Captain – Chapter 87 – Three Rules

Experience proved that becoming Captain Roy’s crew member was truly the right choice.

This was the sailors’ first reaction upon hearing about the monthly salary of thirty silver coins.

These men, once looked down upon by Frans Island residents and even their own families, never imagined they would one day have such a well-paying job.

So the sailors grinned involuntarily, cheering “Long live the Captain!” while working even more diligently.

“Everyone is tired, so if you wish, you can go ashore to relax, but remember, at least ten people must remain on duty aboard the Osprey. As for the rotation schedule and shift changes, you will decide that.”

Hearing the captain’s instructions, Ben nodded solemnly: “Yes, Captain.”

After giving all her orders, Roy went ashore with her first mate, and to avoid being recognized by those with ulterior motives, she didn’t even bring Alfie this time.

Walking past the crowded pier, the two arrived at the spacious square behind the port.

Unlike the sparsely populated market of Frans Island, this square, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, was extremely lively, filled with sights rarely seen in the Empire.

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Looking around, there were thugs carrying crates of contraband, pirates passed out drunk on the ground, exotic animal performances, and extremely violent arguments and brawls.

Gazing at this square with no semblance of order, smelling the air mixed with tobacco, alcohol, perfume, and various scents symbolizing desire and chaos, Caine, following beside the young woman, instinctively frowned: “Are there no… laws here?”

Dodging an empty bottle flying toward them, Roy watched the brawl involving over thirty people with interest, answering matter-of-factly: “Laws? What laws? Yadris is full of cornered fugitives and thrill-seeking thugs. Do you expect written regulations to control them?”

“But…”

Observing the criminals with broken heads and bloodied faces lying unconscious on the ground, Caine’s tone deepened: “Surely not everyone in this city is like this?”

To his knowledge, Yadris, once marked as the Golden-Eyed Devil’s territory, was not only a paradise for thugs and villains but also a haven for many homeless people.

Among these people were bankrupt craftsmen, persecuted young women, and children orphaned from birth – all conventionally considered vulnerable.

If it were truly as the captain said, with no laws restraining these violent individuals, the weak would be unable to survive here, let alone put down roots.

“Of course, if it were just these fools with minds full of pleasure and destruction, Yadris would have collapsed long ago. For a place to develop, besides the massive wealth in circulation, it also needs law-abiding, hardworking producers. Otherwise, where would daily necessities like grain, fresh water, and clothing come from?”

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Seeing one side of the brawl fleeing like beaten dogs, carrying their unconscious comrades away shamefully, Roy sighed with satisfaction and shrugged at Caine: “You think these guys could steal enough?”

Roy led her first mate to the other side of the square, continuing: “Yadris doesn’t have laws like the Empire or Federation, but that doesn’t mean there are no rules.”

“Every word I say is rule.”

Past the square, they faced a bustling commercial street. Shops of various styles from around the world lined both sides, with jewelry, delicacies, and crafts displayed on tables in front of stores, dazzling to the eyes.

Horn of Plenty, Yadris’s most prosperous commercial district – here, you could buy anything you desired, whether mermaid tears or a witch’s crystal ball… of course, determining authenticity was up to you.

“In Yadris, you can clash with others, you can gather people for brawls, all this is permitted.”

Roy stopped in front of the Horn of Plenty, holding up one finger to Caine: “You can beat someone you dislike into a pulp, break their limbs, even paralyze them, but you cannot use weapons, nor can you cause deaths. That’s my first rule.”

The young man recalled that the group fighting earlier indeed didn’t seem to be armed; at most, each person held an empty bottle or a brick – objects hovering between junk and weapons.

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“Second, no one, without special circumstances, is allowed to bully the elderly or young, or insult women. If you want to satisfy your desires, Yadris has plenty of places and people in that business.” Roy added another finger.

“Finally, for anyone who has paid me protection fees, as long as they don’t cause trouble themselves, I guarantee their life and property safety.”

At this point, Roy lowered her fingers and smiled like a greedy fox: “Of course, fees vary depending on the person. After all, Captain Roy is very reasonable.”

After hearing the captain’s three rules, Caine shook his head helplessly. Although these regulations weren’t comprehensive, they did place certain restrictions on the thugs, at least ensuring the weak weren’t abused too severely.

And this, in the Southern Islands filled with desperate fugitives, could be considered a great kindness. In territories governed by other legendary pirates, or in unclaimed cities, no one would care about the fate of the weak.

Perhaps this was why Roy was known as a gentleman among pirates.

It seemed his initial judgment hadn’t been wrong – the captain was indeed different from ordinary pirates. At least while plundering, she maintained appropriate boundaries and showed kindness toward the vulnerable.

Caine thought this, a gentle smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. But before he could praise the young woman, her follow-up proud words left him frozen.

“Hey, I tell you, those fellows who spend years at sea killing and burning don’t understand the importance of reputation. Look at me – I casually set some rules, not only gaining fame and profit but also multiplying Yadris’s business dozens of times over. During normal peak seasons, I collect so many handling fees that my hands get sore. Who needs to go to sea anymore?”

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Seeing the young woman’s animated expression, Caine’s eye twitched several times as he put away his smile and asked: “So Captain, is this why you’re willing to shelter and protect those poor people with nowhere to go?”

“What else? You think I’d bother to manage them for nothing?” Roy glanced at him as if he were an idiot.

Well, it seemed one shouldn’t have too high expectations of the captain.

Caine secretly smiled bitterly, no longer dwelling on this issue. After all, the young woman had already done it – how important were her motives anyway?

“So, my dear captain, where are we going now?”

This question from her first mate actually stumped Roy. She pondered for a moment, rejecting several options: “Can’t reveal my identity, so my manor is definitely off-limits… The current situation is unclear, can’t rashly visit those guys’ residences either…”

Suddenly remembering something, Roy’s eyes brightened slightly as she hit one hand with her other fist.

“If that’s the case, let’s go to the Banshee’s Eye.”