radiothebook Chapter 121 Two-way Commitment
Chapter 121 Two-way Commitment
Chapter 121 Two-way Commitment
Micoe slowly opened his eyes, and Henry reached out to help him up.
Henry saw the confusion in Miko's eyes and realized that Miko was unaware of what had happened.
This explains the process of Lolotti treating Miko, during which Miko's consciousness completely fell into a deep sleep.
But judging from Lolotti's expression at this moment, this may not be a good thing for Mico.
After letting out a long sigh, Lolotti finally spoke:
"I'm very sorry, I probably can't help you with this."
"But they say you're the best mind wizard!" Henry said, frowning.
"Most wizards are arrogant, and none of them want to admit that they are inferior to others. I was like that when I was young."
As Loloti spoke, he pulled his hood over his head with his thin, bony hands. "But I'm old now, and I no longer have the energy to compete. The title of 'most outstanding' is a burden to me. Besides, what is the most outstanding? There will always be more outstanding geniuses who will trample me underfoot and climb to higher peaks."
"Even if you say that, you are still an excellent and top-notch wizard," Henry insisted.
"Even if I want to deny it, you are right. In my area of expertise, I am indeed top-notch," Loloti said. "But even so, it doesn't guarantee that I can solve all problems. For example, I can't handle the current complicated issues."
Henry said anxiously, "But if you can't solve this, who else can I turn to for help?"
"I don't know, but among the people I know, no one is capable of helping you."
Hearing this, Henry understood perfectly, and sighed deeply:
"So, the problem he's facing is very serious?"
Upon hearing this, Lolotti glanced at Miko a few times:
"It's more than just serious; I've never encountered a mind so distorted by agitation. I tried to empathize with his mind, but I was almost bewitched myself, and my mind nearly succumbed as well—I'm very curious, what exactly did you encounter?"
"Sea divers," Henry replied.
"I heard they only know how to manipulate the ocean and attack ships," Loloti said.
"They did do that, but my ship carried them through and killed most of them before they resorted to that strange tactic to attack our will."
"You're saying you killed the Sea Diver?" Lolotti's tone revealed his disbelief. "He's always lurking beneath the surface; ordinary methods can't harm him."
"This is not an ordinary method."
"What methods?"
"No comment."
Upon hearing this, Lolotti narrowed his eyes and carefully examined Henry through the slits.
A moment later, Lolotti asked again:
"Who are you?"
"A person seeking help."
"Tell me your identity," Lolotti said. "You haven't paid me yet, and I don't want your gold."
"Just answer this question."
Henry considered for a few seconds. He realized the wizard before him was serious, so he sighed and replied:
"My name has no meaning, but many people call me the Navigator."
Lolo laughed: "So it was you! Hehe, now I understand, the navigator discovering a new continent didn't rely entirely on luck!"
Henry was not in the mood to respond to these words; he said seriously:
"I've already paid you, but you still haven't healed my brother!"
"And I have done just that, Navigator, I even put myself in dangerous situations because of it."
Lolotti's voice was hoarse and devoid of emotion.
"I can't cure him, and neither can anyone else. His mental damage is severe, and it's impossible to restore him to his original state in a short time."
"What if we take it slowly? How long will that take?" Henry pressed.
"Maybe a few years, maybe more than ten years," Lolotti said slowly. "Maybe by the time he dies of old age, it may not be cured. And, most likely, I won't live to see that day."
Hearing this, a sense of despair welled up in Henry's heart.
He couldn't wait that long, and besides, no one could guarantee there would be a result.
Henry leaned back, and after a long pause, he continued to ask:
"We're all clearly trapped in a hallucination, so why is he the only one affected so much?"
"Although he appears tall, he is simple-minded and has an inner world as pure as a child's. Because of this, when evil forces and thoughts try to distort his mind, they can penetrate unimpeded without any interference from anything unsavory."
