Chapter 83: THIRD POV.

Before Jacob could react, she moved with that blurring speed of hers, pressing both hands onto his shoulders and leaning in close.

Her face was only inches from his. He could see the intricate patterns in her white fur and smell the faint, wild scent of a forest.

Her strength was obvious even in her light touch; her fingers felt like iron bars resting on his collarbones.

Jacob unconsciously leaned his head back, a look of mental exhaustion on his face.

He felt like he was dealing with a giant, hyperactive kitten. The "scary pirate" act she had put on earlier was starting to feel more and more like a mask she wore because she thought she had to.

"It seems that way," he said in a dejected manner. He felt like he was signing his life away to a circus, but with the lack of a navigator and no better options, he didn’t have much of a choice.

"Your name?" he asked again, trying to get her back on track.

"It’s Priscilla." She finally let go of him, stepping back and smoothing out her sublime pirate coat.

"But you should address me as captain." She raised her chin a bit, puffing out her chest as if satisfied with herself.

She looked like she was waiting for him to bow or salute.

"Alright, Captain, just call me Jacob," Jacob said, giving her a tired nod.

He wasn’t going to fight her on the title. If calling her "Captain" kept her happy and made her feel like she was in charge, it was a small price to pay. "From now on, my crew and I will be in your care."

"No need to look so down! I promise you won’t regret it," Priscilla said, her grin returning. She smacked him on the back with a heavy hand, chuckling deeply.

It wasn’t a malicious strike, but Priscilla didn’t seem to know her own strength. Jacob nearly fell face first onto the deck due to the seemingly casual gesture.

He stumbled forward, his boots skidding on the wood, and fortunately, he was quick enough to catch his balance and plant his feet in time.

Even then, there was a visible impression on the deck of the ship.

’Yep... She’s definitely strong...’ Jacob thought to himself, a helpless look on his face.

He rubbed his sore back, wondering whether she had left a scar on his skin.

If she had done that to a normal human, they probably would have coughed up a lung.

"Good news like this deserves a celebration!" she declared, throwing her arms wide to the sky. Her tail flicked happily behind her.

"Gather everyone together! The entire crew will drink till the sun goes down, courtesy of your gracious new captain," she added, her hands returning to her hips. She looked around her empty ship as if she could already see the party happening.

’She sure loves calling herself captain,’ Jacob chuckled inwardly. Despite the headache she was giving him, he found her reaction rather cute in a way.

She was so earnest about it. She wanted to be a pirate so badly that she was willing to force a celebration just to make it official.

"Aye Aye, Captain," he said, giving her a mock salute.

Shortly after, the relocation began. It was a messy process.

The former captives, now Jacob’s crew, had to move their few belongings and the meager supplies they had salvaged from the slaver ship.

They climbed up the ropes and chains, their eyes wide with wonder as they stepped onto the deck of the grand ship.

To them, it was like moving from a shack into a palace.

Once everyone was on board the grand ship along with Priscilla, the atmosphere changed.

The fear that had been hanging over them for days finally started to lift. They were on a ship that felt safe. They had a "Superhuman" like Jacob protecting them, and now a giant tigress who claimed to be a legendary pirate.

As per her word, Priscilla didn’t hold back. She led Jacob and a few of the stronger men down into the hold, where she revealed a massive stash of supplies.

With her permission, they retrieved barrels upon barrels of ale. It seemed the ship was stocked for a crew of hundreds, and since she had been the only one on it, there was plenty to go around.

Soon, the deck was filled with the sound of laughter and the clinking of mugs. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Everyone drank to their heart’s content. For the men who had been trapped in cages only a day ago, this felt like a dream.

The ale was strong, and the sun had already set, allowing the beautiful moon to take it’s place in the sky.

’I wonder where she got this much alcohol from,’ Jacob thought. He sat on a crate near the railing, staring silently at the rest of the crew.

They were enjoying themselves, singing songs and telling stories. Some of them were already wasted, slumped against the masts with silly grins on their faces.

Even Dinklehimer was tucked into a corner with a mug, looking more relaxed than Jacob had ever seen him.

He looked at the barrels. This ship was incredibly well-provisioned. It made him wonder even more about where she had "stolen" it from.

"What’s the matter? You aren’t drinking," Jacob heard a voice from behind him.

Before he could turn around, Priscilla had already sat down next to him.

She held a large wooden mug in one hand, and she looked remarkably steady despite having already downed a fair amount herself.

"It isn’t a party if everyone’s not having fun," she said. Her voice was a bit softer now, less "Captain-like" and more friendly.

She offered him the mug of alcohol in her hand, pushing it toward his chest.

Jacob merely shook his head, looking at the dark, foamy liquid. "I’m afraid I’m not much of a drinker," he said plainly.

Back in his old world, he had never been the type to lose control at a bar, and after everything he had been through lately, he felt like he needed to keep a clear head.

To his surprise, Priscilla’s eyes widened. She looked at him as if he had just said he didn’t like breathing air.

"You can’t be serious! What kind of man doesn’t drink ale?" she gasped, genuinely surprised.