Hearing the news, Noah's expression didn't change.
After everything he'd experienced, this barely registered.
If anything, it counted as good news.
It meant one thing.
Captain Jack Sparrow-the man Noah had been thinking about for an entire week-was finally about to appear.
Originally, Noah had planned to borrow a ship from Governor Swann, along with a few experienced naval sailors.
He hadn't expected the Governor to not only agree to go out to sea himself, but also casually deliver such pleasant information.
It put Noah in a very good mood.
After a relaxed dinner, Noah and Hermione returned to their room.
Hermione wasn't particularly interested in the Commodore's inauguration ceremony.
What she cared about was the sea.
More specifically, going out to sea once the ceremony was over.
She hadn't really had many chances to do that before.
Even now, opportunities like this were rare-not because she couldn't, but because she was always busy and never thought about it.
If Noah hadn't forced her to take a break, she probably wouldn't have.
This trip had already given her things she'd never experienced before.
London, properly explored.
An older era, experienced firsthand.
And now-
The Caribbean Sea.
Since they were here, it would be a shame not to enjoy it.
"Still a few more days," Hermione said, lying on the bed and flicking her wrist. A book flew neatly into her hand.
"I hope they pass quickly."
"Do you want to attend the inauguration?" she asked.
"I'll take a look," Noah replied, lying down as well.
"No harm in seeing it. I've never watched one before."
"Then let's go," Hermione smiled, casually flipping pages.
"But Governor Swann probably really does think we're nobles. Otherwise, he wouldn't invite us to something like that."
"Our upbringing must've been convincing," Noah said, tilting his head.
"Do you think we should bring something back with us? They're antiques, after all."
Hermione's eyes flickered.
The idea wasn't bad.
The craftsmanship of this era really was different.
But what exactly would be worth bringing back?
After thinking for a moment, she decided to wait and see.
This was an age of rampant piracy.
Maybe they'd stumble into a pirate hideout and find something interesting.
Noah had no idea what Hermione was thinking.
If he did, he'd wholeheartedly agree.
Pirates were rarely decent people.
Some talked about freedom.
Most were just criminals chasing quick riches.
Shaking his head, Noah dropped the thought.
Instead, he turned his attention to Jack Sparrow.
If nothing went wrong, that guy would dock at Port Royal tomorrow.
Should he just use magic to guide Jack straight to him?
Or wait until he got caught and tossed into a cell first?
After thinking it through, Noah decided not to overcomplicate things.
He hadn't used magic since arriving in this world, but he wasn't planning to hide it either.
No matter how things played out, he had plenty of ways to make that eccentric captain cooperate.
With that settled, Noah slept well.
The next morning, he took Hermione to attend the Commodore's inauguration.
But the moment they arrived, they both felt a bit awkward.
Their clothing didn't fit the occasion at all.
Both Noah and Hermione were wearing black wizard robes-modified for combat, neat and functional.
They looked good.
But they completely clashed with the fashion of the era.
They were modern people.
Who would think to pack formal clothes from centuries ago?
Even nobles wouldn't carry that kind of attire around.
Wizard robes were already the closest thing they had.
When Governor Swann saw them, he came over cheerfully-and immediately noticed the issue.
"My apologies," he said.
"This was my oversight. I forgot to remind you about the dress code."
"It's our fault," Noah replied, shaking his head.
"We didn't prepare such clothing. If this is inappropriate, we can leave."
Governor Swann waved his hands immediately.
"No, no, no. I wouldn't ask invited guests to leave over something like that."
Still, he took a closer look at their clothes.
They were plain by local standards.
But the fabric was exceptional.
The craftsmanship was meticulous.
Expensive.
Very expensive.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't improper-just eye-catching.
After a brief chat, the Governor excused himself.
He still had to preside over the ceremony.
Noah pulled Hermione to a quiet corner, and they watched.
At first, Noah found it mildly interesting.
By the end, he was bored.
If Hermione hadn't been watching attentively, he would've gone looking for Jack already.
Eventually, the ceremony ended.
As they prepared to leave for the reception, Elizabeth approached them.
Something was off.
She fidgeted constantly.
Her face was pale.
Her breathing was uneven.
When she spoke to Hermione, her responses were slow-almost absent-while her hand kept fluttering her fan.
"Are you... alright?" Hermione asked cautiously.
Then she realized it.
"I suggest you loosen your stays."
In the eighteenth century, extremely tight corsets were fashionable.
V-shaped.
Rigid.
Designed to flatten the torso and force an upright posture.
They were supported by leather or whalebone.
They also made breathing difficult.
Sometimes dangerous.
Elizabeth was clearly suffering from it.
She barely reacted to Hermione's words.
In the end, Hermione couldn't stand it anymore.
She raised her finger slightly.
A faint glow appeared.
With a light point to Elizabeth's back, two clasps came undone.
Elizabeth froze.
Then inhaled deeply.
Once.
Twice.
Her head stopped spinning.
Her body relaxed.
"Thank you," she said after a moment, looking at them in relief.
"I thought I was going to die. Why did clothing like this ever become popular?"
"I don't think that's a question for us," Noah said, spreading his hands.
"Probably to make people look refined. In reality, refinement comes from cultivation."
"I agree," Elizabeth nodded firmly.
"And the two of you are... very unique. You don't need clothes to define you."
"Get some rest," Noah said lightly, nodding past her.
"Someone's coming for you."
Elizabeth turned.
Commodore Norrington was already there.
Noah had no intention of getting in the way.
He nodded politely and pulled Hermione aside.
There was no reason to stay.
Better to leave the stage to the supporting cast.
Strictly speaking, Hermione's actions had disrupted the plot.
If Elizabeth didn't faint and fall into the sea, Jack wouldn't save her.
If Jack didn't save her, his identity wouldn't be exposed.
If he wasn't exposed, he wouldn't be arrested.
More importantly-
If Elizabeth didn't fall into the sea, the gold coin wouldn't touch the water.
Barbossa wouldn't find it.
Port Royal wouldn't be attacked.
Elizabeth wouldn't be kidnapped.
Will wouldn't go chasing after her.
And none of what followed would happen.
But so what?
Noah didn't care about the plot.
This universe was mysterious, sure.
But to him, it was just another place.
He only cared about one thing.
Why this world could bind spirits.
What kind of curse could trap the undead.
Everything else was irrelevant.
"Tell me," Noah said thoughtfully,
"should I really become a pirate for once? Experience the life of Edward Kenway?"
He paused.
"Or maybe rename the Black Pearl... to the Jackdaw?"