🎉DOTM: Chapter 134/136

Chapter 134

At first, Ethan was worried that Jack would be unwilling to betray his own kind, but in the end, he realized that expecting loyalty from a pirate was pointless. Betrayal was commonplace among them, and there were no taboos when it came to achieving their goals.

In other words, as long as they could reach their objectives, they had no qualms about using any means necessary, luring in a group of navy soldiers was hardly a big deal.

Jack Sparrow might seem like a pirate with principles, but his so-called bottom line clearly didn't apply here.

"Any questions?"

"None."

"Then let's go." Ethan stood up, unwilling to stay in this place any longer. The stench was unbearable, he even felt the urge to change into his cloak, pull up the hood, and isolate himself from the foul air.

Since he was meeting Norrington tomorrow, he might as well take Jack with him now. That way, he wouldn't have to waste time searching for him in the morning. He could tell that Jack had no intention of staying put.

"I have a question before I go with you."

"What is it?"

"Is there alcohol where you live?"

"Yes."

Jack took the last sip of his drink, then stood up cheerfully.

"Let's go, then!"

Pirates were all alcoholics. Many sailors in this era drank regularly because wine was easier to preserve onboard than water, but over time, it had turned countless seafarers into habitual drinkers. To most people, a sailor's defining trait was their love for alcohol.

The upside was that they were easy to deal with. Ethan didn't even need to arrange a place for Jack to sleep—just hand him a bottle of wine, and he'd find a spot to lie down, clutching it in his arms as he drifted off.

Watching Captain Jack Sparrow pass out, Ethan couldn't help but worry. Would he end up like this after spending too much time at sea? He made a mental note: Alcohol consumption must be controlled. Then, he lay down to rest.


---

The next morning, when Ethan woke up, Jack was still asleep. By the time Ethan finished washing up and getting dressed, Jack was sitting on the floor, groggily shaking an empty bottle in his hand.

"You're awake?"

"Yeah." Jack tossed the bottle aside without a care for the broken shards on the floor. Then, he casually threw on his coat and placed his hat on his head. "So, we're going to see... Norrington now?"

"Yes."

Swann had already sent people to escort them, even providing a few navy soldiers for additional security. Interestingly, among them were two familiar faces—Murtogg and Mullroy, the very soldiers who had stopped Jack at the dock.

"Fancy meeting you again."

"Yes, sir! A pleasure to see you!"

This time, the two soldiers didn't dare question Ethan's identity. He was a guest of their superior, Norrington. Still, they couldn't understand why someone like Ethan would associate with such an odd character. Do high-ranking figures have such peculiar tastes?

They kept their thoughts to themselves, maintaining straight faces while internally praying that nothing would go wrong. If this strange man caused trouble, they'd both be in for a rough time.

Ethan, however, had no interest in them. Right now, he was more concerned about his upcoming meeting with Norrington. Would something unexpected happen? Would Jack suddenly act out and cause trouble? If things went sideways, how should he handle it?

His mind ran through multiple scenarios, but when he finally met Norrington, he realized his concerns were unnecessary.

Both Norrington and Jack had clear objectives, and neither were impulsive. Even if they harbored resentment, they wouldn't act recklessly at this moment.

As a result, everything proceeded smoothly. After confirming Jack Sparrow's pirate identity, Norrington asked him several questions about the Black Pearl. The only thing that displeased him was that the method of locating the Black Pearl was different from what he had expected. Jack didn't seem to know the ship's usual routes or habits—he simply claimed to have "special means" of tracking it.

With Norrington's cautious nature, he wouldn't normally proceed with an operation unless he was confident in its effectiveness. But given the circumstances, after a brief moment of hesitation, he ultimately agreed.

"Considering the situation, we will deploy the Interceptor, while the Dreadnought remains stationed at Port Royal. Prepare to load supplies and mobilize the crew—we set sail in three days at dawn." Norrington looked at Ethan. "I will personally lead this operation. Any objections?"

Ethan had none. Deploying the Interceptor was an ideal outcome. Although it was weaker in firepower compared to the Dreadnought, even in a head-on battle, it wouldn't be able to suppress the Black Pearl's cannons. But that wasn't necessary, what mattered was speed, and the Interceptor's swiftness would significantly cut down time at sea.

