"Gerald." The burly man didn't wait for Kede's introduction, announcing his own name. "Heard you're teaming up against that fat pig? Got to admit, that takes balls."
Charles didn't answer, his gaze landing on Kede.
"Heh, it's a bit too much for us alone to take on the King, so I brought in Captain Gerald. He's very strong and can help us."
"He stole my cargo! And my ship! I'll never forget what that bastard did to me!" Gerald's brawny face was taut with a simmering rage.
A flash of understanding crossed Charles's face. So Kede found one of the King's old enemies for help. Good. The more people, the more power.
"Let's cut the crap. I know this place better than you, so I'll make the plan," the forceful Gerald said, seizing control of the conversation.
"Five days from now, Sodoma will approach a new island. Most of that pig's ships will head out to raid the docks. That's our chance. My men will draw the pig out. Kede, your followers will block his subordinates. As for you..."
"I'll go to the King's quarters, keep some of his men busy for you, and look for what Kede and I need."
"But I seriously doubt your abilities. Are you even useful over there? You don't even stink of blood. You've probably killed a handful of people at most." Gerald crossed his arms, his eyes filled with suspicion.
Charles looked at him calmly. "Even if I'm just going there to die, it still accomplishes our objective."
Gerald shrugged. "Fair enough, can't argue with that. It doesn't matter to me. You're just an extra, anyway. Kede's followers are who I really need. That pig has been sitting on his throne for far too long."
Kede put on his good-natured act, stood up, and chuckled. "Excellent. Everyone gets what they need. It couldn't be better."
But the moment Gerald was gone, Kede's expression changed. He looked at Charles with a grave face. "That man is no match for the King. You'd better find the sea chart before he gets himself killed."
Charles sneered inwardly. Even with a part of his brain missing, that old fox is no simpleton. He sends others into danger while he sits back and reaps the rewards.
"Can you help with the infiltration? Like a map of the King's residence? Or the location of his valuables?"
"Sorry, I'm afraid I can't help with that. No one truly understands the King, and anyone who has ever snuck into his residence has never come out alive. All I can tell you is that it's extremely dangerous in there."
Charles's brow furrowed. Charging in blindly is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"You still have a few days to prepare and gather intelligence. I hope you succeed. And I truly hope what you said is true. The followers of Sodoma will pay a heavy price for this operation."
Three days later, Charles stood on deck, fully equipped and ready to go. He spoke to his first mate. "I'll be back in two hours at most. If I'm not—"
"Then... we'll... come find you," Bandages said, holding out a backpack.
Charles smiled and said no more. He took the bag, patted Bandages on the shoulder, and walked off the ship. At the same moment, a bat launched itself into the sky from the Narwhal.
Sodoma was bustling today. Walking through the crowd, Charles overheard pirates discussing how much loot the King's ships would bring back this time. They were like hyenas circling a lion, waiting to feast on the scraps.
Charles strolled unhurriedly. Just as he arrived before the gigantic ship, several hundred meters long, he saw the "King" being pushed out from inside.
Pulling out his pocket watch, Charles checked the time and waited. All the while, he checked his relics over and over again. Right now, they were all he could rely on.
BOOM! As a distant explosion lit up the sky, Charles closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, the clown mask was on his face.
Charles slipped through the crowd drawn by the blast and made his way to the back of the massive ship. He pulled a grappling hook from his bag and swiftly tossed it upward.
The moment he clambered onto the deck, he was stunned by the lavish decor. The deck had been converted into a small garden. Its delicate flowers were a stark contrast to the chaos outside.
After a careful scan of the garden revealed it was empty, Charles quickly moved toward a cabin door on the side.
The interior was even more exquisitely decorated. Crystal electric lamps hung from the ceiling, illuminating everything. The color scheme was dominated by gold and red, accented with silver and jade decor in the corners. From the corridors to the furnishings in each room, everything exuded an air of understated luxury.
Damn. A pirate leader living more extravagantly than a nobleman. Who knew the fat bastard had such high-class taste?
After his silent commentary, Charles went down the stairs to the ship's lower section. He ignored what were obviously the kitchen and living areas. If the sea chart was hidden anywhere, it was most likely in a cabin like the Captain's Room.
He was cautious at first, afraid of being seen. But after prying open several doors and finding no one, Charles threw caution to the wind. He began to search frantically, tossing things aside.
In contrast to the silence inside the rooms, Charles's keen hearing picked up on the escalating chaos outside. He knew this was the critical moment. With the situation outside descending into anarchy, he had to find the sea chart before the King returned.
Just as Charles yanked open a drawer, he suddenly felt a warm breath on his neck, as if someone was leaning in from behind him.
SHHK! He slashed backward with his knife and backflipped onto a table.
The room, which he had turned upside down, was empty.
Puzzled, Charles slowly turned back around and continued searching the drawer.
CREAK... A nearby wooden chair shifted all by itself.
This time, Charles acted as if he heard nothing, continuing with his task.
BANG! Without warning, the door slammed shut. CLICK. The lock turned. Charles was trapped inside the room.
"Oh? A haunting, is it? This dump is already so dangerous, and you ghosts want to join the party too?!"
Hugging a drawer, Charles turned to glance at the sealed door. He pulled a stick of dynamite from his bag, lit the fuse, and threw it.
Halfway to the door, the dynamite inexplicably swerved in mid-air and flew back at him.
Charles's blade flashed, slicing the dynamite in two. In that instant, every sharp object in the room floated into the air and shot straight at him.
THUD! THUD! THUD! The objects were blocked by the upended wooden table. Charles shoved it aside and dove for the door. With a quick twist of the Black Blade in the lock, he burst through the door and back into the ornate corridor.
The moment he emerged, the magnificent porcelain vases in the corridor instantly exploded, and the sharp fragments began to float in the air.