Captain – Chapter 540

We’re already in the web.

This statement was abrupt and seemed to come from nowhere.

But the first mate showed no sign of confusion. After brief contemplation, his pupils involuntarily dilated, and he cast an extremely astonished look at Enzo.

That surprise and disbelief was even more intense than when he had witnessed the giant serpent’s emergence.

Because it completely overturned his common sense.

The common sense of all pirates.

“That’s impossible. He has no reason to do such a thing.”

Suddenly recalling the captain’s earlier words “I seem to have been played,” Wyatt became even more certain of his judgment, but decades of pirate experience still made him unable to help offering a contrary view.

“Whether there’s reason or not, neither you nor I have a say in it.”

As if anticipating his first mate’s reaction, Enzo continued along his words: “But the facts are right before our eyes.”

That commission, their encounter with Captain Roy, the “turning enemies into friends,” and that specter that suddenly appeared, capable of chilling all warriors to the bone.

Thinking about it now, it was truly coincidental.

So coincidental it seemed entirely arranged by fate, or by someone who considered himself the master.

And such a person, such a great pirate, could only be one of two throughout history.

At this moment, even the shadow of the Night Curtain captain, the man respectfully called Mr. Wyatt, couldn’t help but feel a chill in body and mind, sensing an oppressive feeling of being shrouded in shadows.

“Why?”

After a long silence, Wyatt asked in a slightly hoarse voice.

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This was acknowledging Enzo’s thoughts, though he still found it incredible.

“Yes, why indeed?”

Upon hearing this, Enzo released the ship’s rail, turned slightly to look at that massive shadow under the moonlight, and repeated with inexplicable emotion, as if he too didn’t know where the answer lay.

“But at this point, that’s no longer important.”

“Whether he thinks my threat is too great to control, or he simply finds me displeasing, none of that matters anymore. What’s important is what’s before us.”

Speaking casually, the Night Curtain captain smiled indifferently, thinking that if he had to say, the latter possibility was more likely, but there were still many unclear aspects.

According to his intuition… the Great Captain didn’t seem like that kind of person.

But the problem was, the other party had him completely figured out.

Had determined he wouldn’t turn and leave.

As Enzo pondered silently, behind him came the first mate’s persuasion: “Captain, even if it’s truly as you say, how could that person be certain we would definitely engage in battle? If we really wanted to leave, who could stop us?”

Not mentioning the one seated in the islands, Wyatt could say the Ghost Scythe was the strongest warship in the world, because of the Death Scythe’s reputation and the man before him.

Even if they encountered the imperial fleet and were outmatched, they could still leave safely.

In the past dozen years, such examples were countless.

So when Wyatt said this, it was equivalent to blocking one of Enzo’s excuses – if the Great Captain intended to deal with them, he would surely have contingencies. Even if they turned and left, they might encounter other legends.

Like that deep sea in the Western Waters that opposed the Night Curtain.

But as this first mate said, if the Ghost Scythe wanted to leave, no one could possibly stop it.

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Whether other legends or so-called pirate fleets.

Listening, the smile at Enzo’s lips gained a touch of helplessness.

The reason his first mate was called his shadow was because he understood him too well. Like now, before he could speak, the other had already blocked his path.

Blocked his self-deception.

“Wyatt, you know why I don’t want to leave.”

The captain’s quiet words reached his ears. The first mate was silent for a moment, then said honestly: “I know. Finding Captain Gerard has always been an obsession you can’t let go of, and now is your closest chance of success, but this…”

“Is it really worth gambling everyone’s lives? Are the crew members merely chips?”

To his first mate’s earnest question, Enzo turned completely around, leaving only his back to Wyatt, while his voice became extremely cold: “That’s not merely an obsession, first mate. That’s the reason I lead you all.”

“And you should know, compared to being close, this might be the only opportunity.”

“Of course it’s worth my gamble.”

Even if the cost of losing was death.

The man didn’t say this sentence, nor did he mention that if he left, the young man and woman possibly trapped in that secret place would likely face only death.

He wouldn’t allow such a situation to happen.

So before his first mate could persuade him further, he directly gave him two choices.

“The Ghost Scythe now has only two paths.”

Looking at that specter that had surfaced but hadn’t cast even a moment’s glance at the three warships, instead lifting its neck toward the lone moon as if wanting to touch this scene unseen for a thousand years, the Night Curtain captain said quietly: “One is to stay and face the enemy.”

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“Two is to change captains.”

Gazing at that back facing the giant serpent yet still showing no hint of weakness, Wyatt’s expression darkened slightly. He knew the second choice the other mentioned wasn’t using defiant actions to force him to yield, but a genuine proposal.

The man agreed to switch captains, whether by him as first mate or anyone else taking over – it didn’t matter.

They could perfectly well take the Ghost Scythe and turn around to leave.

However… he would stay.

It was that simple.

Time seemed to flow backward. Wyatt seemed to return to that night years ago, seeing the ragged youth calmly walk into the largest tavern in the chaotic city and take the life of that pirate leader before nearly a hundred people.

That day, he and many pirates in that tavern chose to follow the youth.

Then came the encounter with Captain Gerard.

Just as Roy could hardly escape Enzo’s shadow, this pinnacle figure among contemporary pirates also bore the “insignia” of that captain.

Time was unforgettable, and so was that departing figure.

The silence between the two lasted a long time.

On deck, the pirates who had returned to their posts were all focused on their tasks, waiting for orders at every moment, but still couldn’t help glancing toward the bow.

Such scenes had actually occurred many times, and usually ended with the first mate compromising, but looking at this situation, perhaps the result might truly be different this time.

Would the precaution the captain had given them before their first voyage actually come true?

“Furl sails, reduce speed, port rudder, prepare cannons.”

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After who knows how long, just as the crew were becoming so tense from the captain and first mate’s “cold war” that they could barely breathe, they suddenly heard Enzo’s command from the bow.

As calm and powerful as always.

But this time no one moved. Everyone’s gaze was focused on the first mate.

Knowing the other no longer wanted to wait and had directly thrown this multiple choice question before him, Wyatt’s expression was very complex as he continued silently watching him.

“What are you waiting for? Go.”

The Night Curtain captain’s orders continued, but this time they weren’t for the crew or that first mate, but for Alfie on the ship’s rail beside him.

“Yes, Captain!”

The raven responded loudly and took flight. It would carry the man’s orders completely to the accompanying warships.

At the same time, several low but clear roars came from the waterfall’s direction.

That mountain-like nine-headed python was roaring at that lone moon, as if to express the joy of regaining freedom after being “bound” for a thousand years.

And its towering hatred for the gods and that man.

After that, it slowly lowered its heads. More than ten orbs of green suns shone toward the direction of the three warships.

Feeling that fear surging back into his heart, Wyatt clenched his slightly trembling fists, took one last look at that back, then turned around and loudly issued commands to those pirates who were suppressing their trembling.

“What are you waiting for, gentlemen…”

“Furl sails, reduce speed, port rudder, gunners to positions!”