Captain – Chapter 73 – The True Treasure

The eternal curse was indeed shattered.

When the Ghost Scythe’s ram struck the Victoria’s thick outer hull like a blade, that massive behemoth—resembling a deep-sea monster—suddenly disintegrated into countless streams of white mist that poured down, engulfing the mortal vessel that dared to offend Annisdora.

The white mist was incredibly cold and damp, like a churning rain cloud. Wherever it drifted, water droplets formed and thin frost crystallized.

The temperature on the Ghost Scythe’s deck plummeted, as if they had abruptly transitioned from midsummer to winter. The sailors’ thin clothing offered little protection against the severe cold, and they hugged themselves tightly, their teeth chattering.

Fortunately, these harsh conditions didn’t last long.

Accompanied by a laugh that mixed madness and pride, the white mist enveloping the Ghost Scythe’s deck began to flow away, surging into the sea from all directions. Even the water droplets hanging from people’s faces and the frost formed on the deck vanished without a trace as the mist departed.

The dense fog that had surrounded the Ghost Scythe also churned and dissipated with the Victoria’s dissolution, quickly clearing completely, leaving not even the slightest trace behind.

The full moon still hung in the sky, its silvery light gently falling, illuminating the helm adorned with eight rubies, as well as the Night Curtain captain who was laughing heartily.

Hearing that familiar laugh, the sailors’ unsettled spirits gradually calmed from the previous hair-raising scene. They cheered loudly, tossing their scarves, hats, and anything else throwable into the air, passionately praising their captain’s brilliant decision.

To have crashed through a cursed vessel as massive as a castle—what a glorious feat!

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Looking at the hats and miscellaneous items scattered across the deck, Enzo smiled and tapped the railing, drawing everyone’s attention back to himself: “Well, gentlemen, clean up the deck. Those who are tired, go rest; those who aren’t, go play cards. Let’s enjoy another victory for the Ghost Scythe!”

The sailors dispersed noisily, and in a very short time, the deck returned to its orderly and clean state. This scene alone demonstrated the crew’s tremendous execution capabilities—and the efficiency in carrying out orders largely determined a pirate ship’s combat effectiveness.

“Truly worthy of being the most fearsome pirates in the Western Seas.”

Witnessing the Ghost Scythe’s sailors display such courage in the face of something so strange, and their swiftness in acting upon Enzo’s orders, the gathered captains couldn’t help but show expressions of approval and envy. Red Beard, standing near the helm, even sighed in admiration.

“However, Captain Enzo, although we’ve escaped the white fog, we’ve also moved away from the eternal curse. This is quite different from our original plan.”

As Ilias raised his objection, the captains instinctively nodded in agreement, wanting the initiator of this venture to provide an explanation.

“I originally thought the moonstone skull would lead us to the real Victoria, but the facts prove that even if we found the Eternal Ship’s location, anyone who hasn’t received the immortality curse or been personally chosen by that ship—whether fortunate or unfortunate—wouldn’t have the honor of boarding.”

Enzo secured the helm with a smooth motion, then turned around, holding up the pendant to show everyone.

“Is this… the legendary treasure that can lead people to what they desire?” The one-armed captain moved closer, with greed glinting in his eyes.

“Yes, but in one’s lifetime, each person only has one chance to be guided by it.”

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Enzo flicked his wrist and caught the pendant with a “click” sound: “But I’m sorry to say, even though I no longer have the chance to use it again, I don’t intend to gift it to anyone else.”

Hearing this, the one-armed captain smiled awkwardly and said nothing more.

“Without the moonstone skull’s guidance, even if we turned back, we couldn’t find the Victoria again. So I regretfully inform everyone that our mission has failed.”

Enzo’s gaze moved past the crowd toward the other two pirate ships gradually catching up behind them: “Regarding the financial and physical resources all of you have invested in this voyage, I will find a way to compensate you. The details of the compensation can be discussed tomorrow.”

Although Enzo the Night Curtain had initiated this voyage, all participants had voluntarily joined because of their desire for immortality. Without this man’s leadership, they wouldn’t have been able to find even the strange white fog, let alone see the Victoria with their own eyes, so there was no question of right or wrong.

Moreover, since Captain Enzo had already said as much, they had lost nothing but time, so they were naturally happy to accept. It also meant gaining his favor—should conflicts arise on the high seas in the future, they might be able to leverage this for additional benefits.

With this in mind, these cunning captains all smiled indifferently, making a show of urging Enzo not to blame himself too much, before happily taking their leave.

Before long, only the Night Curtain captain, Red Beard, and Roy remained on the bridge.

“Some things can indeed be encountered but not sought. It seems this old fellow won’t have such good fortune in this lifetime. The future of the oceans will have to be entrusted to young people like you.”

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Ilias smiled bitterly as he patted Enzo’s shoulder, then gestured to Roy with his fiery beard: “Return the coat to Captain Enzo. It’s time for us to leave.”

“Yes, Captain.”

In front of his own captain, the little fellow didn’t dare show any petulance. He quickly removed the coat and eagerly handed it to Enzo.

Enzo took the coat, looking at the boy who had obediently positioned himself beside Red Beard, then shifted his gaze to the nearly seventy-year-old captain: “What do you plan to do with him? Now that everyone knows his background.”

“Everyone” naturally referred to the other eleven captains. Among them were those who had benefited from Captain Roy’s generosity, those who had no entanglements with that man, and inevitably, those who were his mortal enemies.

On the Ghost Scythe, Captain Roy’s enemies wouldn’t dare do anything to the child, but once they left Enzo’s protection, it would be a different story.

Seeming to understand Enzo’s meaning, Ilias smiled and said: “How can his child forever curl up under another’s wing? So abandon that thought—I won’t give him to you.”

Red Beard looked at the puzzled Roy with gentle eyes: “These old bones of mine still carry some deterrent power. As long as I’m alive, he’ll certainly be safe. As for after I’m gone, well, that will depend on whether he can hold onto the Mermaid.”

Even the most obtuse person couldn’t fail to grasp Red Beard’s meaning, so Roy asked in surprise: “Captain, is this a will? Are you going to…?”

Before the boy could finish, the old captain struck him hard on the back of the head, causing him such pain that he dared not say another word.

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“I’m not dead yet, boy. Don’t curse me.”

Ilias snorted, nodded to Enzo, and then led Roy toward the spiral staircase.

Enzo smiled helplessly. As long as Red Beard refused, even he couldn’t take anything from the old man’s hands.

Realizing this, the captain stopped dwelling on it and turned his attention to the pendant in his hand.

The moonstone skull had already fulfilled its purpose—not a trace of light remained in its deep eye sockets. But this time, it seemed it hadn’t led its holder to his treasure.

So even legendary treasures can fail sometimes…

Enzo was lost in thought when, just as he was about to put away the pendant, a flicker suddenly appeared in the skull’s hollow eye sockets. Faint strands of pale blue light emerged once more, visibly growing stronger.

Brilliant blue light reflected in the captain’s exquisite eyes as he slowly raised the skull. The light streams followed his movement, pointing in one direction, pointing toward…

That boy.