"No objections."

With that, the plan was finalized. Norrington busied himself with preparations, taking charge of the operation's logistics and strategy. None present were better suited to lead than the experienced Commodore.

The only complication came from Swann, who was now grumbling to Ethan about how he shouldn't have told his daughter, Elizabeth, about the mission. She was now insisting on joining.

"She won't be bothering you once we leave Port Royal."

"Let's hope so."

Though Elizabeth usually acted like a proper lady, Swann knew his daughter well. He had a nagging feeling that this wouldn't be the end of it.

And sure enough, as he stood at the docks watching the Interceptor depart, his butler hurried over with an exasperated report, Elizabeth had left him a letter.

She had written that she was going to witness the Royal Navy capture ruthless pirates with her own eyes.

Staring at the letter, Swann was too angry for words. Even if he wanted to chase after her now, it was too late—the Interceptor was the fastest ship in Port Royal. What could he possibly send to catch up? All he could do was hope that Norrington and Ethan would take good care of his daughter.


---

Aboard the Interceptor, Ethan quickly noticed Elizabeth. Although she thought she was blending in well, it was laughably obvious to anyone with working eyesight.

"How did you get on board?"

Are Royal Navy warships really this easy to sneak into? No wonder pirates are so rampant in the Caribbean—maybe it's not that the pirates are too cunning, but that the navy is just incompetent.

"I'm the Governor's daughter," she stated matter-of-factly.

Well, that explained a lot. As the Governor's daughter, she carried considerable authority. Even if the Governor himself wasn't here, no soldier dared to offend her. Besides, many of the navy personnel in Port Royal knew about Commodore Norrington's feelings for Elizabeth. They probably assumed she had come to be with him.

Moreover, the details of this operation hadn't been fully disclosed. Since no one had explained the mission's true purpose, some crew members might have even believed that Elizabeth's presence was part of some elaborate scheme.

By the time Norrington formally announced their objective, to hunt down the Black Pearl, it was already too late. Elizabeth had successfully boarded the ship, and her presence now gave Norrington a headache.

"Turn back and send her home."

Ethan wasn't about to waste time over this, but Norrington was far less pleased. If they returned, their mission could be compromised—word might spread, and the pirates could be alerted. He couldn't afford that risk.

Frustrated but resigned, Norrington ordered, "Clear my captain's quarters for her. Someone will keep an eye on her at all times."

---
Life on board was far from comfortable, with many inconveniences, one of the reasons women were traditionally not allowed on ships wasn't just superstition; there were real, practical issues that couldn't easily be solved, especially in this era.

Since Norrington had made his decision, Ethan naturally had no reason to oppose it. He didn't particularly care who was on the ship or who wasn't, as long as Jack Sparrow was here and the ship could successfully take him to the Black Pearl.

Back on deck, Ethan spotted Jack standing at the bow, using a special compass to locate the Black Pearl.

As he approached, Ethan glanced at the unusual compass, prompting Jack to quickly put it away—worried that Ethan might take an interest in his prized possession.

Jack then gave Ethan a scrutinizing look. "You seem quite comfortable at sea."

With just a few steps Ethan had taken on board, the seasoned captain had already noticed subtle details. "Like a sailor who's spent years at sea."

"You can tell?" Ethan asked.

"Of course. You don't have the uncertainty of a rookie."

Ethan smiled. Was this an endorsement from the legendary captain himself?

"If you keep flattering me like that, I might just recruit you onto my ship," Ethan joked.

"Ship?" Jack's ears perked up at the word. "You have a ship of your own? What kind of ship?"

"A large warship with three decks, called the Goddess of Dawn." Ethan casually listed a few basic specifications of his ship, but that alone was enough for an experienced captain like Jack to picture its general design.

Hearing those details, Jack immediately jumped to a conclusion. "So you're an officer in the Royal Navy?"

Ethan shook his head. "No, it's my personal vessel. Unfortunately, I can't bring it here."

Jack clicked his tongue in disappointment. He would have loved to see the ship with his own eyes. But at the moment, reclaiming his own ship was his priority.

