In the early morning, the Congo River wakes up from its slumber, and the mighty river is full of life. The giant carp shakes its silver scales and chases the strange-looking elephant-nosed fish. Congolese Sunbird spreads its colorful feathers and catches the river
Transparent frog among water trees.
Large mammals live comfortably in the rainforest. There are large groups of hippos undulating in the water, and small groups of African forest elephants on the shore. The Congo River is a true river of life, with tens of thousands of unique species thriving in the fertile tropical land.
On the river bank, three caravel sailing boats were busy. The crew furled the anchor, hoisted the sails, and set sail to the west again. Everyone was so impatient that the sailors on the mast kept adjusting the angle of the jib, just to leave this devil's land faster.
On the leading flagship, Boatswain Diego looked proud. He sat on the bow of the ship with his legs spread wide, eating sumptuous food of the captain's rank while directing the sailors to be busy. Next to Diego, there were several close sailors gathered around, eating, drinking and laughing together.
A few people talked for a while, and a sailor raised his right hand in a playful manner, imitating the style of the nobles, and performed a nondescript captain's etiquette.
"Dear Captain Diego, the guys greet you! We are about to pass the village of the black natives. When will you take the guys ashore and do it again? Foda-se! We have supplied supplies in this village before, Those heads have valuable rubies on them!"
"Ha ha!"
Hearing the title of captain, Diego laughed with satisfaction. He reached out and slapped the sailor's head hard, laughing and cursing.
"Foda-se! Idiot! There are not only rubies in this village, but also dozens of warriors wearing chicken feathers! What can we grab if we go ashore right now?"
"Boss, we can grab the sailors from the other two ships and do it together! We are on the way back anyway. We will leave after we do it. The natives can't catch up!"
"The other two ships..."
Hearing this, Diego's eyes flashed. If we could win over the sailors from the other two ships, we wouldn't necessarily have to return to Lisbon. Just kill Diogo's old dog and Bruno's stupid cow, and then kill all the nobles on the other ships. At that time, with the captain's top-secret sea chart, whether it is to go to the Moors across the sea, to find the Spaniards in the east, or even to join the pirates in North Africa, it will be better than returning to Portugal. Maybe, I can also become a nobleman.
After thinking for a while, Diego grinned, showing sharp yellow teeth.
"The indigenous tribes in this area are too powerful. Brothers, please be patient for a while. When we reach the seaport, we will find two weak indigenous villages and have a good fight! Kill all the men and children in the village and collect all the gold. With silver, gems, grain, and a few young women on board, the brothers can have fun every day! Anyway, we have the final say on the ship now!"
"Foda-se! Do it!"
"The captain is right!"
"I can't wait!"
When they heard the sorceress boarding the ship, all the sailors' eyes lit up and they howled like ghosts. Diego laughed with satisfaction, as long as he wins over the sailors, then...haha!
After thinking for a while, Diego suppressed the excitement in his heart and shouted to the cronies beside him.
"Go and ask the head chef to bring some wine so the brothers can continue eating and drinking!"
A sailor immediately stood up and walked to the deck opening. The deck opening was not far from the captain's cabin at the stern, and the imprisoned captain stayed inside. The sailor glanced in the direction of the captain's cabin, and the accustomed awe filled his heart. He couldn't help but bow slightly and hurried down to the deck.
There was silence in the captain's cabin. The deck and blankets were cleaned, and a piece of cardamom newly obtained from the Kingdom of Congo was burned. The faint aroma spread, covering up the musty smell of blood.
Captain Diogo straightened his spine, wearing a freshly laundered captain's suit, and sat on the wooden bed. His hair was combed meticulously, and his face was as calm as a sculpture. At this moment, he was looking at the sea chart drawn by his own hands, staring at the river where the exploration ended, without making a sound.
The noble knight Bruno knelt on one knee on the deck of the captain's cabin, also silent. His expression was full of guilt, and he seemed to have been kneeling for a long time.
There was silence in the cabin. It wasn't until Boatswain Diego's wild laughter could be heard in the distance that Diogo put down the chart in his hand and sighed softly.
"Bruno, what are you doing here?"
"Dear Captain."
Bruno raised his right hand as a courtesy to the captain.
