System in Assassin's Creed

[Current Balance: 1,494,706,244R]

---Previously---

Oldgate stared at the horrific tableau on the frigate's deck, then back at the calm figure of Alaric. A weak, trembling grin touched the captain's lips, a grin born not of amusement, but of sheer, mind-numbing absurdity. He had seen many things on the high seas, but nothing like this.

"I thought I've seen it all..." Oldgate whispered to himself.

---

Alaric stood in the middle of the blood-soaked frigate deck, surveying the hundreds of bodies littering the planks.

The metallic tang of blood mixed with the salt air didn't smell nice.

'I killed them...' he thought, observing the scene with a detached calm. '...but I feel nothing...'.

It wasn't satisfaction, nor was it remorse. Just... emptiness. A job done.

'No... they were enemies,' He shook his head. 'But... some were already retreati- no... I can't make excuses, I truly have numbed my self with death...'

He looked across the water towards the galleon and saw Captain Oldgate staring back, with his expression a mixture of awe and fear.

Alaric raised a hand, forming a casual "Okay" symbol. He saw Oldgate visibly startle, then the captain's shock morphed into a wide, relieved grin.

"WE'VE WON!" Oldgate roared, his voice booming across the water, finally breaking the stunned silence. Cheers erupted from the galleon's crew, their voices were ragged but triumphant.

Alaric glanced around the frigate. Cannons, supplies, cargo in the hold... it was a treasure trove.

He briefly considered converting it all through the System, then looked back at the galleon, noting the splintered mast, torn sails, and scorch marks along the hull.

'The galleon needs these more than I do,' he decided, shaking his head slightly. 'I have forty million pounds already… no need to be that greedy.'

Small fires still smoldered in places where cannon shot had struck. Focusing his will, Alaric exerted his control over flame, drawing the heat and energy inwards, causing the fires to slowly flicker and die down, dissipating into harmless smoke without leaving a trace.

Next, he formed a simple hand sign. Concentrating on the wooden structure of the frigate beneath his feet, he used his Wood Release, slightly pushing the ship's wooden structure.

As if guided by an unseen hand or a favorable wind, the captured frigate began to drift slowly but surely alongside the damaged galleon.

Once the ships were close enough, Alaric walked over to a thick coil of rope lying near the railing. He quickly secured one end to a sturdy cleat on the frigate.

Then, with an effortless leap, he sprang back across the gap, landing softly on the galleon's deck near the astonished captain. He efficiently tied the other end of the rope to the galleon's railing, securing the prize ship alongside.

As he finished the knot, he turned to Oldgate.

"Get as much supplies as you can from this ship," Alaric announced calmly, his voice cutting through the crew's lingering cheers. "Cannons, powder, shot, food, water... anything useful. The galleon's taken some damage; she might sink at this rate if we don't lighten her load and patch her up."

Oldgate, still slightly dazed but recognizing the sound tactical advice, snapped back into commander mode.

"Aye, lad! Good thinking!" He turned to his crew. "You heard him! Salvage crews, aboard the prize! Strip her bare! Move quickly now!"

The crew, buoyed by victory and the promise of loot, scrambled to obey.

Alaric nodded his head in satisfaction, then walked towards the other side of the galleon, where the first captured frigate was still tethered.

He saw Reuben climbing up the short ladder connecting the captured frigate back to the galleon, his face smudged with grime but otherwise unharmed.

"Alaric," Reuben said, his voice serious as he stepped onto the deck, "I need to talk to you."

He gestured vaguely back towards the frigate he'd just cleared, likely referring to the sword's influence.

"Later, Reuben. We're all busy for now," Alaric shook his head, clapping a hand on his friend's shoulder. He then nodded towards the main deck. "And besides... someone's waiting for you..."

Reuben raised an eyebrow in confusion and followed Alaric's gaze.

Standing near the main mast, watching the salvage operations with keen interest but occasionally glancing their way, was Flavia Auditore. As Reuben looked, her eyes met his, and a warm smile touched her lips, her eyes seeming to sparkle.

Alaric could have sworn he saw tiny hearts floating around her head.

The blonde grinned and slapped Reuben's shoulder again. "What a lucky lad!"

Reuben grumbled under his breath, a faint blush rising on his cheeks despite the battle grime, but he straightened his tunic and walked over towards Flavia's side.

Alaric watched them for a moment, a genuine smile touching his lips.

'It didn't even take three days,' he thought with amusement. 'Barely two, and Reuben's already head over heels. Or maybe she is... hard to tell.' He shrugged inwardly.

'Well... Flavia's beautiful, and certainly capable. It's natural, I suppose.'

'Reuben's kind of handsome as well, they'd hit it off in Youtube with family vlogging…'

He shook his head, turning back to the task at hand, just as Captain Edward Oldgate approached him from behind, his expression still a mix of awe and bewilderment.

"Ken- I mean... Alaric..." the captain began, his voice was gruff but respectful. "You and Reuben... you lads are demons."

Alaric chuckled, turning to face Oldgate, crossing his arms casually. "Why're you so surprised, Captain? Reuben and I are still not warmed up yet."

Oldgate's eyes widened slightly, then he let out a short grunt, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Damn... kids these days..." he muttered, shaking his head.

Alaric's expression turned thoughtful. "Before... when we were interrupted... you said your captain was notorious, right?"

He met Oldgate's gaze. "Was he Henry Avery?"

Oldgate's eyes widened once more, this time in genuine surprise. Then, a wide, reminiscent grin spread across his face.

"Aye..." he confirmed, his voice filled with a strange mix of pride and caution. "Long Ben. Benjamin Bridgeman. The Arch Pirate. Or his most notorious moniker... the King of Pirates."

Alaric stared at Oldgate for a long moment, processing the confirmation, before his gaze drifted back towards Reuben, who was now engaged in what looked like a surprisingly normal, perhaps even romantic, conversation with Flavia amidst the busy activities of the salvage operation.

Oldgate followed his gaze and smiled, a softer expression than usual.

"You've done me a great favor today, lad," he said, turning back to Alaric, his voice sincere. "I won't ask you of the sorcery I just saw... we all have our own secrets in these seas."

"Most of my crew... they're alive 'cause of you and that black-haired boy." He paused, clapping a heavy hand on Alaric's shoulder. "I owe you. I will forever consider you boys a part o' my family... my son."

Alaric turned back, meeting the captain's earnest gaze, and chuckled. He extended his hand.

"Glad we could help, Captain." They shook hands firmly.

"Just one thing," Alaric added, his tone becoming slightly more serious. "If you ever meet anyone else out there carrying my surname... Kenway... don't be a stranger. Help them out if they need it, yeah? You never know..."

Oldgate raised a brow, holding Alaric's gaze for a moment, clearly sensing there was more to the request than simple camaraderie. He gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"'Course, lad," he rumbled. "'Course."

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