Captain – Chapter 590 – “Old Crew Member”

“Board the ship.”

After quietly watching that ship, that giant vessel she had consciously and unconsciously thought of and pursued since leaving the world’s end, Roy calmly gave the order.

Her tone was as natural as if discussing ordinary matters, her expression composed as if she had long anticipated this.

Understanding that to complete this unprecedented expedition, understanding that as a descendant of devils, to accomplish redemption for old history and herself, she was destined to board this ship.

To board this magnificent vessel named “Goddess Hestia,” symbolizing humanity’s hope and final bulwark in the chaotic darkness of the old calendar’s final era.

Back then it had sailed far to battle the “Hydra” and was defeated, but today, everything would be vastly different.

It would turn the tide, in her hands.

Looking at the warship drawing ever closer, looking at the name carved in ancient script even older than Ancient Auran at its stern, the girl thought silently and resolutely.

Only she was somewhat puzzled why she could recognize that mysterious writing.

After all, the history of the devil’s lineage only began in the Ancient Auran calendar after Edward stole divine power, so such memories shouldn’t exist in her bloodline.

Unless… that man had secrets hidden even more ancient.

Behind the girl, Ben and Wyatt, who had just come to their senses, stiffly turned their faces, exchanging glances, both seeing the irrepressible shock in the other’s eyes.

Even though they had experienced much and seen many grand scenes, this warship…

Was truly too magnificent, nearly a floating castle.

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After a brief moment of stupor, the two simultaneously rose and shouted loudly toward the rear.

“Prepare to board!”

Their commands awakened the even more shocked pirates. Upon learning what they had been seeking during these dark, desperate days, excitement and a somewhat abnormal flush appeared on their faces as they responded with near-roaring voices.

Facing the warm light, the wooden boats successively approached the giant vessel, and after their passengers climbed onto the hull, they were enveloped by the candlelight emanating from the ship’s bow and turned to ash-like snow.

Roy was the first to board the giant ship.

She led Ben and the other through the bottom hold, climbing until they reached the gun ports in the middle of the hull, then flipped inside. After briefly surveying the environment, she discovered the source of the light.

The giant ship’s corridors were very spacious. Along the walls near the sides, crystal-carved candle holders were placed at regular intervals, burning with candles not much different from those embedded in the bows of the boats that had brought them.

They burned steadily, spreading pale red warm light, as if they would never extinguish.

But although those slender candles could emit light far exceeding their size, illuminating every corner of the corridor in minute detail, they weren’t the source of that brilliant radiance. Its true origin was located at the end of this corridor.

There, heavy ancient wooden doors stood open, and warm light flowed like silk threads across the floor and up the wooden walls, reaching the outside world through various gun ports and portholes.

Once aboard the ship, no longer suppressed by the eerie fog, Roy could see without approaching that it was an extremely spacious area, probably even grander than the Auran Royal Theater.

But unlike the banquet hall on the Victoria used for nobles’ entertainment, this was an extremely simply decorated space that contrasted sharply with the warship’s exterior…

A solemn chapel.

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Like most empire chapels today, it contained no divine statues, only a symbolic cross embedded in the center of the pure white altar.

Identical to the one embedded in the curved blade on the girl’s pendant.

And it was the source of the light.

It seemed the layout of Holy Church chapels was passed down from ancient times, with no goddess statues, and it wasn’t as rumored, canceled due to some empire emperor’s request.

Perhaps… it was decreed by that divine lady herself?

The girl speculated silently, and while she pondered, many crew members had already boarded the warship from various points. The important figures who arrived first naturally followed her steps to the deck where the chapel was located, successively gathering at her side.

“Lance, Harriet, you two stay behind. Lead the newcomers to familiarize themselves with the warship, quickly assign gun positions, and locate the armory.”

“You must ensure that when I need you to open fire, you can execute immediately.”

Receiving their orders, Lance and Harriet unhesitatingly agreed.

“Yes, Captain!”

Nodding to the two, Roy turned toward the companionway at the other end of the corridor, simultaneously ordering: “The rest of you follow me, we’re going topside.”

The remaining people all agreed, but before they could take more than a few steps, they were all stopped by the ship’s doctor, who came running to Roy’s side holding the Siamese cat.

“Though I know it’s not the right time, but Captain, have you noticed…”

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Looking at Roy, who had gradually stopped and raised her eyebrows with an expression of “are you looking for trouble,” Anderson swallowed and carefully reminded her: “Everything here is too new, new as if it just left the shipyard.”

Hearing this, the girl’s eyebrows lowered back down, and she said expressionlessly: “That’s not strange.”

She had seen plenty of this kind of time-stopping technique, like the Victoria, and the Satin perpetually trapped in the same day. Though this giant ship came from the old calendar, if divine blessing remained, being incorruptible and imperishable wouldn’t be difficult.

Feeling that completely unwavering gaze, the ship’s doctor knew that if he couldn’t explain himself properly, getting punched in the face would definitely be getting off light, so he had to continue.

“But don’t you think this newness is somewhat strange? Look at the floor in front of us, it’s even still wet, as if someone just mopped it.”

“With your abilities, you wouldn’t miss this.”

Following Anderson’s indication, Roy indeed saw water stains remaining on the floor, and could even determine that they had existed for less than ten minutes.

Feeling the moisture she had overlooked drifting in the air, the captain frowned slightly and asked “so,” though due to the ship doctor’s reminder, she activated her great power and instantly “saw” through the entire giant ship, but the problem was…

There were no discoveries whatsoever; the entire ship was completely empty.

Oh, she couldn’t say there was no gain—she did discover one room that couldn’t be explored.

By its location, it should be the captain’s cabin.

“So there are other people… or things here.”

“Maybe ghosts.”

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Hearing this young master’s somewhat shaky speculation, the girl sighed lightly, turned around, and looked at the crew members who had become somewhat wary due to his “careful observation”: “Though that may be so, I haven’t sensed any…”

“Cap… Captain.”

Before Roy could finish reassuring them, Daniel, hiding in the crowd, suddenly raised his trembling hand, pointing behind her to interrupt, while the others gripped their knives tightly.

At the same time, a “squeak, squeak” sound of wet cloth rubbing against the floor came from behind.

Tilting her head slightly in confusion, Roy frowned and turned sideways, then saw a figure dressed in what appeared to be a military uniform, though old and tattered, emerging from the corner ahead, mopping the floor while approaching them.

“Squeak, squeak…”

Accompanied by the grating sound, the figure quickly approached, then stopped in front of the girl’s black boots. Thus blocked in its path, he, or rather…

It, slowly raised its head.

“Damn.”

Looking at the face under that military cap, the captain’s eye twitched as she couldn’t help but curse under her breath.

Because that wasn’t a human face, but rather…

A skull.