Captain – Chapter 55 – Negotiation at the Pinnacle of Power

The navy quickly surrounded the residence, blocking every street and alley.

The soldiers closest to the residence warily watched the young woman holding a curved sword, her clothes somewhat disheveled, gripping their sword hilts as they faced off against her.

Since landing on the island, they had been stationed outside Duke Darren’s manor, never entering the hall, so naturally, they didn’t know about the fake Miss Andersen who had broken out with the Governor’s party.

They had received only one order: to seal off all streets around the residence and not let a single living person leave. So clearly, this young woman was also one of the old man’s targets.

Moreover, at her feet lay several corpses, which they had already identified as crew members of the Orca, who were responsible for eliminating the remnants of the Black Raven Society.

Being able to kill so many fierce pirates single-handedly, the young woman before them was naturally an extremely dangerous figure. The heavy aura of death she carried, along with her mysterious identity, led to this somewhat absurd standoff.

Military boots splashed through puddles, making pattering sounds like drumbeats landing on the hearts of the navy men, turning their hesitation and doubt into bubbles.

The soldiers standing in front of Roy retreated to both sides, opening a path. From it emerged Rear Admiral Merri in full military attire, completely armed, with Captain Todd, who had previously met the captain, behind him.

At this time, the captain was panting heavily, his body steaming, and it was unclear whether what was flowing down his face was sweat or rain. He looked as if he had made a hasty journey.

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Merri stopped three steps in front of Roy, his gaze at her extremely complex. On one hand, he had personally witnessed her terrifying power in the hall; on the other hand, he hadn’t expected that for this collateral Miss Andersen, the Commander would actually choose to openly defy the Governor.

What this represented couldn’t be clearer.

Sighing deeply, Merri examined Roy with a gaze that seemed to be looking at the “future Mrs. Howard,” while simultaneously signaling to the soldiers beside him.

Seeing this scene, watching the soldiers approaching from both sides, drawing closer, Roy’s dark golden pupils showed no emotion. She didn’t seem to feel regret or anger because of this, only pure indifference. She slowly raised her curved sword toward Merri.

Seven hundred naval soldiers—facing them head-on, she would undoubtedly be defeated. But if she only killed this Rear Admiral and then broke through, with her skills, she still had a good chance.

But…

The captain didn’t think further. Betrayal and punishment could wait until after she made it out alive.

Just as Roy was about to fight with all her might, a gentle voice interrupted her preparation, leaving her in a slightly bewildered state.

“Miss Andersen, we have no ill intentions.”

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Looking at the sincere expression on Merri’s face, Roy frowned and hesitated for a moment before lowering her raised sword back to her side. “What do you mean?”

By this time, the navy men had already reached her side, but instead of suddenly attacking as the captain had thought, they continued toward the residence, with orders for firefighting and search operations coming one after another.

“My subordinates have come on my orders to clean up the aftermath, and I…”

Merri paused, glancing helplessly at the panting Todd beside him: “On the young master’s orders, I’ve come to bring you back, and in perfect condition.”

Hearing this, Roy was silent for a moment, then sheathed her sword and looked at Todd with his embarrassed smile: “Where is he?”

Todd wiped the beads of sweat from his face and hurriedly explained: “The Com… Commander is negotiating with the Governor. Miss, you’d better come back with us quickly, otherwise the young master might really tear down his own manor.”

Seeming to understand what her First Mate was doing, Roy raised her eyebrows in surprise: “Is he rebelling?”

Rear Admiral Merri coughed lightly and said seriously: “Negotiating. The Admiral is merely representing the military in negotiations with the Governor.”

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

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Roy smiled and then whistled loudly.

In no time, the sound of flapping wings came from somewhere in the shadows of the alley. A pitch-black raven that seemed to merge with the night sky appeared before the three, quickly flying close and landing on Roy’s arm, which she held out in front.

“Let’s go, Alfie, let’s see what my, uh, fiancé is doing that’s so important.”

The candlelight in the study was somewhat dim, reflecting on the face of the old man covered with wrinkles and age spots, forming a stark contrast with the young, vigorous, lion-like youth sitting opposite him.

The same two people sat facing each other again, but this time their identities were no longer as before.

They were no longer the grandfatherly old man and the young lion cub. Now they were the imperial Governor and the Naval Commander, symbols of the pinnacle of Auran political and military power. And this conversation had finally escalated to a direct confrontation between their power and status.

“I hadn’t ruled out this possibility, but when it actually happened, when you truly sat before me, I found myself still somewhat dazed, as if trapped in a nightmare from which I could never wake.”

Since the young man entered the room, Federo hadn’t looked at the confidential report again. Instead, he gazed at Caine with a rare serious expression. He knew how terrifyingly fast this young master of the Howard family had grown, because it had happened under his own manipulation.

Himself, Naren, Robert, the military, and even… His Majesty the Emperor, who was still kept in the dark—looking across the entire empire, no one else had the honor of being escorted by all these people and forces. And besides his own methods, it was more because of Caine himself.

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He was too much like a young Naren, and in terms of military affairs and strategy, he was even stronger than his father. This was talent, but it was also effort—unimaginable effort.

Why? Because of hatred.

The hatred Federo had created with his own hands—that hellfire which had buried one military talent yet cultivated another truly perfect figure in whom he saw the light of hope.

He didn’t know how much energy and time he had spent to get to this point, nor what expectations he had invested in this little lion. So when Caine began to oppose him, began to try to escape his control, he found it difficult to accept for a moment.

And what he hadn’t anticipated was that the young man seemed to truly have this power.

Seeing the disappointment, no, more like loss, revealed on the old man’s face, Caine fell into silence. He knew what kind of hurt his attitude would cause the old man, but he had to do this; otherwise, he might regret it for the rest of his life.

He had already lost one elf-like girl and didn’t want to lose another.

So he broke the silence with an expressionless face: “Elizabeth’s death was due to my weakness, but now that I have enough power, I will never let the tragedy of twelve years ago repeat itself.”