CHAPTER 403: GETTING ON THE SHIP?

Lillian looked up and towards the bow of the ship. And what she found was a man looking down on them with an appearance that could only be described as a stereotypical pirate.

He had a large, fuzzy, black beard, a wooden peg leg, a pirate hat, and even a metal hook in place of his right hand. This Captain of the damaged wooden ship went under the name Captain Righthook.

Fortunately, he only looked like one rather than being one. Or else he would’ve been swarmed by the coastguard the moment he docked at the harbour.

Lillian smiled, put on her most innocent expression, and waved. She then called out to the man in a cheery voice, "Captain! Are you perhaps heading towards the Eastern nation?"

"Yah, what about it? How did a little gal like you know?"

"Oh, I’m just asking around, that’s all... But anyway, could we join your journey? We’re looking to get to the east as well!"

The Captain looked down at them with an odd look before running a hand through his beard. He glanced between the faces of both Viesta and Lillian before moving down from the bow of his ship.

Viesta gave Lillian a glance before pointing at the ship with a cautious look, "Hey, Lillian. Not to judge or anything, but are you absolutely sure ya want to hitch a ride on this boat? I’m all for adventure and all but... That ship looks like it’s on the verge of sinking!"

She then paused for a split second before adding, "And plus! I don’t know what to feel about this ship’s owner... He doesn’t look like someone we should trust—!"

THUD.

Viesta jumped and twisted her head back towards the ship and found that a wooden ramp had been dropped from the side of the ship to the concrete docks.

Captain Righthook then began to slowly descend, albeit with slight difficulties due to his peg leg. Fortunately, he had a cane to help him down; however, it didn’t prove much of use for the fact that—

"B-bollocks—...!"

—He slipped.

But as though it were a mere act, he managed to launch himself through the air, flipping through it before landing on the ground—something that seemed much easier for him to do than walk down the ramp.

Lillian and Viesta didn’t comment on his slip as they watched him stumble over and strongly tap the bottom of his cane onto the concrete ground.

"So you two gals wish to join me on mah journey to the east, aye?" He then raised his cane and gently swung it over their heads, gesturing to the other boats, "There are countless ships here off to dah east! AND yet, you come to the boat with the poorest conditions? Why?"

Right as Lillian was about to answer, she heard Viesta mutter to the side, "That’s what I wanna know as well..."

Lillian’s face twitched at the Cowgirl’s words. She then sighed and shook her head before answering the Captain, "That’s because I’m sure if we ride along with you, we can have one hell of a time."

The Captain narrowed his eyes and scratched the back of his head, "And what’s your proof, gal?"

Lillian patted her stomach, "My gut."

"..."

Captain Righthook’s eyes lit up with bafflement. Lillian’s response was so unexpected that it left him speechless... Why would any normal and sane person try to hitch a ride with someone who owned a rundown boat like his?

The Captain thought for a moment before bursting out into laughter. He slapped his stomach and pulled on the lapels of his black coat.

"KAHAHAHA! A person looking for adventure? How could I turn down someone like you?" After slamming the bottom of his cane against the ground a few times, he pushed out his hand with a grin and an expectant look in his eyes.

"If you mateys wish to join the ship of Captain Righthook, you pay the fee to get on it!"

"Do you take bank transfers?"

The Captain grinned and summoned a phone wrapped in a golden phone case from thin air, "Of course! Money is money, aren’t you aware? KAHAHAHA, just 50 Semis each!"

Viesta stomped forward and pointed at the man with an infuriated look, "F-FIFTY SEMIS?! That’s outrageous! That’s the bare minimum price to get a trip of a luxurious cruise for a single person! But you want us to pay that for a boat like this?!"

The Captain shrugged with a shameless and greedy grin on his face, "I ain’t forcing you gals to come along with me. The fact I’m even going out of my way to allow you guys on should warrant payment."

"B-but that’s too much—!"

Lillian raised a hand and paused Viesta mid-word. She smirked, "I’ll pay for you, as well. I’ve got some money, it’s fine."

And as Lillian was going to hold her phone over the Captain’s and send over what was needed, a large cheer erupted behind them.

Standing metres away from them was a large crowd of people huddling around what they saw to be a young man and his bodyguard.

The young man was around 5ft2 and had black hair with dark blue streaks through it. He also had navy blue eyes, which seemed to glisten at the sight of the crowd surrounding him.

He looked awfully similar to Nearlo Farland, the Pirate of the Rickety Ship.

"Yes, yes, everyone! I am Nearlo Farland. The great adventurer of the Neveron Sea and the bringer of justice against evil pirates!"

Viesta, who was watching this, could feel her eyes begin to pop out as a sense of excitement rushed inside her veins, "Whoa... Is that really THE Nearlo? The guy is famous...!"

Not only her, but also the Captain was entranced by the large crowd.

Lillian, who wasn’t as distracted as they were, managed to pull Viesta around the Captain and got on board his ship without paying. She had already spent an exorbitant amount of money, and like hell was she going to spend more!

Once onboard, Lillian heard a soft ding from her phone. As soon as she pulled out her phone and read the notification, a large and silly grin spread across her face.

Captain Righthook watched as the crowd slowly advanced in his direction. He raised an eyebrow as he watched Nearlo and his bodyguard appear out of the crowd and gestured towards his ship.

"And as you expect! This rickety and rundown ship parked here is indeed mine! And this man you see here is just its repairman!"

The Captain’s face twitched as he heard the young man claim ownership of his ship and labelled him as a mere repairman. He then watched as Nearlo’s bodyguard told the crowd to move back while Nearlo himself stepped towards him.

He then listened as Nearlo whispered in a hush tone:

"Hey, old man... How much are you willing to take to allow me to get a ride on your boat? I just need to get to the east..."

The Captain blinked at what he heard, but then... An idea popped into his mind as money signs slowly appeared deep within his black eyes. He grinned and pulled out his hand for a devilish handshake.

"5000 Semis, matey. But just for you, Mr Farland, 500 Semis."