Perhaps the conversation about ships solidified his determination. Jack immediately pulled out the compass again, and this time, the previously wavering needle finally locked onto a direction.

(To be continued.)

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Chapter 135

The process of locating the Black Pearl was uneventful. The only real surprise was Elizabeth's presence on board, but after that, the days gradually became monotonous.

Norrington patrolled the warship daily, and most of the time, he spoke with Ethan. He still couldn't make sense of the strange compass Jack carried and wanted to know if there was a more reliable method to track the Black Pearl.

"Don't worry, Commodore." The ship's course had remained steady over the past few days, Jack had already locked onto their target, and it wouldn't be long before they encountered the Black Pearl. "Even if Jack's method fails, we have another way to lure it out."

Ethan carried the gold coin on him. Only three people on board knew its true significance—Ethan, Jack, and Elizabeth, who had once possessed it.

Standing nearby, Elizabeth shot Ethan an irritated glare, clearly displeased that he had "snatched" the coin from her and hadn't let her "play" with it.

Unaware of the complex history behind the coin, Norrington simply nodded, reassured that Ethan had a backup plan, before returning to his duties.

He wanted to spend more time with Elizabeth and develop their relationship, but his strict sense of discipline kept him from indulging in personal matters during a formal military operation. Instead, he kept himself busy to avoid dwelling on such thoughts.

"He's a good man," Ethan remarked.

"I know." Elizabeth turned to look at him. "Will you give me back the gold coin?"

"No."

Regardless of whether the gold coin was useful or not, Ethan had no intention of returning it. It wasn't something Elizabeth should be holding onto, and the strange energy it radiated wasn't harmless.

"But it's not yours," she argued.

"It's not yours either... nor does it belong to Mr. Turner." The sunlight reflected off the gold coin as it rolled between Ethan's fingers. "This thing carries a curse. Keeping it isn't a good choice for you."

"I just… wanted to return it to Will."

"Trust me, Will wouldn't want it." Right now, Will Turner was just a simple blacksmith, content with his ordinary life. Like many common folk, he had no fondness for pirates, nor did he know that his father had once been one. If this coin resurfaced, it would change everything.

Then again, Ethan realized he had no right to make that decision for someone else. Will's father wasn't truly gone, and Will had the right to know the truth.

Deciding to tell Will about his father's situation, Ethan resolved to let him make his own choice.

As he pondered, Elizabeth pressed on. "How do you know he wouldn't want it?"

"I'll give Will an explanation that he'll understand, so there's no need for you to dwell on this." Ethan pocketed the gold coin. "Either way, I'm not giving it back to you."

Just then, a lookout suddenly shouted, "Ship spotted!"

All eyes turned to the observer stationed at the highest point of the Interceptor. Norrington rushed to the ship's side, scanning the horizon in the direction the lookout pointed.

"Black sails… It's the Black Pearl!"

At night, the black sails helped conceal the Black Pearl's movements, but in broad daylight, they stood out starkly against the sea. It wasn't long before everyone on deck could see the dark silhouette of the approaching ship.

"The Black Pearl," Ethan murmured.

But no one felt its presence more keenly than Jack Sparrow. As the former captain of the Black Pearl, he had thought of this ship day and night. And now, at last, it was right before his eyes. Though still distant, he had no doubt—it was his ship.

"They're turning! They're trying to escape!"

The moment the Interceptor spotted the Black Pearl, the pirates had spotted them as well. Out on the open sea, with no obstacles to provide cover, the moment two ships appeared on the horizon, both sides could see each other from miles away.

At the same time, because the open sea provided a vast, unobstructed view, it also meant that when the two ships spotted each other, they were still quite far apart. Even if one remained stationary while the other sailed at full speed, it would still take a considerable amount of time for them to meet.

Although the sudden appearance of the Interceptor put the Black Pearl on alert, its crew did not panic. Instead, they calmly adjusted their course—at the Black Pearl's speed, they were confident they could outrun any pursuer.

"Well? Can you get us as close as possible?"

According to the plan, the Royal Navy only needed to send Ethan to the Black Pearl, and the rest wasn't their concern. But now that they had actually found the infamous pirate ship, how could they simply stand by and do nothing? Norrington's first instinct was still to charge forward and take down the pirates with his men.

