Diogo groaned in pain and could no longer hold himself up, falling backward onto the ground. His head rested against the wooden bed, exposing his sun-darkened neck.
Diego sneered, raising the scimitar high, ready to hack at the neck.
Bruno drew his dagger and blocked the scimitar with a swift motion.
"Diego, what are you doing!"
"Humph, what does it look like? I’m going to kill him!"
"We agreed, the captain cannot be killed, only imprisoned!"
Bruno roared in anger.
"We still need him to command the other two ships!"
"Right, we can’t kill the captain!"
Carpenter Ivo wielded a shortsword in one hand, and oddly enough, held a shield in the other—something rarely seen on the ship. It was likely he had made it himself.
"Diego, spare the captain’s life for now!"
Matim’s eyes flickered for a moment, also speaking up to persuade.
Diego resentfully sheathed the scimitar and then suddenly lifted his foot, viciously kicking Diogo in the stomach.
"Diogo, you used to order me around like a dog. Today, you’ll be a dead dog!"
Diogo curled up on the deck in agony. His stomach had taken a heavy blow and, unable to bear it any longer, he let out a series of strange noises, followed by another series. Then, an even more pungent odor began to emanate from the lower half of the captain.
The crew stared wide-eyed at the miserable and weakened Diogo. At that moment, the once awe-inspiring and imperious image of the captain completely shattered in their minds.
"As hearts turn away, the majestic lion collapses with a thunderous fall, becoming a pitiful old dog..."
Head Chef Harold murmured to himself and then quietly retreated to the back.
Bruno bellowed, violently swinging his dagger and forcing Diego back two steps. Then, he cautiously looked over at Diogo.
The captain managed to straighten his back, shouting with effort, even with a faint hint of a cry in his voice.
The crew glanced at each other and stepped back a few. Bruno then closed the door to the captain’s quarters, preserving the last shred of the captain’s dignity.
"Haha! Poor dead dog!"
Sailor Chief Diego shook his head, laughing manically.
Carpenter Ivo swung the shield restlessly. The events were unfolding differently than he had expected.
Quartermaster Matim pointed at the captain’s quarters, then glanced at Bruno.
Bruno nodded, shouting through the wooden door.
"Captain, we shall follow your orders and command a return voyage!"
It was as deathly silent in the captain’s quarters. Only after a long while did a low voice respond.
"Where are my guards?"
"They...all accidentally fell overboard tonight."
Another lengthy silence followed. Then came Diogo’s calm reply.
"Since that’s the case, why bother asking me about matters on board."
Bruno and Matim exchanged glances before Matim gestured towards the stamp. Bruno then shouted again.
"Captain, we will assign two new guards to you. Please lend us the emblem of the Royal Knight!"
After a while, there was a rustling sound from inside the captain’s quarters. Soon, there was a thud against the wooden door.
Bruno cracked open the door of the captain’s quarters just enough to reach in and pick up the small emblem from the floor. On the golden emblem was the insignia of the Portuguese Royal Family and Diogo’s family crest.
The men looked at the emblem symbolizing the captain’s authority, their faces lighting up with joy.
Bruno stared at it for a while, his thoughts tumultuous. After a moment, he instructed.
"I’ll go draft the orders for the other two ships. Matim, you go notify the crew about the captain’s command to return home!"
"Right! Diego, let’s go!"
Matim nodded with a smile and departed with Diego.
Bruno cast his gaze down, clutching the golden emblem tightly in his hand. It was a true symbol of power, the supreme honor of a knight, and what he had yearned for in the first half of his life. It wasn’t until much later that Bruno opened his eyes. He turned to look at Ivo beside him.
"Ivo, would you arrange for someone to take care of the captain? He ate the food specially prepared by Haroldo tonight... It’d be best to bring along a barrel too."
Ivo bowed his head, performing a gesture of respect due to nobility, and hurried off.
"Haroldo, my friend."
Not until Ivo was a good distance away did Bruno extend his hand, revealing the golden emblem.
"What do you think of this emblem?"
"It’s good, very tempting."
The head chef Haroldo smiled.
"So, how should I come to possess it?"
Bruno asked softly, his expression solemn.
"My friend, if you truly wish to possess it..."
Haroldo’s eyes glittered, he hesitated for a moment but still spoke.
"Then, it would be best if you were the last noble sailor left on this ship."
Upon hearing this, Bruno cast his gaze downward. Before him, the night was deep, and clouds churned heavily. The darkness grew denser, with not a sliver of daylight to be seen.
The next day, a drizzling rain fell from the sky. After sailing east for several months, the Portuguese expedition fleet finally turned around, heading back toward the mouth of the Congo River.
The fates of this world are always unpredictable. Had they delayed just a few days more, continued forward another hundred miles, they would have discovered that the source of the rapid flows was an impassable great waterfall, known in later times as Victoria Falls. There, even the most resolute captain would have had no choice but to turn back, and mutiny might never have occurred.
The day of the return voyage was like a festival, with the cheers of the sailors echoing along the entire river. They praised the merciful Holy Mother, the enlightened captain. They lauded the respected Bruno, the second mate, and the brave Sailor Chief Diego. Nobody cared that the captain’s guards had vanished overnight; nor did anyone mind that the nobleman’s son Reinaldo had suddenly died a violent death.
After all, there were too many deaths on this deadly voyage. When they set sail from Elmina Castle, the five ships had well over two hundred and fifty sailors. But now, there were barely over a hundred left.
The Congo River rolled westward, joining the vast South Atlantic. The fleet sped up as it followed the current. Signs of human life reappeared amidst the dense jungle. The Portuguese flag waved from the mast, with seabirds circling around. The land of demons gradually disappeared behind them, while the hope for life was right in front of them!