Ⅰ
Arthur's personal appearance and the second prize draw drove the lively atmosphere of the salon aboard the Eastern to a whole new height.
Everyone was smiling.
And amid laughter and cheer, time always flew.
Before anyone knew it, the moon had set.
The sun was already high.
Arthur stood on the upper cabin deck and stretched-he had only just returned, and by the time he did, more than half the people in the banquet hall had fallen asleep.
Those who remained awake were barely holding on.
And that was exactly what Arthur wanted.
He needed everything to make sense.
The young Medium raised a hand and beckoned.
Old John immediately stepped out of the shadows on the observation deck.
The Eastern's boatswain bowed to Arthur with the utmost respect-
"Good morning, my lord."
"Morning, Old John.
I need you to tell Old Barry that I want my guests to get some undisturbed sleep.
Instead of leaving this morning, we'll depart at noon.
So we'll need to take on extra supplies at Pult Harbor."
Arthur gave his instructions slowly.
Old John nodded repeatedly.
Naturally, the former pirate chief would carry out Arthur's orders unconditionally.
It was not just because of the Contract.
Or, more precisely, it had been because of the Contract before.
But now?
It was because of the strength Arthur had displayed throughout their journey.
That strength had won the former pirate chief over.
That was how pirates were.
As long as you were strong enough, you could win their loyalty.
Arthur had long understood this, so he certainly did not mind showing his strength in front of Old John.
The constraints of the Contract?
Those would always be the foundation.
Arthur firmly believed that bonds built upon a Contract were the most "valuable" of all.
Malinda, for