We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 193 Nana the Half-Dragon, The Last Supper?

"Uncle Basil."

Upon seeing the one-eyed old man, Xia En dared not be negligent and respectfully said, "I'm back."

In John's memory, the one-eyed pirate named Basil seemed unremarkable, but he was actually the first mate of the ship "Black Sail" and Augustine's true confidant.

On this island made up of thousands of ships, basil was like Augustine's steward, managing the trivial matters of the place for him.

The extent of their exalted status is evident.

For John himself, Basil was the mentor who led him onto the secret path, and they had a relationship similar to that of a master and apprentice.

Therefore, when facing Basil, Shane was on high alert, trying his best not to reveal any flaws.

"I've already heard about what happened at sea."

Basil looked into Shane's eyes and smiled kindly, "You did a great job."

“That guy named Philip should have been killed long ago. If the captain hadn’t said it was a test for you, I would have done it myself.”

"As for those two ships, you handled them very well. You truly deserve to be the young master I've taken in."

The old man appeared polite and was well-dressed.

Judging from his appearance alone, it's hard to imagine that he was once a notorious pirate who lived a life of constant danger.

However, the murderous intent that occasionally emanated from his eyes was far more intense than that of Xia En.

Xia En's mind raced, and he asked Basil an unexpected question.

"Besides me, who else was attacked?"

Basil narrowed his one eye slightly and replied, "Fifth, Eighth, and Tenth."

"The tenth brother was the worst off; he lost his boat and escaped with serious injuries."

Hearing this, Xia En felt a chill run down his spine.

Including myself, that makes a total of four apostles attacked!
Even if the mastermind didn't use their full strength, it's enough to show that this attack was unusual.

Perhaps, it's not just one force that has begun to probe?

So Shane asked directly, "Uncle Basil, may I have the honor of seeing Lord Augustine?"

As one of the twelve apostles and also an adopted son, his request to meet with Augustine was perfectly reasonable.

But Basil gently shook her head.

Xia En's heart sank to the bottom.

Could it be that Augustine's injuries have become so severe that he can no longer be seen in public?
Basil shook his head again: "Don't worry, young master, the captain's condition isn't that good, but it's not that bad either."

Xia En was even more confused.

What does it mean to be neither that good nor that bad?
How come even a pirate has become a riddle teller?

Basil didn't explain further, only saying, "There will be a banquet tonight. The captain won't be there, but the other apostles will be present."

"Please also ask Mr. John to attend on time."

Xia En nodded and said, "I will."

He hadn't forgotten that his trial mission, besides protecting Augustine's safety, also included finding the traitor among the twelve apostles!
This dinner party is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.

A hint of surprise flashed in Basil's eyes when he agreed so readily.

John used to be quite strong, but his personality was rather complicated and didn't seem like that of a pirate.

Especially when facing other apostles, they showed fear and avoidance.

Now, having suffered this setback, his personality seems to have finally undergone a significant change.

Basil remarked, "Young Master John, you've grown up, that's wonderful."

"The captain would be very happy to know."

Upon hearing this, Xia En's feelings were somewhat complicated.

He wasn't the real John Smith after all; he was just temporarily occupying this body.

This genuine concern from an elder made him feel inexplicably guilty, yet also somewhat envious.

Not long after, Basil left first, saying he needed to inform the other apostles.

Shaun dismissed the crew and headed toward his lodgings on the island, covered in dust.

Along the way, Shane silently observed this pirate kingdom.

This island of ten thousand ships is practically a harbor, with countless ships of all sizes moored in its harbors.

Some looked like they had won a battle and returned in triumph, while others looked like they had been robbed, with every pirate on board bearing injuries.

Others appeared to be just ordinary fishing boats, returning home laden with a full catch of fish, the crew members all wearing smiles.

In the more central part of the island, there are of course pubs, casinos, residential areas, and also attractive call girls.

It looks somewhat similar to the "Islands of Chaos" that I visited before.

However, Shane also clearly sensed that there was an invisible order on this island.

