Chapter 76. The Razor Cartel
"If I may ask, who are you?" Reynold's voice was tainted with caution.
"I'm the captain of an exploration vessel. The man you arrested is my chief engineer," Charles answered as he stroked Lily's back to comfort the visibly anxious gunner. Reynold's face took on a distinct look of discomfort and indecision as he faced a dilemma.
Dealing with those from the sea was a difficult task, dealing with those on exploration ships was much worse. These people possessed skills that allowed them to explore those dangerous islands. He was just a man in charge of dealing with the crimes committed by normal civilians, how did he even get tangled up in this mess? Usually, the Governor's navy would handle any problems stirred up by these difficult individuals.
After contemplating for a brief moment, Reynold shuffled to the door and closed it. With a bitter expression on his face, he returned to his seat and said to Charles, "If he had killed a nobody, I would've let him go for your sake. However, your crewman killed the younger brother of the Razor Cartel's leader. If we release him, we will be in big trouble."
"Where's my crewman? I wish to see him," Charles demanded.
"He's in the holding cell. I'll bring you over right now," Reynold stood up and scurried to open the door.
Under the watchful gazes of the armed black-uniformed police, Charles entered the detention area.
The moment James caught sight of Charles entering the area, he struggled against the chains that he was hanging from.
Triggering the Tentacle Ring, Charles tore the dirty cloth gag from James' mouth and asked, "What happened?"
"Captain! That guy tried to tear off Mosicca's clothes right in front of me! I... I couldn't stand it!" James roared with bloodshot eyes.
With a swift slash of his Dark Blade, Charles cut off the handcuffs binding James, and the large man fell to the ground.
"Sir, you cannot...!" Reynold protested as he looked visibly flustered.
"If anyone finds trouble with you, mention my name. I'm staying on the third floor of Bat Tavern in the harbor district."
Leading James out of the police station, Charles' sharp senses clearly picked up the countless eyes watching him. Certainly, the Razor Cartel had sent their men to keep an eye on the development.
"Bring your wife with you to my place," Charles turned and instructed James in a calm tone.
"Captain, I... I killed someone...What should I do? I don't want to end up in jail. Mosicca needs me," James asked, his face etched with uncertainty.
"Just do as I say, don't panic, this will all blow over soon." Charles reassured the burly man with a pat on the latter's shoulder.
James tried to regain his composure and nodded before rushing off toward Mosicca's bakery.
Very soon, Charles' room at the tavern had become rather crowded. Dipp was squatted on the ground, gnawing on a cold beef knuckle. Meanwhile, Audric stood in the corner of the room, swirling a glass filled with red liquid.
"Captain, isn't your place a little too small? Why don't you buy a house instead?" Dipp asked after swallowing a mouthful of beef.
Dismissing his boatswain's complaints, Charles turned to Lily and asked, "Why did you gather everyone here?"
"I was afraid that it might be dangerous. Strength in numbers! I also got my friends to get the others; they should be on their way here."
"No need. Tell them to all go back. It's just a minor issue that will be resolved soon."
Clasping his wife's hands in his, James bowed deeply to Charles. "Captain, I'm sorry, I was too impulsive."
"You were not. If you couldn't even protect your own woman, I'd truly lose respect for you," Charles replied as his gaze turned onto James' wife.
The woman wasn't strikingly beautiful but she had a pleasant face with an unpretentious demeanor. Her presence made one at ease.
Just then, a cacophony of noises sounded from outside. Dipp stood up and pushed the window open. Looking out, he reported, "Captain, some guys are clearing the streets."
Charles walked over to the window and saw a large group of menacing individuals chasing the street crowd away. They were armed with various guns but each one sported the same dagger tattoo around their necks.
A burly man with tattoos on his face emerged from the party. He opened his mouth to reveal a set of decayed teeth.
"Motherfucker! Well done, you dare to mess with my men, and now you came to the harbor district to seek your own death. I'll get my brothers to take turns raping your woman right before your eyes today! Come out now!"
Taking in their arrogance, Charles wasn't the least bit interested. They were nothing compared to those creatures at sea. He lifted the revolver in his hand.
Bang! Bang!
A couple of shots extinguished the street's gas lamps and oil lamps, plunging the area into darkness.
Dipp placed the Clown Mask over his face and leaped out of the window. Instantly, screams of pain echoed from below.
At the same time, Audric morphed into a bat and swooped down after Dipp.
Inside the room, Mosicca was startled by the sounds outside. Her face paled as she clung tightly onto her husband with her eyes tightly shut.
James gently comforted his wife. The gentleness in his gaze was a stark contrast to his burly appearance.
Standing at the side, Charles felt out of place. He placed a hand on the windowsill and vaulted himself off with a push to join his crew below.
With the captain also joining the fray, James felt a pang of anxiety and wanted to help his fellow crewmates as well. However, he couldn't just leave his wife by herself.
"What... What exactly are you working as? Previously, you told me you were a normal sailor on a fishing boat. Does your captain look like a fisherman to you?" Mosicca questioned her husband, her eyes visibly red from the crying.
A bitter expression etched onto James' visage as he gently wrapped his arms around his wife. "My dear, I'm sorry. I lied to you. But if Captain didn't come to our aid today, we'll probably not be able to make it through this ordeal. We should be thankful to him."
With his night vision, Charles had an unhindered view of the unfolding carnage. Under the coordinated assault of Dipp and Audric, the so-called Razor Cartel were swiftly defeated. The very gang members who were brimming with arrogance earlier were now pulling their triggers in panic, firing shots into the darkness as terror consumed them.
Dipp calmly weaved through the storm of bullets and arrived before the gang's leader. A cold glint flashed through the air, and the man's gun-toting right hand fell to the ground with a thud.
The leader of the Razor Cartel recoiled, a cry of torment tearing through the air as he clutched his gushing, wounded wrist.
"Are you island trash so ignorant? You dare to even mess with those on an exploration ship?" the masked youth tilted his head and asked. His voice was laced with a hint of pride.
Seemingly sensing the dangers, the gang leader stammered, "I... I have no idea. It's not my fault! The big guy never said that he was working on an exploration ship. If my brother had known, he would never dare to provoke—"
Before the man could finish his sentence, a black blade flew through the air and pierced into his throat. Crimson blood splattered into the air as disbelief filled the man's eyes before he took his final breath.
"Captain, you could've let him finish his last words~" Dipp playfully complained before he left the scene with a graceful backflip.
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