"Pirates?" Luo En's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He had never expected such a situation—pirates coming to recruit him.
"We are a pirate crew made up of adventurers, but we only plunder merchant ships and passenger ships when we are particularly poor, and we never harm innocents." Danitz seemed to notice Luo En's apprehension and explained in a relaxed tone.
"Never harm innocents…" Can a pirate's words be trusted?
In Luo En's impression, pirates were all desperate outlaws who killed without batting an eye.
Especially in this era, Luo En had no expectations whatsoever for their character.
The credibility of their promise was probably less than one-tenth.
Moreover, the other party's claim of "strong backing" could only have two explanations: either their power was vast enough to resist Official encirclement and suppression, or there was an unspeakable Official force standing behind them.
Just like the royal pirates in his original world centuries ago who held "letters of marque."
But no matter what, pirates were dangerous characters, engaging in risky endeavors, which was completely different from Luo En's steady style of doing things.
Luo En had never even considered becoming a pirate plundering at sea.
However, watching Danitz speak so eloquently, he also had some concerns.
If I don't agree, will he get angry and turn hostile?
He had already won against him in the gamble, and now he was refusing the other party's recruitment…
"Oh, right," Danitz suddenly slapped his forehead, "According to the Captain's rules, when recruiting new people, we must first explain our principles and benefits."
"Principles and benefits? Your pirate crew is quite formal…" Luo En was a little surprised.
"We don't have weekly or annual salaries here," Danitz grinned, "but as long as we find treasure or plunder wealth, all money will be distributed according to rank."
He held up three rough fingers and wiggled them in the moonlight: "Under normal circumstances, even the lowest-ranking Sailor, if their luck isn't bad, can get two to three hundred pounds a year."
"Two to three hundred pounds? Is being a pirate that profitable? I remember that on land, this is already considered middle-class, and that's for the lowest-ranking Sailor…" This number made Luo En's pupils contract slightly; he was somewhat surprised by the other party's salary.
Danitz suddenly sighed, a bit annoyed: "The year before last, because the Captain was on vacation, we missed the best chance to find the 'Ghost Empire'!"
Pirates have annual leave?
Is this really a pirate crew? Why do I feel like it's a prank recruitment? Aside from the nature of the profession, the benefits offered by the other party were terrifyingly high, like those scam advertisements in his original world.
Seeing Luo En's slight interest, Danitz pressed on: "Are you still pursuing those supernatural powers from legends?"
"As long as you join us, you'll have the chance to possess them!"
"Beyonder powers!" Luo En's heart trembled. Sure enough, the other party was a Beyonder.
"Cough."
Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Danitz coughed and said, "I forgot to introduce myself." He suddenly straightened his back, his voice becoming solemn:
"A subordinate of Iceberg Admiral Edwina Edwards, the Fourth Quartermaster of the Golden Dream, Fiery Danitz."
After stating his nickname, true name, and identity, Danitz patiently waited for the other party to show expressions of panic and reverence.
However…
About two seconds later, Luo En revealed a polite smile and said, "Um… I haven't heard of you…"
This was the truth; he had only just arrived at sea a day ago and hadn't had time to gather information. He hadn't even heard of the so-called "Iceberg Admiral" Edwina Edwards, let alone her subordinate.
"Ah?" Danitz was stunned for a moment, completely unprepared for such a reaction from the other party. He inexplicably felt provoked.
He had been talking for so long, and yet he… he…
"Ahem, well, Mr. Danitz, as I just said, we haven't met today."
"Bye-bye~"
Clearly, Luo En did not want to get involved in this mess and intended to leave immediately. The profession of a pirate was completely incompatible with his temperament.
Danitz's expression instantly froze. "Wait, I'm 'Fiery'!" He asked incredulously, "You really haven't heard of me?"
"Um…"
Seeing his "my reputation can't be this low" look, Luo En actually thought of something.
Wait… "Fiery"… Pirate…
Oh~
Luo En finally remembered why the other person looked a bit familiar; he had seen him on a wanted poster on the notice board before.
He didn't recognize him immediately, either because the wanted poster was distorted or because the other party was disguised.
"I remember 'Fiery's' bounty was 3,000 pounds…" Luo En recalled the number on the wanted poster.
3,000 pounds, that was more than all the cash he currently had combined.
"You must know the Golden Dream, right?" Danitz continued to ask unwillingly. Seeing Luo En still bewildered, he sighed in frustration,
"Listen, our Golden Dream is Iceberg Admiral…"
Luo En nodded perfunctorily while listening to Danitz's introduction, while calculating in his mind.
3,000 pounds… it's not a small sum, but directly fighting might not be successful, and it's easy to make enemies, too risky.
If he reported it, he didn't know the procedure.
And looking at Danitz's enthusiastic demeanor, Luo En was a bit conflicted again.
'Forget it, I'll just humor him for now and deal with it later.'
Danitz was still talking eloquently, gesturing about the Golden Dream's glorious achievements, a confident curve on his lips.
Luo En, on the other hand, smiled, showing an expression of admiration and longing.
The scene was once very friendly—until an Orange Cat figure swooped down from the eaves.
Lachi's pupils narrowed into thin lines in the Darkness, her sharp claws flashed with cold light, accurately pouncing on Danitz's back of the neck.
"Wh—?!"
Danitz didn't even have time to turn around before he was slammed down by an impact far exceeding that of an ordinary cat. His cloak billowed in the air, and he fell heavily onto the damp stone path, his back of the head hitting with a dull thud.
"Lachi!" Luo En instinctively cried out, but it was too late.
The Orange Cat landed lightly, its tail held high, a low warning rumble in its throat. Its claws were still hooked onto Danitz's cloak fabric, the sharp tips gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
Danitz lay on his back, stunned for a second, then struggled up in a rage: "Where did this stinking cat come from—!"
Luo En's mouth twitched.
Lachi probably thought I was being pestered by Danitz.
Things always develop unexpectedly. What now? They've already made an enemy.
And he couldn't just abandon Lachi…
"Sigh… Always trouble." Luo En sighed, his right hand silently sliding into the gun holster in his In arms.
…
Danitz's face turned crimson, half from anger, half from humiliation—the Fourth Quartermaster of the Golden Dream, actually knocked down by a cat?
"Damn it, you wretched cat!" He roared and cursed, but Lachi had already leaped lightly, jumping back onto the eaves, looking down at him, her amber eyes glinting with cunning.
"Don't move!" Danitz felt a chill just as he was about to get up.
"Click"
The crisp sound of a pistol hammer being cocked was particularly jarring in the night.
Luo En raised his "Phantom" pistol, pointing it at Danitz's head from behind.
"Mr. Fiery, I suddenly have a question I'd like to ask."
"Can corpses also be exchanged for bounties?"