Lolo explained,
"You have accepted too many ideas, and are troubled by desires and endless delusions. If you still have a firm faith, it will surely become a high wall to resist invasion. Therefore, the impact on you is far less severe than on him. Besides..."
Lolotti stopped abruptly, and Henry leaned down to ask further:
"Besides?"
"Furthermore, I have my doubts about your claim that you are experiencing hallucinations."
Henry said, "But the other wizards all say it's an illusion."
"They didn't witness the attack you suffered firsthand, so they can only offer vague guesses. If I only heard their descriptions, I would also guess it was a hallucination."
Henry noticed that as Lolotti spoke, his pupils, partially hidden by his hood, contracted.
"But I can directly empathize with this man's mind, and I roughly know what you encountered that day. If this is really an illusion, then it is truly incredible."
"To achieve their effect, hallucinations often emphasize a certain sense, whether it's hearing or touch, but the hallucinations you experienced that day were too real and perfect in every sense."
"I am skilled in mind magic, so I also know a little about creating illusions, at least I cannot create such illusions."
"Furthermore, hallucinations are ultimately products of human imagination; the brain cannot construct anything beyond self-awareness."
But the scene you encountered, not to mention anything else, just consider the colors in the scene.
"I have never seen those colors in reality. I even doubt whether they are colors that the human eye can see."
Although Henry couldn't fully process this description, he felt that the old man made sense.
Henry asked, "If that's the case, then what have we encountered?"
"Yes, what is it?" Lolotti smiled from under his hood. "But who knows? At least, I don't know."
Loloti later said that the trip was well worth it.
I met the legendary navigator and witnessed situations I had never encountered before.
Henry admired him quite a bit; at his age, he still had such a strong thirst for knowledge.
But he also understood that if even the most renowned psychic wizard couldn't help Miko.
Miko will likely find it difficult to overcome his mental illness for the time being.
After Lolo left, Miko sat up straight in his seat.
He didn't utter a single word from beginning to end, and his expression remained unchanged.
Micoe's inability to control his facial expressions suggests that he did not understand Henry and Lolotti's conversation.
Henry reached out and placed his hand on Micoe’s back, and let out a deep sigh.
Mico turned his head and stared straight at Henry, tilting his head innocently.
A few days later, Benson had replenished the ship's supplies and recruited enough sailors.
I must say, this job was done exceptionally well.
Keep in mind that this is a frozen continent, and the common language is Ice Language.
Although many people in the Eastern community, especially in port cities, speak the Mandarin, it still presents some inconveniences.
Moreover, Benson was completely illiterate.
Victor has completed the overhaul of the two gold coin ships, while Cyril is in charge of providing introductory training to the newly joined sailors.
Henry also felt that he had stayed for far too long. He had confirmed the existence of the ghost ship, and he absolutely could not let someone else get there first.
Moreover, no one can guarantee when that thing, which should only exist in the seabed and the underworld, will automatically return to its original location.
He had to hurry, so Henry ordered the ship to set sail the following morning.
After a night's rest, Henry returned to the Two Gold Coins.
The crew is ready to go, and the ship is in top condition.
Benson stepped forward and said to Henry:
"Boss, everything is ready."
"Well done," Henry nodded.
"However, boss, we've run into a bit of trouble too."
Benson said,
"I never imagined that our team would suffer such heavy losses just a few months after setting sail. Boss, why do I feel like I'm always so unlucky every time I go to sea with you? Or do you just have a knack for attracting misfortune?"
Upon hearing this, Henry narrowed his eyes and gave Benson a cold warning:
"Benson, although you are one of the eight famous leaders, now that you're on my ship, you're just a shrimp to me. I don't mind kicking your ass to pieces."
"No, no! Boss, I was just being sarcastic. You know my nickname is 'Chatterbox'," Benson said, waving his hands repeatedly.
Henry ultimately didn't kick it; he was still too soft-hearted.
If Henry were as vindictive as someone else, Benson would probably be in for a few days with hemorrhoids.
Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Henry's face.
But he quickly shook his head, pulling himself out of his thoughts, and asked:
"So, what problem have we encountered?"
