Chapter 404: Eleven (2/2)

”That was my name as a slave,” Eleven said as she sat on the couch in front of them, taking off her hat and scarf. Arthur got to see the collar around her neck, which the scarf worked to hide.

”Can't you remove it?” Arthur asked, and Eleven shook her head. She turned around to show Arthur the gem on the side of her neck, and he recognized it as the same one Larza placed on him.

”It is a runic collar, embedded to my flesh,” Eleven said as she turned to them, and the gem disappeared behind her black hair. ”The owner... died a long time ago, but I can't remove it.”

”And did you go into the Spirits Realm to remove it?”

”Not at all. It's the least of my worries,” Eleven laughed as she shook her head. ”I was in the Empty Sea when I decided to venture into the Spirits Realm.”

”The Empty Sea?” Dia asked as she furrowed her brows. ”There's no way any sailor can come back from there.”

”Indeed,” Eleven went on to explain. ”My Lord might not know this because it's sailors' knowledge. There is an area where no wind blows and no wave rolls,”

”The Empty Sea,” Arthur nodded. ”And you wanted a powerful spirit to come back from there,” his words made the woman bow her head again.

”My dream needs to wait, for I am forever unable to return this debt,” Eleven said with a voice of sincerity. ”Allow me to serve your city, My Lord.”

Arthur could tell that Dia looked at him confused, not understanding how he got to know this woman. However, there was no doubt that Arthur helped this woman contract one of the Deity's generals despite their brief meeting.

”I met her in the Spirits Realm and helped her a bit to find a spirit,” Arthur explained to the princess before he turned to Eleven. ”Why do you want to be the greatest pirate?”

”When I was a slave, I lived on a merchant ship that transported slaves from one kingdom to the other. Those who saved me were pirates, looters of the sea, and men of freedom. I wish nothing but freedom, and that's why I wanted to be the greatest pirate and explore everywhere.”

”If you serve me, you will lose that freedom.”

”There's no freedom in death and no stronger prison than the Empty Sea,” Eleven shook her head. ”If you didn't save me from the whale and helped me contract a spirit, I would have never been able to come back. This is a small matter in return for my life and my men's lives.”

”I understand,” Arthur nodded. ”I want to act cool and tell you to pursue your dreams, but I need your services. I want you to be the captain of my fleet and take care of my maritime trade.”

”You can hire any normal captain, though,” Dia seemed to disapprove of the trust he placed in this woman. However, Arthur could understand her point as to why would someone hire a pirate for trading?

However, Dia didn't know that this woman could enter the Skyey World by herself in the middle of the sea. Even with Arthur's help, there's no way someone without talent could contract a general of the Seas Deity.

”You did remind me,” Arthur nodded and turned toward Eleven, his eyes glowing golden. The Art of Creator, Submission, worked through his mana of creation to make the woman in front of him answer his words truthfully.

To his amazement, he had difficulty commanding the woman, despite her being only a Vetus-Ranker. Of course, it might have to do with the fact her spiritual energy wasn't a lot below his, but he couldn't tell for sure before Lin Zhao's guidance.

”I want you to tell me the truth: are you trying to harm me or my city or anyone I care about?”

His words carried an authority that prevented the pirate from lying. Although his control over her might not be as strong as against weaker people, it was still enough to know if she was trying to go against his order.

”This is...” the pirate was confused as she looked around. Arthur squinted his eyes, and his chains almost martialized to wrap themselves around her. ”No, none of those.”

”You are hired!” Arthur slapped his right knee and stood up. ”Are you satisfied?” he turned to the princess, who simply huffed and was about to leave.

”My Lady!” Eleven jumped to block her path. ”If I'm not mistaken, you must be The Daughter of Ice and Fire. Can I offer my apologies, for my foolish crewmen, through a gift that would fit your beautiful eyes?”

'Holy shit,' Arthur was speechless. 'Is she flirting with Dia?'