Jack immediately turned to Ethan and pointed at the Black Pearl in the distance. "You said that once you saw the Black Pearl, you'd have a way to deal with it. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got."

His words drew the attention of everyone nearby, all eager to see what this mysterious young man would do.

Ethan chuckled. There was no need to keep a low profile anymore.

The Black Pearl was right there. Even at this distance, there was no way he would let it escape.

"It's time for the show to begin," he said, grinning. "And there should be thunderous applause."

Jack patted his own face twice, then quietly waited for Ethan's next move, completely ignoring the looks of bewilderment from the Royal Navy officers around him.

A second later, those same officers—who had just been looking at Jack as if he were an idiot—were now staring at Ethan in stunned disbelief. Even Norrington took an involuntary step back, unable to hide his shock.

Before their eyes, Ethan's appearance changed with just a wave of his hand.

His long cloak billowed out, engulfing him completely. Beneath the hood that now obscured his head, only his mouth and chin remained visible. Even Norrington, standing right in front of him, could see nothing but pitch-black darkness beneath the hood.

If that alone wasn't shocking enough, what happened next shattered their entire perception of reality. Ethan's cloak suddenly ignited, transforming into a raging inferno. The flames then surged outward, spreading to his sides—until they formed a pair of enormous, fiery wings.

Even Jack, who already knew Ethan could use magic, was left gaping. Now, at last, he understood why Ethan had always been so confident.

A powerful gust erupted from Ethan's transformation, pressing down on the entire Interceptor as if some immense force had just slammed the ship deeper into the water. Many crew members lost their balance, falling onto the deck, and a few unlucky ones were even injured. But no one cared, every single person was fixated on the spectacle before them.

"Lord above! Did you send a messenger to punish these wicked pirates?"

More than one sailor clutched the cross at their chest, murmuring frantic prayers. Ethan's flaming wings bore such a striking resemblance to biblical depictions of divine beings that it was easy to misunderstand. Even Norrington, a man of reason and higher education, found himself wondering if he was truly witnessing a messenger of God.

Jack, who actually knew that gods existed, swallowed hard. At this moment, Ethan's earlier words came back to him, and he finally understood why the man had never been worried about breaking his promise.

Watching Ethan ascend into the sky, his flaming wings leaving a visible trail as he streaked toward the Black Pearl, Jack suddenly felt certain—the Black Pearl was as good as his now. This time, Barbossa was doomed.

And he was right.

In the movies, Barbossa was an undeniably charismatic character. But in the real world, countless people wanted him dead.

Barbossa was a true pirate, ruthless and cunning. If all his crimes were listed out, it would take a long time just to read through them.

It was precisely because Barbossa and his crew were such heinous criminals that Ethan had no hesitation in using them as bargaining chips with Norrington. There was no moral burden in handing them over.

Ethan's flying speed was astonishing. For a brief period, he could even match Tony Stark in his Iron Man suit, though not for long. The suit could break the sound barrier once it reached full acceleration, something Ethan couldn't do just yet.

But in this era, even his current speed was utterly terrifying. The distance between Ethan and the Black Pearl was shrinking at a rate visible to the naked eye.

On board the Black Pearl, the pirates were frozen in shock. Even Barbossa himself stood motionless for a long moment. By the time he realized something was terribly wrong and tried to bark orders, he found that the enemy's speed was far beyond what they could react to. There was no escaping.

"Prepare for battle!"

When none of his men responded, Barbossa stormed over and kicked a stunned crew member.

"Prepare for battle! You're all immortal—what are you afraid of?!"

That was their final reassurance. As long as they couldn't die, they were invincible. But the way that thing was coming at them… it was terrifying.

"Cap… Captain… do you think our immortality… works against an angel?"

If he weren't so furious, Barbossa would have cut the idiot down himself. "Whether it works or not, do you want to stand here and die without a fight?! Pick up your weapons!"

Barbossa's roar finally jolted the pirates into action, giving them some semblance of morale.

