There was a crisp sound of water in my ears, "gurgling", and my body was neither cold nor hot, just like a calm heart. For a moment, Brunei realized that he couldn't breathe, but he didn't panic in the slightest, as if it were just an ordinary fact, and, for some time, he didn't feel the suffocating torment that had made him so painful that he almost lost consciousness.

Brunei knew he was dreaming.

Truth be told, it's quite a rare experience. This is just an ordinary dream, and there is no content of the strange "him" who survives in the monkey group, Brunei has not had such a dream for a long time, and it is the first time that he realizes that he is dreaming in an ordinary dream.

He opened his eyes underwater in the dream, and the water enveloped the eyeballs, creating a slightly sour feeling, but far less than the stinging pain of opening his eyes in real water. Captain Rama was floating in front of him, obviously very close, and the surroundings were not as dark as under the water of the great river before, but it was still only a vague shadow, and he couldn't even see his face clearly. This was natural, as Brunei had not seen him underwater. The fleeting flash technique made it difficult to even confirm the exact location of Captain Rama, so he had to use it twice.

And next to Captain Rama, there was another dark shadow. His medium-long hair floated upwards, his body looked a little slender, far less athletic than that of Captain Rama, and he was not so comfortable moving underwater, because he couldn't see his face at all, and for a moment Brunei almost thought it was his own shadow.

But he soon remembered that it wasn't the case. When he was underwater, his first flash spell saw two dark shadows, one near and one far away, and in order to determine which enemy he was going to deal with, he released the flash spell on the nearby target, and then made a piece of ice, attached a delayed trigger flash and pushed it into the distance...... This black shadow is the image seen in the near distance during the second light.

As he thought of this, a cloud of black smoke gushed out from the position of the black shadow's neck, and he could no longer maintain his original upright movements, his limbs fluttered weakly with the current, and his face reflected a dim light, shining on the delicate face that belonged to a woman. The exact appearance was still vague, but somehow, Brunei knew that it was the face that belonged to the maid.

"It seems to be called...... That's right, it's called Elvie. ”

In fact, Brunei didn't have a lot of time to get to know each other with Elvi and his master, Mr. Telphons, and his plans didn't need to do so. The common enemy, the threat of non-cooperation, the promise of cooperation, for people like them, all that is needed is to ensure that they accomplish their tasks in the plan - if the objective conditions allow.

Elvi didn't finish what she had planned, because Captain Rama's actions were too aggressive, and the situation quickly entered the decisive part of the underwater, and the sudden fall into the water did not allow Brunei to tell her the follow-up plan, and after being separated, Brunei no longer had any hope for her.

But why? Why did she attack Captain Rama? Why did she reach out and cut off Captain Rama's fingers when she was on the ship before? What the hell was she thinking? Brunei didn't know, couldn't understand.

Although it is incomprehensible, judging from the results, it is also thanks to Elvi's autonomous actions that Brunei was able to get close to Captain Rama so smoothly...... Time had no meaning in the dream, everything was just a change in Brunei's thoughts, and yet because of this, he felt as if he had become much duller. It wasn't until this moment, when Elvie's face turned purple and then quickly turned bloodless pale, that he remembered—"Elvie, is she dead?"

As Brunei's thinking changed, Elvi's miserable face quickly enlarged in front of his eyes, and everything around him seemed to disappear with it, and that face was just a vague impression, and he couldn't even see the expression clearly, but somehow, after magnifying it, it became clear. The original beauty of that face could be seen, although it was not of the same type, but compared with Miss Miltrov, it was not much worse, but the expression was extremely distorted, and even if he didn't say a word, he could see the resentment, anger and despair in it.

“...... So, Elvie, is she dead?"

Brunei fell silent, met the bloodshot eyes for a moment, and opened his mouth - the water around him had disappeared for some time, so he spoke, his throat vibrating, and the voice he made echoed in a somewhat narrow space for some reason: "I ask you, is Evie dead, system?"

【...... Oh, you think that by making me out in a dream, you can tell you whether she is dead or alive? 】

"Of course the system I created in my dream doesn't know if she's dead or alive, but you do, don't you?"

[Hehe, judging by your impression of me, guess what I say now?]

[How do I know that you idiot, you can figure it out with a little movement of your imfully developed monkey brain, even if I am really the "system" you know, you should have understood that I can get the same information as you. 】

"Really? I can't confirm that. But since the system says so, let's just assume that's the case. Brunei paused and laughed, "But even so, it doesn't mean that you don't know what I don't know." Well...... The ability to process intelligence is different - to put it in your words. You can notice it when I'm being tracked, but you can see what I didn't notice, and I don't mention past examples, but the main reason for my judgment is that I really haven't seen what Evie looks like. ”

【...... Hehe, it's kind of funny if you think so. Well, actually, I'm just kidding you. 】

Elvie's distorted face of despair and pain vanished, leaving nothing but a blank slate.

