The food on the ship was far from gourmet, but for Freyr and his companions, who had been chewing on roots for days, it was a feast! Smoked meat, dried fish, and some simple dried vegetables—even a barrel of ale.
Even the two girls disregarded their manners and image, joining Freyr in a ravenous feast.
Worried about the pirates poisoning the food? Ridiculous! Master Freyr had studied pharmacology for years; it wasn't for nothing!
After they had eaten their fill, Freyr gathered all the sailors on the deck.
"I now declare that your ship is part of my private fleet. You are now a warship of the Freyr Russell Fleet! Understand? I am a nobleman, and by law, I can have a private army." Freyr paused and then continued, "Oh, and I need to appoint a new captain…"
He scanned the crowd, picking out the cleanest, most agreeable-looking guy.
"You! Step forward! What's your name?"
The man hesitated, took a few steps forward, and nervously looked at Freyr. "I, I am…"
"Wait." Freyr shook his head. "If everything is going to change, even your name should be new!"
A mischievous glint appeared in Freyr's eyes.
"From today, you are the captain of this ship, and your name is… Jack Nemo! Got it? Captain Jack Nemo! And this ship… from now on, it's called the 'Black Pearl'!"
The pirates stared in shock, but Freyr couldn't help laughing inside.
The Black Pearl, Captain Jack Nemo, the famous Pirates of the Caribbean… hahaha… this is the start of my private fleet.
Freyr took over the captain's quarters, while the two Witches did something that made the pirates envious to the point of cursing—taking a bath!
On the sea, fresh water was scarce, strictly rationed for drinking only. No one, not even the captain, stayed clean; going weeks without a bath was normal. Yet, these two women wasted four large barrels of fresh water!
Freyr didn't object. His reasoning was simple: "The water on the ship was originally meant for more people… now there are twenty fewer, so even if we waste some, we won't run out."
He also knew the girls were desperate for a bath after so long without one. Even Freyr himself felt itchy and uncomfortable from days without washing, and the seawater baths only made things worse, leaving the skin dry and rough.
While the two Witches enjoyed their bath, Freyr had his own tasks. He stood before Captain Jack Sparrow… the poor guy whose name Freyr had changed. Now, even his attire was bizarre, thanks to Freyr.
Freyr wrapped a red bandana around his head, braided his beard, applied deep black eye shadow (using the ship's charcoal), and dressed him in a shirt, vest, and boots. Since there were no guns in this world, Freyr had to forgo that detail.
Freyr then had him strike a few poses.
In the previous world, the renowned Pirates of the Caribbean movie featured Captain Jack Sparrow as a somewhat effeminate character with a quirky charm. Freyr's chosen candidate reluctantly posed in an effeminate manner, and Freyr was satisfied.
While Freyr indulged in his cosplay game, the two Witches reveled in their bath in another room. The pirates were in a dilemma, worried about their fate.
The young noble had ordered a course for the nearest port. The captain, first mate, second mate, and boatswain had all been thrown overboard by that terrifying woman. Now, the highest-ranking pirate left was the cook, who happened to be Captain Jack Nemo's father.
Worried about their future, the pirates feared they might be hanged once ashore, despite the noble's promises.
"Should we fight them?" a gold-toothed pirate suggested. "There are only three of them! We could block the door and set the place on fire…"
The others looked at him like he was an idiot.
That woman was like a mother Magical Creature! She could break bones with a kick and send a man flying several meters! Did he think fire would kill her?
Block the door? She could kick through the walls!
The so-called rooms on the ship were just thin wooden partitions!
As they debated, the door opened.
A transformed Captain Jack Nemo walked in… looking a bit embarrassed. The pirates whistled and jeered.
"Look, our captain!"
"Captain Jack… you look prettier than those harlots in Walker Port! Hahaha…"
Captain Jack Nemo's face reddened, but he quickly regained his composure. He was the captain now! He straightened his back and walked to the table, anger in his voice.
"Shut up, mates! If anyone says another word, I'll shove my hat down their throat! I swear, I'll do it!"