Captain – Chapter 541

With the giant serpent’s gaze upon them, the three warships turned direction, opening all gun ports on their broadsides aimed at that specter, gradually forming a moving semicircle.

Like an open bag, quietly and patiently waiting for prey to enter the net.

Only… no one knew who was truly the prey tonight.

Across the moonlight, seeing clearly the provocative stance taken by those three “insects” in the distance, the specter named “Hydra” seemed to recall the scene from a thousand years ago when it was forced into this place by a fleet, and the eerie light in its pupils suddenly became piercing.

But the next moment, the ship shadows reflected in those dozen “suns” gradually faded, becoming extremely blurred and indistinct. In their place was a fog-like darkness.

A lone figure stood in the “mist,” positioned before the giant serpent, gazing at it indifferently.

He was clothed in black, small yet not servile.

So the giant serpent knew he was the master of those warships.

That man who dared face terror was different from his life-loving kind it had seen before. He seemed capable of quelling the ocean’s raging waves just by standing there.

Even the night sky seemed like obedient servants following at his sides.

As if he were the master of night itself.

Whether by instinct or sight, everything told the specter how dangerous that man was. The threat he brought might even rival the gods’ representatives.

Rival those great ones who had received divine gifts and commanded endless fleets.

But if it were only this, it wouldn’t be so vigilant.

The old era had passed. The gods’ glory remained only on those meaningless murals. Whether the gods themselves or the holy war fleets they had established to confront creatures like itself, the world’s original masters…

None existed now.

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Being so, how could a single representative possibly stop it?

What truly made the giant serpent feel danger and exercise caution was that it “scented” the aura of old acquaintances from that approaching night, and more than one.

Nyx, Goddess of Night; Annisdora, Daughter of the Gods; and that despicable, lowly pirate who somehow inexplicably wielded great power.

If they were truly in that “great mist,” it should perhaps turn and leave.

But… those auras seemed present yet absent, unlike the real persons.

The serpent’s nine heads rose and fell at different heights, gazing or intertwining, occasionally communicating with low roars.

Though they were one body, each head possessed independent consciousness. While their wisdom fell short of the gods’, it far exceeded ordinary creatures.

Therefore, after briefly exchanging opinions, the specter easily deduced that those old acquaintances it sensed could not possibly appear in the night.

The Goddess of Night had long departed. The Daughter of the Gods’ aura was as weak as a mortal’s. As for that detestable pirate, he should still be trapped on that island.

These were all mere diversions.

Then what about you?

Having confirmed certain facts, the giant serpent hesitated no longer. Its massive body moved, approaching that “great mist,” its green pupils pointing directly at that man.

Whose believer are you, by what command do you come, and how do you have the audacity to challenge me? But regardless of the answers, none of it matters now.

Whether you, the cowards hiding behind you, or the insect-like mortals who have occupied this world for centuries – all will meet their end.

There will be no mercy.

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Compared to the night that poured forth from Enzo’s Dream-Calling Ring, the specter approaching with massive waves and fierce winds seemed more like true night itself.

Hearing the sea tides and wind howls stirred by that monster, watching the mountain-like shadow pressing down, the pirates on the Ghost Scythe unconsciously lightened their breathing.

Only their hearts beat wildly, and the trembling born of fear was beyond control.

Though by now they had confirmed they would battle this mythological specter, even the most optimistic and brave among them held no confidence of victory, or even… of survival.

This was gambling so mad it bordered on foolish.

With no chance of winning whatsoever.

When turning direction earlier, Enzo had already left the bow and come to the broadside.

Given the positions of the three warships, the crew deployment, and the range of night’s coverage, that position was the front line directly facing the giant serpent and danger.

“Captain, are you confident?”

Hearing the question from behind, Enzo smiled. His first mate usually didn’t talk so much, and would never ask such a meaningless question.

It seemed Wyatt was truly nervous this time.

“What do you think?”

Thinking this, the man quietly replied.

Compared to the first mate’s question about “confidence,” his counter-question seemed even more casual and unnecessary, because generally when someone asked this way, it already indicated he had no certainty in his heart.

Indicated he too was not calm.

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Upon hearing this, Wyatt, standing at the captain’s right rear, grew even more solemn, even beginning to doubt and slightly regret his earlier decision.

After all, if even the Night Curtain captain lacked confidence, then looking at the entire world, probably no one could resolve this matter, unless that person from the islands came personally.

But unfortunately, that person seemed to have become an enemy.

Though his mood was heavy, Wyatt didn’t continue chattering due to pressure, but looked at the captain’s hand, glancing at that ring flowing with night and spreading ever faster, his grim emotions slightly easing.

Including himself, no one on the ship knew the origin of the ring on Enzo’s hand.

But they had witnessed more than once the miracles it brought alongside the captain. Those past achievements had created legend and built the Ghost Scythe’s myth of invincibility.

Perhaps this time, they could do it too?

With this thought, the first mate stopped overthinking and truly stood like a shadow behind Enzo, his gaze piercing through the night to lock onto that specter.

Time passed second by second, until at a certain moment, Wyatt suddenly spoke to remind him.

“Captain, within cannon range now.”

In this era when gods were absent and humanity flourished, warships might not be like those massive vessels of the old calendar that possessed great power and divine protection, but they hadn’t entirely regressed either.

At least with technological enhancement, they had longer cannon range and naturally stronger firepower.

So much so that some said these gunpowder creations were sufficient to support humanity’s divine proxy.

Sufficient to shatter false doctrine.

That specter imprisoned for a thousand years obviously didn’t know this, didn’t know it had entered the kill zone, still carelessly approaching the thick night.

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This was their opportunity.

Hearing the first mate’s reminder, the messenger standing ready by the cabin door, prepared to relay orders, almost moved to shout commands, but was stopped by the captain the next moment.

“Wait a bit longer.”

Back turned to everyone, Enzo slightly raised his left hand and spoke quietly.

The man could understand his first mate’s thinking, knew he wanted to use their range advantage to test the specter first, see the results, then decide on subsequent actions.

However terrifying that giant serpent was, it was ultimately a beast-like existence, flesh and blood. Modern firepower would surely have effect – the only question was how much.

Though he could understand, Enzo disagreed with this approach.

Because he had an inexplicable feeling that there would be only one chance for formation bombardment.

That giant serpent resembled a beast, but was in fact a more terrifying existence than devils. Not to mention the supernatural intelligence it might possess, its combat instincts were certainly fearsome.

It would never give them a second chance for concentrated fire.

Therefore, the first round had to inflict sufficient damage for them to have any chance of victory.

So he would wait, wait until maximum kill range before opening fire, but the premise was that the specter wouldn’t realize this and take precautions early.

The premise was that the kill range of those massive ships in the old calendar was somewhat closer than this.

This was a gamble staking everything.

A madman’s game.