Captain – Chapter 504 – Rapidly Changing Situation

That sword came so fast, so fiercely, thrusting directly toward Enzo’s nape.

From the sharp, almost ear-piercing sound cutting through the air, both figures on the scene could easily judge the astonishing power contained in that slender sword tip.

It similarly transcended worldly norms, already approaching the level of “monsters” like themselves. If that sword found its mark, it would surely pierce through bone and throat.

Despite having no preparation, when the slight breeze rose behind him, the Night Curtain captain had already reacted. His curved blade, which had been raised and about to fall, paused momentarily before reversing upward, protecting his nape at an awkward angle.

“Clang!”

Enzo, who had maintained a composed demeanor since the battle began, never retreating or showing any sign of weakness, finally had his invincible façade shattered by this sudden sword strike. The tremendous force drove him forward several steps.

Barely managing to halt his momentum, before the man could fully assess the situation, Roy, who had momentarily frozen in place, was already closing in with flashing blade, slashing diagonally upward. The wind from her strike roared like a fierce tiger.

She aimed to tear the vulnerable enemy before her to pieces.

Yet even in this precarious situation, caught between attacks from front and back with his blade out of position, the man’s face showed not the slightest panic. His flippant smile gradually faded, replaced by a bone-chilling calmness… and madness!

Facing the Golden-Eyed Devil’s swift attack, there wasn’t enough time to withdraw his blade or even turn his wrist. Enzo didn’t even attempt this. Instead, he forcibly twisted his body and extended his left hand to grab the blade.

To grab the razor-sharp edge that could easily slice through leather.

“Thud.”

A muffled sound as the blade sank into his palm.

Rеαd oո KatRеaⅾiոɡСαfе

It cut deep to the bone, yet failed to sever his hand completely, stopped midway by monstrous strength and inexplicable bodily toughness.

“Nice blade.”

Looking at the surprised young woman just inches away, Enzo didn’t spare his praise, expressionlessly complimenting her before giving her no chance for any small maneuvers. He viciously kicked out, generating fierce winds.

Because he had been crouching low during his forward charge, the kick that should have struck at stomach level was now aimed directly at the young woman’s face.

Taking such a heavy blow squarely would be more than just disfiguring—it could cause a concussion or even crush her skull.

Knowing the severity, Roy, though quickly regaining her senses, had no choice but to raise her arm to block, regretfully abandoning the opportunity to pursue. But when the kick landed, she realized her previous assessment of him was still not accurate enough.

She was sent flying backward, her arm nearly going numb.

Fortunately, her balance was good, preventing her from being slammed face-first into the dirt.

As the two separated, the deeply embedded curved blade was pulled from Enzo’s palm, spraying a miserable shower of blood. Yet he seemed unable to feel pain, not even furrowing his brow.

Tearing off a strip of cloth from his garment and using his teeth to help, he bandaged his injured hand. Only then did he slowly turn sideways, retreating a few steps to barely escape the predicament of being attacked from both front and back. Then he glanced toward the source of the sword.

The chaotic darkness gradually stabilized, as if a stage curtain were slowly being drawn open.

Another protagonist had entered.

“Oh…”

Reаd оո КаtRеaԁіոɡСafe

Looking at the solemn young man who emerged from the deep darkness, sword pointed diagonally to the ground, observing the flashing golden lightning in his eyes, Enzo seemed to recall some ancient legend and couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

“No wonder you could walk through the night curtain. It’s because of the devil lineage’s curse—no, ‘blessing’ would be more appropriate. Wouldn’t you agree, little Roy?”

Hearing this, the captain followed the man’s gaze and likewise saw the burning light in those blue eyes. She also vaguely felt a connection forming between herself and that person, like an invisible thread binding them together.

Moreover, her vision was filled with blurry light and shadows, and ethereal winds sounded in her ears. All these sensations came from the other person.

From her First Mate, from…

The devil’s curse.

“My God…”

Although she had speculated about the curse imprinted on her First Mate after he left that dream, Roy never imagined it would be the same mark her ancestor had placed on her, giving him… the authority to invoke great power.

This was truly incredible.

Hearing her genuine amazement, Enzo raised an eyebrow and glanced at her thoughtfully before returning most of his attention to the young man. “It seems this is a surprise to both me and your captain.”

“A tremendous surprise.”

Twisting his wrist, which had grown sore from intercepting the curved blade, the man’s lips curved into a smile again, though this one was cold, with hints of murderous intent.

“Don’t you think so, Howard’s boy?”

Reaⅾ oո KatRеαdіոɡCαfе

Having his identity revealed in a single sentence, Caine showed no surprise. After all, the man before him was his father’s sworn enemy and had the Great Captain’s shadow behind him. That he would know Caine’s background was within expectations. So he merely raised his thrusting sword.

The sword tip pointed directly at the man’s nose, his intent unmistakably clear.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, with tension thick enough to explode at any moment, the young woman’s voice came from the other side. She seemed to want to negotiate, or perhaps she simply didn’t want these two men to ignore her.

“Hey, hey, hey, I’m saying, the situation is changing too quickly, you guys are letting me…”

“Don’t waste time, child.”

With amethyst eyes still reflecting only the coldly standing youth, the man said in a low voice, “We can think about those trivial matters after this is resolved.”

Being so rudely interrupted, the young woman angrily gritted her teeth and shot back: “Listen, Captain Enzo, given the current situation, why keep pretending? You know very well I won’t stand by and do nothing.”

This was clearly indicating a two-against-one situation.

Although she didn’t know why her First Mate had suddenly appeared, mysteriously possessing part of the devil’s power, this was undoubtedly good news for her.

Even the Night Curtain Enzo, facing two near-monstrous beings simultaneously, couldn’t easily gain the upper hand as before. After all, their combined strength was far more than simple addition.

Though she and Caine had barely fought side by side before, based on their understanding of each other and that intangible yet real thread of fate, even if they couldn’t claim perfect coordination, they could certainly work together nearly flawlessly.

In such circumstances, even the Night Curtain of the Western Seas should find himself at a disadvantage.

“So what?”

Reαd оո KаtRеadіոɡСαfе

Guessing the young woman’s thoughts, the man knew she didn’t want to continue because she feared the situation would spiral out of control and become difficult to resolve. Ultimately, their previous seemingly dangerous exchanges had been measured, with both calculating the other’s endurance.

But blades have no eyes, and with another person joining the fray, control would become difficult.

He didn’t care.

These so-called considerations and proportions meant nothing to the Western Seas overlord. Once he decided to do something, he would never negotiate with anyone, even if that person was his benefactor’s child.

That madness, which had only just been suppressed, surged again from those gorgeous purple eyes, like a tide that couldn’t be stopped, gradually consuming all other emotions.

The black ring casually worn on his index finger, as if sensing its master’s will, made the surrounding darkness grow deeper and colder. The darkness began to surge and flow, like a violent tide or as if concealing countless monstrous beasts.

He stepped forward, and the night moved with him, exactly like a deity ruling over darkness.

But just as battle was about to erupt, when even Roy had abandoned hope and prepared to fight with all her might, the night that had been dancing like turbulent currents suddenly paused. Even their master didn’t advance further, but slightly furrowed his brow.

He turned his face slightly toward the sea, temporarily relaxing his control over the night curtain.

And so the people on the lonely island all heard the sound of waves crashing against the rocks, and a hoarse yet clear declaration coming from not far away.

“That’s enough, Captain Enzo. Perhaps we should have a proper discussion…”

“About how to deal with the Ghost Scythe.”