The Yarvis Family’s flagship was a full Nine-level Ship, the highest grade attainable in the world today. Naturally, a Nine-level Ship was enormous.
Su Lusi and the others climbed all the way up to the fifth floor, then passed through a long corridor before finally arriving at the captain’s quarters.
Inside the captain’s quarters were only two men—one was Charles, and the other a middle-aged man with a sturdy but not bulky build, very robust.
This man also had red hair, with golden eyes shining sharply.
He simply sat there, commanding respect without raising his voice, like a red-maned lion just waking from sleep.
Clearly, this was Aiden’s father, the current head of the Yarvis Family.
The sailor who had brought them in nervously bowed toward the two men in the room.
“Head of the family, the guests have arrived.”
The Yarvis family head waved him off with an authoritative gesture, signaling he could leave.
The sailor visibly relaxed and quickly exited.
The entire floor was now left with just Su Lusi and the three men.
He nodded at Su Lusi and the others, and she immediately understood and stepped forward.
The moment she entered, she felt the oppressive aura radiating from Yarvis.
It was the kind of pressure that came from a lifetime of living on the edge, a high-ranking individual exuding innate authority.
Su Lusi’s peripheral vision caught that Kadi was clearly uncomfortable with this atmosphere, his face paling noticeably.
She stepped forward, positioning herself in front of him to shield him from the overwhelming presence.
To be honest, Su Lusi herself didn’t feel much better.
She had never encountered such a commanding aura before. In her old world, only generals could give off such a feeling.
But Su Lusi was after all the head of a major corporation, so her tolerance for intense gazes was naturally higher than most.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken the initiative to protect Kadi.
Yarvis was surprised that Su Lusi could withstand his presence, but when he saw her step in front of Kadi, his surprise turned into admiration.
This was a responsible child.
As the family head, Yarvis certainly knew these two youngsters had grown close to his youngest son recently.
But since Charles was present, he had not intervened.
Now seeing them together, he was even more reassured.
His expression softened as he gestured warmly.
“Feel free to take a seat anywhere you like. No need to be so formal. I’ve called you here mainly to discuss the problems you’re facing.”
Kadi glanced at Su Lusi, clearly waiting for her to make a decision.
Su Lusi took a deep breath, selected a chair opposite Yarvis, and then moved another chair slightly behind her for Kadi.
Once everything was ready, she looked back at Yarvis.
“Please go ahead. We’re ready.”
Getting down to business, Yarvis immediately adopted a serious demeanor.
The aura he had somewhat reined in earlier surged forth again, causing Su Lusi to flinch slightly.
Yarvis said, “Charles, please brief them on the current situation.”
Charles replied, “We just received a notification from the Albatross Guild. They know you two were taken in secretly by us. You’ve seriously offended the Albatross Guild, and they want us to hand you over.”
Hearing this, Kadi became restless, attempting to stand and speak.
From Su Lusi’s understanding of him, this foolish boy definitely didn’t want to cause trouble by volunteering to hand them over.
She raised her hand and gently pressed Kadi’s shoulder, signaling him to calm down.
Since Yarvis had called them here for a discussion, there had to be some chance of resolution.
Otherwise, they would have been arrested outright.
Sure enough, Yarvis continued, “But this matter is negotiable. After all, the Albatross Guild still poses no real threat to us.”
His words brimmed with confidence.
This was the backing of a great family owning a Nine-level Ship.
He then turned to Charles.
“Tell them what our investigation uncovered.”
Charles nodded.
“Based on our investigation, over half your group died or were injured when you entered the ruins. Of those casualties, only you two survived. Further exploration confirms that there is no longer any trace of the Sea God Ruins on the Eight-level Ship. Clearly, someone has taken it.”
As Charles spoke, Su Lusi couldn’t help but feel a chill.
The family’s power was terrifying—they even knew the details of what happened aboard the Ghost Ship.
At the same time, she vaguely understood Yarvis’s purpose.
When Charles finished, Yarvis asked, “So, I want to ask you two—do you currently have the Sea God Ruins in your possession?”
Su Lusi hesitated for a moment.
The Sea God’s relics were priceless.
Although this was a great family, there was no ruling out the possibility they might kill over the treasure or simply seize it by force.
But if she didn’t admit to holding the Sea God’s relics, and Yarvis had already confirmed their possession and was merely probing, then her dishonesty might result in them being handed over.
Clenching her teeth, Su Lusi chose honesty.
Losing the relic was better than losing their lives.
“Yes, the Sea God relics are indeed with me.”