"In four or five days, the fleet will reach the outlet of the Congo River."
"oh?"
Hearing this, Diogo raised his brows slightly and repeated in a low voice.
"We're about to reach the seaport."
"Yes, Captain."
"After going to sea, are you planning to return to Fort Elmina?"
"Quartermaster Martim wants to return to Fort Elmina for supplies, but Boatswain Diego wants to plunder the villages along the way and then return directly to the kingdom."
Bruno nodded, but hesitated to speak.
"Oh, I see."
Diogo glanced at him lightly.
"So, you came today to give me a ride back to the arms of the Lord?"
"Ah, Captain..."
Bruno looked stunned, and then sweat started to appear on his forehead.
"Then do it."
Diogo calmly took out a dagger from his arms, and then threw it at Bruno's feet with a "dong" sound.
"The sacred teachings do not allow me to commit suicide, otherwise I would have ended it long ago. It is better to die in your hands than to die in the hands of others."
"Captain, I, I didn't mean that..."
Bruno knelt on the ground, looking at the captain who calmly died, and seemed to feel the glory of the Virgin again.
"Come on, child! Don't be burdened. You are helping me to escape. I have been cursed by the devil and cannot hold on much longer."
Diogo smiled. He reached out and took off the silver cross Dias gave him from his neck, and then put it on Bruno's neck.
"Through redemption, the Lord shows His grace between the ages and eternity...Bruno, you still have the light of redemption in your heart! Hold on to the cross around your neck and don't let it go out in the darkness of the devil."
After saying that, Diogo took out a bottle of olive oil, drew a cross on his forehead, and prayed.
"Peristamsanctamunctionem,indulgeattibiDominusquiddeliquisti,Amen."
This is the last prayer anointed with oil. There was no priest on board, so Diogo did it himself. Then, he closed his eyes quietly.
"captain!"
Bruno's eyes filled with tears again. After two voyages and several years, the captain's teachings and promotions flashed in his mind, and he finally made up his mind. He took a step forward on his knees and took Diogo's hand.
"Captain, please temporarily put down your courage to die. The responsibilities of the kingdom and the church do not allow you to stop here! There is more than one route to the kingdom of Elder John! After reaching the seaport, you leave the devil's land, The crew no longer has to fear the power of the curse. We can continue south, around the border of the African continent, and then head to the east!"
"oh?!"
Diogo's eyes opened instantly, revealing a lion-like gaze. He suddenly grabbed Bruno's arm with his backhand and asked in a strong voice.
"Are you willing to explore south?"
"Yes I do."
Bruno nodded affirmatively.
"But you said that Matim wants to return to Fort Elmina and Diego wants to return directly to the kingdom?"
Diogo's eyes were shining brightly as he stared at Bruno's expression.
"Yes, they want to go back north."
Bruno looked at the captain with a sincere expression.
"Captain, although we work together to persuade you to return, we are not the same group! You are my captain, elder, and teacher. My heart will always be with you. They and I are different!"
Diogo lowered his eyes and tilted his head slightly, hiding all the changes in his expression. After a while, he slowly nodded and asked in a low voice.
"So, Bruno, you want to get rid of Mattim and Diego?"
Hearing this, Bruno's face froze and he looked at the captain with some awe. Although the other party was imprisoned in the captain's cabin, he seemed to be able to see through everything on the ship. Thinking of this, he stopped beating around the bush and nodded solemnly.
"...Captain, Diego is too cruel. He has a dozen sailors under his control, acts recklessly, and threatens all of our lives! So, he must die! Mattim is a quartermaster and can repair weapons. There are not many people. As long as he is deprived of his position and power, he can be spared."
Having said this, Bruno licked his lips. He looked at the captain earnestly and said respectfully.
"Dear Captain, as long as you get rid of them, your rule on the ship will be restored!"
Diogo didn't speak or get excited. He looked calm and looked at this nephew who had promoted everything with his deep eyes. From the other person's eyes, he saw the growing ambition, the burning desire, and the deepening darkness.
The cabin fell silent again. The flagship flowed down the river, bringing with it the sound of rushing water; the long wind blew through the wooden windows, and Diego's laughter could be heard. After a long time, Diogo asked calmly.
"Bruno, tell me, Captain Reynaldo, how did he die?"
