Aaron was stunned by Captain Monga's question.

Torvald, on the other hand, sighed and placed a hand on his forehead.

"Hey Monga, why are you asking meaningless questions again?"

Before Monga could retort, Baron Aaron spoke calmly, "It depends on how deeply the captain loves his ship."

"Personally, I don't believe the captain should drown with it. A ship can be rebuilt, but once a person dies, they can't be revived."

His words silenced them both.

Torvald blinked, surprised by the depth of Aaron's response.

But it was Monga who was truly stunned.

He had always loved ships, not just as vessels, but as symbols of freedom.

Every time he sailed, he felt alive, untethered from the world.

He often dreamed of sailing endlessly, without interruption.

But reality always pulled him back, within two or three days, he had to dock for supplies.

Captain Monga couldn't help but drift into memory.

He remembered his childhood, those quiet mornings spent fishing with his father, a man born into slavery.

Only on the water, rocking gently in a small boat, did Monga feel truly free.

There were no masters, no orders just the wind, the waves, and the bond between father and son.

It was in those moments that he first fell in love with the sea.

Not for its vastness, but for the freedom it offered.

Aaron's words had stirred something deep inside him.

A reminder that ships may sink, but the spirit of a sailor that longing for freedom never truly drowns.

Captain Monga took a deep breath to steady himself.

Then, with genuine respect, he bowed to Aaron and said,

"Sir Aaron, you have my heartfelt respect."

Turning to Torvald, he added, "Boss, the ship will be ready to sail by tomorrow. Do you want my boys to start gathering supplies?"

Torvald nodded.

"Indeed."

Just then, a burst of noise erupted from below deck.

"Jack won!"

"Hurrah! Free rum for me!"

"Ah, Blake, you bastard, I lost a copper coin on you!"

"Damn it, Blake! Next time, I'm challenging you!"

Captain Monga stepped forward and bellowed, "Silence, you morongles! We've got a destination to sail to!"

"Jack, Blake—get your asses over here!"

Jack and Blake leapt out of the crowd and landed in front of the captain.

"Captain, what are your orders?" they asked in unison.

The rest of the sailors turned their attention to Monga.

"Jack, you're in charge of buying supplies. Take half your crew with you."

"Blake, you'll oversee the rest. Inspect the ship thoroughly and make sure it's cleaned and repaired by evening."

Jack and Blake nodded sharply, their expressions serious now.

The playful energy from earlier had shifted, orders were orders, and the captain's tone left no room for delay.

Before anyone could respond, Aaron stepped forward.

He pulled out a gold coin and handed it to Captain Monga.

"Captain, please arrange food and drinks for your crew. It's on me today.

Captain Monga's eyes widened.

He was genuinely excited, this was the first time he'd met a noble so generous.

Most nobles he'd encountered were arrogant, barely speaking to the crew, and even after a successful voyage, they rarely spared a single coin.

The sailors, including Jack and Blake, visibly changed their expressions when they heard the exchange.

Torvald frowned and said, "Aaron, you don't need to pay for it. They're my slave, they're already compensated."

Upon hearing Torvald's words, the mood on the ship dropped.

The sailors' faces turned somber.

Even Captain Monga looked uncomfortable, though he said nothing.

But Aaron didn't hesitate.

He stepped forward and said firmly, "Torvald, in my territory, there will be no slaves."

"There may be prisoners of war, but no slaves."

"And this is my treat, so you don't need to worry about it."

Torvald was stunned. So were the sailors. Captain Monga, Jack, Blake, they all turned to look at the young man before them.

His eyes were filled with quiet determination.

Captain Monga and the crew no longer saw just a noble.

They saw a man with vision.

A man who might truly lead them toward something better.

Torvald at the same time said with slightly confused words, "Aaron, if your territory will not have slaves, then who will work for you?"

Aaron replied, "Of course, it's the people. I will pay them a certain amount of fee for doing work. So you don't have to worry about it."

"Along the way, I will also discuss some rules with you. You might give me suggestions at that time."

Although Torvald felt confused, he felt that Aaron was digging a grave for himself. But then he suddenly saw the look on the sailors' faces, even Captain Monga, Blake, Jack, they no longer looked like dead men. Instead, they were all alive and looking towards a future. He even found the same look in their eyes as when he had new ideas and was thinking of doing something new.

At this time, he finally understood what Aaron wanted to do. He couldn't help but say in a somewhat trembling tone, "Aaron, are you going to create a new place filled with hope where even an ordinary person would have the chance to pursue their dream?"

Aaron looked at Torvald with a surprised expression and said, "Somewhat like that."

"You will know after reaching my territory."

Torvald took a deep breath, then turned to look at Captain Monga and the other sailors and said, "After you bring us to the Green Fort, you will all be free. I will return the slave contract to you all."

Aaron also added, "You all please don't talk nonsense, as this is Duke Alaric's territory. If any one of his people hears your words, then I might not be able to save you."

Then he looked at Captain Monga and said, "How many people can the three boats carry?"

Captain Monga immediately replied with full enthusiasm on his face, "Lord Aaron, each ship can carry an additional 20 people plus ten sailors responsible for rowing the boat."

Aaron, on the other hand, said, "So a total of 35 persons at max. Please prepare supplies for 80 people that will be filled in one boat. Then buy cloth rolls, blacksmith and tailor tools, also don't forget pickaxes, shovels, etc. The cloth rolls must be for 1000 people. As for blacksmith tools, buy them for ten people, same amount for tailors and shovels also."

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