Chapter 13. Back to the Docks
On the pitch-black sea surface, the creature's lifeless body drifted with the waves. Just as it was about to sink into the depths, a steamship, two-thirds larger than the S.S. Mouse, sailed past it.
A large net with barbed hooks was thrown from the deck and effortlessly enveloped the creature.
"Boss, look! I've caught a giant cuttlefish! Look! Its tentacles are still moving," exclaimed one of the crew members.
"Cuttlefish? Pete, are you blind? Boss, I think it's a starfish!"
"Disperse now. Enough with the fuss over a giant octopus. Mmm... It looks quite appetizing. Pete, take it to the kitchen and ask the chefs to cook it."
"Aye, boss!"
***
When Charles woke up once again, he had a piercing headache. It felt like there were thousands of needles pricking his brain. He released his grip, and the empty bottle crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces.
Ignoring the shards of glass scattered around on the ground, Charles pushed open the cabin door and walked out.
The crew members of S.S. Mouse breathed a collective sigh of relief when they saw Charles' indifferent expression once again. The captain's current demeanor gave them a sense of assurance.
"Captain, we've returned to a safe course. At our current speed of 15 knots, we'll be at the harbor soon," reported Dip, who was at the helm.
"How's Bandages doing?" Charles asked.
"His wounds are healing rapidly, and his fever has subsided. Although he's still unconscious, he should pull through."
Upon hearing this news, Charles's somber mood lifted ever so slightly.
"Don't let your guard down. I'll go check on him."
Among the entire crew of S.S. Mouse, only the captain had a private cabin. The first mate, Bandages, lived in the crew's quarters, just like everyone else.
When Charles entered the cabin, he saw Bandages slowly opening his eyes. Charles hurried over to him.
"Don't move, lie back down. Your injuries haven't fully healed yet," Charles said and restrained Bandages as the latter struggled to sit up.
"Captain... Anna is a monster... She wanted to eat me..."
Hearing Bandages' words, Charles felt a pang in his heart. He forced a faint smile and reassured his first mate, "Don't worry, that thing is dead. It's all in the past now."
"Th-That's great..." Bandages breathed a sigh of relief and slowly settled back down.
"Rest well. We're almost home, and you can complete your mission."
Glancing at the empty space below Bandages' bandages where his leg used to be, Charles knew that his seafaring career had come to an end. No matter how skilled he was at the wheel, no ship would be willing to have a first mate with only one leg.
"Okay..." Bandages fell silent.
Charles wanted to offer some comfort, but he wasn't particularly skilled at it. In the end, he patted Bandages' shoulder and left.
The rest of the journey proceeded without any further incidents, and S.S. Mouse safely returned to the Coral Archipelago.
It seemed like the Fhtagnists possessed some kind of clairvoyance. Before the ship even docked, Charles saw Hook and a large group of followers waiting at the harbor.
"Captain Charles, did you retrieve the sacred artifact?"
When the golden statue of Fhtagn was taken out of the wooden crate, Hook couldn't contain his excitement. He danced and cheered before bowing down to the statue with the other devotees.
"Where's my payment?"
Brimming with excitement, Hook quickly stood up and took out a piece of paper from his pocket with a trembling hand.
"This is the original copy of the contract! Quickly! Give me the sacred artifact!"
Charles took the paper, verified its authenticity, and then tossed the golden idol over to Hook.
Seeing Hook's ecstatic expression as he hugged the statue and was going to leave just like that, Charles furrowed his brow. "Hey, haven't you forgotten something?"
A towering figure emerged from the back. It was James as he stepped forward with Bandages in his arms.
"Assistant Priest... I have... completed the mission..." Bandages reported to Hook in a weak voice.
Ignoring Bandages' words, Hook's gaze fell upon his leg. "What happened to your leg?"
"It... it was devoured by a... a monster..."
Hook raised his chin to gesture to two followers behind him. They approached Bandages, wanting to take him away.
"Well done, Bandages. On the next Prayer Day, you shall have the honor of becoming a sacrifice."
"T-thank you, Assistant Priest..."
"What? A sacrifice?!" Expressions of horror appeared on the faces of the S.S. Mouse's crew members.
Suddenly, Charles raised his hand, halting the two followers. He locked eyes with Hook and asked, "Is this how the Fhtagn Covenant treat their own people?"
Charles didn't wish to interfere with the affairs of these lunatics, but having fought side by side with Bandages, this stuttering individual had become somewhat of a friend. He couldn't stand by and watch his comrade being cast into the sea as fish food.
"Captain Charles, within our religion, it is considered an honor to be chosen as a sacrifice."
"If it's such an honor, why don't you become a sacrifice too? Bandages is my first mate, and for now, he cannot leave. There are some handover matters that we need him for." Charles signaled to James with a glance, and the burly man stepped back with Bandages in his arms.
Hook appeared somewhat restless, but it seemed like the statue held greater importance than anything else. After giving Charles a meaningful look, he hastily turned around.
"A mere cripple. If Captain Charles desires him, he is all yours."
As soon as the Fhtagnists were out of sight, Dipp, who had been standing nearby, rushed over to Bandages.
"Mr. First Mate, what were you thinking? He was planning to throw you into the sea and feed you to the fish, and you thanked him?!" Dipp exclaimed in disbelief.
Bandages remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground.
"Do you even understand what it means to be sacrificed to Fhtagn? Why did you agree to it?" Charles asked as he approached Bandages.
If Bandages uttered any nonsense from the Fhtagn doctrine, Charles was prepared to send him to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.
"I... I don't know. It's like... I yearned to be sacrificed. I have forgotten many things... I don't remember..." Bandages replied. His unexpected response surprised everyone.
Charles paced back and forth for a moment before coming to a halt. He looked into the eyes hidden behind the bandages. "Enough said. My new ship needs a first mate. Will you join me?"
Bandages remained silent for a few seconds before he said, "But I have no legs..."
"You're just missing one, it's not a big deal. You can still steer from a chair."
A smile of contentment appeared on Charles' face when Bandages responded with an affirmative nod.
With the new first mate recruited, Charles lifted his head to address his crew. He contemplated for a moment before speaking. "You know it by now, but we're getting an exploration ship, much larger than S.S. Mouse. A significantly larger exploration ship!"
The Captain's announcement had everyone excited. Beyond the benefits of discovering inhabited islands, the salary alone would be nearly three times higher for the same position on an exploration vessel compared to a cargo ship.
As for the risks that came with such significant gains, those who chose a seafaring career were no strangers to danger.
"So, Captain, should we head to the shipyard now?" Dipp asked eagerly. However, Charles shook his head.
"I'll handle the ship matter. I have tasks for all of you. James, you will be the chief engineer of the new ship. During this time, find a way to recruit a second engineer and a third engineer."
Clearly intimidated, the burly man shook his head repeatedly. "I can't, Captain. I really can't—"
"Don't tell me you can't do it. The port has specialized agencies. Just go there and choose. That's your task."
Charles didn't bother listening to James' explanation and turned to the restless youth beside him. "Dipp, you are the boatswain. Recruit four sailors."
The idea of managing so many sailors didn't daunt the young man; instead, it thrilled him. "Now I'll be in charge of five people! How exciting!"
"Frey, with so many people, you can't handle the galley alone. Find an assistant cook."
"No problem, Captain."
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