บท 206: Homecoming
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
In the waters outside Frand Port, the "Hope" was conducting patrol duties.
Since Quik took over as captain of the "Southern Star," the captain of the "Hope" had changed to Yarman. Being able to command this illustrious warship filled Captain Yarman with great excitement.
The "Hope" had not been in service for long, and in its previous encounters with pirates, it had suffered no damage, almost akin to a new ship.
Currently, Captain Yarman was carefully inspecting the deck that the sailors had just finished cleaning.
He was barefoot, wearing only a pair of white cloth socks, walking from one end of the deck to the other.
After several rounds, the captain took off his socks and found that the soles were still as white as before, nodding in satisfaction.
Yarman announced loudly, "Deck cleaning for today is finished."
The sailors around him breathed a sigh of relief, each packing up their buckets, brushes, mops, and other cleaning tools.
"Captain, we have a situation!"
A lookout on the mast suddenly shouted.
Instantly, everyone aboard went on high alert, gunners rushing to their stations to respond to the unexpected situation.
Yarman shouted to the lookout, "What do you see?"
"A ship, a suspicious ship is approaching us. Not a civilian vessel, it's a full-sailed ship."
Someone on the deck asked, "At this time, shouldn't we be the only ones patrolling? Could it... could it be the Southern Star?"
So far, they knew that only the Alden Navy had full-sailed ships.
The lookout hadn't lowered his telescope yet, still staring at the suspicious ship in the distance.
"I don't know if it's the Southern Star. It's still not clear."
Some sailors on the deck didn't agree with the lookout's words.
"It has to be the Southern Star. Who else could it be? You're being overly cautious."
"Shut up!"
Yarman sternly rebuked the sailor, frightening him into attention, standing at attention waiting for the captain's next reprimand.
"The cost of carelessness could be the entire ship's lives. I don't want to hear such careless words again in the future, understood?"
The captain's roar was like thunder.
The sailor quickly shifted his right foot to his left and answered loudly, "Yes, Captain!"
Yarman immediately issued new orders, "Gun crews, prepare positions. Helmsman, take the windward position!"
...
As the two ships approached each other, both sides finally saw each other clearly.
"It's the Southern Star, it really is the Southern Star!"
The lookout's voice was full of joy as he identified the flag flying from the mast of the ship in the distance—the dragon flag of the Grayman family.
A burst of cheers erupted on the deck of the Hope.
"Helmsman, head towards the Southern Star! I really miss that bastard Quik."
Captain Yarman cheerfully issued a new command.
"We're going home!"
On the deck of the Southern Star, there was an uproar of excitement and cheering.
Today was December 25th, just a few days before the new year. The Southern Star set sail on November 11th and after nearly a month and a half of sailing, it finally returned to the Northwest Bay.
Unfortunately, they had missed arriving at the Northwest Bay before the Advent Day, and in order not to miss the new year, everyone had to spend a meaningful day at sea.
They also spotted the Hope performing patrol duties in the distance.
Since most of the crew on the Southern Star had previously served on the Hope, seeing it was like seeing their own brothers. Communication officers on both sides used telescopes to exchange endless flag signals, while other sailors sent their greetings through the communication officers.
"It's so exciting to see things from home," said Xela Setia, looking at the cheering sailors on the deck, unable to help but sigh.
"Yes, no matter how good it is elsewhere, it can't compare to the importance of our own birthplace," responded her daughter, Ladia, somewhat sadly.
"Mom, would you blame me for making you leave your hometown with me?"
Xela Setia smiled and shook her head, reaching out to stroke her daughter's long hair.
"Don't say such nonsense. Didn't I say before? Wherever we are together is our home."
"Thank you, Mom."
The young advisor choked up a bit, and Xela Setia hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears from her daughter's eyes.
"Don't let anyone see you crying."
...
Finally, the Southern Star and the Hope met. Both sides could hear each other's shouts through the megaphones.
"Quik! You bastard, still alive?"
"Yarman! I'm doing just fine. What about you? Surprised you haven't been eaten by sharks yet."
Both captains embraced their megaphones, exchanging greetings.
Laughter erupted from both ships, filling the sea with cheerful sounds.
Then, the Hope and the Southern Star sailed towards Frand Port, one after the other.
...
"Congratulations, Captain Quik! You've finally completed the task given to you by the Lord."
Xela Setia approached Quik and congratulated the captain.
Having spent so many days on the ship, she had also learned a lot about Earl of Alden's affairs.
The ship named "Southern Star" was tasked with opening a new sea route, preparing for large-scale maritime trade between the Northwest Bay and Angle Bay. It seemed that Earl Paul Grayman was a man of great ambition and vision.
"Haha, thank you, Lady Setia. From now on, you can also live with Miss Ladia to avoid the pain of separation."
"Yes, this child used to be an adventurer, often not returning home. Now she has finally settled down. Although it's in a strange place, it's better than not seeing her for a long time."
Quik hesitated a bit, seeming to consider something.
Seeing his expression, Lady Setia asked, "Captain, do you have something to ask me?"
"Well... there is indeed a question weighing on my mind. But I don't know how to say it."
"Haha, Captain, just say whatever is on your mind."
Quik made up his mind and said softly, "Lady Setia, to be frank, I used to be a pirate. Later, I was captured by Earl Grayman and, under his mercy, was allowed to redeem myself by joining the navy and eventually becoming a captain."
"So, I am quite familiar with pirate matters, so... so..."
"Haha, are you asking about the tattoo on my arm?"
Xela Setia rolled up her sleeve halfway, revealing a symbol—a peculiar skull.
"Well... yes, although it's a bit peculiar in design, a skull is a common symbol among pirates. Moreover, judging from your performance in searching for Miss Ladia north of Niceport Forest at night, you don't seem like an ordinary housewife."
"Captain, you are quite observant."
Xela Setia smiled openly and said, "Indeed, I used to be a pirate."
(End of the Chapter)
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