Cassian finally cut the rope binding the sailor. When the pirate, trembling all over, was forced to climb onto the sailboat, what greeted him was not mercy but the grim faces of the sailors who had just escaped death. Sharp blades pressed toward him from all directions, forcing him into the corner of the deck, and then his weapons were stripped away. His limbs were bound tightly with thick ropes, and he was firmly tied to the mast, unable to move even an inch.
The sailors did not forget their captain. They hurriedly untied him and supported him onto the deck, some of them still shaking as if they had not yet recovered from the fear.
The captain's eyes were red with tears as he looked at the scene before him. All the pirates had been hacked to death, except for the last one who was now tightly bound. He had originally thought that he was destined to die on Huaye Island, but this man who appeared at the last moment had saved his life. Although two sailors and his first mate were killed in the end, this man had truly done everything he could.
The captain slowly walked toward Cassian , who was sitting on the steps beside the deck, panting heavily and barely able to lift his head.
"Sir, thank you for your help. This is truly a gift from God," he said solemnly. "My name is Coolidge, from the Duolun Chamber of Commerce."
Cassian had run hundreds of meters, swum a long distance through the sea, and fought several enemies in succession. His physical strength was almost completely exhausted. He gasped for breath, his throat dry and hoarse, and replied slowly, "I am… um… my name is Gordon. I live on Huaye Island. Can you give me some food and water?"
His simple request surprised Coolidge slightly. This man was clearly easy to get along with, and he truly looked like a sailor in distress. He did not ask for gold, nor did he demand a reward that would put the captain in a difficult position.
Coolidge immediately turned around and shouted to the sailors behind him, "You there! Bring out the best wine for our benefactor. Prepare food at once. Cook, cook a feast. Tonight, we celebrate surviving this disaster!"
Simple jerky and fine wine were brought out. For Gordon, this was the most delicious food he had eaten in many days. Eating nothing but fruit for such a long time had almost made him feel like an ape living in the jungle.
A small amount of food filled Gordon's long-empty stomach. After that, he used the medicine stored on the ship to re-treat the wound on his back and the gash on his hand. Layers of bandages wrapped around him like a dumpling. Fighting like this, even when relying mainly on sneak attacks, demanded extreme calmness and tremendous physical strength.
The captain generously took out an expensive outfit and gave it to Gordon as a token of gratitude for saving his life.
With the first mate dead, the position was left vacant, and the former second mate temporarily assumed the role.
Coolidge sent several sailors ashore to bury the bodies still lying on the beach. The heads of the pirates were cut off and preserved, ready to be handed over to the navy. Although these pirates were not officially recorded, the entire ship had witnessed their crimes. Under such circumstances, their deaths could still be taken seriously. Of course, to prevent people from killing innocents to falsely claim bounties, these nameless pirates would not receive reward money, but the incident would raise the priority of aid and protection for merchant ships under the Duolun Chamber.
This was a long-standing custom at sea. Those who died accidentally were buried on the nearest island, so they would not become food for sea beasts, nor burden the living. It was believed that this allowed their souls to return to the Sea God's embrace.
Even though the captain was deeply saddened by the death of his first mate, he still respected this custom.
Gordon was arranged to rest in the captain's cabin, while Coolidge personally went ashore to pay respects to the fallen crew. As dusk approached, the ship did not immediately set sail. Instead, a banquet was held for Gordon.
At the same time, the banquet was also a consolation for the sailors who had been running about and risking their lives on the sea.
Everyone celebrated surviving the disaster, though the captain remained somewhat low-spirited. Gordon, too, found it difficult to fully integrate into this long-established group.
"Gordon," Coolidge said softly as he leaned against the side of the ship beside him, "I truly thank you. If you had not appeared, I would already be dead. Every time I encountered danger in the past, it was always my first mate who saved me. I am just a businessman. Now that he is gone, I think I can no longer continue sailing."
Coolidge sighed deeply, and an idea gradually formed in his mind.
"What do you think of this ship?" he asked.
Gordon looked carefully at the sturdy mast, the relatively new sails, and the clean deck. He also noticed traces of repair and reinforcement along the hull.
"Not bad," he replied. "The design is quite new."
Coolidge nodded with satisfaction.
"Then tell me, why were you alone on Huaye Island? Where is your fleet?"
At the mention of this, Gordon felt a wave of melancholy. If Duncan had not dragged him away at the last moment, he would have already been beheaded by the pirates. Yet now that he had survived, Duncan was nowhere to be found.
"We were attacked by pirates," Gordon said quietly. "The only things I remember are a black skull flag and green sails. Their firepower was very strong."
Coolidge thought for a moment, but could not immediately match those details to a specific pirate group. Since the beginning of the Age of Great Sailing, countless merchant ships had carried gold from the newly developed world. Even ordinary goods could be exchanged with indigenous peoples for large quantities of gold and jewelry.
With such enormous profits, countless pirate groups had emerged. They plundered merchant ships, robbed native settlements, trafficked people, and even stole ships to sell them. As long as money came quickly, they would do anything.
The East India Company had formed a powerful navy to suppress these routes, hanging all pirates who were captured. Yet this could not stop the trend. Many merchant ships and bounty hunters secretly changed their flags and turned into pirates themselves.
In this sea region, there were seven particularly famous pirates and legendary ghost ships. Fog of death and sea monsters filled the waters. This was not the romantic Age of Sailing that Cassian had once known from history.
"Gordon," Coolidge asked with a smile, "what do you plan to do next?"
Gordon thought for a moment. In this era, many people went to sea dreaming of becoming rich overnight. He was no exception. Living in Havana, he had no real skills to support his family other than sailing.
"I will continue sailing," he said. "When I earn enough money, I will start my own business."
Sailing was a job for the young. A rational person would eventually leave such danger to subordinates rather than risk everything himself.
Coolidge patted him on the shoulder, appreciation in his eyes, and led him back to the banquet to enjoy the simple yet abundant food.
This was already the best that life at sea could offer.
That night, the captain insisted that Gordon stay in the captain's cabin, while he himself moved to the sailors' quarters below deck. Even though Gordon tried to refuse, he could not stop Coolidge's enthusiasm.
Looking at the bed made of precious animal fur, the scattered globes and nautical charts, the half-open wardrobe filled with expensive clothes, and the large wooden barrel prepared for bathing with precious fresh water, Gordon could not help but sigh.
"It seems that being a captain really is a luxury."