novelAn unexpected release
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Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Naturally, by this time, while the baldy was blustering aloud and climbing atop the jollyboat, there was no longer anyone present atop the trio's jollyboat.
In spite of that, the pirates' dispirited demeanor was instantly filled with a pleasant surprise.
To their joyful discovery, that stone chest of Aztec gold was perched within the center of this jollyboat. Traces of blood could be seen around it. Yet, the stone chest remained dazzling brilliant with the accursed Aztec gold.
"Oh hoh! Might there be internal strife amongst our foe. They tossed the gold and ran while pissin' their pants before we came!"
That bald pirate then ordered delightedly.
"Smarty up and report this splendid news to ze cap'n. First, let us bring this jollyboat back to the Pearl."
In their merriment, even the most meticulous pirate had placed his attention onto the stone chest. Right now, they reckoned that the opponent had left a lethal snare with the Aztec gold or the stone chest, which was why it was so easily obtainable.
Indeed due to that, none of them noticed...a shadow, like a spectre, adhering itself to the bottom of the jollyboat.
The spectre's fingers were lodged deep into the wood of the boat. As the spectre conveniently latched onto their movement, he sneakily arrived by the Black Pearl as well.
When none was giving attention, that spectre pasted itself against the bottom of the Black Pearl! It appeared like a weird leech. Indeed, this was Sheyan!
Very quickly, the stone chest of accursed Aztec gold was heaved to Barbossa. This wily old fox surveyed the chest with thriving ambitions. Then, he grabbed a bunch of Aztec gold, which slipped through the cracks of his fingers and clinked back into the chest.
"I can sense scourges who took our gold be fleein' swiftly deeper ashore. In other words, we must climb ashore to pursue them. Arghhh, a pack of crafty foxes they be, but the best hunters are we! I shall personally ascend on dryland to catch them. Carnon, ye shall accompany me."
The one Barbossa addressed as Carnon, was a black man.
His bare body and the periphery of his eyes was laced with mild-brown colored scraps that appeared the size of a thumb. Those scraps looked like pebbles but also like insect eggs. They were linked with a peculiar string and rooted deep into his flesh. This was an ambitious man. His close combat prowess was exceptionally outstanding. Naturally, Barbossa wanted to keep him by his side.
Following that, Barbossa swept a glance through his pirate crew.
"This chase will not be a short one. There be a few simple tasks for ye in your cap'n's absence. First, go gather materials from the nearest port and give a good mending to me old mate. Return I shall, but see a new Pearl I must. Especially the wound of its spine, not a single sloppy work be allowed."
"Also, hunt down the other scattered Aztec gold; the ones that scurvy dog placed in fishes and gulls. Might that surely be done with some effort. In yer cap'n's absence, Pintel (the baldy) and Ragetti (the wooden eye guy) shall be in charge of the ship. Receive us seven days later at this exact spot."
Afterwards, Barbossa led a large flock of pirates as they rowdily left the ship. Then, Pintel started bawling at the remaining pirates to raise the sails; in preparation to sail towards the sea.
During the voyage, the Black Pearl would constantly sway faintly; just like an injured man shivering in agony. It not longer had its original graceful bearing of dominating the sea with electrifying pace. One could fathom how badly wrecked the Black Pearl was.
As for the nearest destination that housed adequate precious materials for ships, it was naturally the pirates' wonderland - Tortuga!
Though it suffered grave damages, the speed of the Black Pearl still had to be praised. After a short span of a day and night, Tortuga finally emerged within the spyglass of the Black Pearl's lookout.
Being one of the three legendary pirate ships, the Black Pearl would receive extraordinary preferential treatment at every pirate port. Tortuga was no exception. This was probably also because they would bring along valuable for cheap dirty goods. The unique shape of the Black Pearl approaching directly prompted leading sailors of Tortuga, to direct it to detour for anchoring within a private port at the back. Not being squeezed together with other pirates was proof of its status.
After suffering from the curse, the Black Pearl's pirates became incapable of satisfying all of their thirst. As such, they didn't harbour interest towards women, rum or delicacies. Instead, they were longing for the life of having the curse lifted.
Presently, they resembled robots that were being instructed. If there was really no tasks, they would just reside within the ship as they reminisced about beautiful times.
