After leaving the tavern, Carnes made his way toward the harbor along the town’s streets.
It was rather strange.
Even when night was approaching, these streets were usually bustling with people coming and going.
Yet now, not a single person could be seen outside.
Every house had its doors and windows tightly shut.
Even so, anyone paying close attention would notice it.
Behind those firmly closed doors and windows, countless eyes were watching Carnes and his group as they prepared to leave.
“Those people…
are pirates?” “Look at them.
Every one of them has a sword at their waist, and there’s a ship docked at the harbor flying a skull flag.
They’re definitely pirates.” “What are they doing?
Are they leaving already?” “They haven’t been here long, have they?
Would they really leave that easily?” “God bless us.
Let those vicious criminals leave as soon as possible.
Our town doesn’t welcome them.” The sounds of discussion drifted out from the tightly sealed houses.
Nearly every resident in town was talking about the pirates who had just arrived on the island and now appeared to be preparing to leave.
Their voices were low.
But Carnes and Demiurge could hear every word clearly.
Even the senior crew members caught most of the conversation.
“These people are truly rude,” one of the senior crewmen said with displeasure.
Once someone voiced it, the others who had been suppressing their irritation stopped holding back.
“Rats that only dare whisper in the shadows are disgusting.” “Captain, may I teach these ignorant fools a lesson?” “Captain, can we kill them?” The crew members all sought permission.
Clearly, they felt that the townspeople had insulted them.
More importantly, they had insulted their captain.
Many were already considering giving those gossiping cowards a harsh lesson.
But Carnes didn’t agree.
He had lived in this town for thirty or forty years and had interacted with most of its residents to one degree or another.
Now that he was about to leave, there was no need for meaningless slaughter.
Besides, Afra and her family still lived here.
The three of them had practically grown up under his watch.
For their sake alone, so they could continue living peaceful and stable lives, Carnes had no intention of harming the town’s residents.
“They’re just idle words.
There’s no need to concern yourselves with them,” Carnes said calmly.
The moment he spoke, everyone immediately responded.
“Understood.” Behind him, Demiurge listened to the crew’s reply while looking at Carnes’ back.
A look of reverence unconsciously appeared on his face.
He sighed inwardly.
Ah…
what a merciful lord.
Fear of the strong is the instinct of the weak.
Their words are merely an attempt to conceal the fear they feel toward Captain-sama.
So that’s why he chose to forgive the disrespect of these insects?
A smile gradually appeared on Demiurge’s face.
Yes, that must be it.
They are nothing more than lowly insects, completely unworthy of Captain-sama’s attention.
They aren’t even qualified to receive an order for their execution.
Convinced he had seen through Carnes’ true intentions, Demiurge’s smile grew even wider.
Under Carnes’ lead, the group passed through the town and continued along the road.
Not long afterward, they arrived at the harbor.
Looking at the ship docked there, the skull flag fluttering high above it, Carnes said nothing and boarded directly.
The crew followed one after another.
Soon, preparations for departure were underway.
Carnes crossed the deck and walked to the bow.
He gazed at the setting sun slowly sinking beneath the horizon and felt the cool sea breeze against his face.
Unable to help himself, he let out a long breath and sighed.
“Long time no see…” “The scent of the sea breeze is still as captivating as ever.” His hand gently brushed along the ship’s railing as memories surfaced.
“I thought there was no longer a ship in this era capable of carrying me.” “I thought I would never again set sail upon these seas.” “Yet after all these years…
I’ve returned.” Turning around, Carnes looked up at the pirate flag flying atop the mast.
It was an utterly ordinary pirate flag.
A plain white skull adorned the black cloth, with no other decoration whatsoever.
“It’s about time I gave you a name.” “And created a pirate flag that belongs solely to us.”