"Due to this accident, the loss of personnel was too severe, and it cost a lot of money to replenish the crew. In addition, there are various miscellaneous expenses such as replenishing supplies and gathering intelligence. Now the ship is facing a shortage of funds."
Benson said, counting on his fingers.
"If it weren't for the deal you made with that wizard, saving a lot of money, I probably would have had to work as a male chess player at the pleasure house for a few days, otherwise I probably wouldn't have been able to gather all the supplies by now."
Henry ignored Benson's witty remark and asked directly:
"So, do you have any suggestions on how to make money?"
"Remember the Slave King? He was quite successful in his area. If I asked him for a loan, he would lend it to me without hesitation and would never come back to collect the debt."
Henry still believes that he brought the slave trade to its current peak.
Natalie guided him down the path of seeking justice for the pirates.
However, the slave trade was by no means just.
He caused countless natives of the New World to lose their homes and lives.
Many strange and bizarre events in the Eastern world may also be related to this.
Despite countless pirates singing his praises, calling him by name, and referring to him as a legend.
But he himself considers it a stain on his life.
Henry's main source of income has now become the fees he collects for boats entering the Joker Islands.
However, he could not prevent his men from engaging in the slave trade, and the Clown Islands undoubtedly provided convenience for many slave traders.
Perhaps in the eyes of others, he is the freest man on the ocean.
However, only he himself knew that he had long since become a slave bound by various titles and expectations.
Many things were already beyond his control.
But he did not want to have direct contact with slave traders under any circumstances.
At present, Benson is a crew member on the Two Gold Coins.
Henry would never allow his underlings to beg for money from someone who represented all slave traders.
Therefore, he decisively rejected Benson's suggestion: "I don't want our whereabouts to be known by acquaintances, Benson, let's find another way."
"Then we'll have to go back to our old ways," Benson said. "Pirates are best at plundering at sea, of course."
If forced to, Henry has no other choice but to take this path.
He did not give a clear answer, but instead gave the order:
"Alright, it's time to go."
Cyril said, "Chief, I'm afraid that won't work. The crew isn't in position yet."
Yes, Miko can't even sail now.
However, a good helmsman requires years of experience, and the newly recruited personnel are unlikely to meet Henry's needs.
However, since Henry returned to the Flying Leap and resumed his pirate career, his helmsman has always been Micoe.
Miko's physical abilities are indeed impressive, but he is human after all and needs rest.
In recent years, when Micoe was on leave, Henry would personally steer the boat.
Therefore, Henry's steering skills are not too bad at the moment.
“I’ll steer the boat later,” Henry said. “But what about Mico?”
Victor happened to be coming up the stairs when he heard Henry's last question:
"Sir, we've searched everywhere, but there's no sign of Miko on the ship."
Henry frowned, thought for a moment, and then gave the order:
"Get ready to set sail, and wait for me to come back."
After speaking, Henry left the deck and stepped back onto the cold continent.
Henry returned to the inn and went to Micoe's room.
He knocked on the door and called out:
"Miko?"
There was no response from inside. Henry repeated himself, but to no avail.
Henry then pushed open the door and entered, immediately spotting Micoe huddled under the covers.
He moved a stool and sat down on the edge of the bed.
After thinking for a long time, Henry reached out and touched Miko's shoulder through the blanket.
He patted him twice on the shoulder and then placed his hand on it.
After this continued for a while, Henry said to Micoe:
"Miko, can we talk?"
After another moment of silence, Miko finally responded:
"Miko is afraid—"
"Afraid? Are you afraid of me?"
"No—Mico is afraid that Henry hates Mico."
Henry smiled and rubbed Micoe's shoulder.
Loloti was right, he was still a boy.
"How could I possibly hate you, Miko?"
"Because—Mico can't sail anymore."
"Benson and Victor can't sail either, but you see, have I ever disliked them?"
Henry spoke slowly and patiently, patting Micoe's back as he did so.
