As Lex saw the Golden Dream, a small boat was lowered from the sailboat opposite, and a pirate, steering the boat, quickly came alongside the fishing boat.
"We should go," Danitz hesitated, but still went to pick up Lex's suitcase.
But at this moment, Lex stopped him: "Leave it to me."
After all, he was about to board the ship, and he had to give the Fourth Mate some Face. Lex had only been teasing him before, not intending to humiliate him.
Danitz's expression improved, and he leaped into the small boat, whistled, and high-fived the pirate steering the boat: "How are you, brother?"
"Better than you."
It seemed there wasn't much class distinction on the Golden Dream, as ordinary Sailors could joke freely with 'high-ranking' individuals like Danitz. Lex smiled and likewise stepped into the small boat.
Not long after, he boarded the deck of the Golden Dream and saw many pirates. They were either drinking, fishing, or gathered in groups of three or five, laughing and chatting.
Suddenly, the pirates all looked towards the Captain's Cabin, where someone had emerged. It was 'Iceberg Admiral' Edwina Edwards.
She looked much the same as when Danitz saw her in his dream last time. Her hairstyle and makeup hadn't changed much, but instead of a skirt, she wore long pants with leather boots, making her intellectually beautiful and valiant.
Lex put down his suitcase, adjusted his hat, and smiled politely: "Good afternoon, lady."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Rayleigh," Edwina replied with a smile.
Then she said: "Welcome to our Golden Dream. You are excellent, but I haven't decided what position to assign you yet. How about this, you temporarily serve as Danitz's assistant to familiarize yourself with the environment first."
Danitz's heart immediately pounded. He didn't think that Rayleigh the Hunter would be willing to be his assistant. This guy was no easygoing person; he dared to blow up the Big Eater by himself.
Moreover, yesterday in Bayam, he read a newspaper that reported the death of two pirates from 'White Hat' Roch, most likely at the hands of this guy next to him.
Plus, he still held his handle…
"No problem, that works," Lex readily agreed.
He was a newcomer. If he was assigned an important position right after joining, the Sailors below would be unconvinced.
With Edwina's capabilities, how could she make such a decision? So, to Lex, this decision was perfectly normal.
As for being Danitz's assistant, he didn't care. Anyway, he had 'Blaze' by the handle, so if there was work, he would just let the Boatswain do it.
Danitz thought he had misheard. Rayleigh, this kid, actually agreed?
I thought he would suggest becoming the Boatswain himself and making me his assistant.
"Danitz, take Rayleigh to see his room first, it's next to yours," Edwina looked at the sky. "It's getting late. You two come to the restaurant for dinner together later."
Restaurant!
The Golden Dream actually had a restaurant!
Madam, you really know how to enjoy life.
Lex was very much looking forward to the ship's restaurant and the food.
"Follow me."
Danitz led the way, greeting the Sailors he met.
Lex followed him, carrying his suitcase. As he passed a section of the ship's railing, he saw a fishing net hanging there to dry.
Are you also working as fishermen? Lex found this ship far more interesting than he had imagined.
As they were about to enter the cabin, Lex saw three or four people gathered at the entrance. They were clearly led by a good-looking young man with golden hair that was darker at the roots, neatly swept back to both sides.
He wore a white shirt and a black vest with a patterned tie, looking more like a clerk than a pirate.
He had very light lake-green eyes, a high nose bridge, thin lips, and was laughing and chatting with a few pirates.
"His name is Jodeson, the ship's Third Mate. He's just a wolf fish in a can, not a good person!" Danitz whispered, and it was clear he didn't have a good impression of Jodeson.
Lex didn't pay it much mind, but as he was about to enter the cabin, he heard Jodeson say: "You're Rayleigh?"
"I originally thought that a newcomer who could be personally received by the Captain would be something special, but it turns out to just be Danitz's follower. This is truly disappointing."
Lex stopped, looked over, and a Light of Provocation flickered in Jodeson's eyes, while the surrounding pirates jeered and laughed.
Danitz's Face immediately fell, and he was about to step forward, but Lex held him back.
Putting down his suitcase, Lex smiled and walked towards the Third Mate.
The pirates next to Jodeson immediately moved forward, blocking Lex.
Lex looked Jodeson up and down, his Face full of smiles: "You're worth a lot. I remember your bounty is 5200 pounds. It's a shame I'm only seeing you now."
Danitz looked bewildered, and it took him a while to realize.
Rayleigh the Hunter meant that if he had seen Jodeson before boarding the Golden Dream, he would have hunted him to earn a bounty.
Bullshit, this kid still talks in a roundabout Path, but I'm starting to like his way of speaking!
Jodeson reacted faster than Danitz. He didn't get angry; instead, he laughed and said: "Then you should be glad you're only seeing me now, otherwise, Blood Admiral would save a sum of money."
Lex shrugged and said: "Did you become Third Mate with your mouth? Otherwise, why don't you fight me?"
"I heard that pirates are very democratic. If you are dissatisfied with a superior, you can challenge them."
"How about it, do you want to fight me? But I want to add a wager: whoever loses gets out. What do you think?"
Jodeson was stunned. He hadn't expected Lex to challenge him so soon after boarding the ship, and with such a heavy stake: whoever loses leaves the Golden Dream.
His eyes rolled for a moment, and he felt that there was no way he could lose to this guy named Rayleigh in front of him.
But nothing is absolute, and this Hunter had hunted many pirates before.
It's hard to guarantee that he wouldn't make a mistake.
If he made a mistake, he would have to leave the Golden Dream? How could this be!
He had worked hard on the ship for a long time to become Third Mate. Jodeson really couldn't bring himself to give all that up.
But if he didn't accept the challenge, how could he ever hold his head up on the ship again? Not to mention others, just these few companions in front of him would no longer trust him as before.
For a moment, Jodeson was in a dilemma.
Just then, Edwina's voice rang out: "Private duels are forbidden on the ship. If you have any dissatisfaction, you can complain to me."
Complain?
Why do I feel like I'm working at a big company... Lex turned around and smiled at Edwina: "I understand, Captain."
Edwina glanced at Jodeson and turned to leave.