Captain – Chapter 49 – The Captain’s Resolve

“What he said isn’t wrong, Captain.”

The young man gazed at Mountain Demon, who had already returned to the embrace of the Auran Goddess, with a peculiar light flickering in his dark eyes. “On Frans Island today, Admiral Caine is the highest military commander of the imperial forces. Without his consent, even that Governor has no authority to mobilize troops.”

Roy had completely calmed down by now. She tilted her head toward the young man. “Consent? You mean the blockade of the town was his decision?”

Hearing the captain’s extremely distrustful tone, the young man smiled. “No, that was certainly Federo’s order, and the arrival of the Orca was likely his doing as well. Those reckless and fearless pirates are indeed effective blades for tearing through darkness and conspiracy.”

Roy was silent for a moment before saying in a tone devoid of emotion, “If that’s the case, what does this have to do with him?”

“Captain, neither of us is naive. Federo first used the navy to seal off all escape routes, then drove those pirates to come for your life. His intentions are already very clear.”

The young man’s words echoed in her ears like a siren’s song, attempting to gradually soften the captain’s iron will, forcibly creating a crack in her previously seamless fortitude.

Roy was also fond of such tactics, so she clearly understood what the young man was doing. He wanted to persuade her to leave with them, and the reason he used was naturally the betrayal of her First Mate.

In fact, thinking carefully, if Caine had truly betrayed her, Roy indeed had no reason to stay in this southern border of the empire, because if so, all the promises he had ever made would have turned to bubbles.

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“I know that old man wants to eliminate us completely. After all, bloodthirsty pirates won’t care about the identity of their enemies. Even if they recognized me, they would likely be even more ruthless, let alone spare my life.”

The young man turned to look at the captain, a satisfied smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. “And knowing the outcome, if your First Mate didn’t actively contribute to this situation but merely remained silent, then…”

“Then it’s still betrayal.”

Roy looked into those pitch-black eyes and responded expressionlessly.

Crisp applause sounded in the secret chamber as the young man smiled gently. “Silence can sometimes be an attitude. Perhaps our commander had moments of hesitation, but facts prove that in the end, he still chose the Auran Empire and that close elder.”

“I’m glad you understand this point. So let’s go, Captain. The organization will guarantee your safety. As for what your First Mate promised you, we can give you ten times that.”

Seeing Roy gradually pressing her pink lips together, the young man delivered his most powerful blow: “This is my promise, unrelated to the Black Raven Society. As long as you’re willing to leave with us, whether you eventually join the organization or not, I will personally deliver everything mentioned above. How does that sound, Captain?”

Hearing the young man’s promise, Sand Fox and the silent merchant beside him opened their mouths in shock. Only Duke Darren frowned almost imperceptibly, seemingly disapproving of the Elder’s decision.

Such a deal—no, this could hardly be called a deal, but rather a windfall dropping from the sky. Even someone as resolute as the captain couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned, somewhat surprised by the young man’s determination and courage.

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What did ten times Caine’s promise mean?

Even if he didn’t know what her First Mate had previously said, based on his surname and position alone, one could understand it must be an incredibly substantial fortune.

Wealth, status, support…

It seemed there was truly no reason to refuse. Even if Caine hadn’t betrayed her, faced with such a disparity in benefits, the old Roy would likely have agreed immediately and completely forgotten about that First Mate she had tricked into serving her.

She would reclaim everything that belonged to her and, with the Black Raven Society’s help, once again embark on the journey to find Devil’s Treasure.

While the young Howard would reclaim his position as Naval Commander and, with the support of the Auran military and Governor Federo, reach an even higher and more respected position than before.

Could there be a better outcome? Roy couldn’t think of one, so she remained silent.

Time passed second by second. The young man waited patiently. Even when scouts reported that they could already see pirates with curved swords in the town streets, he still didn’t urge her.

If he could take this captain away, then this mission couldn’t be considered a complete failure, and all this was thanks to that imperial spy…

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The young man was lost in thought when he suddenly heard a soft sigh, followed by the girl’s melodious voice.

“No thank you, Elder.”

The young man was stunned, his fine eyebrows finally furrowing as he looked at her fair face, full of confusion. “What is it? Are my conditions still not enough? Is there something else the captain wants?”

“No, your conditions are almost impossible to refuse. I truly appreciate your regard for me, really.”

Roy seemed to have thoroughly thought through some matters. A confident smile returned to her beautiful face, though unusually, this smile contained more sincerity. “But I think some things are more important than benefits, such as trust, or keeping one’s word.”

“But your First Mate has already…” The young man understood Roy’s meaning and wanted to persuade her further, but was interrupted by the captain’s earnest and calm words.

“I trust him.”

Before Roy’s eyes appeared again those azure eyes, gentle as the sea, along with memories of the days she had spent depending on that officer, and the brief yet… warm times they had shared.

So she explained softly: “That guy can indeed be stubborn sometimes. Once he makes a decision, not even eight horses can pull him back, and he often can’t help but consider the Auran navy’s interests. But if you say he would be willing to betray me for Federo or the empire’s will, I think that’s impossible.”

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“For someone as rigid as him who keeps his promises so strictly, asking him to violate his own principles would be worse than killing him.”

Seeing the smile gradually fading from the young man’s face, Roy gave this Elder her final resolve: “So, I won’t leave. I want to see him personally, to see whether this betrayal you speak of is true.”

“If it is true, will you regret it, Captain?” The young man shook his head helplessly and asked with a bitter smile.

“I don’t think so.”

Roy tilted her chin slightly upward. “If he’s been forced into silence by that old man Federo, or even confined, I’ll go rescue him. And if he… really was foolish enough to sell me out, I’ll let him know exactly what happens to those who betray their captain.”

Recalling the demeanor of another legendary pirate from the founder’s description, the bitterness gradually faded from the young man’s smile, replaced by a sense of resignation.

This young woman was indeed very similar to the captain in the founder’s account—that seemingly innate confidence, that spirit that regarded fierce winds and huge waves as nothing, plus her God-given beauty, truly possessed a fatal attraction.

“Well then, good luck to you, Captain Roy.”