Captain – Chapter 430 – Important Business

After the “remembering bitterness to appreciate sweetness” moment that the captain would never admit to, she released the first mate’s arm, casually asked someone for directions, and then strode toward the central street, completely abandoning her dependent demeanor.

Her temperament was like spring weather, capable of changing instantly with her mood, yet so naturally and genuinely that perhaps only she could manage it.

Under the young woman’s lead, the two avoided the crowds, left the square, and proceeded along the main street. Without many detours, they reached their destination.

It was a simply decorated coffee shop bearing the Anderson family sign, placed in the most prominent position on the central street, serving both as the first contact point and as a facade.

For anyone coming specifically to Hipalia to visit the family head, or to negotiate and trade with the Anderson family, this was the first stop. For this reason, the coffee shop operated day and night.

After notifying the greeting attendant at the door and asking him to pass along word, a young man dressed in a pure black formal suit, looking like a butler, quickly emerged, greeting the two with a polite smile and ushering them in.

Treading on the soft dark gray carpet, Roy walked into the coffee shop with some curiosity. Before she could identify the type of music permeating the room, a warm fragrance wafted toward her.

It must have been something close to perfume, though used to create atmosphere. The fragrance was moderately strong, not unlike flower scent. If Roy hadn’t been well-versed in this area, she might not have been able to distinguish it.

Of course, why she had such knowledge… traced back to the Great Captain. Distinguishing between natural fragrances and artificial products was also one of the courses for identifying Black Raven Society members.

As for whether those scents counted as fragrances, only the young woman knew.

The wafting fragrance stirred memories, and Roy’s mind couldn’t help but flash to that face with thick whiskers, almost always shadowed by a triangular hat. A hint of nostalgia rose in her heart.

Although that guy ordered her around daily with a not-so-pleasant attitude, he still treated her like a surrogate son in his teachings.

Especially when Red Beard Captain left, as her and Richi’s situation became increasingly dangerous due to shipboard conflicts and external storms, it was he who spoke up and brought them back to the island for a visit.

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At that time, although the young woman stayed on the island for only three days and met this pirate emperor with more substance than name only once, without receiving any substantial help, she understood clearly that it still counted as a great favor.

Because those three days, for Roy and Richi, were like giving a drowning person a breath of air, providing them a chance to catch their breath.

Moreover, although the Great Captain made no statement, in the subsequent power struggle on the Mermaid, no outsiders dared to interfere.

Even those legendary figures who knew the young woman’s identity and were somewhat restless had to suppress their impulses upon learning of this matter.

After securing authority over the Mermaid and driving the Black Emperor out of Yadris, Roy returned to Providence to thank the Great Captain, and also stayed with him for several months.

Looking at the entire legend of the Golden-Eyed Devil, the most terrifying part was her entire childhood, the most amusing was the time following Red Beard, and the most thrilling was the path to becoming a legend.

In this not-so-short timespan, those months were truly brief and inconspicuous. To some outsiders, it was just a plain interlude, a leisure of the Great Captain’s.

Only Roy knew that the time spent with the Great Captain could be counted as the most warm and happy period in her not-so-long life.

That man truly had charisma, and for her, he held extraordinary significance.

He was different from Robert’s pretense, and unlike Captain Ilias, who saw her as his own and whose love for her bordered on spoiling. He was just plain and natural in everything.

He couldn’t be said to spoil her.

In daily life, that man was like an extremely irresponsible father, dumping all complicated matters on her, ordering her around like a little servant, and without any salary at that.

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When educating and training her, he was so strict that it was frightening. Even the fearless Roy couldn’t help but feel a bit afraid when recalling him in that state, followed by a hatred that made her grit her teeth.

But it must be said that it was precisely that time of excruciating, even worse-than-death experience that forged her iron will and skills. It could even be said that this was the beginning of her legend.

And that man who created the legend, in the young woman’s eyes, was like a father.

Thinking now, it had been several years since she left the Great Captain’s side. She wondered how he was doing these days.

Thinking about this, Roy suddenly blinked, shaking off that nostalgic, self-indulgent emotion, silently smiling bitterly, feeling that even if she were to perish at sea, that old guy would still live a rich and fulfilling life.

Not having to manage affairs on ordinary days, and when facing major issues, just needing to call out from on high to gain the support of the entire Southern Islands, even the Empire and Federation had to mind his mood. How could one worry about such a life?

It would be better to worry more about herself.

Thinking silently, the young woman felt that if he knew about the Ice Sea incident, when she returned, not only would she not receive a good face, but she might even be punished.

But… with his abilities, would he really be completely unaware of this?

After all, he was the Guardian.

Recalling the possible identity of the Great Captain mentioned by First Mate Isaac, the young woman couldn’t help but make a bitter face, feeling that her future was truly worrisome.

If she angered the emperor of pirates, would her fief also be taken back?

While lost in random thoughts, Roy and her companion had already followed the young man to the depths of the coffee shop, being seated in a suite.

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This coffee shop was completely different from ordinary shops. There was no customer hall, only separate rooms spaced far apart, divided by thin walls that resembled glass but seemed like crystal, appearing hazy from the outside.

After the two were seated, there were no menus, nor anyone to recommend or quote prices. Soon, two steaming cups of coffee, obviously of different varieties, were served in front of the captain and the first mate.

After delivering the coffee, the server silently withdrew.

The young man dressed as a butler, after informing them that both cups of coffee were selected according to their tastes and stating that he would immediately go to notify the family, asking them to wait for a while, also left.

“Tsk, tsk, see, it’s just different. Without even mentioning preferences, they bring the most suitable taste. And they say it with such confidence. Should I say, as expected of the Anderson family?”

Looking around at the warm-toned crystal walls, watching the lifelike cloud patterns that seemed to flow and change on them, Roy couldn’t help but marvel. After taking a sip of coffee, her eyes brightened a bit.

Obviously, this coffee truly suited her taste.

The young woman didn’t usually drink coffee, wasn’t very fond of this beverage claimed to be stimulating, and felt it was far inferior to various alcoholic drinks.

For this coffee to elicit such a reaction from her, even possibly changing her view of this beverage, it certainly proved that what the butler said was not empty talk.

However, this wasn’t particularly surprising, given the Anderson family’s enormous power. They had likely thoroughly researched her.

From birth to life journey to preferences… even possible weaknesses.

If one were to become enemies with such a wealthy, powerful family that even had military might transcending the regular forces, it would probably be more troublesome than offending the Black Raven Society.

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But if it came to that, the captain wouldn’t care much, because no matter how strong the Anderson family was, they couldn’t be stronger than the Empire.

“The Federation is indeed adept at these detailed matters.”

After tasting a sip of coffee, Caine said flatly, dismissing her praise, feeling that this kind of extravagant style would never achieve greatness.

“Here we go again…”

Hearing this, Roy shook her head disinterestedly, not wanting to engage with this topic, and instead asked: “By the way, when you were recording earlier, did you count how many people will remain on the Mermaid this time?”

“Two hundred and thirty-six.”

The first mate answered without hesitation, clearly prepared for this question.

“Ah, more than half gone. But it’s also within expectations. To drive the Mermaid, this number of hands is sufficient…”

The two chatted casually, planning the distribution of personnel, but before they could delve into details, the door of the suite opened.

The old butler named Theodore walked into the suite, and before the young woman could inquire, he slightly bent his body in an apologetic bow.

“I’m terribly sorry, Captain Roy, according to the master’s wishes, the family has important business to attend to today and cannot receive you two.”

“Please stay in the city temporarily, and I will arrange accommodation for you.”