[She's still alive.] 】

[Hehe, relieved?happy?relieved?happy for her?happy for her?for a stranger you were only going to bring a walking tool from the beginning?for a stranger whose heart didn't fluctuate when you saw her throat slit?For a woman you can't even remember her name, you don't even know what she looks like?Oh, my little Brunei, you're so cute, so cute that I feel a little sick. 】

"Really? I think it's normal. A normal person will be sincerely happy when he hears that someone else has survived, even if it is someone who has nothing to do with him. It's incomprehensible to you, my dear, system. Brunei suddenly laughed happily, "After all, you're not human, right?" ”

【...... Hah? Oh yes, what is this, look at what this is? You've learned to fight back, right, my little Brunei? Hahahahaha! But you still have to work out a little more, this level of taunt is useless to your great Sun King system. Well, time is running out, but I have a question for you. 】

With the system, the picture in front of the eyes, which should have been in line with Brunei's thinking changes, uncontrollably becomes a scene not long ago. A large black river, even darker underwater, with only one or two flashes of light, fleeting, leaving a thin impression in the mind. Somehow, before Brunei could see the situation in front of him, he realized that this was the moment when the first flash technique was used.

[You see, at this time, you are being swept into the whirlpool with the prepared ice. It wasn't something you planned, was it? Thankfully, you could escape from the whirlpool because the ice was disrupting the movement of the whirlpool. You use flashes and ice to hide yourself while you see the general direction of Captain Rama. At this point, the guy took it lightly and misjudged your position, that is, you were close to him without even knowing it. 】

[But you didn't take this opportunity, and after using the turbulence and spells to get out of the whirlpool, you didn't attack, but instead made two pieces of ice, one large and one small, went around behind him, and after making minor changes to your original plan, you continued your mirror tactic. Why do you do that? You should know that underwater is bringing you closer to death with every second of delay. 】

"Don't you know everything?dear Lord System?Why do you still ask me?" Although it was just nonsense as always, and it could not be ruled out that it was just the system for some purpose and just wanted to hear his answer, however, Brunei still felt a little proud, "First of all, I didn't say it before, I saw two figures. Now I know that it was Captain Rama and the other was Elvi, but I didn't know at the time. ”

"Secondly, my time is only one minute at most, and besides, the remaining 300 or so spirit power sounds like a lot, and if it is really used for combat, it will not support a few attacks. In other words, I will probably only have one chance to make a move, and if I act recklessly, the victory will change hands if I fail. So, instead of betting on luck with an unexpected chance, you should of course choose the original plan that is more likely to win. ”

Brunei paused, his eyebrows twitched, as if he thought of something, but finally laughed: "Finally, didn't I tell you everything at the beginning, I'll show you." 'Plan and calculate, in a completely different way than you do, and win!'. ”

[Hmm, oh. It's really impressive. I see, and that's why your attitude has changed? What do you think you can prove by refusing my request in front of me and achieving a success in your handsome way? So you, who think you've proven something, think that our relationship will change as well. Hehe, like a little kid who desperately wants to express himself in front of his father. 】

[So, it's really touching.] I didn't expect my image to be so tall in your heart. It's great that at the last minute, you can show me your heart, and I will remember you. 】

“...... What?"

[Nothing. You hold it underwater until you lose consciousness, and you will get hurt if you fight yourself, and the act of releasing the fireball technique with your right hand is very handsome, and I recognize you, but, do you remember what I said before, time is running out?]

[Do you think you can survive when you are completely unconscious underwater?Who will save you? Hehe, haha, hahahaha!]

............

Brunei felt a cool breeze blow around him like an ice blade across his skin, and then opened his eyes, and there was complete darkness before him. It was quiet enough to hear the heartbeat, except for the faint sound of waves that seemed to be non-existent, sounding steadily and monotonously. Brunei remembered the story of the River Styx that his mother, who couldn't even remember his face when he was very young, told him.

"Ah, you- you're awake, Mr. Castro. ”

[Hehe, how is it, my little Brunei, was there a moment just now, I really thought I was dead, and I was startled? haha!]

"......" There was no light in the starless night sky, and Brunei could only feel it by the touch of his body, as if he was lying on a wet plank, and he held the plank with his right hand and sat up: "Ropol?"

"Yes, Mr. Castro. Ropol paused for a moment, as if in some kind of ideological struggle, and finally swallowed his spit and continued, "No, Captain Castro. According to the rules left behind by this ship, you are our new captain. ”

Brunei tried to stand up even further, but his left forearm hit somewhere, and the pain that didn't exist suddenly came to his mind, although he couldn't see clearly in the dark, he felt that his left hand was now probably like a piece of charcoal, and finally he just changed his posture: "What are you talking about, Ropol." Didn't we say yes before, you help me, after I defeat Rama, you will be the captain of the Rama. ”

Take a breath and gasp. Two similar, but in fact diametrically opposed, voices rang out at the same time.

