Captain – Chapter 617 – Nothing

“Although Captain Gerard didn’t reveal too many details after returning from the wooden house, according to what the old folks said, he had a quarrel with the Great Captain—a very fierce one.”

The “Black Rose’s” voice rose again, somewhat distant due to her wandering thoughts, interrupting the young man’s reminiscence and making his expression become somewhat unnatural.

A… quarrel?

Victor, who had followed that person for over a year, found it very difficult to associate this emotionally charged word with that magnificent, cold mountain.

“No one knows the content, and the ins and outs of it all—perhaps only Captain Roy herself can unveil them, but… at least everyone knows the result.”

Not minding his surprise, or rather, Fia’s gaze had been following the departing girl all along.

And these words, besides explaining things to the person beside her, were more spoken to herself, to convince herself that this was nothing, that tonight’s conclusion would be no different from that night.

As for the result of that rainy night…

Since from that time until now, the archipelago hadn’t fallen into chaos and still calmly dominated the south, it was enough to show that someone in that negotiation, or both of them, had compromised.

For the future of this world, for the fate of that girl who was then in swaddling clothes.

Knowing the young man could understand, the “Black Rose” didn’t explain further, but only sighed lightly before making her conclusion: “So you see, he is ultimately our Great Captain.”

“Perhaps he doesn’t love us enough, but he loves this world enough, loves the masterpiece he built with his own hands.”

“And since Captain Roy also knows this, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Listening to Fia’s meaningful words and feeling her gaze that turned to him for the first time with a half-smile, Victor knew she had already guessed something.

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Guessed what he had done on that gigantic warship, and the self-evident intention behind it.

“Don’t overthink it. I think you did well. Some things need to be spelled out directly.”

“Better than guessing and calculating back and forth, wearing out your mind.”

Under the young man’s surprised gaze, the “Black Rose,” who had been quite at odds with him because of that ring, gently patted his shoulder, then walked toward the dense forest.

Leaving only a phrase that had returned to lightness.

“Well then, let’s pray that the old man and the little madwoman don’t go off the rails.”

Just as Victor was watching that legend depart, a low sound from not far behind attracted his attention again, and when he turned around…

What met his eyes was still the wooden house, only there was no longer anyone outside.

When the “Black Rose’s” insincere prayer fell, the girl holding the cat had already pushed open the door and entered, without any delay or mental struggle.

Just like returning home—no, this time, she really had returned to her former residence.

Only the person inside had become somewhat unfamiliar.

After entering the wooden house, the door behind her closed by itself, making no great sound.

Roy’s first glance wasn’t toward the throne and that eternally unchanging shadow within it, but toward the wooden chair at the far end of the long table’s other side, close to herself.

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In terms of material and appearance, that chair wasn’t particularly special, identical to those arranged along both sides of the long table. What truly drew attention was its position.

Facing the throne from afar, it signified a kind of equal status in a certain sense.

The girl didn’t know how long this chair had been empty, nor did she know what kind of person would be qualified to sit in it, to confront the person in the throne as an equal.

But for some reason, after entering the house tonight, she locked onto it at first sight—perhaps because it had been pulled out for the first time, quietly awaiting her as an uninvited guest.

Or perhaps… it was because someone had once faced the same situation as her.

And had used this wooden chair to forcibly establish an independent seat.

Using it to confront that “emperor” with equal determination, not retreating a single step.

After a brief pause, Roy embraced this inexplicable speculation and the reassurance and determination it brought, silently sitting in that position.

Then she raised her head, looking toward the opposite side.

Unlike what some legendary tales described, at this moment concerning the fate of countless people and even the course of history, the person in the throne still kept his head slightly lowered, as if dozing.

Only the gentle motion of his fingers stroking the square stone ring, unobservable to the girl, contradicted this impression.

Without greeting or honorifics, the wooden house fell into complete silence, even the sound of rain from outside seemed to hold its breath due to the omnipresent authority.

After some unknown time—perhaps having thought through some matters, or perhaps truly having just awakened to realize this meeting had begun—the person in the throne slowly raised his face.

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His lazy, indifferent gaze swept across the dark tabletop, finally settling on the cat.

Looking at the Siamese cat sitting properly on the girl’s lap with its small head barely reaching above the table’s height, that person smiled and spoke in a teasing manner.

“I’ve imagined countless possible scenarios of meeting you, but I still never thought it would be for this reason, in this… strange position.”

Facing that gaze and feeling the curiosity and deep probing intent within it, the cat’s gray fur on its neck bristled, then reluctantly responded.

“Meow.” Saying it certainly wasn’t voluntary.

Just after making the sound, the cat felt a tightness around its waist, knowing the girl was expressing displeasure. It cried out in pain, then somewhat helplessly leaped onto the wooden table, sitting properly at her side front, thereby showing its attitude.

Watching this scene, the interest in the throne occupant’s eyes grew richer, and he couldn’t help asking: “Actually, I really want to know—from when you supported Edward to later knowing you were calculated and trapped, why were you still unwilling to leave?”

“And why have you chosen her now?”

What the Great Captain spoke of was obviously older matters, buried deeper or already covered by time. Roy had naturally never heard of them, but she could taste some meaning between leaving and not leaving.

It seemed that even regarding the cat who served as a guide, that devil hadn’t hesitated to use it, yet Mango had still waited for him on the Satin for hundreds of years after his old friend was gone.

Until meeting herself.

Was there truly some secret in this? Or was it following some kind of destiny?

Knowing that both people in the house were interested in this, the cat had no inclination to bare its heart. After licking its paw, it gave a perfunctory response.

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“Meow.”

The cat thinks, therefore it acts—no reason needed, just like fate’s threads are always tangled.

Also, isn’t tonight your two’s stage?

Hearing the rhetorical question contained in the cat’s meow’s tail tone, the person in the throne gave a noncommittal light laugh, but ultimately shifted his gaze to meet with the girl who looked back at him.

Those eyes were as calm and profound as always, no different from many years ago, only the innocent youth of that time couldn’t see the deeper parts of that sea.

Could only feel the tangible love, not knowing that it perhaps wasn’t meant for herself.

But now, she had seen it.

No matter how complex the emotions, before that temperature-less, innate indifference, they ultimately stopped and faded. But even though she already knew the answer, Roy still couldn’t help pursing her lips, asking with some stubbornness in her cold voice for confirmation.

“Is there anything you want to explain to me?”

Hearing this, the person in the throne paused his thumb stroking the square stone, not remaining silent with indifference as he usually did when facing that proxy and other legends.

Instead, after a quiet moment, he spoke lightly.

“Nothing.”