"The Secrets Aboard the Ship ch8

In the captain's quarters, tension hung in the air as the crew awaited their orders. The captain entered the room, and everyone immediately saluted. "At ease," he commanded, and the crew relaxed slightly.

"Captain, we have completed our mission. We have arrived at the continent," one of the officers reported.

"Very good. I like that," the captain replied, his eyes scanning the room. The table was cluttered with an assortment of guns and a large map of the continent. The presence of such an arsenal on a merchant ship raised questions about the true nature of their mission. The captain's true identity and intentions were shrouded in mystery.

"Sir, what will we do about the boy we found?" another officer asked, breaking the silence.

The captain's expression turned contemplative. "Well, I don't know where the boy comes from, but judging by his wounds, he has been through something significant. Three shots, high-caliber and expensive. These bullets are associated with big royal families. I don't know his past, but as per maritime rules, we should hand him over to the authorities on this continent. The Supreme Maritime Force (SMF) governs these waters, and we should hand him over to them."

The Supreme Maritime Force, a coalition of over fifty nations, controlled the international waters and enforced maritime laws. However, the captain hesitated. "But," he continued, "I think we should reconsider handing the boy over to the SMF. There's something off about this situation."

"Sir, it could expose us," one of the crew members cautioned. "We've come here as a merchant ship transporting goods from our continent to this one. We have to maintain our cover."

The captain nodded, understanding the risk. "True. We have to think of another plan. If we hand him over to the SMF, we might attract unwanted attention. But keeping him here poses its own dangers."

He paced the room, deep in thought. The stakes were high, and the wrong decision could jeopardize their mission and their safety. "We need more information about the boy. Find out everything you can about him discreetly. We must tread carefully."

The crew exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. Their captain's orders were clear, but the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty. As they set out to gather information about Alaric, they couldn't shake the feeling that this boy was more than he appeared. His presence on their ship was a twist of fate that could change everything.

The captain's mind raced with possibilities. Who was this boy? What was his connection to the royal families? And why had he been left for dead in the ocean? The answers to these questions could hold the key to their next move. For now, they would watch and wait, ready to act when the time was right. The captain knew that whatever lay ahead, they had to be prepared for anything.

"Another thing," the captain said, turning his attention to the soldier who had been quietly standing by. "Did you gather the information on the Vantic family?"

The soldier nodded, "Yes, sir. We've gathered the information. They are indeed the main culprits behind the assassination of our former leader."

"And what are the next steps?" the captain asked, his eyes narrowing with determination.

"As far as I know, we have already taken out the young master of the Vantic family and also killed their head as retribution for the assassination," the soldier replied. "I don't think they're done with their vendetta, though."

The captain's face hardened. "How much time do we need to get out of SMF-controlled international waters?"

"Sir, we need another two days until we reach our continent's international sea," the soldier reported. "But even if we reach our waters, it won't guarantee our safety. Our continent has become a puppet state. We used to be the most powerful among all, but the great war reduced us to this state. Despite having more resources than other continents, we are now under the control of supreme countries. It's like colonization in all but name. They control our government and everything."

The captain's expression darkened further. "My father, our former leader, built this organization to save our continent, but they killed him. He served in the army for more than twenty years and, after retirement, knew he had to do something to fight back. Still, they killed him. I will not let that go."

"The Vantic family is a noble family," the soldier continued, "part of one of the most powerful kingdoms—the Roman Kingdom. It's controlled by a council, a government where more than twenty council members wield power. They don't have a prime minister, president, or king; just the council members. The Vantic family is one of the most powerful within this council. The Roman Kingdom also boasts one of the largest navies on this continent."

The captain nodded. "We must immediately head to our sea and then dispose of this ship. We can't risk being discovered. The Roman Kingdom's military is too strong, and their navy could easily overtake us if we don't act quickly."

The room fell silent as the crew absorbed the gravity of the captain's words. The mission had grown more dangerous by the minute. Their goal was not just to escape but to outmaneuver powerful forces that sought to control and destroy them.

"We need to be vigilant," the captain said, breaking the silence. "Every move we make must be calculated. We cannot afford any mistakes."

The crew members nodded, their resolve strengthening. They had a mission to complete, and they would see it through, no matter the cost. The legacy of their former leader and the future of their continent depended on their success. As the ship sailed on, cutting through the waves, each member of the crew knew that the days ahead would test their courage and loyalty like never before.

So, as the captain was discussing their plans, in Alaric's room, Alaric was still engrossed in his window. Suddenly, two messages popped up. The first message read: "Talks to the Emperor. Task 1: Choose the path of the Emperor. Military, Diplomacy, Dictatorship, Lord, or by Force." Alaric was confused. What should he choose? As far as Alaric knew, his older brother favored diplomacy. But Alaric, from his childhood, had always been fascinated by the military and had grown up among soldiers. Without much thought, he chose military.

"Path to become Emperor: Military, chosen," the window displayed. The second message read: "First task: Buy a land. Establish your first rule." For the first task, the player would receive one emerald coin. And with that, the messages disappeared.

Alaric sat back, absorbing what had just happened. He knew he had to be cautious and strategic. This window, this path, could be the key to not only his survival but also his rise to power and ultimate revenge.