The amount of manpower on the Black Pearl wasn't little and was more than other ships. However, a good half of the pirates had been led away by Barbossa. This was because Barbossa believed the ones who stole his Aztec gold were extremely powerful, and thus brought along more men for stability.
Yet more crucially, Barbossa's position had been earned by a mutiny.
His loyal confidants, Pintel and Ragetti, both possessed mediocre strength. Hence, he wasn't afraid of them starting an insurrection. Instead, he brought along the pirates who possessed the influence of starting a mutiny.
After this division of strength, the remaining pirates on the Black Pearl were mostly the old, sickly and the aged; ones who could merely kick start a ship.
The responsibility Barbossa issued to them was merely repairing the ship, and hunting down birds or fishes for the Aztec gold. Truthfully, such tasks didn't require excessive martial might.
At present, the Black Pearl had already anchored down in port. Pintel then brought along several pirates into the pier to purchase materials.
Right now, only a handful of ten pirates were left to safeguard the Black Pearl. Probably because they were in a pirate port, they had utterly led their guards down. Sitting idly, they gave vent to the futile attempt of drinking rum, even though they couldn't savour the rich taste of rum for all eternity.
At this very moment, a figure was slowly crawling up the Black Pearl.
His movements were exceedingly gentle and unhurried.
In addition to the noisy sloshing of waves, though his actions were evidently stiff and mechanical, it didn't startle a single soul.
Observing his figure, this was indeed Sheyan!
During this period of day and night, he had hidden by the side of the Black Pearl's hull; riding it until he arrived at the familiar Tortuga. Though he was carrying a single Aztec gold on him, he was similarly hiding within the Black Pearl. Hence, the pirates' senses associated his Aztec gold in the same category as the Aztec gold on their ship. Thus, it would be difficult to discover his existence.
In Sheyan's perspective, though this 'illegal immigration' was rather torturous and dry, it turned out fine after he got accustomed to it. Being rather adept at exercising patience over time, he only surfaced onto the ship after assuring that he was completely safe.
Sheyan then stealthily crept into a cabin of the Black Pearl. Because most of the residents here were out, it was a rather easy feat to locate an empty cabin.
Presently, dark clouds loomed over the night sky. Nevertheless, the moon cascaded its hazy moonlight down, seemingly about to drill into the ship. Observing from afar, its reflection appeared like an egg yolk bathing in the inky water.
As Sheyan lingered within this inhabited cabin, he paused silently as though contemplating about something. Finally, he fished out a squarish object and a bottle, before placing them onto the table.
This squarish object was an exquisite old diary. The diary's surface was stained with spots of dried brown blood.
As for the contents of the bottle, it was water.
Holy water from the Apostolic Palace!
Sheyan's current expression was additionally rigid as he picked up the bottle. Without a single hesitation, he poured its clear liquid onto the diary...
The fourth generation blood descendant of the Fokke family, the diary personally composed by Morgan Fokke!!
The diary that had been sealed up by the redoubtable Little Lord Fokke!
When pouring the holy water, Sheyan was exceedingly cautious; seemingly preventing it from spilling onto himself.
Sheyan was actually unsealing the diary right within the Black Pearl. RIght when the Pearl had anchored in Tortuga!!
Instantaneously, large emulsions of froth bubbled out of the diary's cover; as though something was being fried in a deep fryer, as it released sizzling sounds.
A wave of black aura could be seen emanating out of the diary's cover. It spiralled in mid air before warping into a dreadfully malevolent face. One could fathom this was the vague depiction of Morgan Fokke.
Then, his incisive voice reverberated through the surrounding air.
"This soul of mine, tormented all these years, I seek to be freed! I thirst for the blessedness of eternal rest, O lord. Please redeem a sinner like me!"
Kacha! Kacha! An icy cackle echoed throughout the cabin at this instance.
This sound wasn't alien to Sheyan. He had heard the exact same sound back in Jiejie's golden tent. The sound of rapidly condensing vapour, the sound of a layer of ice forming.
This, was the omen for the impending arrival of the redoubtable Little Lord Fokke!
"Ye condemnable insects, I've finally found you!"
"The sinner whom eradicated my seal. Your life shall surpass the torment of the underworld!"
"I sing of death; the indulgence of death, the dictator of death!"
"All who try in vain to glimpse the secrets of the Fokke family, shall be punished by death!"
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