Chapter 49: Drinking
"Yes! I will finish the coating within two days!"
Conan didn't dare doubt Charlotte's words. After all, Charlotte was a pirate, and gambling with the lives of the entire town was not an option.
Charlotte entered the cabin, uninterested in watching the coating process. He returned to his quarters to rest.
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"Boss! Boss! Can we go to the pub in town for a drink?"
Paul approached cautiously, glancing at Charlotte before asking. Behind him, the hopeful eyes of the crew members mirrored his request.
Charlotte looked at Paul, then at the eager faces of his crew. After thinking it over, he realized they'd been sailing at sea for almost half a month. It might be good to let them relax.
"Alright, let's go! We'll all go together!"
Charlotte smiled, deciding he could use a drink too.
Seeing the boss agree, Paul grinned and raised his hand.
"Boss, you're treating us, right?" Paul teased, his tone playful.
"That's right! Boss, it's on you tonight!" the crew chimed in, laughing.
Charlotte looked at the rowdy group and couldn't help but smile.
"Fine! It's my treat. Drink as much as you want!"
He waved his hand and led the group toward the town's tavern.
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As Charlotte and his crew entered the town, the townspeople who had started to come out after their earlier visit scattered in fear once again.
Charlotte sighed, seeing everyone flee.
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Shave!
Charlotte vanished in an instant, reappearing in front of a running townsman. He grabbed the man by the collar and lifted him off the ground.
"Hey, where's the tavern in this town?" Charlotte asked, his tone calm but commanding.
The townsman froze in terror, his mouth opening and closing as he stammered.
"A-Ah! Ah!"
"If you keep screaming, I'll cut out your tongue," Charlotte said coldly, his eyes narrowing.
The townsman immediately covered his mouth, his face pale.
"Where's the tavern?" Charlotte repeated.
The man pointed a trembling finger in a specific direction.
Charlotte followed his gaze and used his Observation Haki to confirm. In an alley, a large tavern stood quietly. His Haki also detected five or six other bars nearby.
Satisfied, Charlotte released the townsman, who fell to the ground in relief. Without another glance, Charlotte gestured for his crew to follow him.
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Bang!
Charlotte kicked open the door of the largest tavern.
"Boss! Bring out all the best wine and food you've got!" Charlotte bellowed.
"Good wine and good food!" his crew echoed, their cheers filling the air.
The tavern's bartender, trembling, approached cautiously.
"G-Gentlemen! P-Please come in…"
Charlotte narrowed his eyes. "Straighten your tongue, or I'll cut it out and soak it in wine."
"Ah! Please spare me!" The bartender dropped to his knees, kowtowing and begging for mercy.
Thud, thud, thud!
Hurried footsteps echoed from upstairs.
"Lord Charlotte! Lord Charlotte! My subordinate has offended you. Please forgive him!"
A man in a tuxedo with a flat-top haircut rushed down, sweating profusely.
"Are you the owner here?" Charlotte asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, yes! I am the owner of this establishment!" the man replied, bowing repeatedly.
"Good. Then bring us your best food and wine. My men are hungry," Charlotte said, his tone commanding.
"Yes, of course! Right away!" The owner turned to his staff. "Quickly, bring the best wine and food we have!"
Charlotte found an empty table and sat down. The rest of the crew spread out across the tavern.
Bang, bang!
The pirates banged their fists on the tables, shouting, "Wine! Bring us wine!"
The commotion made the tavern owner break out in a cold sweat.
"Lord Charlotte, the wine is coming right up!"
The owner hurried to reassure Charlotte, who remained calm and observant.
"Are you afraid of me?" Charlotte asked, grabbing the owner's wrist.
The man froze, his face turning pale. "N-No, sir! I respect you greatly! You're a renowned pirate with a bounty of 950 million!"
Charlotte released his wrist and smirked.
"Hahaha! Didn't know I had such a reputation!"
Paul laughed and teased, "Boss, you're the Navy's most wanted criminal now!"
Charlotte didn't mind the jab. He leaned back and motioned for the wine.
"Where's the wine? Bring it quickly."
At Charlotte's command, the staff brought out bottles of wine and placed them on the tables. Charlotte grabbed one, uncorked it, and drank directly from the bottle, finishing it in one go.
"Wow! The captain can really hold his liquor!" one of the men exclaimed, and the others cheered in agreement.
Charlotte laughed heartily. "Drink! It's on me tonight! Don't stop until you're drunk!"
The men roared in approval, raising their bottles and drinking.
Charlotte had used his mind-reading ability earlier to ensure the tavern owner had no hidden agenda. He discovered that the owner was simply a small-time boss in the area who ran a few bars and wanted to get rid of the pirates as quickly as possible.
Knowing there was no threat, Charlotte relaxed and enjoyed the night, letting his crew indulge in food and drink.
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