection I speak of is not about family love, romantic love, or any personal affection, but a sense of belonging.”

“A sense of belonging to that era.”

Richi recited softly: “His era.”

“And now… has the era that belonged to him passed?”

Following the youth’s words, the young woman murmured softly, as if asking herself.

“Yes, his era has passed. The people he loved, the world he loved, have all become bygone shadows.”

Awakening from a strange sorrow, Richi smiled again, though it was a faint smile, visibly showing some pity.

“What choice does he have left?”