金瓶梅第2部

"Got it," Hades nodded. "I'll take some of the boys and pay the fishfolk a visit."

The Orcish necromancer stood up as best he could. Unfortunately, due to the gentleman's unreasonable size, he was forced to crouch in the Captain's human-sized quarters.

Tycondrius leaned over to look past him, taking note of the comparably tiny stool that had been successfully supporting the fellow's weight for the length of the conversation.

While every other piece of furniture on the Neptune's Revenge was cheap and flimsy... the stools and chairs were of magnificent craftsmanship.

"Yeah... alright," Krysaos nodded.

"Hold, Brother-Hades," Tycon held out his hand. "Please detail your plan to the Captain, as he likely does not realize its ramifications."

"Huh? Oh, that's easy 'nough," Hades smirked. "The whole city, down there-- it's called the Amphitrite Reef, right?"

"What 'bout it?" Krysaos raised an eyebrow.

"It's in the name. The place is a whole ecosystem, guy. If any part of it dies... like-- oh, I dunno, the reefs themselves, so does everything else."

The orc began to wiggle his fingers, a touch of sickly green magic dancing on the tips, "The fish'll stop showing up. If there's natural resources like oil or minerals, I'll make sure those dry up, too. When the merchants go, so do the rich folk. When they go, the people that work for 'em will be left without jobs. Crime'll spike. People will starve. The whole community'll collapse."

He scoffed... and snorted a laugh, "Kch.. hehe. Whole lotta folk are gonna die... lots of 'em sooner rather than later. I'm sure you guys probably know this, but death and deadening is what I do best."

Hades turned a red-eyed grin to Tycon, "That sum it up good enough?"

...Tycon was fairly certain 'deadening' was not the correct word for Hades' purposes-- but that wasn't important.

"I expect no less," He nodded contentedly. "Bring back something nice, if you would."

"Hah! Gimme some credit, man!" Hades laughed. "That's why I'm bringing the crew. Can't carry back all the loot, myself... Stickyfingers s'got an eye for the good shite, if ya didn't know."

"Really, Tycon?" Krysaos looked to him with a confused expression. "You're... okay with that?"

Tycon furrowed his brows, "Of course. Why would I not be? It would be different if the Amphitrite Reef Tribe could feasibly lend us their power."

He rubbed his chin in thought... "Unless, perhaps... Krysaos? Would you be confident in silver-tonguing an alliance between us and them?"

"...N-nah," Krysaos shook his head, "not when most of 'em can't stand to look at me."

"Then you understand," Tycon pursed his lips. "Such an effort would be unreasonable. As it stands, Brother-Captain, the Amphitrite Reef Tribe provides no benefit to either of us."

"That Oracle girl, Atlantea," Krysaos pursed his lips... "You f*cked her."

"I did," Tycon agreed. "Other than that, we have no relationship. What she does from now on, or whether she lives or dies has nothing to do with me."

"You're... you're serious," Krysaos spoke softly, his gaze distant... as if he was having trouble understanding the concept.

"You're a cold-blooded bastard, Tycon," Hades chuckled.

"Brother-Hades..." Tycon frowned.

"Or cold-blooded, at least," The orc grinned as he raised his open palms. "Anyroad, I won't be messin' anyone belongin' to the Goddess of the Well. Bad juju, that one. She's imprisoned close to where I live-- her godflesh's in Letherna, I think."

As the orc turned to leave, Krysaos looked down at his table... "Hades... hold on a sec."

"Yeap? What's up, man?" The gentleman turned his head, still wearing his devious grin.

"I... nah," Krysaos gulped. "Nah. Don't do it."

"Can ya be more specific, Cap'n?" Hades smiled.

His broad, tusked face may have been one that children saw in their nightmares, but Tycon sensed benevolence in it.

"Don't kill 'em," Krysaos muttered... "Try not to kill any of 'em, if you can."

Hades nodded without an onze of surprise in his expression, "Okay."

"I mean... it's Mina's tribe. I don't think I could do that to her," Krysaos made an excuse-- not that one was requested of him.

"S'fine," Hades waved before continuing to the exit.

...After placing his hand on the door lever, he turned back, "Oh, yeah. I should be back before tomorrow by dawn."

Tycon looked to Krysaos, but he still seemed to be preoccupied with his thoughts. As such, he waved politely, "Very well. Take care, old friend."

"If I'm not back by then... wait longer."

After the god of death, the dead, and stale jokes left the cabin, Krysaos chuckled to himself and let out an exasperated sigh.

"She seems like the type to mope around when she's depressed. Think she's doin' that now... I don't think I'd be able to stand lookin' at her face if we told her we annihilated her entire tribe, you know?"

It seemed he was still speaking about the mermaid girl, Mina.

Tycon clapped the gentleman on the shoulder, "Worry not, Brother-Captain. No one will judge you negatively for your decisions, this sun-- that is to include both myself and our mutual Orcish friend."

"...Why the f*ck does it feel so bad, LT..." Krysaos lowered his head, "tryin' to be the better man?"

It was a question Tycon could not answer.

After a moment of silence, he changed the topic to other relevant ship matters. Rather than allow Krysaos to dwell on the gravity of his decisions, discussing the present and future seemed appropriate.

...

⟬ The following sun, approximately noon. ⟭

The Coral Boy perched atop the crow's nest cupped his hands over his mouth to yell to the crew below, "Dey'z back! 'Ades and da resta da boyz're back!!"

"Let's check it out," Krysaos nodded to Tycon as they crossed over to the ship's starboard side.

"I have high hopes," The green-haired LT hid his eyes with the brim of his Officer's cap, "yet am prepared for them to be dashed... Also, is the Coral Boy on the crow's nest wearing... eye patches over both eyes?"

"That's Sockets. I try not to think about it," Krysaos pursed his lips.

The more he did, the more upset he got.

"AaAnyroad, I'm sure the boys'll bring somethin' useful," He snickered. "If ya sift through so much trash, there's bound to be treasure, right?"