Pirate: Crew of Desire and Bonds

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Farewell, Nasha Town.

’This filthy pirate... using such underhanded tricks...!’

If it weren’t for that recording crystal, Julian was already planning to fight Henry with everything he had.

He didn’t even care anymore if the whole town burned to ash along with them.

His obsession and rage had pushed him to the brink.

But now... he was forced to swallow the bitter pill of humiliation.

Julian’s entire body trembled violently.

His pride as a Solaris, his obsession with Grace, and his deep-seated inferiority complex all clashed inside him, nearly driving him mad.

For a long moment, Julian stood there in complete silence, eyes closed as he struggled to suppress the storm of emotions raging within.

His breathing was ragged, fists still clenched tightly.

Seeing the guy go quiet and close his eyes, Henry grinned and gestured toward Grace, who was still gently tending to the unconscious Jake.

"Alright, show’s over. Lass, grab Jake and go to the port."

"Eh?"

Grace looked up and saw Henry’s gaze.

"What’s with that look? Aren’t you two supposed to elope somewhere? Now hurry up and go..."

Then Henry turned to look at Julian and smiled.

"I’ll stay here and make sure this jealous brat doesn’t do anything stupid."

Grace hesitated for a second, still worried, but nodded quickly.

Despite her petite body, she was quite strong thanks to all the stat upgrades she had received.

She supported Jake as best as she could, half-carrying, half-dragging his unconscious body toward the port.

Before leaving, she looked back at Henry and softly said, "Thank you...!"

Henry gave her a casual wave without turning around, his eyes still locked on Julian.

Grace bit her lip, then continued moving toward the port with renewed determination.

Julian’s gaze followed her retreating figure with obsessive hatred, but Henry’s presence kept him from making any sudden moves.

The pirate captain grinned wider.

"Eyes off her, kid. Show’s over."

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Meanwhile, at the port...

A huge crowd of refugees had gathered along the docks.

Smoke rose thickly in the distance as their once-peaceful town burned.

People huddled together... some crying, some staring blankly, others trying to console one another with shaky voices and trembling hands.

Children clung to their parents while elderly folk sat on the ground, exhausted and defeated.

Among them stood Garrick, arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the chaotic scene in the distance as he shook his head.

"Tch, damn nobles."

He clicked his tongue in irritation, his expression dark.

This was why he hated those nobles.

They only cared about their own interests.

Everything else... innocent lives, entire towns, the suffering of common people meant nothing to them.

Just thinking about it brought back bitter memories he’d rather keep buried.

Still, it was also because of them that the mainland still existed.

The Great Noble Families were among the few powers that had stood firm and fought back against the Deep Aberration during the worst of the invasion.

So Garrick couldn’t help but feel conflicted... hatred for their arrogance mixed with reluctant acknowledgment of their strength and sacrifices.

Just then,

"Captain Garrick, should we depart!?"

Garrick glanced at the crew member standing on the deck of the huge ship flying the Vivian Caravan flag behind him.

"Hmm..."

He didn’t reply immediately.

Truth be told, they were supposed to have departed quite a while ago, but he had been deliberately stalling, waiting for... those two.

But it seemed those two weren’t coming.

With a soft, disappointed sigh, Garrick shook his head and turned toward his crew.

"Alright, prepare to—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

His sharp eyes narrowed as he spotted two rough figures emerging from the chaos near the burning town, pushing their way through the dense crowd of refugees.

One was clearly a petite woman, struggling but determined, half-carrying, half-dragging a badly wounded man whose body was covered in blood and injuries.

Garrick’s expression shifted instantly.

"Hold the departure! We’ve got incoming!"

Without waiting for a response, Garrick strode forward to meet them, easily parting the crowd with his imposing presence.

When he got close, he looked at Grace’s exhausted face and Jake’s sorry state.

His face immediately frowned, turning serious.

He didn’t ask what happened.

He didn’t need to.

One glance at their condition told him enough.

Without a word, Garrick stepped in and smoothly took Jake’s weight off Grace’s shoulders, lifting the unconscious young man onto his own back as if he weighed nothing.

"Let’s go," he said gruffly, his voice low but firm. "No time for talking right now."

Grace looked up at him with grateful, tired eyes and nodded, following closely behind as Garrick led the way back toward the ship.

The crew members on deck quickly lowered the ramp further and prepared space for the newcomers.

A few of them moved to help, but Garrick waved them off.

"Clear a cabin. And get the medic ready," he ordered curtly.

He carried Jake up the ramp with steady steps, Grace right behind him.

Once aboard, Garrick immediately ordered loudly,

"Cast off. We’re leaving!"

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Soon,

The massive ship slowly pulled away from the dock as the crew worked efficiently, unfurling sails and casting off the last ropes.

The Vivian Caravan vessel cut through the waves, gradually picking up speed and leaving the burning town farther and farther behind.

Grace stood at the railing, one hand gripping the wood tightly.

She turned back, her eyes fixed on the distant inferno consuming what used to be their temporary home.

Smoke billowed high into the sky, painting a grim picture of destruction.

Behind her, Jake lay unconscious in a prepared cabin.

The ship’s medic had already checked on him and reassured Grace that Jake’s condition wasn’t serious as the golden healing potion was doing its job well.

He simply needed rest now.

Grace let out a shaky breath, wiping away the tears of relief at Jake’s condition that refused to stop falling.

They had survived and... escaped.

"...Goodbye," she whispered softly one last time toward the burning horizon, her voice barely audible over the sound of the waves.

Whether she was bidding farewell to Nasha Town, to the people she once met, or to the lives they could never return to...

Even she wasn’t sure.

The ship sailed onward into the open sea, carrying them toward uncertain new horizons and a welcoming new future.

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End of Volume 1: Nasha Town