It had only been a short while since they left the port of Vercu.
Nujah sat silently on the boat's deck, his eyes fixed on the map he had stolen from the Crow.
He carefully examined the locations, hoping to uncover where they had hidden it.
But no region was marked.
Just as he suspected.
With a single gesture, Crow was brought before him.
When Nujah opened his eyes again, yellow flame marks were now spread across his decayed skin.
And this time, Crow looked even more terrified than before.
Nujah's voice was calm, but firm:
"As long as you answer… there's no reason to fear."
He stood up slowly, a faint smirk on his face.
"I'm still in control."
Crow stuttered nervously,
"Wh… what do y-you want?"
Nujah replied with a smile,
"Three questions. That's all.
Once we're off this sea—you're free."
Crow nodded, forcing composure.
"I'm listening, boss."
"I saw you on the rooftop," Nujah began, "before you became this rabid mutt.
Right before Serekhka threw us out of the throne room.
I'm guessing… from that day on, you've been working with Naraka?"
Crow answered in a tense voice,
"Yes."
Nujah scratched his head in discomfort, turning to face Crow fully.
"I know this might sound strange, but I have to ask...
How did my mother explain that day… to the rest of the family?"
Crow hesitated, stammering,
"B-Boss… your mother never told them the truth.
She knew… if they found out, they'd try to wake you themselves and take the curse onto their own bodies.
So… she lied to them."
Nujah relaxed just slightly, his expression softening.
"And what did she say?"
Crow, now a little calmer, explained:
"To put it simply... she told them that after your great sacrifice, you were in unbearable pain.
Too weak to stand… and that your final request was to be given eternal rest.
She told them she granted it.
To your brothers… and even your daughter Mitra… she forbade anyone from ever knowing the truth."
Nujah's voice dropped, now more serious and troubled:
"What happened after that?"
Crow answered in a quiet, ashamed voice:
"Most of the family turned against her… everyone except Maria.
They blamed her for allowing it.
But when I spoke with her… she told me staying silent was better.
That knowing the truth would've broken them even more than the lie."
Hearing this, the yellow flames on Nujah's body surged, brighter than before.
His mind was filled with one feeling—rage.
But he knew why she did it.
And for that reason alone… he forced himself to stop.
He grabbed his sword—
—and in one sharp motion, drove it into his own body.
Crow shouted in panic,
"What are you doing?! Boss, have you gone insane?!"
But Nujah's face remained calm.
The sword, carved from the First Tree, still held the last of its life energy.
It spread through his body, healing the dead skin—
—and extinguishing the burning flames.
Rising slowly, Nujah showed the blade to Crow.
"This sword… it cannot harm anyone with a clean soul.
I used it only to purge what was rotting inside."
He rolled his shoulders, relaxed his arms, and finally sat down.
After a brief silence, Crow asked cautiously,
"If you're done… may I continue, boss?"
Nujah nodded. For the first time, his voice was steady.
"Thank you. I don't need anything else.
I'll follow the path my mother set in motion."
Just then, Nujah raised his finger—then shouted:
"Wait! Wait—don't send me to her yet!
There's something important I still need to know."
Lowering his hand, he added,
"Make it fast. I won't stay like this forever."
Crow, now more nervous, spoke quickly:
"Maria came here recently with Ren and Muzan.
She told me—when we break into Vercu—I should sabotage your boat and steal ours.
The captain is working with me.
The pouch I'll give him has three keys—mine included.
All I have to do is break your boat and switch it for ours when the time comes."
Nujah's expression darkened.
"How does Maria know all this? Does she know what really happened?"
Crow answered fast,
"I never saw Naraka tell her directly. But when Naraka left the throne room, she said no one was to speak of the incident. Not even to Maria.
Still… Maria survived. She might've figured it out."
Nujah narrowed his eyes.
"Then I'll ask my final two questions—before our guests arrive.
Who made this plan?"
Crow hesitated.
"I'm sorry, boss… I have no idea.
The only thing I know is… everyone followed Mitra's orders."
Nujah interrupted sharply:
"She's in charge now? Were they even close?"
"No," Crow replied.
"Everyone tried to find you. When they failed, they turned to Mitra.
She gave orders, and eventually found where you were.
But there was something off… like she was holding back.
Her smiles were fake. I saw it. I watched from a distance."
Nujah leaned in, eyes sharp:
"Did you see a mask with her? Or glowing red eyes?"
Crow shook his head.
"No… she looked happier than before, actually.
But she had this strange object with her—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a small boat horn echoed across the water.
Then—
the thunder of cannons began to fall on the ship they were aboard.
Nujah's voice dropped.
"Seems your master has come to retrieve you."
Without hesitation, he grabbed Crow and vanished into the shadows—
…waiting for them to arrive.
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