Inside the *Unicorn*, Dipp tiptoed alongside Lily toward the captain's quarters.

  "What do you think Mr. Charles is doing? Why has he been holed up in his room since we boarded?" Lily whispered.

  "You’re closer to the captain than anyone else. If you don’t know, how would I?" Dipp replied, a bit irritated.

  "He hasn’t let me sleep with him lately, so how would I know? Stop talking; Mr. Charles has sharp ears. He’ll hear us," Lily cautioned.

  As they approached the captain's quarters, they could hear muffled voices from inside. They leaned in to listen, catching snippets of a heated argument.

  "Why are you so impulsive! Your body must... listen to me..."

  "Why should I! Just because you say so doesn’t mean I have to...”

  "This isn’t a game! You need to think before acting!"

  "Fine, I have a pig brain! And you think you’re...?”

  "Do you really think I’m joking with you...?"

  "You do have a way! Go ahead, kill me... let’s see who... who will care!?"

  As they listened to the chaotic exchange, Dipp and Lily exchanged worried glances.

  Lily lowered her voice, "Mr. Charles seems to be arguing with himself again."

  "Has he done this before?" Dipp instinctively touched the jester mask in his pocket.

  Charles's erratic behavior aboard the *Unicorn* was no secret; everyone had noticed that he had developed another persona. Though he hadn’t explained anything, the crew had come to understand that their captain was not quite himself.

  Lily shook her head. "Not like this. He used to talk to himself sometimes, but this level of argument is new."

  "What should we do? Should we intervene?" Dipp’s tone was uncertain.

  "How can we intervene? They’re both Mr. Charles! Which side should we help?"

  Suddenly, the door swung open, revealing a grim-faced Charles staring at the pair. "What are you two doing here?"

  "Uh... well... I was looking for Lily. Right, Lily?" Dipp quickly nodded in agreement.

  Before Charles could respond, Dipp grabbed the mouse and dashed toward the deck.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Once on the crowded deck, they exchanged glances and let out heavy sighs.

  "That was scary," Lily said, patting her chest.

  Seeing them emerge, Krona, who was sitting on the ship’s railing smoking, leaned over. "How’s the captain doing?"

  "Ugh, still the same," Dipp replied, stretching lazily.

  "Should we get a doctor to take a look?" Krona asked, taking a deep drag and tossing the cigarette butt into the sea.

  "No can do. I asked the ship's doctor before, and he said he had no solutions for this," Lily said, looking up at them.

  "It’s fine, it’s fine. We’ve overcome so many difficulties; the captain won’t be brought down by something like this!"

  "Yeah, Mr. Charles is the best!"

  Despite their reassurances, during mealtime, everyone could see that something was off with the captain. His body seemed uncoordinated, and his hands appeared to twitch uncontrollably.

  He muttered to himself, his facial expressions contorting as if someone were pulling at both sides of his face, looking quite frightening.

  Finally, the doctor could no longer bear to watch. Limping over, he gave Charles a strong pat on the back with his prosthetic. "Hey, you two, quiet down. Everyone on this ship is counting on you."

  Feeling the uneasy gazes from those around him, Charles finally stopped his strange behavior, gulping down his food.

  After stuffing his face, Charles set down his spoon and prepared to return to the captain's quarters. He still had unfinished business with Richard.

  But just as he stood up, a sailor rushed down from the deck, urgency written all over his face. "Captain, the first mate wants you to come quickly. Those Luminary fanatics seem to be fighting!"

  The *Unicorn* was not far from the Luminary ship, and Charles could see the commotion from the deck.

  As soon as his foot touched the other ship's deck, he saw a Luminary follower named Linda lying on the ground, with several people tugging at her robe.

  When they had escaped the island, everyone had worked together, united in purpose. But now that they had relaxed, personal grievances began to surface.

  "What’s going on here?!" Charles's presence immediately calmed the chaotic scene.

  A massive man, towering at 2.2 meters, stood up from Linda, his chest heaving with agitation. "I’m a big guy, and we only get this little water? Is this woman feeding cats?"

  "I gave that order. This is the only way everyone can avoid dying of thirst. Do you have a problem with that?" Charles replied, coldly assessing him.

  The giant hesitated, taking a step back, aware of Charles's strength. But feeling the eyes of his comrades behind him, his expression hardened.

  "Charles, I’m not trying to defy your orders, but people need water to survive. You have to ensure my survival. We’re all captains here; don’t be so rigid. My last ship was much bigger than yours."

  "Oh? And what was your position before?" Charles asked as he helped Linda up, noticing the bruises forming on her skin. Clearly, their needs were not just about water.

  The giant, with a hint of pride, replied, "I was a pirate. Of course, we’re all friends here, having escaped together. I won’t harm you."

  "And those behind you? Are they your crew?" Charles inquired, eyeing the unruly faces of the men behind him.

  "Not exactly, but they listen to me now."

  "Very well." Charles pointed toward the dark water below. "Jump in."

  "What... what?!" The giant's smug smile froze in place.

  "I said jump!" Charles’s crew stepped forward in unison, and the atmosphere grew tense.

  The giant’s face turned pale, and he frantically waved his hands. "No, no, no, Mr. Charles, you might have misunderstood. I’m not challenging your authority; I just wanted another cup of water!"

  With a loud bang, Charles fired his gun, the bullet piercing the giant’s chest.

  In front of everyone, Charles dragged the man’s body and tossed it overboard, then turned to face the others.