Rising With Pride
The uniform was somewhat dirty, but the shoes were polished to a bright shine. He wore a slender sword at his waist, just like an Imperial Navy officer, a captain's hat on his head, and even held a pocket watch in one hand.
This must be the captain, Freyr thought. Despite his tall stature, the man's face was remarkably ugly, with slanted eyes, a bulbous nose, and a deliberately groomed pair of tiny mustaches. The first word that came to Freyr's mind was: sleazy!
"Quiet! Don't scare my guests!" the captain ordered with a hint of malicious amusement, glancing at Freyr and his companions. His eyes lit up with a lecherous gleam when he saw Naya and Lilith, but hesitated briefly when he noticed Naya's armor. However, he quickly dismissed the thought. How skilled could such a young girl be? Most likely just some noble's little brat!
As for Freyr, the captain completely ignored him. Freyr's clothes were tattered, he was barefoot, with messy hair, and he had several large empty gourds tied around him (used as floatation devices). He looked like a wild man.
"Welcome aboard my ship… Allow me to introduce myself. I am Captain Morales. You may call me Captain Morales or simply Captain," he said with a touch of pride. "I never expected to encounter such beautiful ladies in this boring weather… Oh, my captain's cabin is right behind. I'm sure you ladies would like to change into some lovely clothes… and then have a good feast, right?"
It was evident that Freyr and his companions hadn't eaten well for days. Even the beautiful witches showed signs of malnourishment.
The captain couldn't help but feel grateful to the heavens. The past few days had been terrible! First, a sudden decree from the province of Lear ordered the entire Eastern Navy fleet to patrol the nearby seas, making life hard for pirates. Just two days ago, the captain's ship had encountered an Imperial Navy warship. After a hasty battle, the captain ordered a retreat, using the ship's light hull and slightly faster speed to evade the navy ship for two days! They had only escaped by entering a mysterious fog earlier today.
He was exhausted! But now, heaven had sent these plump little lambs as a reward…
Oh, look at these two tender young girls! Far better than the port prostitutes! If they were stripped, cleaned up, and thrown onto a bed… what a delightful sight that would be!
"Come, beautiful ladies," the captain said, reaching out to pull Naya. "Beautiful ladies shouldn't suffer! I'll make you love my ship…"
As the captain's hand touched Naya's shoulder, Freyr sighed and closed his eyes…
A scream! Naya's body suddenly radiated a bright light! It was an ability only warriors of a higher level possessed—internal power!
With a scream, the captain flew into the air, his fancy hat falling onto the deck. As for him…
Did you see that arc in the air? Freyr smiled as the captain splashed into the sea…
Everyone was stunned for a second!
Then the pirates reacted, grabbing their weapons and charging!
Naya snorted… finally, a chance to vent her pent-up anger from the past days!
She used her bare hands, grabbing the first man who came at her and swinging him like a human weapon!
Amid the screams and clattering sounds, more and more pirates fell into the sea.
Freyr silently counted to ten, and by then, a third of the pirates had fallen!
"Enough, Naya. Stop," Freyr said when he thought it was sufficient.
Naya wasn't ready to stop. She kicked another pirate into the sea, and the remaining pirates, looking at her like she was a ghost, retreated in fear.
"I said, stop!" Freyr frowned, gently pulling Naya's shoulder. She snapped, "We're not on the island anymore! Do you think you can still order me around?"
She grabbed his wrist, but Freyr didn't resist. He looked into her eyes and suddenly said, "Look at me!"
Naya was startled and couldn't help but look into Freyr's eyes…
Was this… an illusion?
For the first time, Naya felt that this boy's eyes were so beautiful! They seemed to turn black… a deep, breathtaking black! It was as if his eyes were vast like the night sky, and if she kept looking… she felt like she would be sucked in…
Naya felt her mind relax, her grip softening. She didn't even notice that her body seemed to stop obeying her. She just stood there, quietly gazing into Freyr's eyes…
It was as if her soul was being drawn in!
"I said, stop," Freyr's voice was slow, each word clear and resounding, like a hammer striking Naya's heart!
"… Okay," Naya responded involuntarily, her tone obedient and gentle, completely lacking her previous arrogance.
"Good." Freyr kept his eyes on hers. To Naya, his voice now sounded so pleasant and melodic, making her want to follow his every word…
"Now, stand behind me. Do not act without my command."