Chapter 363: Another Traitor?

After Captain Free Sword laid down the entire general plan, he looked at Jacob with a sly grin as he said, "So, Mr. King, what do you think of my plan? You are free to make changes, but you have to follow the foundation since it is the only way forward."

'This entire plan is nothing but social suicide, and if I had a choice, I would rather not follow it at all. But I have to admit this guy really planned it well, and the success rate is quite high...' Jacob thought before he spoke emotionlessly in ambiguous words, "I think it's very practical, and no one would see it coming."

Captain Free Sword's lips rose in a content smile, "I'm glad we see eye to eye, Mr. King. You and I could be great like-minded friends. So, what will be your approach? I personally suggest you should choose the Zodiac Warrior Alliance since it would help you remain closer to the action."

Jacob knew Captain Free Sword wanted to know which of the three hegemonies will he chose to backstab, and the Alliance was really the best choice in this scenario, but it was almost impossible for him at the same time.

But he can't tell Captain Free Sword about his small feud with the Alliance Chairman Gunner, now, can he? It would instantly put him in a very sensitive position if Captain Free Sword thought that Jacob had too many enemies in the Epic Plains and it was not worth investing in him.

Jacob couldn't let that happen, as he needed to get away from this damn ship and its crew.

"A wise suggestion, Captain, but for me, I'm afraid it's impossible." Jacob stated impassively, and he instantly spotted a faint wrinkle on Captain Free Sword's shinning forehead, so he explained, "I'm actually a 1-Star Epic Alchemist of the Alchemy Guild, and it's too late for me to join in the ranks of the Alliance!"

Masha looked at him with a hint of surprise, and so did everyone else.

"Fascinating, you don't strike me to be someone who had a brain for Alchemy. What is your forte, and which rank are you at?" Masha questioned, and Captain Free Sword remained silent as he approved of it.

"Magic Smiting and Gunsmithing, Senior Grandmaster." Jacob impassively replied, but he only told the rank of the Magic Smiting, not his unmeasured Gunsmith Rank.

Besides, he knew to move in the ranks of the Epic Alchemists of the Alchemy Guild. He needed to be proficient in at least three Elder Grandmaster Rank professions.

The Elder Grandmaster Rank was divided into Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, and the Basic Elder Grandmaster lasted until 3-Star Epic Alchemist Rank.

A 4-Star Alchemist was an Intermediate Elder Grandmaster, while from 7-Star, an Alchemist would be known as Advanced Elder Grandmaster. This was also the peak rank of the Alchemists and their profession-related knowledge in the Epic Plains.

If Jacob says anything about him having the skills probably at the level of an advanced elder grandmaster in gunsmithing, he'll be considered an Alchemist Genius, which would not be good in his current situation.

"Not bad. Forgive my previous ignorance and look down on you, Mr. King, since I pressured you to be a combatant like your predecessors. But it seemed not only your species different, your evolution path is also different. I've made a fool of myself." Captain Free Sword sighed ruefully, "Nevertheless, you got potential; Mr. King and Alchemy Guild are not bad either since all the medicinal supplies and weapons, as well as strategies and information network always under the control of the Alchemy Guild. You can say the Alliance and the Bank are the swords, while the Alchemy Guild is the brain of those swords. This position is not bad at all. I'll leave it in your capable hand then since what matter is our end goal."

With this meeting coming to an end and Harold was told to escort Jacob toward his new traveling ship, and only Captain Free Sword, Masha, and two Ogres were left in the meeting hall.

Captain Free Sword finally spoke after making sure Jacob was gone, "Masha, what do you think? Is he capable of pulling this off?"

Masha smiled charmingly, but it was extremely evil as she replied, "I have shown him what would happen if messed up even for an instant, so I have no doubt about his motivation. Furthermore, with all those rules restricting his actions, I don't think there is a chance to fail with your ingenious plan."

Captain Free Sword smiled darkly as he nodded, "Your words are quite assuring. But there is something strange about him that I can't put my finger on. I think he accepted the fact of him being a slave of ours too easily, and despite you giving him the freedom to speak, he seemed too calm."

Masha knew what Captain Free Sword was implying and replied matter-of-factly, "You're worried too much, Captain. That hateful Veilly's betrayal had left you with a deep mental scar. After all, he was one of the founding members of our Carefree Sword Star Pirates, and no one has thought he would be the one who betrayed us."

Killing intent flashed past Captain Free Sword's eyes as he nodded, "You are right. That's why I handed him to you. I want you to keep him alive until we go back and torment him every day until I find his entire family and then torture them together. Only then will I be able to quench the burning anger in my heart!"

Masha nodded with a sadistic, cold smile, "Of course, I'm giving him my best treatment Captain."

"Excellent, you are excused and don't forget to check on our little pet every once in a while. Use that expensive Slave Rune to the fullest and report to me post hastily if something unusual comes up. Although I hardly believed it would, we have invested too much in him!" Captain Free Sword commanded sternly.

Masha didn't dare to reject Captain Free Sword's command and quickly agreed before leaving the hall as well.

Captain Free Sword then suddenly spoke to those two Horned Ogres standing there all this time without speaking a word and merely observing everything like statues.

"There is one more traitor among us, which even Veilly isn't aware of, and I want you two to find it. That traitor might try to use some means to contact the Epic Plains as well, and that's when we'll catch that bastard red-handed, and that slave is going to be our trump card while doing this!"