Three days passed in a flash, filled with intense and fulfilling training.
Although the crew members on the explorer were exhausted every day, like squeezed sugarcane, their entire spirit and energy had completely transformed.
Their eyes lacked the previous laziness and confusion, and their walking posture was notably more upright.
In these three days, Roger used the most direct and effective methods to engrave the words "obedience" and "professionalism" deep into everyone's bones.
the explorer, a warship forged with their blood and sweat, also became more perfectly integrated with them through repeated training.
They could now skillfully command this sea beast, making it achieve astonishing speeds and perform various difficult tactical maneuvers.
The eight 12-pound naval cannons on the ship, under the operation of Billy and a few gunners, could now hit whatever they aimed at.
the explorer was no longer a simple single-masted sailboat.
That afternoon, just as Roger was leading the crew in their final simulated combat drill, the pirate in the crow's nest suddenly let out an excited shout.
"Captain! It's the sea serpent! They're back!"
Everyone on deck immediately stopped what they were doing and looked towards the entrance of the bay.
Sure enough, the dilapidated sea serpent, looking like a little follower, was slowly sailing in.
Two people stood at the bow of the ship.
One was Barraba, looking listless and even worse than when he left.
The other was Captain Jack Sparrow, whose three-cornered hat with a chicken feather looked exceptionally flamboyant in the setting sun.
"Oh ho! They really delivered the letter!"
Billy excitedly threw his gun-wiping cloth into the air.
"Captain! Have our gold coins arrived too?"
Hanson and the others were even more agitated, rubbing their hands together.
Ten thousand gold coins!
That was ten thousand gold coins!
They had never seen so much money in their lives!
"Don't rush."
Roger also smiled, looking at the approaching sea serpent, and the heavy stone in his heart finally fell.
It seemed that Governor Swann loved his daughter even more than he had imagined.
He instructed Gibbs: "Tell the brothers to prepare to welcome our heroes."
"Also, please bring Miss Swann out so she can see how much her father loves her."
"Yes, Captain!"
Gibbs grinned and left to carry out the order.
Soon, the sea serpent docked alongside the explorer.
Jack Sparrow was the first, with an extremely exaggerated and flamboyant leap, to swing from the bow of the sea serpent onto the deck of the explorer.
"Oh! My dear Lin! I'm back!"
Jack spread his arms, intending to give Roger a warm embrace.
"I, the great Captain Jack Sparrow, have lived up to expectations and perfectly completed the mission you assigned!"
"Now, you can start preparing to fulfill your promise."
"For example, handing this beautiful lady over to me?"
Roger disgustedly turned sideways and pushed him away, avoiding his sour smell, which suggested he hadn't bathed in days.
"Don't forget our agreement."
"You help me get the black pearl, and I will definitely give you this ship."
"What about the gold coins?"
Roger asked, getting straight to the point.
"Of course, of course, how could I forget our agreement?"
Jack snapped his fingers, as if nothing had just happened.
"That was just a harmless joke!"
The few remaining crew members on the sea serpent immediately carried several heavy chests, trembling as they walked onto the deck of the explorer.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The chests were heavily placed on the deck, making dull thuds.
Billy rushed forward impatiently, swung his axe, and pried open the first chest.
"Clatter—"
In an instant, everyone was dazzled by the blinding light, unable to open their eyes.
A full chest!
All of them were gleaming, shining Spanish gold coins!
"My God..."
"We're rich! We're rich again!"
The deck instantly erupted.
All the pirates went wild, rushing towards the chests, greedily scooping up gold coins with their hands, letting them slip through their fingers.
The cool, heavy sensation, the unique alluring luster of money, drove every pirate mad.
Barraba disconsolately walked off the ship, looking at the scene of revelry before him, and then at Roger, who stood outside the crowd with a calm expression, feeling a mix of emotions.
He knew that from this moment on, Roger's strength and prestige would once again skyrocket to a height he could never reach.
And he himself had completely become an insignificant supporting character.
"Roger! You shameless scoundrel!"
Just then, a furious scream broke the festive atmosphere.
Elizabeth, under Gibbs's "escort," walked onto the deck.
When she saw the chests of gold coins and the pirates' frenzied behavior, she instantly understood.
Her father had really compromised.
He had truly paid a ransom of ten thousand gold coins to these pirates to save her!
A huge wave of humiliation and anger surged into her heart.
She rushed to Roger, raised her hand, and tried to slap him.
However, her wrist was firmly caught by Roger.
"Miss Swann, it seems your father loves you very much."
Roger looked at her, a victor's smile on his face.
"Now that the ransom has arrived, shouldn't you let me go?!"
Elizabeth gritted her teeth, each word seemingly squeezed out from between them.
She now only wanted to leave this ship immediately, to leave this man who made her feel utterly humiliated.
"Let you go?"
Roger heard her words as if they were a huge joke and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The surrounding pirates' clamor quieted down, and everyone looked at their captain.
Roger released Elizabeth's hand, then slowly shook his head in front of everyone.
"Oh, no, no, no."
"My dear Miss Swann, I think you might have misunderstood something."
"When did I ever say that after taking the ransom, I would let you go?"
Roger's words brought all the laughter on the deck to an abrupt halt.
Everyone was stunned.
Billy even forgot to put the gold coins he was holding into his arms.
Elizabeth looked at Roger with an incomprehensible gaze, her face gradually turning pale.
"You... what did you say?"
"I said," Roger's tone was matter-of-fact, even carrying a hint of playfulness.
"The money, I've taken it."
"But the person, I'll have to keep her a few more days."
He took a step forward, lowered his voice, and whispered in her ear at a volume only they could hear:
"After all, pirates never have any credibility, do they?"
----------------------------------
I've already posted 70 new chapters on Patreon!
If you like the story and want to reaad more, please visit my patreon. Every support is very meaningful!
[patreon.com/Kazenova223]
Thank you very much!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"