https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-34-The-Over-a-Hundred-Million-Bounty-Pirates/12608100/
Chapter 35: Singing and Dancing in the Storm
Chapter 35: Singing and Dancing in the Storm
Amid the darkness of the clouds, two bolts of lightning suddenly struck, one hitting the mast and the other the sail.
The howling wind carried with it a torrential downpour, as hailstones the size of beans pounded the deck, creating waterfalls that cascaded down the sides of the ship into the raging sea below. The violent waves, like the claws of a wild beast, rocked the vessel violently.
Yet, amidst this storm, one could still hear the lively sounds emanating from within.
The three-story structure on the deck, originally intended for passenger travel, occupied a sizable area. The first floor was a banquet hall similar to those found on merchant ships, which Sagre had preserved.
The second floor housed the captain's quarters, which were significantly more spacious than those on the captured warship. It was comfortable enough to serve as a living room and, of course, belonged to Captain Sagre.
The third floor was a multipurpose area that combined the functions of a command room, control room, and meeting room. It would be a convenient space for future gatherings with the crew's leaders, allowing Lily and Reneetia to oversee operations and provide guidance from above.
As for Sagre's treasure, it was stored in a central room on the first level of the ship's cabin. Reneetia had imbued it with energy, ensuring that neither cannon fire nor the ship's own materials could destroy it. Its central location provided an additional layer of protection, and with the added motion and power, the treasury remained secure, impervious to any forced entry attempts.
Of course, this security measure was designed to deter petty thieves. In the face of a powerful adversary, it would either withstand the test or succumb entirely.
"Yo-ho-ho, yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!"
"Yo-ho-ho, yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me!"
On the first floor, the banquet hall was illuminated with a warm, golden glow. A group of about thirty pirates were feasting and drinking raucously, their voices filling the spacious hall with merriment.
At the head of the hall, below a majestic throne, a beautifully adorned round table hosted Sagre, Lily, and Reneetia, who were enjoying a hot pot feast.
Sagre wore a string of red jade beads around his neck, a thick gold ring on his left wrist, and a green jade thumb ring on his left hand. His left ring finger and pinky finger sparkled with golden rings, while his right hand's ring finger, middle finger, and pinky finger were adorned with gemstone and gold rings. He held a pair of chopsticks in his right hand, picking up pieces of meat from the hot pot and popping them into his mouth.
Unfazed by the raging storm outside, he embodied the epitome of nonchalance.
Whether it was Lily, the navigator, or Reneetia, the shipworker, neither showed any sign of worry.
Instead, they indulged in the hot pot, skillfully using their chopsticks to select the choicest morsels.
"Let's liven things up a bit!"
Sagre poured himself a drink and downed it in one gulp before calling out to the pirates: "Let's hear your voices! Sing!"
There were countless sea shanties in the pirate's repertoire, and the one they chose to belt out at the top of their lungs was an ancient yet perpetually popular tune among sailors: 'Bink's Brew'.
Singing and dancing in the eye of the storm, they embraced the wild weather with gusto.
Lily, however, couldn't help but glance anxiously at the raging storm outside from time to time, her eyes reflecting a subtle hint of concern.
Reneetia, on the other hand, was in her element, her small hands deftly maneuvering the chopsticks to pile her plate with delicious food, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"This is delicious! Everything is so good! It's amazing how just adding some spices to water can create such wonderful flavors!"
"There's nothing like a hot pot feast during a storm like this," someone remarked. "The contrast between the wild weather outside and the warmth and cheer inside is simply delightful."
Sagre raised his cup towards the boisterous pirates, a smile spreading across his face. "I could live a hundred lifetimes like this and never tire of it."
"Are you sure everything is alright?" Lily pursed her lips, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "Perhaps we should make some extra preparations."
"Rest assured, my ship is built to withstand storms of this magnitude," Reneetia asserted confidently. "It won't sustain even a scratch!"
By now, Sagre had grown accustomed to such tempestuous weather since his departure from the Kingdom of Natia.
Sagre's string of bad luck continued unabated, with the relentless storm serving as a persistent reminder of his misfortune. Despite Lily's diligent efforts, day and night, to navigate the ship away from the storm's path by adjusting the sails, the tempest seemed to have a mind of its own. No matter which direction she steered, the storm would shift accordingly, as if mocking her attempts to escape its grasp. It was as if Sagre's luck was irredeemably cursed, or perhaps the ship itself carried a dark taint from its days under the Natian kingdom.
Eventually, Lily conceded defeat. With the ship impervious to damage, she decided to let nature run its course. Thus, amidst the raging storm and towering waves outside, a festive atmosphere reigned within.
Sagre's own resilience and strength ensured he remained relatively unaffected by the tempest, and he was determined to enjoy the comforts his new vessel afforded. As for the ever-changing wind direction, the ship possessed a mechanical propulsion system. With Reneetia's help, they could simply retract the sails and utilize this alternative means of propulsion, rendering the capricious winds irrelevant.
Unconcerned by the storm, Sagre took it upon himself to spice things up—literally. He scoured the kitchen for ingredients and spices, deciding to prepare a hot pot feast. After all, what better way to lift the spirits of his crew than with a hearty, flavorful meal?
Hot pot was a versatile dish, and one need not be a culinary master to prepare it. It was the perfect solution for a group of pirates who knew more about drinking than cooking. While simple roasted or boiled food had sufficed during their previous scarcity, now that they had acquired an abundance of provisions—including rare ingredients from the kingdom—Sagre was determined to indulge in more sophisticated fare. He had endured enough hardship; it was time to savor the fruits of his labor.
"Being my subordinate has its perks!" Sagre proclaimed to his crew, raising his cup in a toast. "Work hard, and once you've helped me establish a solid base, I'll treat you to feasts like this all the time!"
The pirates cheered enthusiastically in response.
"Sagre, would you care to try my egg dish?" Lily asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Sagre gave a subtle tug at the corner of his mouth. "I've been having a lot of eggs lately. Maybe next time."
"How about you, Reneetia?" Lily turned to their shipwright.
"I'm allergic to eggs!" Reneetia declared emphatically, leaving no room for doubt.
On the table, amidst the hot pot spread, were several charred black dishes that were most likely egg-based. Lily, inspired by Sagre's culinary endeavor, had decided to showcase her own cooking skills, and her favorite ingredient was eggs. However, her idea of an "egg dish" seemed to involve burning them to a crisp.
The true mystery, however, lay not in the charred remains of her culinary creation, but in the fact that there shouldn't have been any eggs on board to begin with! Aside from Sagre's nether regions, not an egg was to be found on the entire ship. What, then, was this 'egg dish' truly made of?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