This order restrained the pirates who were originally unrestrained, and also gave the people on the island a sense of identity and belonging.

They are not just passersby on this island, but citizens of the Pirate Kingdom!

Thinking about this, Xia En found it somewhat unbelievable.

How could a group of outlaw pirates develop a sense of identity with a place?

Beside him, Gray Cloud looked at the passersby around him, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes.

"This [Pirate Principality] is more like a country than any small kingdom on land."

"That Augustine truly deserves to be called the only pirate king in history."

"only?"

Xia En was somewhat surprised.

He didn't know much about the past and thought the "Pirate Duchy" existed before Augustine.

Gray Cloud nodded: "That's right, it's the only one."

"Augustine was the founder of the Pirate Duchy, and after his death, the kingdom quickly fell apart."

"After that, several pirates established their own kingdoms in his name, but they did not have Augustine's abilities and were wiped out by the Royal Navy a few years later."

Xia En thought about it seriously and found it not surprising.

This "pirate principality" exists because of Augustine.

With Augustine's death, that invisible order disappeared, and the duchy disintegrated.

Suddenly, Gray Cloud said with a grin, "Captain John, can I come to the banquet tonight?"

"I promise I won't cause you any trouble."

Xia En replied directly, "No."

His reason for refusing was simple: he did not yet trust this Pathfinder named Gray Cloud.

Although Gray Cloud claims his trial mission is to protect Augustine, this could be a lie.

As for the oath that Gray Cloud made, Xia En actually believed it.

Because when he swore the oath, the [Secret Sea] did indeed emit a strange fluctuation, proving the validity of the oath.

Gray Cloud sighed and didn't press the matter further.

At the same time, he became increasingly curious about Xia En's true identity.

Judging from previous battles, Shane is clearly very accustomed to naval warfare and is most likely a captain.

But his attitude towards the pirates didn't seem like that of a pirate captain.

This meticulousness, in particular, is reminiscent of the style of the Federal Navy.

But if they were from the Federation Navy, how could they not have heard of Gray Cloud's name?

Gray Cloud muttered to himself, "That's really strange..."

……

……

It didn't take long.

Shane arrived at his residence on the island.

This is a small manor, but its style is somewhat like that of aristocratic architecture on the mainland.

Several maids even came forward to welcome Xia En and give him a warm welcome.

Considering John was one of the twelve apostles, it wasn't surprising that he received such treatment. After bathing, with the help of her maid, Shane changed her clothes and then saw her reflection in the mirror.

In terms of appearance alone, John Smith was not much worse than Shane; he was quite handsome.

However, he was even younger, like a big boy who hadn't grown up, or rather, still just a teenager.

Black hair, black pupils, and a delicate face with a gentle quality... reminiscent of a poet or painter.

Coupled with his exquisite and beautiful clothes, he looks less like a pirate and more like a noble young master.

Xia En gave a wry smile.

No wonder John had almost no authority on the ship before.

How could the pirates, who were so beautiful, gentle, and fierce, possibly submit to her?
After thinking for a moment, Xia En asked the maid beside him, "Do you have any simpler clothes?"

The maid said with a smile, "I think young master looks very handsome like this."

Xia En simply smiled faintly and asked again, "Do you have any simpler clothes?"

The personal maid suddenly stopped smiling, immediately had someone bring her two undecorated garments, and cautiously asked...

"Are these two okay?"

"can."

After changing his clothes, Shane left the manor.

The two maids whispered among themselves in the room, gossiping behind each other's backs.

"I think the young master has changed a bit."

"What has changed?"

"It's become... a little scary."

"Young Master is a pirate after all. I actually think he's become more manly now..."

……

……

After leaving the manor, Shane headed straight for a palace in the center of the island.

Yes, it is a palace.

However, its style is different from the palaces of the Coral City, and it is more rugged and barbaric, like those ancient temples.

Similarly, this palace was also built from the wreckage of a ship.

As soon as Xia Encai reached the palace gate, he saw a tall woman.

She had a ring of fine scales on her forehead and a small horn.

