Devil's Luck Pirates

After going below deck, William and Duros split up to cover as much area as possible in the shortest amount of time. Even the standard Navy ships are considerably larger than the Yogi Pooh, so it might take a little while.

The first room William finds himself in is the cartography room. Several maps are lying on top of tables and hanged on the walls as well. Some of them depict specific islands from all over the South Blue, which William manages to recognize thanks to the labels written on them. He also notices many other maps indicating Navy bases, patrol routes, and points of interest. William takes one of the maps that depict the patrol routes of the blockade around the area. It seems that Lieutenant Hubris was the only officer in charge of this area.

Meanwhile, Duros decides to follow his primal instincts and ends up in the kitchen. Mostly because of his desire for food, but as he gets closer, he starts to smell and hear something coming from there.

Sure enough, after Duros opens the kitchen door, he sees a plump man chopping away at some onions while humming to himself. He doesn't seem to have noticed him as he slowly enters the room.

Despite his captain's ideas, Duros isn't the best when it comes to sneaking and being subtle. Mostly thanks to his armor, which rattles at Duros' every movement. Maybe that's why the man hasn't noticed him yet, since he's not wearing it at the moment.

However, his armor isn't the only reason that makes him stand out.

-Hello there! How are you doing, fine sir? – Duros greets the man with his characteristic shining attitude.

The man gets a bit startled by Duros' sudden greeting but quickly shrugs it off.

-Oh! Hello. Is it time for lunch already? – The man greets him in return after a glance. He doesn't seem suspicious of this obvious stranger that barged into his kitchen – Well, I haven't finished yet, but you can take a seat. It will just take about ten to twenty minutes.

-Ten to twenty minutes? That sounds like a rousing time! – Duros would never reject such a friendly offer for a meal. He sits down at the big table in the middle of the room to patiently wait for lunch to be ready – What exactly are you preparing for us today, good friend?

-I'm preparing a stew! – The man responds – All of the people on this ship love it. – He adds with a certain sense of pride in his voice.

So he does recognize Duros as an outsider. Without wanting to lie to this jolly fellow, Duros decides to explain the situation.

-Well, I'm sure your stew is very delicious, but there is a problem, good sir. – Duros tries to pick his words carefully to not alarm this good man – We seemed to have hijacked this vessel. But don't you worry, my friend! I won't do you any harm, so you can finish your stew in peace.

Never before has a pirate been this polite and positive after hijacking a ship and killing most of its crew.

-This ship has been hijacked? – The plump man asks with mild surprise – Oh, no matter! As long as there's someone around to eat my food Popopo! – The man states with a lovable laugh.

Back at the Yogi Pooh, Ragnar's nose starts tingling as it catches the smell of food.

-Hey, Verona. Do you smell this? – He asks turning his head to the Navy ship.

After killing Lieutenant Hubris, Verona proceeded to inspect his corpse only to find a couple more axes and some unimportant documents.

-What, the smell of dead bodies? – Verona quips, feeling lucky that his mask protects him from such a foul odor.

-Nah, it's something really good. Come on, it's coming from the other ship. – Ragnar quickly goes to board the enemy ship with Verona barely able to chat up to him.

At the same time, Pearl comes back up after putting the hand axes on Duros' room and washing the blood from her body just in time to see Ragnar and Verona board the Navy vessel in a hurry.

Wondering if something happened with William and Duros, she quickly follows them.

Exiting the cartography room, William hears his first mate's voice. It's as if he's talking with someone.

Following their voices, William finds himself staring at Duros sitting at a table, waiting for his food like a little child. And a balding man, with plump cheeks and an even plumper body cooking something that smells really good.

Before William could even say anything, Ragnar and Verona appear behind him with hungry expressions on their faces.

-Hey boys! I smelled something really good coming from down here. – Ragnar says excitedly.

-Oh, hello guys! – Duros greets the rest of his crew and signals them to take a seat at the table with him – This lovable fellow here seems to be the ship's cook. He's about to finish lunch for us.

The cook faces the crew after tasting his stew, satisfied with its flavor.

-Oh, you must be the rest of the hijackers. Please, take a seat. The food will be ready in a moment. – He says in a calm and friendly way, turning back at the counter for the finishing touches.

William simply stands there for a second, trying to process all this. The guy doesn't seem threatening at all. In fact, he must be one of the friendliest people he has ever met after Duros.

Ragnar, on the other hand, will not pass the chance of eating free food.

-My stomach was rumbling already! – Ragnar says as he pushes past William and sits in front of Duros at the table.

With no other choice, William simply shrugs his shoulders and goes to sit beside Ragnar, with Verona following behind and sitting next to Duros.

Seconds later, Pearl appears standing at the door with a very confused look on her face. She came here prepared for another fight, and all she sees is this bundle of idiots sitting down at a table inside an enemy ship while a plump man is serving them stew.

-Wha… William. – She calls out in a serious tone.

Everyone stops what they're doing to focus their attention on the confused girl standing at the door.

-What the hell is going on? – She asks. Knowing that, no matter the answer the captain gives her, it will be nonsensical.

-Hey Pearl. – William says taking the spoon out of his mouth – We're enjoying some post-battle victory meal made by this lovable gentleman! – He pats the cook's back as he finishes serving Ragnar with a smile on his face.

The questions on Pearl's mind just keep piling up.

-A-and who is this man? – She asks trying to compose herself.

-Ah, how rude of me to no present myself. – The cook says putting the pot back on the stove – I just get too immersed when it comes to cooking. My name is Gravy. A pleasure to meet you all. – He says with a slight bow.

-Join us for a hearty meal, Pearl! – Duros says after swallowing a spoonful of delicious stew.

With no other option other than feeling defeated, Pearl sighs and joins them for their first victory feast.