But the moment Ethan landed on the Black Pearl, using the sheer force of his flight to send several pirates flying into the distance, whatever morale they had managed to muster instantly crumbled.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to random_debuff for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 136

Barbossa strained his eyes, trying to get a clear look at the figure who had just arrived, but no matter what he did, he couldn't see the face hidden beneath the hood.

"Hector Barbossa."

Ethan surveyed the stunned, terrified pirates, carefully sensing the strange energy entwining them, analyzing whether he could break their curse.

This process took some time, so he deliberately created a distraction. "I bring you greetings from Jack Sparrow."

"Jack... Sparrow?"

Barbossa was still struggling to make sense of the being before him. Was this even a human? He hadn't expected to hear such a familiar name. For a moment, he even wondered if Jack Sparrow had made a deal with some god or devil after his death, solely to seek revenge. "I think there's some misunderstanding. Jack and I are old friends."

Pirates rarely risk their lives for the sake of pride—quite the opposite, actually. Barbossa scrambled to think of a way to save himself, and if that meant spouting nonsense, so be it.

Unfortunately for him, his attempt was futile. Ethan had already analyzed the nature of the curse binding them. It was surprisingly easy to break, meaning they weren't truly immortal. By following the energy wrapped around them, Ethan had essentially "seen" the essence of the curse.

Simply put, the curse was similar to a lich's method of existence, storing one's "life" elsewhere while controlling a body with a spiritual form.

The key difference was that a lich's transformation was a deliberate act, achieved through intricate magical rituals. In contrast, Barbossa and his crew had passively fallen victim to the curse. When they took the Aztec gold, they had unknowingly surrendered their lives in exchange for the right to use the treasure.

Their life force had been extracted, transforming them into undead beings. Since their lives no longer resided within their bodies, they appeared immortal. However, because the curse was meant to punish rather than reward, it gave them no true advantage. As undead, they still suffered mortal agonies—hunger, thirst, and pain—but their cursed bodies could never find relief.

This was, of course, not true immortality. The curse had multiple ways of being broken, and even if Ethan couldn't lift it with magic, he could simply destroy these low-level undead creatures by brute force.

Now that he understood their condition, Ethan saw no reason to waste any more time. He didn't even bother responding to Barbossa's words. Instead, he drew the Battle Cross from his waist.

The pale yellow energy blade traced graceful arcs through the air as Ethan moved, and the moment it cut through a pirate, agonized screams erupted.

"Aaaah! I'm hurt! I'm actually hurt!"

One pirate screamed in disbelief. Then another. Then another.

The pirates, who had believed in their supposed immortality, immediately panicked. Even Barbossa, who had been prepared to charge forward, hesitated.

Ethan stood before them, wielding a sword of pure energy, his fiery wings still ablaze behind him.

"Is he... really a messenger of God?"

Barbossa had weathered countless storms and dangers, he had always believed that nothing could truly frighten him. But now, he found himself unable to stand firm. The very immortality that had once been his greatest assurance had turned into his greatest fear.

Was this divine punishment? Had God sent an angel to strike them down for their crimes?

The pirates completely lost the will to fight. One by one, they dropped their weapons, surrendering to their fate. Many even fell to their knees, praying for forgiveness, directing their pleas not to the heavens, but to Ethan.

"Should I reconsider my appearance?" Ethan mused. "I occasionally play the role of a god, but I never planned on actually becoming one."

Stepping forward, he approached Barbossa. The once-feared pirate captain of the Caribbean, now trembling, offered no resistance. He knelt without hesitation, fervently praying for divine mercy, especially as Ethan's blade hovered just inches from his chest.

The heat radiating from the weapon was searing. He hadn't felt anything in a long time. That sensation alone convinced him, without a shred of doubt, that the being before him was indeed a messenger of God.

"Stop the ship."

Ethan's command was the sweetest sound Barbossa had ever heard, filling him with an overwhelming sense of relief. As long as the other party was willing to communicate, it meant there was a chance of survival. His greatest fear was that Ethan would cut him down without another word, leaving him no hope at all.

Unfortunately for Barbossa, he had celebrated too soon. Ethan's words weren't directed at him. The terrified pirates, desperate to stay alive, wasted no time obeying the order. The moment Ethan spoke, they leaped into action and executed his command in record time.

