Captain – Chapter 439 – Whose Decision?

The meeting with the Anderson family head lacked any elaborate ceremony.

The old butler withdrew after lighting the candlestick and assigning servants to bring tea for the three.

And in Roy’s eyes, this conversation, which would inevitably involve weighty topics and perhaps even disputes, began plainly under Rowell’s customarily gentle tone that contained an underlying distance.

“As I’ve said before, I’m grateful for your care of Don along the way. If he’s indebted to you in any way, you need only tell me, and I’ll resolve it on his behalf. Of course, if you have other conditions, you may state them as well.”

Although the family head’s tone was gentle and free of hidden barbs, Roy still found these words uncomfortable to hear.

Because speaking this way, he seemed to fully represent the ship’s doctor and take over everything related to him. From this moment on, not only the girl, but even Don himself would have no power to decide anything.

This somewhat oppressive control reminded the captain of Robert, and the even more terrifying Devil.

The difference, however, was that between the Anderson family head and the ship’s doctor, there existed no exploitative relationship. And judging from how Don had boarded the carriage at his father’s word, the relationship between this father and son, though somewhat rigid, was absolutely genuine emotionally. He was indeed qualified to represent his own child.

Moreover, the ship’s doctor was clearly in the wrong on this matter.

“No, no, no, Don isn’t indebted to me at all. On the contrary, he’s solved quite a few problems for me. You say he’s received my care, but haven’t the crew of the Mermaid equally received his care?”

Suppressing the discomfort in her heart, Roy gazed at the family head’s dark golden eyes—identical to the ship doctor’s, only deeper and more difficult to read—and hurriedly waved her hands in explanation.

No need to mention financial aspects; Don had indeed fulfilled his responsibilities, living up to his role as ship’s doctor.

Reаⅾ οո KаtRеаdiոgCаfе

Were it not for his excellent medical skills and his state of completely disregarding cleanliness and exhaustion once he began treating patients, the Mermaid’s casualties during this period would certainly not have been so low.

At least compared to the previous ‘lordly’ ship’s doctor, the girl was very satisfied with Anderson.

So… although reluctant to admit, deep down, Roy preferred to have this young master stay, after all, finding a doctor of the same caliber in a short time would be nearly impossible.

Of course, she knew this would be difficult.

Because after nodding slightly to accept her explanation, the Anderson family head made his position clear: “That’s good to hear. However, Captain, I regret to inform you that Don won’t be able to accompany you on your upcoming voyage. He has many matters to attend to.”

“I hope you understand.”

Rowell’s words ended there, offering no explanation about these “many matters,” but even without guessing, the girl knew they must involve the Anderson family’s affairs.

For such a massive family, the heir had to learn and master an amount of business beyond an outsider’s imagination. And it certainly wasn’t the case that once designated as the sole heir, one could sit back and enjoy endless wealth and authority without worry. If one couldn’t demonstrate the appropriate abilities…

Then within a day, one would plummet from the clouds straight into the abyss.

This pressure of being watched by the entire family, with the throat constantly exposed to hidden wolves, was something neither Roy nor even the children of Auran’s top nobility could comprehend.

Especially in the Anderson family, which built its fortune on arms dealing through dark methods, where people were equally noble, proud, and refined, yet unafraid to use violence.

Rеaⅾ оո KαtRеаԁіոgСаfе

As long as there was profit to be gained, as long as you showed even the slightest vulnerability.

Roy could understand this family head’s concerns.

And she clearly knew that having such a young master—who bore heavy responsibilities and whose noble status even surpassed ordinary royalty—continue to charge into the fire alongside the Mermaid was indeed inappropriate.

Even absurdly inappropriate.

Looking back at major events they had encountered, whether it was reclaiming the Mermaid, facing Robert’s shadow directly in the Auran Empire, or the recently concluded journey to the icy seas, all were extremely dangerous.

Not to mention the upcoming journey to the Death Silence Triangle and the Cursed Sea—deathtraps where even the Golden-Eyed Devil wouldn’t dare guarantee safety. One slight mistake could very well mean burial at the bottom of the sea.

From this perspective, the ship’s doctor indeed seemed better off staying behind.

Just as the captain was thinking this, as if to dispel her concerns or offer compensation, the Anderson family head spoke again: “Of course, I understand your difficulties, Captain, but don’t worry. Even if Don no longer accompanies the ship, all his previous commitments remain valid.”

“Furthermore, should you encounter difficulties within the Federation, you may write to me at any time, and the Anderson family will resolve them for you. And during normal times, as long as it doesn’t exceed reasonable limits, the family is willing to provide you with all necessary funds. This can also be considered my investment in you.”

At this point, Rowell paused for a while, ensuring the girl had digested what he’d said, then smiled and added: “After all, you should know that I’ve always been very interested in you.”

“Perhaps because… I had a good relationship with Captain Gerard?”

Though negotiating and setting conditions, the family head’s words and tone remained completely untainted by worldly concerns, as natural as if all this was her due, as if he were supporting a child’s career.

Rеαԁ оո КαtRеaⅾіոɡСаfе

Although the family head only briefly mentioned Captain Gerard at the end, without any additional elaboration or explanation, Roy knew that men like him, positioned at the pinnacle of power, typically disdained lying.

He didn’t even deliberately bring it up, but merely expressed a passing thought.

But this often proved more persuasive.

Regarding the traces—even the “wealth”—her father had left in the world, the captain had developed sufficient resistance, after all, his shadow was present to varying degrees in all the support she received.

Like Red Beard, the Founder, the Great Captain…

It was precisely these connections he left behind that, despite Gerard Captain’s own wishes, still led the girl down his old path, making her pirate career increasingly prosperous.

Her fate was manipulated by the Devil, but wasn’t it also influenced by her father?

Yet despite this, upon learning that the man before her was her father’s old friend, Roy still relaxed somewhat.

Though the girl’s emotional and attitudinal changes were extremely subtle, they didn’t escape Rowell’s eyes. Smiling, he said with wit: “Oh, I almost forgot. In addition to what I mentioned earlier, I will also utilize family channels to find a suitably qualified doctor for the Mermaid.”

Although people with excellent medical skills who were willing to board pirate ships, could endure hardships, and didn’t unnecessarily put on airs were rare, with the Anderson family’s powerful influence, finding one should still be possible.

“So, Captain… what do you think?”

Rеаd οո KаtRеαԁіnɡСаfе

This was the final statement from the Anderson family head.

Throughout the entire negotiation, the girl had hardly any opportunity to speak. He controlled the rhythm from beginning to end—a rhythm that was difficult to refute or reject, as if everything were a matter of course.

Not like an arrangement, but rather the most suitable choice Roy could make.

But it had to be said that, after eliminating concerns about the future and even receiving more generous support, whether Don continued to accompany the ship as its doctor seemed to become less important.

From a benefits perspective, his absence might even bring more to the Mermaid.

Because even as the heir to the Anderson family, his control was far less than his father’s.

If this were the Roy of the past, she would likely have agreed immediately.

She would continue to enjoy the Anderson family’s support, and the ship’s doctor wouldn’t have to risk his life with the Mermaid through those deathtraps, but could settle down to handle family affairs. Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?

But…

Recalling the young master’s intense interest in various novel things during their interactions, and his not-so-pleasant emotions when mentioning his family, after much consideration, the girl couldn’t help but ask: “I certainly understand your difficulties, but Mr. Rowell…”

“Is not continuing aboard the ship truly Don’s own decision?”