"Now, you can go back to your rooms, get a good night's sleep, and completely relax. Because tomorrow, another, even more important assessment awaits you."
After speaking, the Captain intended to walk back.
Lex pressed, "Captain, what will tomorrow's assessment be about?"
Ken looked back at him, a meaningful smile on his face: "You'll know tomorrow. You're definitely going to like it."
After the Captain, the Second Mate, and the Sailors left, Lex and the others returned to their makeshift room and lay back on their 'beds'.
The Captain really knows how to keep us in suspense.
He didn't even tell us the specific content of tomorrow's assessment; how are we supposed to sleep?
Though he said this, as he looked at the dim ceiling, Lex gradually felt his eyelids grow heavy and slipped into a sweet dream.
The next day, after packing their luggage, Lex and the others returned to the Wavebreaker and assembled on the deck.
Ken Angus had changed into a white long coat today, and with a grin, he looked at Lex and the others, laughing: "Look at you all. Now, you look like people who live on the Sea. After changing your clothes, even if you were thrown in with pirates, it wouldn't raise any suspicion."
It was then that Lex noticed that a week of island life had indeed changed them quite a bit.
Due to constant exposure to the sun, not only had Lex and Edward tanned, but even Natalie, who often hid indoors, had a darker complexion. And because of the monotonous food, with no fruit or other nutritional supplements, their skin had become much rougher.
However.
Quincy didn't seem to have changed much.
He was originally tall and thin with a bronze complexion, so a week of island life hadn't brought him much change.
Footsteps sounded.
Boatswain Roger pushed over a clothes rack with several sets of clothes hanging on it: "Come on, pick whatever clothes you like. Remember to bring back the clothes you take off for centralized destruction, and then you'll officially become pirates."
Everyone was stunned.
Quincy was the first to exclaim: "What, pirates? Aren't we the Navy? Why would we become pirates?!"
"Do you think that as members of the Navy, you could infiltrate a pirate group, gain their recognition and trust, and thus gather the information we need?"
The Captain said unhurriedly: "Yes, starting today, you will operate on the Sea as pirates. You will rob merchant ships, you will interact with pirates, and you will do things you normally wouldn't touch."
"This requires a spirit of dedication and self-sacrifice. If you can't do it, I'll say it again: withdraw while you still can."
"How about it, Mr. Quincy."
"This is your last chance. After today, even if you want to withdraw, I won't allow it."
Quincy's chest heaved, and after what seemed like an internal struggle, he snorted, picked a dark set of clothes from the rack, and turned to leave.
A moment later, when they returned to the deck, they had already changed their clothes.
Lex wore an orange and yellow striped shirt, paired with a black vest and trousers. On the chest of the vest, there was a layered, exaggerated petal-shaped silver ornament.
The others also had different outfits.
They threw all their original clothes, including their shoes, into an empty oil drum that had been prepared earlier, and then the Boatswain set them on fire, destroying them.
The Captain cleared his throat and said: "Alright, listen up. This afternoon, we will plunder a merchant ship. If you have any psychological barriers, you don't need to."
"Because we are not playing the role of bloodthirsty, extremely evil pirates, but rather principled pirates, similar to Nast, the King of the Five Seas, who only plunder wealth and do not kill captives."
"Moreover, that merchant ship is from Intis; it will be our invitation letter into the pirate world."
"And your mission, of course, not including Miss Natalie."
"Your mission is to dismantle the resistance on the ship. When you successfully hijack the vessel, congratulations! You will pass the assessment, and in your Navy records, you will receive the rank of Lieutenant!"
"Later, I will have Roger give you the merchant ship's information. Now, do you have any questions?"
Lex raised his hand: "Captain, what is the name of our pirate crew? Or, have you prepared a title for yourself? This would be very helpful for establishing our reputation and quickly expanding our notoriety among pirates."
"This..."
Ken Angus glanced at the Boatswain, cleared his throat a few times: "Of course I've prepared one, how could I not, haha."
No, you haven't. Lex didn't expose him, and asked with a smile: "Then what is your title?"
"Hmm, this..." The Captain paced back and forth on the deck, then suddenly said, "Iron-Blooded! Yes, Iron-Blooded Admiral!"
"Iron-Blooded Admiral Ken Angus!"
"Isn't that great?"
Lex smiled and said: "The words 'Iron-Blooded' are good, but 'Admiral,' isn't that starting too high? I'm afraid that once this title is out, other Admirals will come looking for trouble."
"What do you think of 'Commodore'? It distinguishes us from other second and third-rate pirates, yet doesn't climb over the heads of other Admirals."
"When our crew grows a bit larger, it won't be too late for you to be called Vice Admiral or Admiral."
The Captain rubbed his stubbled chin: "That's a good idea. First, Commodore, and after we've annexed some pirate crews and expanded our fleet, then we can talk about other titles."
"Hmm, you have good ideas. If our fleet grows stronger in the future, I'll let you be the Captain."
Regarding this empty promise, Lex smiled but did not respond.
After a brief consultation, the Captain announced their dismissal. Lex rushed to the washroom, closed the door, and then softly chanted:
"Fool who does not belong to this era;"
"You are the mysterious Ruler Above the Gray Mist;"
"You are the King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck."
"I beseech your listening."
"Due to some unforeseen events, I will be unable to attend this afternoon's Tarot Club. I am very sorry."
---
Backlund.
Klein, who was lying in bed, turned over, covered his forehead, and got up. He looked out the window; it wasn't bright enough outside, and a faint mist drifted through the streets, dim, and damp.
At this moment, the illusory call echoing in his ears had faded. Klein knew that it must have been a member of the Tarot Club calling him. But he didn't feel like going Above the Gray Mist to check the message.
He still remembered the scene from early morning, at the East Balam dock, deep in the dark sewers, where Lanevus's head was smashed to pieces against the wall.
"Captain, I've already gotten some 'interest' back for you..."