Captain – Chapter 513 – I Have My Own Methods

That seemingly mystical message actually didn’t have many aspects that needed interpretation.

This was understandable, though. After all, in the past, Captain Gerard had not yet broken with the devil, so there was no need—nor would it have been appropriate—to explore that twisted path in that person’s presence. He could only observe a little from across the sea.

Therefore, before long, everyone had already found all the noteworthy details.

“Then let me summarize.”

As the discussion temporarily concluded, Enzo slightly raised his hand, signaling the others to be quiet, then solemnly listed: “Based on Captain Gerard’s warning and the information we already have, the existence of that path is undoubtable.”

“However, for some unknown reason, it has been distorted and is no longer what it once was.”

At this point, the man glanced at Vivian.

According to them, the Blood Craver, who had been led by the now-missing Lady to the burial site, would be the most suitable guide for this journey.

Only through her perception, and through the thoughts transmitted back by the Water Ghosts aboard the Taranhof, which had entered the depths of the Triangle ahead of time during the meeting to verify, did the young woman finally confirm that the path she had once traveled now existed only as a shadow of its former self.

This further proved that Captain Gerard’s words were true.

Seeing the Blood Craver nod slightly, providing confirmation once again, Enzo continued: “Since that’s the case, if we want to find that lost secret place, we can only choose to believe the judgment Captain Gerard made.”

“That is, the path divides in two, leading to heaven and hell, whose authenticity is unknown.”

Looking around the meeting room, the man frowned slightly, clearly encountering a difficult problem. Even after the previous brainstorming, there didn’t seem to be much help: “Setting aside which side the divine artifact falls on, the question is…”

“How do we find these two paths, and whether they are just a deception.”

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“A trap that the devil has already dug.”

Not only could no one answer this question, those present couldn’t even begin to tackle it.

For this reason, Enzo didn’t pause for long.

The reason he raised these questions was not to recreate the collective silence from before, but merely as an introduction to present his own decision: “Since we all know this can’t be resolved, let me establish the basic tone.”

“Whether the path ahead is bright or dark, whether it leads to a new tomorrow or a hopeless abyss, can everyone present guarantee they won’t retreat halfway?”

“Even if our past glory and everything we currently have are destined to perish.”

This question seemed to be directed at everyone, but in reality, it was only asking the young man and woman to his left, who represented the deity attending this mad journey.

If they were to travel to the Cursed Sea and directly face that ancestor, Roy had no retreat path to begin with, and her determination was likely also her First Mate’s choice.

The same applied to Enzo himself.

To find that person, he was willing to pay any price, even his life, and he believed no one on the Ghost Scythe would object to this journey.

That left only Richi and Vivian.

Although Enzo was mad and unafraid of the deepest horrors, he absolutely would not allow allies with wavering hearts, harboring thoughts of retreat or even the possibility of betrayal, by his side when he staked everything on that slim chance.

Better to clarify this in advance and part ways.

After exchanging a glance with the young man, seeing the undisguised support in those blood-red eyes, Vivian looked at Enzo and said softly: “Traveling with Captain Roy is the Lady’s will, but it’s even more my own determination.”

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“I never go back on my word, even if hell lies ahead.”

Although on that nameless island she seemed to follow Roy only because of the Lady’s command, it must be known that the deity who treated her like a daughter never forced her; she had merely seen through her heart’s intent early on.

For the young woman, although she willingly followed the Lady partly to repay her for saving her life, it was even more to break the curse on her body.

If that evil curse remained, how was her living any different from being in hell?

Might as well accompany them on one last mad adventure.

Even death would be a not-bad release.

“Very well, it seems we’re of one mind.”

Since she had agreed, Enzo didn’t inquire further.

Although his understanding of the young woman was limited to the Great Captain’s simple description, he trusted his judgment of people, even after only brief interaction.

Of course, Roy’s factor was also involved.

“Now, let’s get to the main point.”

Hearing the man’s jovial tone, everyone present, even Caine who didn’t see eye to eye with him, couldn’t help but show strange expressions, wondering if in his eyes, the evidence gathering, exploration, and conclusions made earlier didn’t count as the beginning?

Without explaining this, upon entering the main topic, Enzo changed his serious demeanor, lazily leaning back into the throne, his face showing only nonchalance.

As if, for him, everything already had an answer.

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“Continuing from before, according to Captain Gerard, one of the two paths ascends through the waterfall to heaven, while the other delves into the deepest part of the sea, reaching the Putrid Abyss. Whether they start from the same point remains unknown.”

Meeting everyone’s puzzled gaze, the man took a crystal glass and gestured for his first mate to pour wine, smiling as he said: “I cannot be certain about the authenticity of the so-called heaven, but the Putrid Abyss truly exists.”

“You might know something about it.”

After his first mate finished pouring, Enzo took a light sip of wine, then raised his glass toward Vivian, whose expression had slightly changed: “After all, in ancient mythology, it was quite a famous dead zone. I’ve heard its bottom connects to the River Styx?”

“That’s right. According to legend, the Putrid Abyss appeared because the water level of the River Styx rose, forcibly burning out a passage between hell and the mortal world,” the Blood Craver nodded slightly, continuing along his line of thought.

“Through the gods’ efforts, the River Styx eventually receded, disappointing those strange creatures who wanted to ravage the world, but the Putrid Abyss remained.”

“It is an abyss in the truest sense, a repository for all residual death energy. Those currents of air, capable of decaying time itself—forget staying within them—any living being that touches them even slightly will have all their vitality devoured.”

“Unless one is an eternal being, falling into that abyss means absolutely no chance of survival.”

As the young woman finished her narrative, Enzo nodded approvingly and looked at Roy, who was frowning thoughtfully: “That wretched place is basically as she described. I had the fortune to see it once, so I know a bit more.”

Seeing the captain’s surprise, the man smiled smugly: “If nothing goes wrong, the death energy in that abyss doesn’t wander randomly, but rather behaves like gaseous, turbulent water currents, only lingering at specific heights.”

“So if you want to go there, just maintain your distance.”

After this reminder, allowing everyone to digest the information, Enzo didn’t dwell on this topic but changed the subject: “Now we’re left with just one final question, which is the meaning of ‘the ordained one’ inscribed on the stone tablet.”

“If you ask me, there’s no need to guess.”

Draining his wine, the man casually tossed the glass, which landed steadily on the table.

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With a “everyone knows this” expression, he smiled faintly and said somewhat mockingly: “Since that Pirate King wanted to turn the arrangements of those great beings into barriers to protect himself, the hidden walls he set up…”

“Would naturally only allow descendants, or those with extremely deep connections to him, to pass through.”

“Of course, this is still just speculation.”

Fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest, Enzo spoke as if making a final conclusion: “As for the answer, it will naturally be revealed when we reach our destination.”

“I’m done. Does anyone have questions?”

As he finished speaking, Roy and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the inexplicable look in each other’s eyes.

The captain sighed lightly, spread her hands, and said: “Enzo, I admit your analysis is good, but from beginning to end, you haven’t addressed the most crucial issue, which is… how do we find these two paths you mentioned?”

“If we can’t overcome even this most basic hurdle, there’s no point discussing anything else.”

Although no one else spoke, from their expressions, they clearly shared her doubts. Yet faced with this questioning, the man seated at the head showed not the slightest difficulty; the curve of his lips rose even higher.

“Don’t worry, Little Roy, I have…”

In front of everyone, Enzo reached into his breast pocket, and then, to the captain’s disbelief, took out an object and gently placed it on the table.

It was a pendant in the shape of a crystal skull.

“My own methods.”