Bruno was shocked when he heard this question. He knelt on the ground, not daring to look into the captain's eyes.
"Reinaldo...he was...everyone was worried about him and worried about his manpower, so they killed him together."
"Oh? Unfortunate child."
Diogo took a deep look at Bruno and meant something. Then, he clasped his hands together and prayed somewhat sadly.
"May Our Lady bless his soul!"
"May the Blessed Mother be with you!"
Bruno lowered his head and prayed quietly.
After praying devoutly, Diogo straightened up and asked in a deep voice.
"Bruno, how many people do you have?"
"The chef Haroldo and his logistics sailors, the carpenter Ivo and his apprentices, plus several of Renaldo's men, my own cronies... there are about twenty people in total."
Bunoru's eyes flickered. Because only in the name of the captain can he command the manpower of Ivo and Reynaldo.
Although Captain Diogo was imprisoned in the captain's cabin, his prestige for more than ten years was still deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Previously, the crew members united to resist because the captain insisted on exploring eastward, regardless of everyone's life and death. Now that the fleet has returned, the crew is gradually moving away from the devil's land, and the captain's authority has been somewhat restored. What's more, they also want to return to Fort Elmina for supplies openly and return to their kingdom and hometown in glory.
The status of captain is silently restored in people's hearts. Bruno was keenly aware of this, and that's why he paid today's visit.
"About twenty people."
Diogo nodded slightly. He pondered for a moment and showed a melancholy smile common among Portuguese people.
"It's not enough. Noble knight Bunoru, since you came to see me today, you must have other preparations."
Bruno lowered his head, countless messy thoughts emerged in his mind, and then quickly fell silent. Facing the lion-like captain, he couldn't hide it at all. And once the lion is released from the cage, how can he ensure his own safety? He hesitated for a while, and it wasn't until he once again held the cross on his neck that the captain personally put on him that he made a complete decision.
"Dear Captain. I am responsible for contacting the other two ships."
Bruno gritted his teeth and said.
"The two noble captains, Pero Anais and Pero da Costa, have always been somewhat suspicious of the situation on the flagship. As long as I send them your secret message, both ships will send elite sailors to the flagship. Come and obey your command and put down the rebellion for you!"
"Invite Pero Áñez and Pero da Costa and send sailors aboard the flagship?"
Hearing this, Diogo raised his brows and carefully looked at Bruno in front of him, with a faint smile on his lips.
"Very good! Bruno, you are very brave. Taking such a big risk, what do you want to gain?"
"...Captain, I want to become a glorious and honorable royal knight like you!"
At this point, there is no need to hide anything. Bruno raised his head, not hiding the desire and ambition in his eyes.
"Captain, I believe in you too. I believe that the piety in your heart and the responsibility on your shoulders can overwhelm the hatred for our rebellion!"
"oh?"
Diogo looked at Bruno, his eyes narrowed, and he showed a lion-like smile.
"Bruno, what do my piety and responsibility have to do with you?"
"Dear Captain, after the rebellion is put down, I will assist you to go south and continue exploring! If you die of illness during the voyage, I will dock to the east and erect the last padr o for you, explorer Stone pillar! Then bury you on the land where you finally arrived."
Afterwards, Bruno put one hand on his heart, held the cross around his neck with the other, and swore to God devoutly.
"Witness the Lord! It's not just this time! I will inherit your responsibility and continue to explore new routes to find the country of Elder John in the east! I will also follow the teachings of Prince Enrique, explore new sea areas, and find the ownerless country. land. For the future of our Portuguese people, expand by sea!”
Diogo put away his smile and looked solemn. He stared into Bruno's eyes, as if he wanted to completely see through the man in front of him. After a long time, he nodded calmly.
"Bruno, a real man should keep his word. I don't have much time left and I can't see your future. I will believe your oath and your promise for the last time. In order to survive, you can choose to betray; in order to For ambition, you can be ruthless and ruthless; for faith, you can even kill."
"I can forgive you for all this, and the Lord will also forgive you. But you must remember that you are a noble knight and a good man of my Avish! Your courage and your responsibility must not be let down! "
"Go down and prepare, noble knight, Bruno."
The Congo River flows by, never to return.
