After recovering from the delight of a potential one hundred eighty thousand gold coins, he left the captain. Of course, he didn’t forget to remind the captain about bathing and changing clothes. After all, with all the dead mage practitioners, he and his crew had entire wardrobes featuring classic attire and military uniforms.
They also negotiated the twenty percent share of the revenue.
He didn’t mind it much and agreed to let the captain keep the cannons. The pirate would then claim an additional sixteen thousand gold, buy a brand new ship and charge the magical weapons on its deck.
Instead of wasting time on details since only the money interested him, he focused on the siege weapon and assembled one on the deck.
The crew observed with trembling eyes, a sense of awe washing over them as a mechanical ballista wafting mystery for the non-enchanters took form.
But to him? It was just a toy compared to his macuahuitl.
’It’s still helpful as a reference.’
His brows creased into a pensive frown as he scanned the engravings.
Then, he did the same for the magical cannons, noticing the technology had the same basis.
’Mhh. Both weapons absorb a mage’s mana to condense an elemental projectile. It feels like a weaker version of Selene’s blade.’
He tucked his fingers around his chin for a moment before nodding.
’I won’t need them. They’ll only pollute the memory of a better enchantment.’
"Wow. He really never sleeps."
As he emerged from his deep analysis and the enchanting world of magic theories, a hushed whisper reached his ears.
Brows rising in intrigue, he turned, expecting to see the dirty pirates but noticing well-dressed, almost elegant men gazing at him instead.
"Ah! You little shit, you drew his attention. What will we do if we’re responsible for breaking his focus?"
A burly man slapped his friend in anger before bowing in apology.
However, instead of anger, his eyes enlarged in surprise.
"Are you members of the pirate crew?"
"Yes, sir! The captain told us to follow your advice because you looked like a health expert. Man, I regret not listening to my mom in my younger days..."
’What the heck happened?’
More than surprised, he was utterly stunned now that he scrutinised them with attention. He noticed their well-trimmed beards, their healthy skin glistening under the sunlight, and smelled the fresh scent of soap.
The man continued, not noticing his state and giving him the answer.
"But you were correct. We’re all feeling much better now, especially since we started to eat fruits and vegetables. It’s like we have double the energy!"
He coughed to gather his thoughts and recompose his facial expression before offering them a genuine smile.
"Continue like that, and you’ll enjoy long lives. And don’t forget that no matter how much money you possess, your most precious treasure is your body. Once it’s gone or damaged beyond healing because of years of abuse, only death awaits you."
With a solemn nod to emphasise his words, he took determined steps towards the steering oar and met...
He stared intently at the handsome, shaved man in his thirties. His neat hair, tied in a ponytail, twirled with the wind as a blue hat befitting an admiral, cast shadows on his healthy face. The blue coat covered in white stripes added to his prestigious appearance and contrasted with the scarlet ribbon tied around his waist.
"You’re finally done focusing on these machines, little friend? I don’t know how you concentrated for so long, but you have my respect."
Seeing him approach, the man’s lips curled into a mesmerising smile that would send any lady’s heart into a beating frenzy.
His eyes widened as two realisations struck him like cannonballs.
’Shit! I did it again and wasted time instead of having fun... And how is he that ugly and stinky captain? That’s an entirely different person!’
Before an awkward silence could settle, the captain’s tone shifted to gratitude.
"You know, I never wanted to become a pirate. I even had a fiancé once."
He noticed the pain twisting the man’s lips and heard his hand tighten on the steering oar before he continued.
"Ten years ago, the baron’s sons strolled through our village and spotted her. Do you know what they did next?"
An ominous feeling gripped his heart as a terrible idea forced his lips into a twisted grimace.
"They paid a bunch of ruffians to kidnap her when I busied myself in the fields and abused her in every imaginable way. When she returned, I first hugged her in relief, unaware of the traumatic experience she had gone through. Still, I noticed something off and gave her enough space to recover, believing everything would return to normal the next morning..."
The captain’s eyes narrowed into slits as he guessed the end of the story in horror.
"When I woke up, I found her stiff body hanging on the ceiling’s beam."
A tear rolled down the captain’s cheek. Even ten years later, he still missed her and hated himself for failing to protect her.
Yet, a steelly glint flashed in his eyes the next second, and his voice echoed fierce determination.
"After investigating, I vowed to collect enough money to buy a noble title in my home country. All to kill these hateful scums."
The captain shook his head, remorse twisting his lips as he continued.
"But I lost my determination on the way and succumbed to grief. No, I’m still deluding myself. I gave up when the challenge proved too hard for me. But not anymore!"
He patted his shoulder, nodding in understanding and Continue reading more chapters on NovelHub for the best experience.
Whoever glared at a woman was already bizarre to him.
’But to touch one, especially when she already has a man? Noble or not, he deserves ten thousand deaths. Even a million!’
He gritted his teeth in rage.
"I won’t have one until I avenge her. From today onwards, I’ll let everyone know me as Admiral Reaper!"
He slapped the man’s back, amused by his determination.
"Hahaha! Good name. Contact me when you’re ready to act. I’ll lend you a hand or magical weapons to ensure your success."
However, Admiral Reaper shook his head.
"You already did enough. I’m just glad some young nobles still have a good heart."
He pointed a finger at his face, almost rolling his eyes.
"I’m not a noble. I scammed one to adopt my little brother years ago, though."
"Consider becoming one. With your strength, no kingdom will refuse you."
The captain seized his shoulder, his eyes narrowing with intensity.
"You care for others. Look at us! We were drunkards living by the day. Nothing more than walking corpses poisoning ourselves with alcohol from sunrise to dusk. Yet, you tried to help us."
The captain pointed at the few sailors from the Aurora kingdom next.
"You didn’t kill them either and even offered them two options to return. Do you know how uncommon it is or what others would have done? They would have killed me to usurp my captain’s authority, then killed any witnesses on the three frigates."
An icy shudder ran down his soul as a wave broke the momentary silence.
’He’s almost painting me as some hero! The horror! Leave me alone with your responsibilities.’
Against his thoughts, the captain’s lips curled into a warm smile.
"I’m sure the territory you’ll manage will flourish in something extraordinary. Keep my words in mind and ponder them in a few years."