Alger and the Pirate Women

From both his wording and his attitude, it was clear that Doctor Strange knew something about me. He even seemed certain I had a way to collect the bounty...

And he didn't seem worried in the slightest that I'd pocket the money... Could he really be someone I know? Could he be a high-ranking Church official who knows my identity, in disguise?

If so, reporting Doctor Strange directly would be awkward...

As his thoughts raced, Alger came up with a plan. He ignored Mikhail, who stood nearby lost in thought, composing poetry. After hiding Gravina's head, Alger returned to the cabin and called out the sailors who had taken shelter there.

"Your Grace, how did it go?" the boatswain asked quietly, revolver in hand.

"He came for the poet. It had nothing to do with us... And he's gone," Alger said calmly, stating the facts while concealing his exchange with Doctor Strange.

Nor was Alger worried that Mikhail might let something slip. He had just noticed that the poet had no memory of the request to collect the bounty on Doctor Strange's behalf. Clearly, Doctor Strange had done something before leaving.

"Thank goodness!" the sailors hiding in the cabin cheered in unison. Then the boatswain asked, "Your Grace... Captain, shall we set sail now?"

"Not yet. Since he's gone, there's no danger nearby for the moment... We might as well salvage some valuables from the King's Blade. Heh, they may not have been worth his time, but they're worth a fortune to us," Alger said with a smile.

The sailors' breathing grew heavy at his words. Each excitedly struck his left chest with his right fist. "Captain, may the Storm be with you."

The sailors enthusiastically steered the Blue Avenger back to the site of the battle. They leaped into