Captain – Chapter 709 – A Door of Unknown Status, Unclear Heart and Mind

“I’ll handle this”—these words sounded righteous and heroic, like rushing toward a mountain of swords and sea of fire, but on the other hand, they also sounded like someone who couldn’t wait to grab a good opportunity after seeing the benefits.

Given Young Master Anderson’s personality and his several other identities beyond ship’s doctor, when he said these words, his position and intentions naturally leaned more toward the latter.

Yes, the reason he spoke up for the first time ever, and on such an unprecedented major matter, was because he saw irrefutable rewards.

And the backward situation his family and even the Federation might face if they missed this opportunity.

The rewards and benefits naturally referred to that great cake.

At a time like this, he naturally had to step forward for the Anderson family and the Federation, just as when Caine had given his calm speech earlier, his position had been with Auran.

At this point, this meeting was no longer limited to the islands—it truly extended to the entire present world.

And this was perhaps part of the reason why Governor Naren and Mr. Rowell had agreed to let their children go to sea with Roy, and hadn’t been stingy with their open and covert assistance—at least, it had laid the groundwork for today’s scene.

They just hadn’t expected this stroke would ultimately fall upon the Pirate King from a thousand years ago.

Because of their shared experiences through storms and life-and-death situations, because of the considerations and arrangements those old men had made many years ago, the ship’s doctor’s statement naturally met no opposition.

After all, in everyone’s eyes, having the Federation participate was absolutely a good thing.

To crusade against Captain Edward, the more companions the better.

Ideally, the entire world would mobilize.

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After brief consideration, Roy nodded to the ship’s doctor, indicating they’d proceed as he suggested.

Although Mr. Rowell was an old friend of the former Great Captain and was quite possibly one of the present world’s decision-makers in the so-called old covenant, he should support the joint crusade against the devil.

But persuading him, and convincing the Shelley family and Federation Assembly to agree to send warships and troops to assist in battle, was likewise not something that could be accomplished with just a few letters.

Having this young master go was the best choice from both sincerity and probability perspectives.

Caine’s earlier statement that he was willing to personally persuade if given the chance was for the same reason.

After simple discussion and decision-making, the proposal to have people return to seek aid and bring back the islands’ fleet—and possibly even tri-party fleets—was quickly approved.

And because time was urgent, everyone unanimously agreed that aside from the most important matter of obtaining aid, all benefit divisions and detailed issues could be postponed.

It would be best to discuss them in detail after the war, or at worst, hold a maritime conference.

Of course, the prerequisite was that all three parties—specifically, the people at the top of power—could agree.

Logically, the meeting should have ended there.

But Roy didn’t announce adjournment. The pirates sat quietly, knowing everything wasn’t concluded yet, because there was still one most important prerequisite that remained uncertain.

That was… it was simply too far.

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From their current position, not to mention sending people back, even having the raven deliver letters would take an unknown amount of time for a round trip. If they really had to return and then come back, it would probably take over a year—and this wasn’t even the biggest problem.

What troubled everyone most was that if the Federation and Empire were truly willing to send troops, how much supplies would be needed for the three-party fleets traveling such a distance together?

Even if each side could provide them, and even if they planned the route in advance and resupplied along the way before entering the Cursed Sea, the preparation time would greatly slow the expedition.

And if they didn’t prepare return journey food and water, the Horn of Plenty alone probably couldn’t solve the problem.

The pirates were one thing, but soldiers—especially the Empire’s elite—would probably find it hard to accept lining up to obtain food from that divine artifact.

From this perspective, this resolution was riddled with difficulties and nearly impossible to achieve.

But after thinking through these issues, the pirates’ eyes didn’t show much disappointment. Instead, they looked toward Gerard with hope, even taking it for granted.

Unconsciously, this returned legend had become everyone’s backbone—or rather, decades ago, he had already been the center of the islands.

Of course, it was also because of the abilities he had displayed since the meeting began.

Even problems the captain couldn’t see clearly or understand, he had quickly revealed the truth behind the fog after hearing about the events before and after the Great Triangle and thinking briefly.

So this time would be the same? After all, he was the one who first proposed seeking aid.

Feeling the fervent gazes converging on him, seeing the trust in Roy’s questioning eyes, the man smiled and nodded: “I might be able to solve this.”

Hearing this, the pirates were naturally speechless with admiration. Roy’s heart, which had been hanging because she had no solution, finally settled, and she quietly asked him what method he had.

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“I don’t know if the Great Captain ever told you, but on the eve of my departure twenty years ago, I had a meeting with him for the purpose of entering the Cursed Sea.”

Though he already knew of the changes in the islands’ situation, Gerard still habitually called that person the Great Captain—whether because he didn’t know his name or out of respect.

Hearing her father’s somewhat nostalgic tone, the captain couldn’t help but recall her important meeting with that old man when she first arrived in Providence after her escape.

In that conversation that determined the islands’ future and might even cause ripples in the world situation, he had told her all the old affairs and deeply hidden secrets.

This naturally included that confrontation with her father.

At the end of that equally important conversation, the two had decided many things, the most crucial of which was naturally Captain Gerard’s request.

Asking that Guardian of Law to open a door—a door from the present world to the Cursed Sea.

“Could it be… that door still exists now?”

With this thought, Roy asked with slight surprise, thinking that even if that person’s methods reached the heavens and could tear open a corner of the barrier, that fissure couldn’t persist for long.

After all, maintaining that “door” was much more difficult than setting up a barrier and no longer managing it. Even someone as great as him would have to pay a price—there was no reason to keep it up constantly.

Unless… he had foreseen this day long ago, even if only a vague approximation.

And had quietly waited and watched for twenty years because of this.

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Seeing the surprise blooming in Roy’s eyes and the complex light that gradually replaced the unexpected expression, Gerard knew she had made her deduction. After a moment of silence, he still poured cold water on her: “Actually, I’m not very certain either.”

“After all, though I spent considerable time with the Great Captain, his thoughts were never easy to guess.”

“Often you could only see the truth at the very end.”

Hearing this, Roy understood his meaning. Her emotions gradually steadied, and she turned to look at the somewhat confused pirates, briefly explaining that conversation and that “door.”

After everyone knew and understood, she decided on the next plan: “Since this is the only solution, we’ll set out first to look at that ‘door.'”

“After confirming whether it’s still open, we’ll make specific arrangements for seeking aid.”

“Then…”

After speaking, Roy turned to look at the man beside her, pausing somewhat unaccustomedly before asking: “Old man, you haven’t forgotten the specific location of that passage, have you?”

She naturally received an affirmative answer, and he smiled and added that it happened to be not far from here.

Somewhat uncomfortable with that gentle, determined gaze that seemed willing to sacrifice everything for her yet showed faint timidity in its depths, Roy’s eyes flickered as she looked away.

Then, in a tone that revealed no emotion, she announced to everyone:

“Well then, let’s adjourn for now.”