She had a long tail with deep red scales that reflected an eerie luster in the setting sun.

Combined with her deep, vertical pupils, the woman's identity became quite obvious.

Half-dragon.

She was waving goodbye to the pirates beside her.

"Hey, don't worry about me. It's just dinner, what's the big deal?"

"I didn't grow all these muscles for nothing!"

"Don't worry, they definitely won't dare to bully me!"

His crude and unrestrained tone certainly has the air of a pirate.

The female half-dragon had just seen off the other pirates when she turned around and saw Shane walking towards her.

She first frowned, feeling that she had seen this frail-looking young man somewhere before.

On second thought, wasn't this John, who was an apostle just like her?
Remembering the earnest advice her elders had given her before her promotion, urging her to play her role well, the female half-dragon reluctantly walked up to Xia En and greeted him.

"John, you're here..."

Before she finished speaking, the female half-dragon's expression changed.

"Huh? You..."

Xia En's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that this seemingly reckless guy had seen through his identity at a glance?

At this moment, the half-dragon walked up to Shane, sniffed him up and down, and his eyes gleamed.

"John, you smell so good!"

"……what?"

Xia En was taken aback.

He never expected that the half-dragon would say such a thing.

But upon careful consideration, Xia En suddenly realized the truth.

On that island where the ancient dragon fell, he not only unlocked the talent of [Dragon Physique], but also personally bathed in dragon blood, and his body was already imbued with the scent of the ancient dragon.

Not to mention, Shane also obtained the [Majesty of the Bronze Dragon] from String Song.

John's body inherited his abilities and naturally carried the aura of an ancient dragon, which is why the half-dragon could sense it.

Information about the other party quickly surfaced in Xia En's mind.

This half-dragon is named Nana, and she is also one of the twelve apostles.

Possessing an exceptionally gifted physical body, the [Warrior] Mystic is ranked eighth among the Apostles.

This is what basil refers to as "Old Eight".

As for John, he is naturally the twelfth oldest.

However, Xia En cannot currently determine whether Nana is a participant in the advancement ritual.

Before this, Nana had always had an extremely outgoing and generous personality.

At this moment, Nana affectionately put her arm around Shane's shoulder, inhaling his scent as she said, "Brother John, I heard you were attacked too?"

"But judging from your appearance, you must have taken care of all the enemies, right?"

"Well done! As apostles, we cannot disgrace Lord Augustine."

Nana's strength was astonishing; Xia En wouldn't have been able to break free without using a lot of force.

But if he really used his full strength, he might hurt Nana, so he had no choice but to accept the arm-in-arm gesture.

Those two heavy things were making him feel a little uncomfortable.

Xia En forced a smile and asked, "Sister Nana, are you alright?"

Nana waved her hand dismissively: "If it were the old Nana, she might have gotten hurt, but I'm not that weak!"

Hear this.

Xia En suddenly paused.

That's not something the real Nana would say.

Nana realized she had spoken out of turn, and her muscles tensed instantly as she stood up straight.

Xia En was having a hard time suppressing her laughter.

This half-dragon girl is so easy to guess.

He hadn't even tested him yet, and he'd already given himself away.

However, Shane pretended nothing had happened and asked, "Have you seen the other apostles? Are they injured?"

Nana replied, "I saw him. Fifth Brother is fine, but Tenth Brother is in a bad state; he even lost a hand."

"Sigh, those bastards are incredibly audacious, daring to even steal our ship!"

"But don't be afraid, I've got your back!"

As she spoke, Nana patted Xia En's shoulder hard, making his arm go numb.

Nana was surprised when she tried it out.

"Huh? You look skinny, but you're actually quite muscular!"

Xia En couldn't help but smile wryly.

The way these half-dragons acted reminded him of Captain Reina of the Giant Ship from long ago.

After exchanging a few more casual words with Nana, Xia En and Nana walked together toward a side hall of the palace to attend the final banquet.

Pushing open a large door, they found several apostles waiting for them at the dining table.

(End of this chapter)