Captain – Chapter 715 – Reasons and Candidates

Hearing these words and seeing the old man’s composed manner, the ship’s doctor naturally guessed much.

He knew that before his return, or even earlier, something had happened in the present world that made the old man, the Shelley family head, and even the entire Federation decide in advance. But out of curiosity, Anderson still asked why.

“There are many various reasons, but to truly summarize, there are only two.”

Perhaps because it related to the upcoming succession and instruction, Rowell didn’t dismiss the young man’s confusion with a wave of his hand as before.

Instead, after sipping his bitter tea, he explained unhurriedly: “The first reason is quite boring—we old folks, after seeing irreversible changes, usually react faster and more directly than you youngsters.”

“Since the matter was settled, we naturally set about promoting it and making all preparations in advance.”

Putting down his teacup and looking at the contemplative ship’s doctor, the family head smiled contentedly, appearing less noble and dignified but more worldly.

“From this perspective, compared to the Empire’s politicians, we’re more like speculators. When we decided this matter, it was like placing a bet, putting the family’s and Federation’s future on the gambling table.”

“But what can we do? We’re merchants after all.”

They only needed to calculate risks and returns to dare bet everything, unlike Auran’s rulers who had to consider the people, political circles, royalty, and various other parties.

“Of course, this alone isn’t enough.”

After the ship’s doctor understood the first reason, Rowell’s relaxed tone shifted, becoming much more serious. Even the smile on his face disappeared as if it had never existed.

Thinking of the major events from recent days, he said gravely: “This would at most let us observe the situation coldly. Perhaps we wouldn’t have acted before your letter arrived. What truly made us decide was another letter that came even faster.”

“Captain Tiger’s personal letter, sent through the most secret channels…”

Hearing this, Anderson, who had been listening silently, finally couldn’t help but interrupt: “Wait, wait, wait, old man, how come I’ve never heard of such a person?”

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“Captain Tiger? Neither the family nor the Black Raven Society’s intelligence network has ever mentioned this name, and no one on the islands has mentioned it either.”

“Who is this mysterious figure? How many more secrets do you have that you haven’t told…”

While the ship’s doctor was shocked to discover there were so many secrets he didn’t know about and began rapid-fire questioning, the family head reached into that pile of old contracts, rummaged around a bit, picked out one buried at the bottom and handed it to him.

Seeing this, Anderson was slightly stunned, instinctively stopped talking, and took it to scan through.

Compared to the others piled on the table—yellowed, tattered, even missing half like waste paper—this one, though also not new, was obviously much more recent.

It was written in Auran script, and judging by grammatical details, it was the current generation’s version.

The contract’s content hadn’t changed much and could be skimmed at a glance. What truly caught the ship’s doctor’s eye were the names at the bottom—almost all of them familiar.

Bartholomew Shelley, Rowell Anderson, Francis York…

Nearly all the ancient families’ current generation family heads’ names were there, even including several kings of independent duchies outside the Federation and Empire.

Undoubtedly, this was this generation’s contract.

And before so many noble names, figures at the pinnacle of power…

There was an extremely careless, casual signature.

Tiger Royell.

Even the most obtuse person should understand upon seeing this scene.

And just as the ship’s doctor stared at that careless signature, growing closer to the answer and increasingly shocked, the family head’s solemn, even reverent voice came over.

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“Captain Tiger Royell is the Guardian of Law who presided over this generation’s old covenant.”

“That is, the former Great Captain of the islands.”

Looking at the ship’s doctor who slowly put down the contract, still reeling from shock, Rowell seemed to see himself when he received that letter, saying with emotion: “Of course you wouldn’t know. Right after you set out, Captain Tiger called a secret meeting.”

“And in front of us all, he declared the old covenant void.”

Thinking of that meeting whose time and location were unknown to all except the participants, thinking of his father’s slight but thunderous words, Anderson’s eye twitched. He thought it was indeed shocking enough—just one sentence had untied a thousand-year knot.

So direct it was almost brutal, severing those complex hidden threads and that entire segment of old history.

Anyone present would probably feel as if they were dreaming.

The family head’s calm words continued.

“After that, that lord briefly spoke about the recent situation and what you’re doing and will do, then let us each return home.”

“Of course, before that lord left, he left one final sentence.”

“That from now on, there would be no more Guardians of Law.”

Hearing this, though he didn’t know the meeting’s specific content, Anderson understood the meaning of these words.

This was a statement, but also a stance.

Logically, with the old covenant gone, the Guardian of Law as witness and enforcer of the old covenant would naturally lose their reason for existence. But the reality wasn’t so simple.

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Having spent time with pirates, the ship’s doctor knew somewhat about such secrets, knowing that the so-called Guardian of Law was more about monitoring the devil’s lineage than managing the old covenant.

While the devil lived and his descendants’ hearts to save him remained, the Guardian of Law would always exist. So “there would be no more” meant that lord was determined…

To end the devil’s story and all the troubles born from it in this generation.

This was the clearest possible stance.

“With even that lord taking a position, we who are also descendants of Edward’s mortal enemies have no other choice. All interests can only be secondary.”

“Killing that devil is the ultimate goal.”

This was Mr. Rowell’s conclusion and explanation of the current situation.

So regardless of whether there was that cake, regardless of each family’s fate after the covenant ended, everyone including him and the Shelley family head—all old covenant members—could only and would only have one choice: to follow Captain Tiger.

And when this undercurrent surged, the Federation would naturally move too.

Because Pronora, since its birth, had been a synthesis of these families’ wills.

“But even so, benefits should still be taken when available, and the future still needs consideration.”

Knowing all the preceding events had been fully explained and that his father’s next few brief words of instruction and decision were tonight’s key, the ship’s doctor became serious.

Seeing this, satisfaction appeared in the family head’s eyes. Gazing at the young man’s eyes, he continued: “So on the family’s side, I’ve decided you’ll take the position immediately.”

“From now on, all troop deployments and negotiations related to the old sea will be handled by you personally.”

Though Rowell said no more about this, Anderson understood his intentions, knowing his father wanted to use this great achievement to clear all obstacles to his assumption of the family head position and entry into Federation politics, ensuring smooth sailing from then on.

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It was also using this tremendous pressure to make him quickly familiarize himself with and become competent in family affairs.

But despite feeling like a boulder had been placed on his shoulders, making even himself, who had prepared early, somewhat breathless, Anderson calmly accepted.

Because he knew this was the best choice—an opportunity that wouldn’t come again if missed. And through this campaign, his connections with all parties would inevitably become closer.

Whether within the Federation, the islands, or the Empire.

“As for the Federation’s representative to the distant seas, you needn’t make the trip again, because that war is too dangerous. No important figures will be present.”

“Even the Empire’s royal family, who have always valued achievements and fame the most since ancient times, even that somewhat radical young emperor won’t go.”

After hearing this, the ship’s doctor couldn’t help but frown and say: “But there can’t be no one present. Even if the Auran royalty doesn’t send anyone, there’s a most suitable candidate.”

This referred to Caine, naturally.

With the situation having reached this point and the Federation definitely moving, Anderson naturally wouldn’t think the Empire had any possibility of staying inactive. So that friend of his would definitely be pushed forward.

Then what about the Federation? Who would go to negotiate? Surely not those good-for-nothing generals?

One should know that those fellows had all been defeated by the Howard father and son over the past decades. If they went to negotiate, how could they have any confidence?

“We’ve naturally considered this situation. Someone more suitable than you will go.”

Facing his confusion, Rowell smiled and said, then leisurely announced the candidate.

“The young master of the Shelley family will personally make the trip.”