The last sliver of hope Klaw clung to was the thought of exposing William's schemes to Barbossa and revealing his true nature. However, this faint glimmer was quickly shattered by William.
"You might think that telling Barbossa everything will save you," William said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "What will you tell him? That the rash and reckless crewman is some grand schemer? Compared to the motive of you seeking revenge, which story is more believable? Besides, everyone on this ship knows we don't get along. Your accusations against me would be dismissed without a second thought."
"And if Barbossa does decide to kill me over mere suspicion, what makes you believe he'll spare you? I 'might' die, but you 'will' die," William said, his hand patting Klaw's pale, trembling face.
Klaw's face turned ashen, though his mind raced. He understood that William wasn't just aiming for his death but had other plans.
"What is it that you want?" Klaw croaked.
"We're now tied to the same fate," William replied. "You have two choices: life or death."
"As long as Barbossa lives, he'll keep digging, and you'll always fear for your life. But if he dies…"
Klaw's eyes widened. "You want to kill Barbossa?"
William smiled but didn't answer directly. Instead, he clapped Klaw's shoulder, his voice smooth and persuasive. "If you settle for this life, you'll remain insignificant forever. Your life, your future, are worth less than a word from the higher-ups. Someone weaker and less capable than you can humiliate you in front of everyone, and you wouldn't dare resist. Why? Because Barbossa is the king of this ship, and in his eyes, you're less valuable than others."
William's words struck a nerve. Klaw despised the life of a pirate but had no choice but to join because of Arcatio's orders. Every time he hinted at leaving, his requests were ignored—or worse, met with veiled threats.
Just as William said, neither Barbossa nor Arcatio cared about small fry like him. If he died, they'd simply find another unlucky soul to replace him.
William's words resonated deeply, stirring a quiet rebellion within Klaw's heart.
William didn't rush him, letting Klaw wrestle with his thoughts. Klaw knew William needed him for something, and though he tried to assert some conditions, his desperation softened his tone. "I don't want to be a pirate anymore."
"You must stay on the ship," William countered firmly. "Small fry have no say in their lives. But help me replace Barbossa, and you'll gain significance. Then you'll have a choice—continue as a pirate or leave it all behind. I'll ensure you get what you need. I'm not like Barbossa or Arcatio. I value capable people."
"But how can I return to the ship? I'm already a suspect."
"I'll provide your alibi," William said nonchalantly.
Klaw hesitated. "But there was a navy soldier there when I left the scene. What if they reveal the truth?"
"Don't worry," William said, smoothing Klaw's disheveled hair with an unsettling calm. "That soldier is my man, too."
The string of revelations broke Klaw's resolve. He glanced at William with newfound fear.
"I understand," he murmured.
The chaotic nature of Kalmar's slums was evident from the incident surrounding Haladdin's death. If Haladdin hadn't failed to return to the ship by morning, Barbossa and Reyes wouldn't have suspected anything amiss.
Now, nearly all key figures of the Redbeard Pirates—Captain Barbossa, First Mate Reyes, William (under the alias Stoltz), Klaw, and others—gathered in the alley where Haladdin's body lay.
The narrow passage, surrounded by imposing pirates, was blocked off. Barbossa had ordered the area sealed; no one could enter or leave without his permission.
All eyes were on the ship's doctor, Wood, a balding, slightly overweight man who examined the body with a grim expression.
"His arms, legs, and head sustained severe blunt force trauma," Wood reported solemnly to Barbossa. "But the fatal injury was the gunshot wound to his abdomen."
Hearing this, Klaw flinched slightly, glancing at William. Without realizing it, he had already tied his fate to William's.
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