"Miko, I will never hate you because of this."
"real?"
"Really, I promise. Miko, now you can sit down and talk to me, right?"
Then, Miko finally threw off the covers and sat up.
Henry had no choice but to look up at Micoe's face.
Miko is already in his thirties, but you can't see any signs of maturity on his face.
Miko is still Miko; he hasn't changed at all.
Henry recalled that night when he persuaded Mico to abandon the Soaring.
That same night, he promised Miko that his position as a cabin crewman on the ship would always be reserved for Miko.
However, now—
Henry felt a little annoyed, but he knew he couldn't just sit there doing nothing.
He asked, "I ordered the ship to set sail today yesterday, didn't you receive that order?"
"Miko received it."
"Why weren't you there when we set off?"
"Miko. I don't dare to go."
"You dare not? Why?"
"Miko can no longer manage the cabin, but he can't do anything else either. He's a burden now, and there's no place for him on the ship."
"Fool," Henry wanted to say, but he didn't in the end.
Besides the nickname "Strongman," Micoe's other nickname was "Fool," but Henry never called him that.
Henry understood that Mico wasn't stupid, just naive.
Therefore, he would never call Miko that.
Henry said, "How could there be no place for you on the ship? You're sure to find something else you're good at, and no one will see you as a burden."
"However, Miko learns things very slowly and is clumsy, always getting in the way of others. But if I were to steer Miko, I could just stand still in one place."
Hearing this, Henry felt a lump in his throat.
It turns out that Miko's motivation for learning cockpit control was this: "It doesn't matter if I bother others, you're kind, and people will get used to and like you."
"But Mico is still worried—"
"Miko, don't you like the two-gold-coin account?"
"No! Miko loves the Two Gold Coins! It's a great ship, fast and sturdy. When Miko pilots the Two Gold Coins, he always feels like he and the ship become one!"
"Then you must come back with me," Henry said, placing his hand on Miko's hand. "The Two Gold Coins can't do without you."
Miko didn't reply, he just lowered his head.
"Hmm—"
Henry sighed deeply; he understood that Micoe still hadn't made up his mind.
So he brought it up on his own initiative:
"Miko, do you remember our promise?"
"Yes," Mico nodded, "Henry kept his word, and Mico really did become Henry's helmsman after that."
"But, Miko, that wasn't just my promise to you, it was your promise to me too."
Mico squinted, frowned, and tilted his head, clearly not understanding what Henry meant.
Henry continued:
"I will reserve the cockpit position for you, and you must always be my cockpit. Miko, although you can't drive the boat now, one day you will definitely be able to."
"Is Mico really still able to sail?"
“Of course, I have no doubt about it,” Henry nodded. “So, in order for you to be my helmsman the moment that day comes, you must stay by my side, or do you not want to sail for me anymore?”
"think!"
Mico shouted, then leaned forward and hugged Henry tightly.
"Mico wants to sail for Henry!"
Mico was very strong; Henry felt like his bones were about to fall apart.
But he offered no resistance, only patted Miko on the back:
"Come back with me?"
"Um.."
Mico responded and nodded vigorously at Henry's side.
Afterwards, Henry took Miko back to the Two Gold Coins.
When Benson, Victor, and Cyril saw Micoe follow Henry onto the ship, the three of them simultaneously grinned.
Cyril Omiko bowed in greeting. Benson opened his mouth as if to say something, but Viktor beat him to it, pressing his head against the railing.
After standing back on the deck of the Two Gold Coins, Miko looked up at the bridge and stared at the helm standing there.
Henry stepped forward and asked:
"Want to try it now?"
Miko shook his head: "No need, Miko isn't ready yet."
Henry smiled upon hearing this.
He understood that Miko had also grown.
"Henry," Micoe suddenly called out.
"What's wrong?"
"Miko will recover, Miko will definitely steer your ship again,"
Mico stood tall in front of Henry, blocking the sun, his tone as resolute as his figure.
"This is Miko's promise!"