Captain – Chapter 424 – Rowell Anderson

The ship doctor’s father was none other than the man who controlled Hipalia, the renowned head of the Anderson family—Rowell Anderson.

According to rumors, this family head in his prime possessed an old-fashioned nature that seemed at odds with his age and the times, yet showed no hint of being outdated. Rather, he was like a fine aged wine, containing a rich and concentrated essence within.

He was incredibly firm in political and business matters, earning the title of “Iron Hand,” yet in art, taste, and all aspects of life, he constantly exuded the elegance of a true aristocrat from ancient times.

It was a nobility that seemed etched into his very marrow.

In this regard, even the ship doctor—his own child, whose vision and refinement far surpassed most aristocrats—fell far short of his father.

This was evident in the seemingly ordinary carriage that could be considered an Anderson family heirloom, or in the old butler who followed alongside it, whose posture and stride seemed eternally unchanging, almost mechanical.

Every detail was so perfect, yet it didn’t feel unnatural.

Everything appeared to exist in perfect harmony.

Only by witnessing this scene firsthand could one understand why the Auran nobility seemed laughable in the ship doctor’s eyes, for compared to such craftsmanship, those people truly resembled nouveau riche.

The carriage rolled over the marble ground, producing an extremely faint sound, and the most common swaying and vibrations were completely absent.

If not for the steady, powerful sound of horse hooves, the carriage might have approached without Roy and the others even noticing its arrival, like a ghost.

Finally, the carriage stopped before the three of them.

“Young master,” the old butler said with a gentle, dignified smile, bowing slightly to Anderson, whose expression wasn’t particularly pleasant, before stepping away from the window.

The curtain swayed slightly, then was lifted somewhat by a hand with distinct knuckles.

Contrary to Roy’s expectations, the hand of one of the Federation’s most noble individuals showed no signs of pampering, appearing slightly rough with calluses, and even bearing faint scars on the back.

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Furthermore, unlike the ship doctor, this hand didn’t wear an expensive crystal ring, but only a simply designed silver ring on the fourth finger, which seemed almost shabby considering his status.

Could it be… that this silver ring was crafted by some master artisan, and despite being made of silver, was priceless due to its artistic value?

Looking at the silver ring, the captain couldn’t help but silently imagine, adding various unwarranted prestigious names to the seemingly “plain” silver ring.

This was likely the reaction of everyone who first met the Anderson family head and noticed the silver ring, because it simply didn’t make sense.

It was as absurd as finding copper mixed into the Emperor of Auran’s crown.

“You’re overthinking it, Captain,” the ship doctor said.

For some reason, since the carriage had appeared, the ship doctor’s gaze had been somewhat evasive. Even when it came close, he paid it no attention, and instead had the leisure to explain the captain’s confusion about the ring.

As for how he guessed what the young woman was thinking, it was probably because he’d encountered this many times before and had grown accustomed to it, even using the first mate’s catchphrase.

“It’s just an ordinary silver ring. My old man isn’t deliberately trying to appear poor—it’s just that the ring… was a gift from my mother.”

Seemingly having prepared himself to meet his father, Anderson’s tone lightened considerably, and he even joked about his father.

But hearing him say this, the captain looked at him with a strange gaze, feeling that his behavior of ignoring the person in the carriage was inappropriate.

His long-unseen father was right before him, yet the ship doctor was using his father’s old stories to explain things to the young woman. This seemed wrong no matter how you looked at it.

There was only one explanation: the ship doctor was extremely nervous right now, so nervous that he needed to change the subject to catch his breath.

It seemed the relationship between this father and son wasn’t particularly harmonious.

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Having reached this conclusion, Roy pondered silently, but before she could respond and ease the ship doctor’s nervousness, a voice came from inside the carriage.

“At this rate, you’ll eventually reveal all our family secrets. But Don, your return this time truly surprised me. I thought you would continue causing trouble for at least a few more years before settling down.”

The hand waved slightly, lifting the curtain, and the figure inside finally revealed his face.

The man’s features were ninety percent similar to Anderson’s, with the same dark golden eyes, the same handsome appearance and noble air, only lacking that hint of femininity and possessing instead an iron will forged by time.

