Chapter 325 - 150: This Is Too Unsightly!
Wei’en silently stared at the nautical chart depicting the Cordo Sea and the coastlines of the four continents, lost in thought for a long while.
"I’ll figure something out for the treasure."
"Captain," Ronan reminded him quietly, "there are also the gold pounds..."
’Gold pounds?’
’Motherfucker. The Black Pearl really lives up to its name. With "black" in its name, it’s black-hearted to the core, isn’t it?’
Wei’en took a deep breath. "Tell me. What are the specific conditions?"
"The Black Pearl charges by headcount on the ship. Twenty gold pounds per..." Ronan trailed off. He saw Wei’en’s eyes suddenly flash, and for some reason, he didn’t dare continue.
’Just a moment ago, this red-haired gentleman killed eighteen of my crewmen without even blinking...’
"Go on. Is that twenty gold pounds per ship, or per person?"
"Um, Captain, I just remembered... I have some savings." Ronan wiped the sweat from his face, his triangular eyes filled with an aggrieved look. He gritted his teeth. "I’ll cover the gold pounds. You don’t need to worry about it."
"Oh? You’ll cover the gold pounds?"
Wei’en stroked his chin. ’Just a moment ago, I was thinking that if it cost too much, I’d just have to make more Magic Potions to sell in the Nightmare Realm...’
But after hearing what Second Officer Ronan said, he suddenly felt that line of thinking didn’t quite fit his current role.
’I killed his men, stole his ship, and "conscripted" the survivors. How could I let the gold pounds slip by?’
’That just wouldn’t be right!’
"You’re not forcing yourself, are you?"
Ronan shook his head repeatedly, a sycophantic smile plastered on his face. "Captain, everything on this ship is yours. Without you, what good would those gold pounds be to me?"
"Hm. I knew I was right to keep you," Wei’en said, patting Ronan’s shoulder with satisfaction. "I’m very pleased with your... abilities."
"R-Really? As long as you’re satisfied, Captain, sir."
Ronan was on the verge of tears. ’This Red-haired Captain is just so... easygoing.’
’If we’d met under different circumstances, I would have treated him like a brother. No, like a father.’
It was only then that he realized he was still sitting in his chair. ’Dammit, how can I treat my own father this way?’
"Captain, please, take a seat. I’ll explain everything."
Ronan scrambled to his feet. After gesturing for Wei’en to sit, he said with the utmost deference, "As for the treasure, the Black Pearl doesn’t have a clear standard. But based on past records, the minimum requirement is usually the spinal column of a Deep Sea Monster."
"And what’s that in gold pounds?"
Wei’en raised an eyebrow. ’The spinal column of a Deep Sea Giant Beast?’ He recalled the power of the two he’d seen before; he knew it wouldn’t be cheap.
Ronan’s expression soured. "Captain, sir, at current prices, a single spinal column costs over three thousand gold pounds. I... I really can’t afford that much..."
"Three thousand?!"
Hearing this number, Wei’en nearly jumped out of his seat.
’I’ve been working my ass off for so long—reporting intelligence, running missions for the Secret Investigation Department, busting my hump making Magic Potions—and I’ve never seen that many gold pounds in one place.’
’On what authority does the Black Pearl just demand three thousand... no, with the head tax, it’s at least four thousand gold pounds.’
’They might as well just be robbers!’
"Yes, Captain."
Ronan silently steeled himself. ’I absolutely cannot pay for this part.’
’He could cough up eight hundred, maybe a thousand gold pounds, but if he had to pay that three thousand too? He’d rather jump overboard and feed the fish. Selling this entire ship wouldn’t even cover it.’
Wei’en asked sullenly, "When does this tribute need to be paid to the Black Pearl?"
"Look here,"
Ronan relaxed slightly, pointing to a spot on the chart between two shipping lanes. "This island, Avad Island, is the Black Pearl’s outpost. As long as we deliver the goods there, we’ll receive a transit permit from them."
"A transit permit..."
Wei’en was silent for a few seconds, then he suddenly laughed. "The Black Pearl has a real slick racket going on."
’Twenty percent of the cargo from merchant ships, and a head tax plus a ship toll from other pirate ships...’
’Just as I thought. In this world, the powerful make the rules.’
’Without power, you’re subject to the corruption of the Red Moon. You have to spend gold pounds on candles to resist it, and you have to pay their tolls!’
Though Ronan had no idea what Wei’en was thinking, it was clear his mood had soured, so it was best to keep quiet.
Having thought this through, Wei’en glanced at the distance on the chart. "How long will it take to reach that island?"
"Two months is more than enough. I’ve sailed this route many times," Ronan said, thumping his chest with confidence.
"I understand. Let’s just focus on getting there first."
Wei’en nodded. Then, as if remembering something, he looked up and met Ronan’s eyes. "There’s one more thing I need to warn you about."
"Please, speak," Ronan said, his back bending even lower until he was almost at a ninety-degree angle. He stared at his own feet, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
"I hate being lied to. And I hate trouble even more."
Wei’en tapped the arm of the chair and chuckled. "So, I hope I don’t find out you’re hiding anything from me. More importantly, I don’t want your ’Golden Something-or-other’ showing up to interrupt our voyage. Can you manage that?"
"Yes!" Ronan kept his head bowed, letting beads of sweat drip onto the bridge’s floorboards.
’At this point, even if I can’t, I have to say I can!’
"See that you do. You get the ship moving. I’m going to get the First Officer and the others."
"Understood."
Wei’en stood and left the bridge, heading straight for the bedrooms in the rear. ’I’ve already taken the ship,’ he thought, ’so claiming two spacious, well-lit rooms shouldn’t be a problem, right?’
After the sound of a door closing echoed from the bedrooms, Ronan slowly stood up straight and shuffled over to the chair. He was about to sit down, then thought better of it. After a moment’s hesitation, he sank to the floor.
’Absolutely terrifying...’