At the same time, they all bore witness to the moment their captain, the man who had led them in betraying Jack Sparrow, who had accumulated a fortune in treasure, and who had sailed triumphantly across the Caribbean—was run through the chest by the blade of a so-called divine messenger.

The instant the golden energy blade pierced Barbossa's chest, it was like a branding iron plunging into snow, sizzling with a sharp, searing sound. The human-like appearance he normally maintained was stripped away, revealing the terrifying visage that only appeared under moonlight.

Barbossa stared down at the radiant yellow blade buried in his heart, feeling—truly feeling—his life slipping away. It had been so long since he had experienced such a sensation that, for a brief moment, he felt a strange sense of relief. Looking up at the mysterious figure before him, he couldn't help but utter his final words.

"Forgive... me..."

"God will forgive you."

That was the last thing Barbossa heard. Believing he had received the promise of divine mercy, he closed his eyes in peace.

"I'm only responsible for sending you to see God."

Unfortunately, Barbossa never heard that part. By the time Ethan spoke those words, the pirate before him had already perished beneath the Sword of Holy Light. The body before him was nothing more than a rapidly decaying corpse.

After a thorough check, Ethan confirmed that Barbossa was indeed dead, proving that his direct approach was highly effective. However, he couldn't be sure whether the sea goddess Calypso still had the power to bring him back.

"She shouldn't. If she couldn't even help Jack Sparrow, there's no way she can do anything about this. I severed the connection between Barbossa's body and his 'life,' and his undead spirit was completely purified. How could he possibly resurrect now?"

Compared to his previous interventions, this change to the course of events was far more significant. If Calypso couldn't revive Barbossa, who would she turn to for help in breaking free from her seal?

Ethan turned his gaze back to the deck. The once-ferocious pirates were now like frightened kittens, heads bowed, lying motionless on the ground, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

A gentle sea breeze swept across the deck, making Ethan's cloak ripple slightly. Standing atop the quarterdeck, looking down at the pirates kneeling before him, he suddenly understood why so many people were drawn to power. The feeling was intoxicating.

Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. He hadn't intentionally exerted any pressure, he was merely standing there, silent—yet that alone made the pirates even more terrified. They dreaded that, like their captain, they too might be cut down in an instant. The supposed immortality they once relied on had been exposed as a joke before this "divine messenger."

Ethan didn't linger for long.

The Interceptor, known for being one of the fastest warships in the Royal Navy, had been sailing at full speed and soon reached the Black Pearl, which remained motionless in the water.

From aboard the Interceptor, its crew—including Jack and Elizabeth—took in the scene before them.

There was Ethan, standing high above, his flaming wings still burning brightly, though they were now folded rather than fully extended. In his hand, he wielded a sword of pure light, his face obscured beneath his hood. Below him, the infamous crew of the Black Pearl, pirates feared across the Caribbean were all kneeling, heads lowered in submission. Occasionally, the sound of whispered prayers and repentance drifted through the air…

Even Norrington found himself tempted to make the sign of the cross and offer a prayer. As for the ordinary navy soldiers, some had already done so several times.

Fortunately, despite their shock, the Royal Navy did not forget their duties. They quickly secured the Black Pearl alongside the Interceptor, setting up a boarding ramp. The soldiers moved in to take control of the pirate crew, but to their surprise, there was no resistance. Every single pirate surrendered without a fight—some even assisted in their own capture.

Norrington took in the surreal sight before him, then turned his gaze toward the mysterious figure standing not far away.

He wasn't sure how to deal with Ethan now, but he found himself instinctively approaching him.

"What should I do next?"

Unconsciously, Norrington's tone had grown noticeably more respectful, as if he had already begun deferring to Ethan's judgment.

"The pirates are yours. I only want the ship."

This had been agreed upon from the beginning. Even if Norrington had any lingering thoughts, there was nothing he could do about it now. He simply nodded in acknowledgment.

"But before you take them away, there's something you need to know." Ethan gestured to the eerily obedient pirates below. "They became undead because of a curse. If they suddenly resist, your men won't be able to handle them."

"Undead?"

(To be continued.)