When speaking the previous words, the Anderson family head’s tone wasn’t hurried, exuding composure throughout, and even giving an impression of friendliness and gentleness, vastly different from the rigid coldness described in rumors.

But Roy, who had been deeply influenced by Robert, could hear the pride and unbridgeable distance hidden within these seemingly warm words—that was innate nobility.

Though using only an ordinary tone to speak ordinary words, he nonetheless instilled a sense of awe in others. Such a person was truly formidable.

No wonder the ship doctor behaved as he did.

“Family secrets? Won’t everything be mine eventually? How I choose to reveal them depends on my mood. Besides, old man, this time I’ve actually…”

The ship doctor spoke with feigned casualness, as if to counter the hidden barbs in the other’s words. However, in this area—or rather, in the aristocratic art of false courtesy at which his father excelled—he was far inferior.

Just as now, the family head had no patience to let him finish, and lightly dropped a sentence that silenced him.

“There are outsiders present. It’s inappropriate, child.”

Still with that unhurried tone, still with that spring-like gentleness, yet suddenly carrying an undeniable authority.

Making it impossible to respond.

Sure enough, after hearing these words, Anderson fell silent, his usually relaxed and casual expression inevitably becoming solemn.

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“Get in the carriage,” came another phrase from inside after an unknown time, as bland as clear water.

Hearing this, and disregarding the ship doctor’s reaction, the old butler left with a “Young master, please,” and quickly went to the other side of the carriage.

“I’ll take you on a tour of Hipalia after I’ve finished my business.”

Feeling the captain’s rarely seen caring gaze, Anderson smiled with forced casualness, nodded slightly to the two, and also went to the other side.

With a faint closing sound, it seemed the ship doctor had boarded the carriage, and the butler returned to stand by the window in front of Roy and Caine.

Surprisingly, the curtain remained unlowered, and the carriage showed no sign of departing.

“You are Captain Roy?” the Anderson family head’s gaze swept over the two, finally resting on the young woman, as a gentle smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. He asked despite already knowing the answer.

“Yes, Mr. Rowell,” Roy replied.

Although not very attentive to worldly matters, the captain was still familiar with the name of a figure like the Anderson family head, especially after doing some research upon deciding their destination.

Precisely because she had done her homework on this family head, Roy didn’t speak further after responding, only quietly waiting for his next words, because apart from the matters of the Ice Sea, little could escape his knowledge.

Compared to the affairs of the Southern Islands, the Anderson family head, who controlled one of the largest trade routes established with that region, could gather intelligence more easily than the severely restricted Black Raven Society.

Not to mention, money makes the world go round. This family head wasn’t like Sand Fox, who needed organizational approval to use funds. He only needed to lift a finger to easily scatter countless gold and silver.

Who knew how many of his informants were in Yadris right now? Fortunately, he wasn’t an enemy, otherwise Roy would have had quite a headache.

“I must show my appreciation for your care of Don during this journey. Would you two prefer to accompany us back to the family home for a welcome reception, or meet again after I’ve finished my current business?”

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With just a glance at the pirates disembarking, the family head deduced that something must have happened on the Mermaid, prompting this question.

“To be honest, I do have some matters that need attending to, so you two should go ahead, and we’ll visit later.”

Since they had come to Hipalia, they would naturally visit the Anderson family estate, but as Roy said, dealing with the personnel issues of the Mermaid was clearly more important than the visit.

“As the captain wishes,” the family head said.

Compared to his demeanor when facing Anderson, this family head was obviously more genial when speaking with the young woman, smiling warmly as he agreed.

This was certainly not favoritism, for no matter how much Roy might charm elders, it wouldn’t apply to this important figure she had never met before.

It was simply the expected behavior of an aristocrat, merchant, and politician.

In other words, in the Anderson family head’s eyes, Roy held great value, waiting to be excavated or invested in.

Just as his current behavior demonstrated.

“Theodore, escort the captain around Hipalia for now, and attend to any of her needs immediately.”

Hearing the Anderson family head’s instructions, the old butler named Theodore bowed slightly and respectfully replied, “Understood, sir.”

Having received acknowledgment, the family head withdrew his hand, and the curtain fell again, concealing his face and that gradually fading smile.

Like its arrival, the carriage departed silently.

Solemn as a departing war chariot.