While the children played with their three-headed puppy, Katarina decided the time had come. With most of the crew occupied elsewhere, she approached Captain Simbad at the helm. It was finally time to reveal their true destination.
So far, the captain still steered toward Velnora, the Continent of Witches. Though much of that route overlapped with the course to Nightingale, continuing the deception much longer would cause significant delays.
The lie had been crafted back in Stormdale—a precaution in case their identities were compromised. For the sake of her family's safety, Katarina could not allow pursuers to learn their real destination.
To be honest, she had hoped the crew would reveal their true colors—perhaps attempt to rob or harm her family. In such a case, she could have justifiably made her move. That was why she had deliberately chosen a less-than-reputable captain back in Stormdale.
Her plan had been to seize control of the ship and crew when they inevitably turned on her. Simbad's connections with the port guard—allowing them to depart without scrutiny—had simply been an added bonus.
But to her mild disappointment, no such betrayal ever came.
The sailors had been consistently courteous toward her and the children. The captain himself behaved with almost excessive respect. They did everything possible to ensure a smooth, uneventful voyage.
If not for the lingering smell of liquor and tobacco on the crew, Katarina might have begun to doubt the Violet's infamous reputation entirely.
Though she occasionally caught lustful glances cast her way, the men never crossed the line into crude words or actions.
Her schemes forced once again into revision, Katarina approached the bridge with a defeated smile.
"We need to talk," she said.
"At your service, Mistress Ashford," Simbad replied, puffing out his broad, muscular chest like a most loyal subordinate.
"I wish to change our course. My family will no longer be traveling to Velnora. My husband has insisted that our final destination be the continent of Nightingale. I know this is a most improper request mid-voyage, and I am prepared to compensate you personally. What would you require in return?" She smiled charmingly, her blue eyes soft with a hint of pleading.
Such a request at this stage of the journey would be a nightmare for any captain. The route would need to be recalculated. New ports for resupply found. Entire future plans adjusted.
Simbad understood this better than anyone.
Katarina's carefully crafted expression of vulnerability only added to the challenge. She hoped the request would tempt the captain into proposing improper terms.
He frowned thoughtfully. "It would be quite a hassle. If only Mistress Ashford were willing to—"
But then he caught himself and stepped back.
"...were willing to pay five—no, ten gold sovereigns. Then I would see you safely to the continent of Nightingale."
He avoided letting his gaze wander to her generous figure.
"That's quite a sum. Surely you can reduce the price?" Katarina asked sweetly, continuing the act.
"My lady, my heart aches to refuse a request from such a lovely woman. But I must also care for my crew. Ten gold. Not a silver less."
Though steep, his demand wasn't unreasonable. Simbad displayed neither anger nor impropriety—just the natural desire to profit, as any self-respecting and greedy merchant would.
Realizing her bait had failed, Katarina abandoned the pretense.
Her expression shifted in an instant—from vulnerable to playful, with a touch of seriousness. As easily as turning a page in a book.
"Heart? You jest, Simbad. You don't have a heart. That's what made you so appealing when Cassius hired you. A greedy, ruthless pirate—ah, pardon me, captain. Fufufu."
"Tell me, Simbad. Why has your crew been so obedient? Why haven't you tried to rob us? You know we are wealthy and traveling without a guard."
At that moment, Simbad could have sworn this woman possessed a hundred ways to end his life right then and there.
She was no helpless flower. She was a predator—a predator frustrated that her prey refused to walk willingly into her jaws. Now the beast had bared its fangs.
Simbad's instincts screamed at him to choose his next words with extreme care.
"Madam, you misjudge me," he said, feigning wounded pride while inwardly sweating like a pig. "I am an honest businessman. I have never robbed an employer."
"Fufufu, I believe you're a very honest pirate. But surely you could have suggested some, shall we say, obligatory additional services that would have left us penniless."
"Madam, I—"
"The truth, Simbad. I want the truth."
Her smile was dazzling.
Simbad's heart skipped a beat. He had no illusions of winning against this woman. His only option was complete honesty.
"Very well. But I ask that you promise no harm will come to my ship or my crew. Not during this voyage, nor afterward."
"Oh? Afraid, are you? But why...?"
The captain remained silent.
"Fufufu, playing coy now? Very well. I promise no harm will come to you, your crew, or your ship—as long as you continue to do as expected. Now, the truth."
Simbad sighed. "One of my men noticed the sound ward you deployed when we left Stormdale. None of my crew could breach it."
"And that's all? It could've just been an expensive magical artifact. We're from the Magical Empire—those are common enough."
"True. But I trust my instincts. So I decided to observe your party. That was the right choice."
"Your act was masterful. You played the spoiled noblewoman perfectly. But in your eyes, there was never even a hint of fear for your safety. A true 'pampered princess' would show hidden anxiety behind the bravado.
"You? You were merely being natural. A little haughty. A little playful. But never afraid."
Katarina's smile widened. "Such caution. Such wisdom. You not only kept your own greed in check but also reined in your crew's ambitions. I admire that.
"So tell me, Simbad, would you like to become my friend?"
Hearing the word friend didn't fill Simbad with joy. It filled him with dread. He recognized it as either a test—or a trap.
He thought carefully. If he wished to preserve both his life and his freedom, he would have to answer perfectly.
After two tense minutes, he bowed his head.
"I, Simbad de Lucard, Captain of the Violet, known as the Selfless Pirate, swear upon my name and my saber's honor to be a friend to Lady—"
"Katarina," she supplied, revealing her true name.
"—Lady Katarina and her family. As long as I retain my freedom, I will never betray this friendship. I will do all I can to aid her, whatever she may ask. Let my saber's path end should I break this oath."
"Fufufu, you choose your words well. You know when to advance and when to retreat. And most importantly—you know what a woman desires to hear. With that mindset, I'm sure you'll ascend to the Celestials within a decade.
"Had we met five years ago... perhaps I might've even let you court me. But now... let's not speak of it. Very well. I accept your pledge of goodwill."
Relief washed over Simbad like a wave.
But Katarina wasn't finished.
"I, Katarina, born an orphan and now a mother of twins, swear upon my colorless core to be a friend to Simbad de Lucard."
"Why?" he blurted out, genuinely confused.
"You wonder why I didn't strike you down, despite my strength? Or why I went so far as to swear friendship in return?"
He nodded.
"Fufufu, tell me, Simbad. What is a Celestial?"
She didn't wait for an answer.
"A Celestial is one who has opened their soul. To ascend further, they must understand themselves, embrace their principles and convictions. Each time a Celestial compromises those beliefs, a demon forms in their mind.
"Few truly grasp this. Even I sense only a faint warning when I near such compromise."
"Despite my power, I am young. I have never acted against my conscience. My convictions are still forming. I believe that is why my soul remains purer than most Celestials. Only because of this can I sense when I stray from my path."
As her words sank in, Simbad's saber aura flared upward.
Hearing such simple yet profound wisdom, he achieved a moment of enlightenment. His Saber Path advanced a step.
The secrets of ascending to the Celestials were jealously guarded by all major powers. That this woman had shared such knowledge so casually stunned him.
He could not fathom what he had done to deserve such generosity.