Chapter 8

After leaving the tavern, Carnes walked along the streets of the small town towards the port.

It was strange indeed, as even on normal days, the streets would be bustling with people, even as night approached.

But at this moment, there was not a soul in sight, and every house had its doors and windows tightly shut.

However, if one looked carefully, they could still be seen.

Behind those closed doors and windows of each house, pairs of eyes were watching Carnes and his group as they were about to leave.

"These guys, are they pirates?"

"Look, each of them has a sword tied to their waist, and the ship near the harbor even flies a skull flag. They must be pirates, there's no doubt."

"What are they planning to do? Are they preparing to leave?"

"They only recently arrived at the port, right? Will they really leave so easily?"

"God, please make these wicked folks leave our town quickly. We don't welcome them here."

...

Voices of discussion could be heard coming from the tightly shut houses.

Almost all the residents of the small town were discussing the pirates who had just arrived and showed signs of leaving.

However, although the residents' voices were hushed, Carnes and Demiurge below could hear them clearly.

Even the senior crew members of Carnes could hear quite a bit.

"These guys are really impolite," one of the senior crew members spoke displeasedly.

As one person started, the other crew members who had been concealing their displeasure also began to show their emotions.

"Only daring to whisper in the dark like a bunch of rats, it's truly disgusting."

"Captain, can I teach these ignorant fools a lesson?"

"Captain, can we kill them?"

...

The crew members all spoke up, one after another, seeking permission.

Clearly, they felt offended by the residents, they had offended their captain.

The thought of giving those whispering cowards a lesson had already formed in their minds.

However, Carnes did not agree with this at all.

He had lived in this small town for thirty or forty years and had some interaction with the residents to varying degrees.

Now that he was about to leave the town, there was no need for unnecessary killing.

Moreover, Afura and the others were still living in this town.

All three of them had grown up under his watchful eyes.

Out of consideration for their well-being and peace, Carnes would not resort to killing the town's residents.

"It's just idle gossip, there's no need to pay it any mind," Carnes spoke softly.

As soon as Carnes expressed his stance, everyone responded simultaneously, devoid of any meaning.

"Understood."

Behind him, Demiurge listened to the response of the crew members behind him, observing Carnes' figure.

An expression of reverence involuntarily appeared on his face.

He silently marveled to himself.

"Ah~ Truly a benevolent person."

"Knowing to fear the strong is the instinct of the weak! Their words are merely a cover for the fear they hold in their hearts towards Captain-sama."

"So, you forgave these bunch of insects for their disrespect?"

In his heart, Demiurge secretly remarked, and a smile appeared on his face.

"It should be so, indeed."

"They are nothing but a bunch of lowly insects, unworthy of Captain's attention!"

"They don't even have the qualification for Captain to order their execution!"

Demiurge, as if having discerned Carnes' true thoughts, had an even more pronounced smile on his face.

Under Carnes' lead,

The group passed through the streets of the small town, proceeding along the road until they reached the port shortly after.

Gazing at the ship docked at the harbor,

With the skull flag flying high, Carnes didn't say much and went straight onto the ship.

The crew members followed suit, boarding the ship one after another.

They began preparing for the ship's departure.

Carnes walked across the deck and reached the bow of the ship.

As he looked at the setting sun slowly sinking into the horizon and felt the refreshing sea breeze,

Carnes couldn't help but let out a long breath and exclaimed,

"It's been a while..."

"The scent of the sea breeze is still so captivating."

He raised his hand and lightly caressed the railing of the ship, reminiscing.

"I thought that in this era, there would be no ship capable of carrying me anymore."

"I thought I would never set sail and step foot on this vast sea again."

"But unexpectedly, after so many years, here I am, returning..."

Turning around, Carnes looked up at the top of the mast, where the pirate flag flew high.

It was an ordinary pirate flag, as ordinary as it could be.

The flag bore only the standard white skull, the emblem of pirates, without any other embellishments.

"It's time to give you a name and create a flag that belongs solely to us, a pirate flag of our own."

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