Captain – Chapter 46 – The Founder’s Will

The youth’s words plunged the entire secret chamber into brief silence.

After a long while, Roy sat up straight again, her dark golden pupils finally showing seriousness: “What do you mean?”

The youth put down his wine glass and placed both hands on the table: “Actually, many years ago, the founder mentioned your name and instructed the organization to contact you if possible, hoping to make you the Black Raven Society’s representative in the Southern Islands.”

Despite being mentally prepared, Roy was still visibly shaken by the entire statement, her thoughts turbulent.

For this pirate captain who considered roguishness a virtue, used charm to gain benefits, and greatly revered power, the most powerful and awe-inspiring person in the world was undoubtedly the Great Captain who ruled the Southern Islands.

And the founder of the Black Raven Society, who could command the Great Captain’s admiration, was naturally among the most dangerous figures in her mind. Now, suddenly learning that she had been targeted by that person long ago, even someone as confident as Roy couldn’t help but feel a jolt in her heart.

Fortunately, that person’s attitude toward her seemed favorable?

Somewhat confused by the youth’s words, Roy looked at the amber liquid in her glass and asked in a low voice: “Why?”

She wasn’t asking about anything else; Roy just wanted to know why the founder would take notice of her. After all, many years ago, she might have been fighting for her life in the Eastern Seas, or possibly just a small sailor on some pirate ship who couldn’t get enough to eat or sleep.

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Such a version of herself clearly couldn’t have had any value to exploit.

“Why…”

Upon hearing this question, the youth who seemed to know everything and control all hesitated. He fell into reminiscence, as if returning to that conversation with the founder.

Back then, he too didn’t understand why the far-sighted founder would notice such a frail little sailor who was ordered around every day, so he asked his confusion in a tone identical to Roy’s.

“Why indeed…”

The founder’s ink-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, swaying gently with the sea breeze, reflecting dazzling light under the sun. Her mysterious silver-gray eyes rippled slightly, flowing with a gentle emotion the youth had never seen before.

“I’m not really sure of the reason either, but I think if this child grows up healthy, she would surely be very much like him…”

Even at the end, the founder didn’t give her own answer; she just recalled the appearance of an old friend, wearing a faint smile of regret and longing.

“I don’t know, but I think… the founder must have known your father,” the youth said solemnly, pulling his thoughts back from the memory.

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Father?

Roy fell silent. She couldn’t have imagined this reason—the founder of the Black Raven Society… actually knew her father? Then perhaps she knew whether that man was still alive, and where he was now. Perhaps she could…

The ever-bright dark golden pupils suddenly dimmed, like a sun about to be extinguished.

“What does that have to do with me?”

After just a brief moment of distraction, Roy acted as if she hadn’t heard anything, returning to her usual composure and coolness: “Whether your founder really knew that bastard or not, even if that bastard were standing in front of me right now, personally asking me to join the Black Raven Society, it would still be wishful thinking.”

The youth clearly hadn’t expected the captain’s attitude to change so swiftly and intensely, and was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. But soon, he heard the question he had anticipated all along.

“After my mother died, I was already on my own. I don’t care whether that guy is alive or dead, and I don’t need him to arrange my future. Rather than playing the family card with me, Elder, why not tell me the benefits of joining your Black Raven Society? If you offer enough, this captain just might be tempted.”

The gentle smile returned to the youth’s face, and he softly gave his conditions: “If you’re willing to join us, the organization will fully support your return to the Southern Islands to reclaim everything that belongs to you.”

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“Not enough.” Roy wasn’t moved in the slightest. Though the Black Raven Society’s power was immense, if it was just about reclaiming what was originally hers, she didn’t need extra help at all.

“In addition, you’ll have the status of an executioner, with full access to the organization’s financial and information networks. Furthermore, the founder has guaranteed that as long as you can fulfill your responsibilities to the organization, after some time…”

The youth wasn’t discouraged by Roy’s cold rejection and continued unhurriedly: “She will personally grant you the position of Elder.”

Roy’s pupils constricted as she looked at the youth as if he were mad: “Has your founder lost her mind?”

The Black Raven Society’s full assistance, complete access to funds and information, plus… the position of Elder—this wasn’t negotiating terms; it was directly piling countless gold coins and power on her head, attempting to knock her unconscious.

With the Black Raven Society Elder’s commitment, if it weren’t Roy sitting here but another legendary pirate, or some high-ranking figure from the Empire or Federation, they would likely have been dazed and agreed, given how vastly the rewards outweighed the costs.

With the Black Raven Society’s covert support, combined with their original position, working overtly and covertly in tandem, they might gain immense power rivaling that of a state apparatus.

Such temptation was undeniably great.

Unfortunately, no matter how great the temptation, it couldn’t daze Captain Roy, after all, she was the only person who had personally witnessed the Devil’s Progenitor and returned alive.

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Three years ago, she had already distanced herself from worldly conflicts and turned to seeking traces of the Devil’s Island. As for those who troubled her in this process, whether imperial navy or messengers from the Black Raven Society, all had been thrown into the sea to feed sharks without exception.

Now, having made a bet with that devil, whether to remove the curse or to covet the progenitor’s treasure and throne, she couldn’t afford to get too deeply entangled in the disputes between the Empire and the Black Raven Society.

Moreover, the Black Raven Society was still the sworn enemy of her First Mate.

“Forget it, Elder. If I really took this position, the Great Captain would beat me black and blue without anyone else having to do it—beat me until even acquaintances wouldn’t recognize me.”

Roy put down her wine glass and folded her arms: “Besides, I didn’t come here today to discuss such matters with you, but rather to ask your people to withdraw a bit. Although that governor should have escaped danger by now, being constantly watched by hundreds of assassins can’t be very safe.”

“Of course, while I don’t care about that dead ghost of a father, since your founder knew him, I won’t make things difficult for you…”

Slowly standing up, Roy placed her hand on the hilt of her curved saber, her gaze sweeping over the four people with varying expressions, a cold and roguish smile blooming on her face: “Hand over the culprit of that fire twelve years ago, and each of you pay a ransom. Then we’ll consider this matter settled. Otherwise…”

“Blades make no distinctions, esteemed members of the Black Raven Society.”