Captain – Chapter 722 – The Islands Unite

In fact, before Wyatt raised this question, the Islands had already taken action.

Though by distance and route, the Ark’s arrival at the Empire should have been much faster than the Nightmare King passing through the strait to enter the sacred land.

But strangely, even though Auran’s power holders had chosen the harbor closest to Pronora as the place to receive Caine in order to get their fleet to Hipalia one step ahead of the Islands-Federation convergence discussions.

The Nightmare King, which needed to cross both eastern and western seas to reach the depths of the Southern Islands and arrive at Providence, was still a step faster than them.

In fact, when the Ark had not yet entered Imperial waters, it had already arrived.

As if an invisible hand was stirring up wind and waves, carrying the Nightmare King swift as flight.

Nearly five days before the Imperial fleet’s expedition, near evening.

Facing the blood-red sunset, the Nightmare King passed through the checkpoint blocking Providence, and under escort by the guard fleet that had been waiting, sailed toward the secret land.

Before long, the vast fleet consciously stopped before the “forbidden zone.”

Only the Nightmare King and the Black Rose that came to meet it sailed together into the inner sea, finally switching to two small boats that entered the island river one after another.

When the distant setting sun completely sank into the horizon, the small wooden house used for legendary meetings finally had its door pushed open to welcome the distant guest.

There weren’t many people in the house—including Vivian and “Black Rose’s” deputy, only five in total.

Perhaps because the group wasn’t complete, and a familiar person had replaced the one in the chief position, everyone sat quite casually. Fia chose a seat at the end of one side, while Richi, out of curiosity, sat in the wooden chair at the other end of the long table.

The very one that Gerard and Roy had sat in successively.

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After the two legends took their seats, Victor’s slightly helpless voice came from the other side.

“If we’re going to discuss business, isn’t this too far away?”

At the same time, the raven standing beside the young man, having arrived at the Islands first to deliver a message, also stopped pecking at the stone square and raised its head to echo a few words.

“Too far, too far.”

Hearing Alfie’s calls, Richi smiled and beckoned to it, signaling it to come over, while saying to Victor: “Shouldn’t you have everything arranged already?”

The Islands’ nominal decision-makers were the Great Captain and several pirate legends. All arrangements in every aspect were naturally decided by votes from these few people.

Not to mention rigor—just looking at efficiency, who knew how much faster it was than the Empire and Federation.

Besides, this current matter had been completely decided before Roy set sail. What need was there for discussion? They should just gather the fleet and depart immediately.

It must be said that pirates, even those who had become legends, basically knew nothing about politics. Therefore, faced with Richi’s incomprehension, the young man could only smile bitterly again.

“The arrangements are naturally more or less ready, but are you really planning to dump everything on me?”

Sighing lightly, Victor stood up, following the raven’s “footsteps” to the end of the long table, sitting across from “Black Rose” and asking somewhat helplessly.

Richi, who was playing with Alfie, glanced at him upon hearing this, his eyes clearly saying “obviously,” thinking that the former Great Captain had us do everything.

Now that they finally had someone easier to “bully,” of course they couldn’t continue the old practice.

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Seeing through his meaning, Victor also understood this should be considered Roy’s side deliberately avoiding suspicion, so he only complained “you’re certainly comfortable” before changing the subject: “Everything on our side is fine.”

“Captain Gerard’s old subordinates and friends completed spontaneous assembly a few days ago. Even ‘Iron Hook,’ who used to be at odds with him, brought his ship into the formation.”

Upon hearing this, even Richi, who had considerable confidence in that old legend’s influence, couldn’t help but be slightly surprised. After all, that Iron Hook captain of fierce reputation could almost be considered a giant mountain blocking Gerard’s rise in the past.

Even his title and the origin of that iron hook hand came from having his hand chopped off in combat with Captain Gerard in the previous generation.

Yet this time, that great pirate had also set aside old grudges to join the expedition fleet.

Was this time dulling the past, or heroes recognizing heroes?

“Perhaps Captain Gerard still being alive is simply too exciting, even for former opponents,” Victor speculated with emotion.

Of course, there was another explanation—that the Islands had always been united in external matters. Just like decades ago, facing Auran’s heavy forces, regardless of past feuds or grievances, the pirates had all stood together.

However, those who naturally yearned for freedom preferred the romantic explanation.

Like time flowing like sand, like old enemies joining hands.

Remembering his past with Roy, remembering Isaac the first mate who had transformed into flames of light to illuminate their path at the final moment, Richi nodded in agreement.

Then the young man’s blood-red pupils flickered slightly as he asked hoarsely: “What about the old man’s people?”

Twenty years had changed much in the Islands’ situation.

Those who wholeheartedly followed Gerard had either become disheartened and retired due to his departure, or had plunged into the Triangle while searching for him, never to return.

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Many remarkable great pirates had aged or even vanished in time.

Like the legends of the previous generation, or Red Beard captain who was just below legendary status.

But precisely because of this, due to the old legend’s disappearance, the former Great Captain, who had always hidden behind the scenes, gradually appeared in the world, his power and status becoming increasingly formidable.

Perhaps that person didn’t care, but it couldn’t be denied that over nearly twenty years, more and more people believed in him, growing like a tide—the guard fleet was clear proof.

And this trend, the “believers'” support, didn’t diminish even after his abdication.

In other words, only with that person’s nod could the Islands truly unite as one.

Knowing this question was actually urging him to quickly whisper sweet words in that old man’s ear to earn a “decree,” Victor sighed again.

Facing the young man’s meaningful gaze, even Richi, whose thick skin was inherited from Roy’s lineage, felt somewhat unnatural and unconsciously avoided his gaze.

Did he still have some sense of shame?

Thinking this, Victor leaned back in his chair and chuckled: “Rest assured, the old man nodded before Alfie even returned. Otherwise…”

“How could you have arrived so quickly?”

After listening, the young man turned to exchange a glance with Vivian, finally grounding the speculation of these past days, thinking no wonder the wind and waves had been so favorable.

So the “divine one” had acted.

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“So, as I just said, everything’s prepared, just waiting for you to arrive.”

Victor slapped the table and sat straight, saying to the two: “Pack up and let’s depart.”

Though it differed somewhat from expectations, Richi was happy to have things go so smoothly. He nodded slightly and asked hoarsely: “The arrangement is still the old way, right?”

“You and Captain Fia guard the Islands, and leading the team will be…”

Before the young man could finish, he was interrupted by Victor’s slightly raised hand.

The young man smiled and shook his head: “This time the situation is special—I must make the trip personally.”

Seeing Richi’s slight shock, “Black Rose,” who had been silent throughout their exchange, shrugged and said lazily: “As for me, naturally I’ll remain the same.”

“Fine, suit yourselves. I don’t understand politics anyway.”

The young man had no objection to this, only looking toward the new Great Captain for final confirmation: “The course hasn’t changed, has it? I remember it was to go to Hipalia first?”

After listening, Victor smiled mysteriously and gave him another unexpected answer.

“No, we’re going directly to the ‘door.'”

Translator Note

Everyone really ditched hipalia like that huh