Yarvis nodded with satisfaction and continued, “Although you’re close to my son, I must consider the entire family. I can’t protect you just because you’re his friends.”
Hearing this, Su Lusi was not afraid; she met Yarvis’s gaze without flinching.
Yarvis smiled appreciatively.
“I’m offering you two choices. One: hand over the Sea God relics and sign a contract of at least one year with me. Then you’ll officially become members of the Yarvis Family. Naturally, we will protect you.”
“And the second?”
Su Lusi asked.
Although the first option was already favorable, she couldn’t help feeling reluctant to give up the Sea God relics.
It was a rare treasure she wasn’t sure she’d ever find again.
“The second option is you don’t hand over the relics. In consideration of Aiden, I’m willing to send you to the neighboring Sicilly Sea. But after that, you’re on your own.”
The Western Sea… Su Lusi fell into thought.
The Western Sea valued honor above all and was the strongest of the four major seas in terms of guild influence.
Their families and guilds were one and the same, deeply entrenched and hard to break.
Of course, this likely had nothing to do with her directly.
What worried Su Lusi was how she would survive there.
Unlike the Eastern Sea’s freedom, almost every part of the Western Sea was dominated by various guilds.
If in the Eastern Sea refusing to join a guild only meant personal safety issues, in the Western Sea, survival without a guild was impossible.
Having just escaped the Albatross Guild’s wolf’s den, was she now being sent straight into a tiger’s lair?
Yarvis naturally understood the gravity of the decision.
He knew Su Lusi wouldn’t answer immediately, so he humanely said, “Captain Suria, there’s no need to rush. I’ll give you two days to think it over. After two days, I hope you can give me a definite answer.”
Su Lusi thought for a moment, then looked up.
“May I contact the outside world?”
On Mercury, only captains could communicate with each other in the cockpit.
Yarvis hadn’t expected Su Lusi to have a friendly captain.
After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded.
“Of course.”
Su Lusi borrowed his cockpit and decisively contacted Theo.
Theo wasn’t in the cockpit at the moment and couldn’t hear her, but messages could be left, so it didn’t matter.
Knowing Theo, Su Lusi was confident he would check the cockpit every few days and see her message.
“Theo, you’ve obviously seen the wanted notice. Please go to No. 21 Saint Paul Road and find Claire. Have her gather the other crew members willing to follow me, and bring them to sail my ship to the Yarvis Family’s territorial waters. I’m already there now. I’ll explain the details when you arrive. Be careful not to reveal your identity—speed is key.”
She had registered the name “Su” on Jame’s ship, so the Albatross Guild wouldn’t associate her with Su Lusi anytime soon, nor would they control her ship.
Theo moving the ship now wouldn’t meet any resistance.
No matter what choice she made, she had to get her ship back.
Kadi was standing at the door waiting for Su Lusi.
When she came out, he immediately asked, “Captain, what are you thinking?”
Su Lusi saw his anxiety and smiled reassuringly.
“Kadi, you don’t need to worry. The Sea God relics are with me, and the decision is mine alone. Whatever I choose, you’re free to decide for yourself. I’m sure the Yarvis family head won’t mind having one more crew member. So whether you want to stay or leave, it’s fine.”
Hearing this, Kadi hesitated.
He had thought they would stand or fall together with Su Lusi, but her words made him realize he needed to make his own choice.
“Are you two alright?”
A breathless male voice suddenly interrupted their silence.
Su Lusi didn’t even have to turn to know it was Aiden.
As expected, Aiden hurried over, eyes full of pure concern.
“I already know my father’s terms. Don’t worry. As long as you stay, our family won’t treat you unfairly.”
Obviously, he assumed they would stay.
The better choice was clear at a glance.
Su Lusi shook her head.
“We’re fine. It’s just a big matter, so we need to think it over.”
Aiden was not foolish and nodded.
“Then you two take your time. I won’t bother you for a while.”
Su Lusi smiled gratefully and returned to her room.
The two choices offered by the Yarvis family both had pros and cons.
Choosing the first would cost her dearly.
If the Sea God relics were kept outside, they could bring far more than just protection.
But she did need that protection desperately.
From a certain perspective, Yarvis’s approach was taking advantage of her predicament.
Yet Su Lusi was not angry.
She even thought it was only natural.
After all, that’s business.
There was no way Yarvis would disregard his family’s interests just because she was friendly with his son.
As a family head, his approach was entirely justified.
If Su Lusi were in his position, she would have squeezed them even harder