Chapter 67 Make Your Choice!

You see, there was a difference!!

Knight Camille wouldn't even waste time discapacitating a few heads if such a rebellion was pointed at her, and telling them to get their asses back to work. An action would I believe would scare the living hell out of them and would send them reeling backwards in instinct for their intrinsic fear of death.

While Captian Clara would do nothing but send her crewmen to do the dirty work for her. Something which I am sure they would carry out with merriment because of the sneak attack that surrendered most of their colleagues and friends to cessation.

While me, humph…. I couldn't help but snort internally at how low they rated me.

A one-star out of ten!!

Although I could see that they are aware of the power that I now carry but their behaviour and the outcome of their rebellion were based on my previous wimpy and uncaring character.

Power makes might, and character begets respect!!

I have no other choice but to still force that respect on them. However, how was I going to do that?

Well, it was simple.

I just have to go with what they were familiar with and tear a page out of Knight Camille's book.

Seeing their faces full of uneasiness, I couldn't help but shake my head at how fast their courage was dwindling when they saw what they desired in front of them.

Suspicious and impatient stares were directed my way as I walked to the edge of the ship.

"What are you doing?" Seadog's sharp voice made its way into my ears.

"A choice….. I am going to give you guys a choice" I said, looking down at the crashing waves, thinking about how I was getting too familiar with throwing things into the sea.

"You have two choices. One, you all and I will pretend as though this never happened and I will walk back to my room and keep this contract in a safe place until it expires in exchange for that, I promise you that you will be treated many times better than your previous selves. Meaning that although you would still be slaves, you will be given the treatment that even the crewmen of an affluent pirate would envy".

Their eyes widened at my proposal, seemingly contemplating and tweaking their brains at the offer I have given them.

No matter how they all seemed brave and collected, I knew that there must be someone within them who didn't want to be a part of this rebellion but had no other choice than to join the rebellion instead of trying to alienate themselves.

No matter what crowd, group or community of people trying to voice out with one mind and voice, there would always be a Judas, someone who thought and wanted something different.

My first choice was directed at them.

"For the second choice, I will give you your contracts" The collective gulps rang out in my ear as though my words were a fine mix of honey and temptation.

"However, you should be aware that you will no more be welcomed on my ship because I bought this and you all with my money, so giving it back to you is more like a waste, an unnecessary expense"

Although unwillingly, their teethes ground together in understanding, nodding their heads with expectation in their eyes even before I could finish my sentence.

"Are we on the same page?" I said, looking at the scrolls that were cradled in my arms.

I might have unknowingly made a joke only I would understand.

The men stiffly nodded their heads in understanding.

"Great!! Now if you are comfortable with the first choice and want to continue being part of my crew with the new terms which I have stated and swear to carry out on my word. Walk to the right, please"

Three men walked out of the crowd, their heads lowered in shame while their shoulders slumped down in defeat.

Recognizing only one of them as the cook, I took it upon myself to remember the rest of their faces so that I would be to talk to them later.

"Cowards!!" A voice echoed from their backs, sounds of curses and insults raining at them from the background.

They were not cowards…. Maybe, perhaps, they were. But to me, cowards were e a fine breed of a species who would live a long time if they knew how to play their cards right.

But who knows, they might turn to become risk takers someday in the future.

Obedient and loyal cowards were good, however, obedient and loyal cowards who knew when to take risks were better.

Withdrawing my gaze and setting it back on the crowds, I said "Those of you who wish to collect your slave contracts and withdraw from being part of my crewmen, move to the left"

They strode forward, with calm and steady steps to the left, confident in their numbers with Seadog leading the march until they came to a halt.

My brows wrinkled, looking at the ones that stood rooted in place. They didn't march left or right, seeming nervous of their own judgements, their emotions were written on top of their faces like paint over a wall.

Haaaa!! How could I have forgotten about the peter(s)?

It was no doubt that in the beginning, their minds were filled with conviction, but after witnessing and hearing the voices of those around them, their hearts became unsteady amid the heated discussion.

They weren't cowards because they had the tenacity to go against the odds and stand to bear the risk without hesitation. Nonetheless, when given enough time to stand in front of such odds, they turned indecisive, like a virgin losing his courage the more time he took to find the entrance of a vagina.

Pursing my lips together, I asked "And which group do you guys belong to?".

"I… We…." Their voices trembled from the glares of the two opposite sides by their left and right.

As I said before, indecisive.

"We want no part in this. We will continue walking until we have gained our freedom" One of them spoke, he seems to be in his early 20s.

"Are you sure?" I asked once more, remembering how peter regretted his decision immediately after the fowl crooked thrice.

"Yes" They each nodded their heads, albeit hesitantly.

"Alright, that means you are part of those who choose the first choice. Go ahead and stand with them".

They were reluctant. They wanted to retort, but their lips were sealed when they saw my disinclination to listen to whatever they had to say.

With strides of greater shame and embarrassment, they moved over to the right side.

I nodded my head in confirmation as I looked at the right side which was made up of 5 men, standing in contrast to the left side which numbered about 7 men.

"Since I have no problems with those on the right, I will give you guys on the left what you want" I said, watching as they each flashed their yellowish-coloured teeth in happiness.

Dropping the scrolls on the ground, I tore off the ribbon and unwrapped them one by one.

Taking my time to look at the rough writing, I didn't waste an extra minute until I found what I was looking for.

Opening my mouth to speak, I froze at the sudden thought that broke into my mind.

How?

How is it possible that I could read whatever was written on this scroll?

Wait a minute!!

Now that I think about it, I just started speaking in this world's language immediately after I took possession of this body, even though I didn't remember his memories or anything about him.

It felt so natural that I thought that I was still speaking English but looking at the symbols, letters and numbers on the scrolls, it certainly wasn't the language that I was aware of.

Is this perhaps the 'Happiness god' doing?

Yes, this might likely be his doing. If he has the power to send me into another world, then making me understand their language shouldn't be that hard after displaying such an unimaginable feat of power.

Anyway, there was no need to deliberate about such a thing since it was something good that didn't put me in harm's way.

Clearing my throat, I opened my mouth, calling out the name mentioned above the bloody thumbprint at the bottom of the scroll.

"Beric"

A man from the right side raised his hands in my vision.

"Logen" Another hand came from the left side.

"Feroy"

"Omm"

"Fynn..."

….....

I called out all their names and arranged for those that wanted to leave to the left and those that wanted to stay to the right. Although it took some time, I did so to memorize their names and also know who I should be keeping an eye on.

I raised my head to look at their faces and saw the smiles that were spread wide across their lips.