Chapter 541 - 217: Unless You’re Mad

"...How many is that now?"

On the deck, more than a dozen pirates queuing in front of the cabin huddled together, trembling.

The sea breeze blew, plastering their sweat-soaked clothes to their bodies. Their gazes, fixed on the cabin, were filled with terror as they constantly swallowed the saliva pooling in their mouths.

"The eighty-seventh..."

"Y-You guys, why do you think the C-Captain is doing this?"

"We have all those beautiful Queen’s Guards here, so h-how could he do this to us?"

A broad-chested old pirate next to them shot them a disdainful look. "Cowards!"

"You?!"

The newly joined pirates glared at him.

"You’re not scared?"

"Didn’t you hear the screams from the guys before? Not just the miserable ones, but... but also those gasps... those panting sounds..."

"I heard them! So what? Do you even know what the Captain is doing in there? Getting this scared just from some sounds—how are you supposed to shoulder the responsibility of the great Leonard?"

As he spoke, the old pirate puffed out his chest, an unnatural flush on his face. "Besides, if it’s the Captain... it’s not like I’d say no..."

The men let out a collective hiss of disgust.

Hearing his words was enough to make the teeth of the men—all recent promotions from sailor to pirate—ache.

Throwing themselves into the arms of some sexy, passionate woman was one thing, but a man... Even if he was their powerful Captain, it was... it was not okay!

"Next!"

Just then, Wei’en’s calm voice sounded from the bedroom inside the cabin.

"Quick, quick, Old Ror, it’s your turn!"

Ronan, who was at the helm, heard the voice from the bedroom behind him. His face went deathly pale as he waved to the men outside, signaling for the next pirate to go in.

Although he held the great Captain in high esteem, he still couldn’t stomach the suggestive sounds he had just heard.

’If I weren’t stuck steering this ship, I’d probably be out there with them right now...’

’Damn it, when did the Captain get interested in men?’

"Second Officer, sir, I’m going in."

"Hurry up! Don’t keep the Captain waiting!"

The old pirate Ror, a thrilled smile on his face, dove into the bedroom. "Captain, I’m here, ready to get dow—"

His smile froze as he took in the scene. The pirates who had entered before him were lying scattered about the bedroom, seemingly asleep. But the bizarre thing was that each of their faces was twisted into some strange expression.

Some were frozen in laughter, others wept in sorrow, and still others writhed in agony... But without exception, their clothes were all perfectly intact.

"C-Captain, what is... this?"

Old Ror couldn’t hide his disappointment. ’What the hell are these bastards dreaming about to make sounds like that?’

"I heard you earlier. You ’wouldn’t say no’?"

Wei’en stood in a corner of the bedroom, his face devoid of expression. If Clelia were here, she would have immediately judged his mood to be utterly foul.

And that was the truth. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to strangle the little Messenger.

’Damn it, this little bastard feeds on emotions from dreams, but the dreams it makes people have are so fucking perverse.’

’God knows how many f-bombs went off in my head when I saw all those muscle-bound hulks...’

"I, I’m n-not."

BAM!

Before Old Ror could finish, Wei’en lost his patience and knocked him unconscious with a single slap. He glared at the Nightmare Worm and cursed, "This is the last one! If you say you’re hungry again, I’ll throw you in the sea to feed the aberrations!"

"Ssss..." (No, no...)

The little Messenger shrank back, then wriggled its few short tentacles and leaped onto Old Ror’s face. Its mouth opened, and a tiny tongue extended, probing into his head.

Immediately, the expression on Old Ror’s face turned unnatural. The corners of his mouth curled into a foolish grin, and drool trickled out as his hands flailed wildly in the air, as if trying to grab something.

And then...

THUD!

His face dark, Wei’en kicked him, then snatched the still-feeding Nightmare Worm and returned to his workshop.

’Fucking hell, is this the Leonard or Brokeback Mountain, damn it!’

Back in the workshop, Wei’en flung the little Messenger away. "Go deliver the letter, now! If you dare say no, believe me, I’ll make you feel some real pain!"

"Sss—" (I’ll be back as soon as I can—)

As the sound faded, the little Messenger’s figure vanished, taking the letter with it to the Spiritual Mystery School.

"Come back? Better if you don’t!"

Wei’en rubbed his forehead. He really hadn’t expected the Nightmare Worm’s feeding process to be like this.

’Looks like when those pirates wake up, I’ll have to use my Deception talent to modify their memories. Otherwise, my reputation as a Pirate Captain... will be shot to hell!’

Just then—

[You have been guided by the Forbidden Item 0-38, the Bell of Truth. Your position has been exposed. Evaluation: Your talent is quite useful, but it only buys you a little more time. Fate... hehe. Special Reward: Survival Points +50, Spirit Level +1, Resilience Level +1.]

[...]

[You have been guided by the Forbidden Item 0-38, the Bell of Truth... Reward: Survival Points +50.]

Hm?

Wei’en saw the notifications pop up in his mind again. He turned to look at the grandfather clock to his side and did a quick mental calculation.

’After modifying my Origin Power, I can shake off that Forbidden Item’s guidance for two hours?’

’Tsk, little Messenger, you’d better hurry back...’

’Without a reply, I really don’t feel safe at all...’