On the deck of the Alfalfa, gazing at the distant port, Joyce exclaimed excitedly, "Steam above, we're back! We've finally reached Enmat Port."
Lex, standing beside him, was equally excited, but at least on the surface, he managed to remain calm.
The journey had indeed been difficult.
They had endured storms and gotten lost at Sea, only successfully reaching the port after overcoming various trials.
Anyone seeing land now would feel an urge to rush over and kiss the ground.
After the Alfalfa entered the port, and before people could even disembark, Lex saw a team of police officers rush onto the pier.
They were wearing black uniforms with white grids, soft hats with badges, and looked tense.
Instantly, the atmosphere on the ship became tense.
The Captain calmly said, "Everyone, don't act rashly. Stay where you are and let me communicate with the officers."
Lex also stepped forward, "My identity might be of some use."
The Captain nodded. By then, the police had already boarded the ship, skillfully forming groups of three and quickly fanning out to search.
Several police teams came to the deck, approaching the people.
An officer with a black beard strode forward, "I am Inspector Roy. What happened on this ship?"
His epaulets bore three silver hexagonal stars, consistent with his rank as Inspector.
He continued, "We received news that the Alfalfa was attacked shortly after leaving Caesar Port, and someone saw the King of the Five Seas's insignia."
"But since then, you've been out of contact for over a month. What happened on board during this period?"
"Additionally, I've noticed. There are unwashed bloodstains on the ship, traces left by bullets and longswords, and why are there so few people left on board?"
One question after another, like cannonballs, struck them, forcing people to recall those bloody memories.
Several timid men had already turned pale, their fingers trembling, whispering, "It's not our business, not our business."
Inspector Roy's expression grew even more solemn and frightening upon hearing these words.
The Captain cleared his throat, "Officer, it's like this. After we were plundered by pirates, a terrible disaster occurred on the ship."
He roughly recounted the internal strife, the course of that disaster, which made the bearded Inspector's heart sink.
The Enmat Port Police Department had received news of the Alfalfa's attack over half a month ago.
And recently, the families of those overdue passengers had frequently come to the Police Department to inquire about news.
Therefore, as soon as they received news of the Alfalfa's arrival, the police rushed over.
As an experienced Roy, he had prepared for the worst.
But he hadn't expected the situation to be even worse than he had imagined.
Footsteps echoed as several police teams ran onto the deck and reported to Roy.
"Sir, we found a large number of bodies. There are Sailors and passengers from the ship."
Roy nodded gravely, his gray-blue eyes shifting to the Captain, "This is very serious. Until the entire matter is clarified, I hope you will cooperate."
"Now, I need to take you in. Please assist and cooperate with the investigation."
"No!"
A short, bearded man rushed towards the gangway, "I haven't committed a crime, I want to go home!"
The Captain anxiously called out, "Mr. Sigra, calm down."
Before he could call the gentleman back, two police officers had already pounced, striking Sigra with their batons and pinning him to the ground.
"Don't do that, please let him go." The Captain quickly stepped forward but was poked in the stomach with a baton, preventing him from finishing his sentence.
"Hey, what are you doing!"
"Why are you hitting people? We are not criminals!"
The passengers became agitated, and among them, the round-faced young Tris even stepped forward and said, "You can't treat us like this!"
But he also took a baton hit from a police officer.
Seeing this, people became even more agitated, rushing forward to argue with the police.
Inspector Roy drew his pistol, pointing it at the people and shouting, "Stop! Everyone, stop!"
The police also rushed forward, striking the emotional passengers or Sailors with their batons, pinning them to the deck.
Many people were injured in this process.
"Everyone, calm down!"
"Stay restrained!"
Lex shouted, hoping people wouldn't be impulsive, but at this moment, his voice was completely drowned out.
A police officer charged at him, intending to grab his collar.
Lex instinctively slid backward, causing the officer to miss.
"No resistance!"
The brown-eyed police officer roared, drawing his pistol and pointing it at Lex.
Lex had no choice but to raise his hands and say, "Officer, I am—"
Before he could finish, a tall police officer tackled him, pressing Lex's head down with a large palm, his cheek tightly pressed against the deck.
Anger, humiliation, shock, all sorts of emotions surged through his heart.
Lex wanted to lift his head, but his face was pressed down so hard that only his right eye could see a very narrow sliver of vision.
He restrained his intense emotions, which felt like a volcano about to erupt, and shouted, "Listen to me, Officer! I am Lex Disraeli, the son of Baron Bison. Disileili!"
"Please don't harm me or anyone on the ship. We will cooperate and assist with the investigation."
But the police officer ignored him. The big man pressing down on Lex impatiently yelled, "Shut up! If you're a Baron's son, then I'm Your Highness the Prince!"
"Whatever you have to say, save it for the Judge! Now, get up."
Lex was pulled up, and a piece of cloth was stuffed into his mouth. He didn't know which police officer's handkerchief it was, but it certainly wasn't fresh.
The commotion on the deck was quickly brought under control. People were escorted away by the police, including Lex, and all were eventually thrown into a temporary prison at the Enmat Port Police Department.
In the crowded cell, Lex removed the handkerchief from his mouth, rushed to the door, and shouted, "Officer! Officer! I am Lex Disraeli! My father is a Baron. I want to send a telegram, and I can pay!"
A police officer walked over and violently struck the cell door with a baton, "Step back, no shouting!"
Lex quickly pulled his hand back and reluctantly retreated. The turn of events was completely different from what he had imagined.
If he couldn't contact his family, he didn't know what would happen next.
"See? I knew these baboons wouldn't cooperate with your performance. What are you going to do now, Lex?"
"I do have an idea. Let the pigs in this cell fight. As soon as they start fighting, the police will come in to check. Then, we'll grab one of them, twist his neck, take his gun, and rush out."
"We can do it. Shall we do it? Shall we do it."
"Let's do it!"
Lex's lips gradually, subtly, curved into a smile.