After confirming that the other party was not suspicious, Mr. Bernhardt had actually wanted to leave. But when Captain Rudolf again stressed that he knew nothing, he became interested instead.
The refined Bloodkin Viscount said with a smile:
"Captain, please stop joking. You sail year-round, but that does not mean you know nothing about matters on land. I do not believe someone who knows nothing of Moon Bay could possess such a vast fleet."
The burly Bloodkin smiled as well:
"Fine, suppose I do have some information you might need. How do you intend to make me talk?"
"How about Rhodes Cards?"
Shade suddenly said, but Captain Rudolf immediately shook his head and refused. Such a thing was very rare:
"I was just about to suggest that, but since you brought it up, I definitely cannot agree. Anyone who dares speak like that is surely either a Rhodes Cards expert or a pure gambler, and you clearly are not a gambler. But we can play some other tavern games."
"Such as?"
Mr. Bernhardt raised an eyebrow. The captain placed his right elbow on the tabletop, held his right hand upright, and loosely curled his fingers toward the two of them:
"Other than Rhodes Cards, sailors' favorite game is arm-wrestling. Which one of you wants to give it a try? But let me make this clear first: I will not go easy on either of you."
Shade and Mr. Bernhardt exchanged a glance. The latter decisively stood up, wisely yielding his seat.
"Look, someone actually wants to arm-wrestle the captain!"
Seeing their movements, the idlers around them noisily gathered once more. Quite a few of them were sailors from Captain Rudolf's fleet; he had not come here to drink alone.
Standing behind Shade, Mr. Bernhardt had complete confidence in him. After