[Listening test: 61>25, failed.] You can hear that there are more people around than you think, but that's about it. 】

Brunei tried again, but before he could find the trick, he felt the man next to him lean over and help him to his feet—he thought it was Ropol, but the man's body didn't seem to be as solid as Ropol, but a little soft, giving him a very warm feeling.

Then he heard Ropol cough: "Get a lamp and come out." There was an indescribable smugness in his tone, and a kind of arrogance like commanding. He didn't seem to be speaking to Brunei either.

After a small thud, a magic lamp — now unaccustomed to calling it a "federate thing" — was taken out and illuminated its surroundings. They were on the deck, the bow of the entire Rama to be exact, and Ropol stood beside him, facing a large crowd of people who were standing or sitting, scattered on the deck, with their heads held high and proud like cocks that lay eggs.

There were many more people than expected, and thinking that there were so many people hiding in the darkness that just now felt as if there was nothing, Brunei couldn't help but shrink back. Elvie, who was supporting him, seemed to be mistaken and hugged him a little tighter. Brunei was about to break free, but the warm feeling from Elvi made him realize that he was really cold before, so he went with her.

"Did you all hear that? Captain Rama is already lying at the bottom of the river, and I, Ropol, am the next captain of the Rama. Ropol was still preaching to those people with great interest, "So, please rest assured, guests, I, Ropol, as the captain of the Rama, will naturally give you a guarantee that I will bring you to shore safely." ”

The guests, or the "former cargo", breathed a sigh of relief, but perhaps because they were still afraid of the fierce looking crew members who stood in the middle of them, they didn't particularly cheer.

Ropol tilted his head slightly and looked at Brunei.

Seeing the current scene, Brunei finally figured out the situation. The system is right, it is very dangerous to lose consciousness in the water, and it is very likely that he will set out on the opposite path of Captain Rama, who turned into a corpse and sank to the bottom of the river, and then turned into a corpse. Fortunately, Ropol is not an ambitious fool, and he realizes that he also needs Brunei.

Brunei also coughed, although his voice was still a little weak, but it was a world different from the previous situation under the influence of drugs: "As Ropol said. Let me introduce myself, I'm Brunei Castro, the man who killed the previous captain. Do you have any opinions, according to your traditions and my agreement with Ropol, that he will be the new captain?"

When he said the last sentence, the right corner of Brunei's mouth was hooked, and an inhuman smile appeared.

Several sailors glanced at each other, and finally walked to the front and bowed their heads: "No opinion, Captain Ropol, Mr. Castro." ”

Ropol waved his hand proudly: "Okay, okay, disbanded, you can send the guests back to the cabin." ”

The sailors answered, and walked towards the cargo in front of them. Seeing them walk away, Brunei turned to look at Ropol: "Congratulations, Captain Ropol." From today onwards, the word 'Luo' on the Rama will really be Ropol's Luo. ”

Ropol scratched his head and laughed twice: "That's thanks to you, Mr. Castro." ”

"I didn't do anything, the main thing is that Captain Ropol made the right choice yourself. And that's what you deserve. Brunei finally breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Elvi beside her, even under the orange light, her face was still a little pale, and there was a circle of cloth wrapped around her neck, half of which had been dyed red, but she still held Brunei very hard, and when she made eye contact with Brunei, she also smiled at Brunei, "...... We're friends after all. If you'd like, can you stop by the nearest town?"

Ropol seemed taken aback and said a little panicked: "Are you going to get off the boat halfway?"

"What?" Brunei didn't quite understand why Ropol reacted this way, "Can't you?"

Ropol coughed twice, rolled his eyes twice quickly, and smiled a little awkwardly: "No, Mr. Castro, I mean, aren't you going to the port of Qiandao? ”

[Hey, this stinky shameless guy. Do you want to have a psychology session? My little Brunei?]

"No, you don't. He just wanted me to stay on the ship a little longer, so that I could be prepared to secure my position. It's so obvious that there's no need to bother you. Brunei responded to the system in his mind, then smiled lightly and said to Ropol, "No, as I said before, I didn't do anything, so it's not worth your effort." ”

“...... This—Mr. Castro!" Ropol looked a little angry, even a little murderous.

It is likely that Ropol knew that although Brunei had regained the ability to move his limbs, on the contrary, his magic ability had become exhausted, so Brunei no longer continued to tease him and smiled: "However, if Captain Ropol is kind enough to wait for me on the shore for a while, after I take care of the matter, I still hope to trouble you to send me over." We're friends after all. Of course, I'll still pay the boat fare. ”

"Where, where, to send Mr. Castro on this trip, is what I should do, and what kind of fare!" Ropol waved his hands arrogantly, and became proud again, although he was not tall, for a while, he looked a little similar to Captain Rama.

[Oh, my little Brunei, before you know it, you have changed a lot. 】

"Yes. I don't feel anything. ”