Chapter 1446 Death of the Cook

"Boss Bruno, you are finally back!"

"Hmm..."

"Lord! You look very bad, are you sick too?"

"Hmm..."

In the Lion Rock Port Colony, the most lively places are naturally the taverns and brothels, two large tropical wooden houses and sheds connected together. Alcohol and women are the most important order stabilizers in overseas colonies, especially for comforting soldiers stationed overseas. By the way, this is also a highly profitable industry that can shake out the last penny in the hands of soldiers and sailors.

When Bruno walked into the tavern, all kinds of noise and teasing, as well as the strong and pungent aroma, stench, and alcohol smell, came like a tide, making him feel a little uncomfortable.

When he was an ordinary crew member, he often visited such places and enjoyed it, and mingled with the lower-level sailors. But when he climbed up to the position of nobility step by step, this kind of place for the lower-level people always made him feel awkward and cheap, and even became the humble past that he hoped to forget.

Soon, the guests passing by, seeing Bruno's noble attire, suddenly lowered their voices. Some of the people here are employees of the trading station, and most of them are local garrisons. There are no black men, but there are many black women. Whenever the Portuguese navy passes by, they will arbitrarily book the wine and women in the tavern, and after a day or two of hysterical indulgence, they will embark on a sea voyage accompanied by death.

"Quem vai ao mar perde o lugar. Haroldo, those who go to sea always lose their seats."

"…?"

"A vida no maré breve como a espuma das ondas. Life on the sea is always as short as the waves, and so is life!"

".?"

"Quem anda no mar aprende a rezar.Therefore, people who go to sea learn to pray and indulge. This is the last choice and nostalgia of life when facing death. "

"...! Boss, what's wrong with you? Have you been cursed by the shaman of the local tribe during your absence? ..."

"...Don't talk nonsense! I just speak from my heart. Mayor Angell treated me warmly in these five days, which made me...unforgettable...I finally understand what Byzantine luxury and enjoyment are, why Rome fell...why the Lord gave commandments, and priests are also prone to corruption...Alas! Captain Diogo, may your pious and noble soul always guide me and not go astray! "

Speaking of this, Bruno sighed quietly and prayed devoutly for a few words. It's just that in such a noisy and pungent occasion, this kind of prayer is inexplicably funny.

Bruno shook his head and looked into the crowded tavern, and saw the quartermaster Martim at a glance. The other party wore a blindfold and wantonly pinched the two black women, squeezing the black to turn red. Then, he mixed a pink pearl in the wine, forced it into a young woman's mouth, and then drunkenly approached her, shouting wildly.

"Ahaha! Why are you crying? Let me use my one eye to see! Is the pearl more pink, the wine more moisturizing, or... Hey haha!..."

"."

Bruno frowned slightly, looking past Martim, staring at the pink pearl for a few breaths. Then, he looked around the entire tavern, and didn't see the old carpenter Ivo, nor the guide Shushu... He finally looked serious and asked Haroldo.

"Haroldo, where did Martim's pearl come from?"

"Uh... This... He got it from the Guide Rat..."

"What about the Guide Rat? Was he killed by Martim? What about the other yellow-skinned sailors?"

"Ah, Boss, I was just about to say that!... The Guide Rat and the other captured sailors all fell ill within two days after you left. They were sometimes cold and sometimes hot. It was obvious that they were cursed by the devil!... Now, two of them have died and buried in the grave!"

"What? They all fell ill?!... Damn it! The other yellow-skinned sailors died... The Guide Rat was a translator, and also... He is our brother, and he will be of great use in the future! Where is he? He will not be buried by you, will he? ..."    "Oh! No, the guide mouse is still alive... The old carpenter Ivo is watching him, in a large shed behind. Oh, right! We also found a dark-skinned old shaman to treat him. It is said that the old man is a bit evil, can communicate with the devil, and has cured many people cursed by the devil with some strange herbs... Boss, do you want to go and have a look? ..."

".Hmm..."

Thinking of the horror of the devil's curse and whether it would be contagious, Bruno hesitated for a moment, and finally just said.

"God bless you! Then just watch from a distance... don't get close..."

"Call all the brothers! Recruit a few new hard labor sailors, black ones are fine!... After resting for so long, we should also set off!... Hmm? Haroldo, anything else?"

"Boss, you said before... treat us..."

"Oh, it's okay! Mayor Angel said that he has a stake in this tavern, and he's treating us this time... I just need to tell the person in charge of the tavern!... What's the matter?"

"Boss, that... Governor of Azores... Martin... Is there any news?..."

"Hmm... No. I guess Martin is missing, and Governor of Azores didn't make it public..."

"Boss, otherwise... otherwise..."

The chubby boatswain Haroldo drooped his face, obviously feeling a little uneasy. He was the one who tricked Martin into boarding the ship. Even if there was a man between them, it was impossible to hide it from the local snake Governor of Azores.

If Martin came back alive, everything would be fine. But now Martin was thrown into the waters of Sipangu, dead as dead as dead, and his bones were probably eaten clean by fish. There is no way to explain it when he goes back! If he really encounters the Governor of Azores to investigate, how can he, a small sailor, survive? And will Captain Bruno really go against an angry noble for his so-called "brother"? Or will he throw him out and use his life to smooth over this matter? …

After thinking about it for these days, Haroldo already had the answer in his heart. He smelled a strong danger, like a clever sea rat on the ship, and he was unwilling to move forward again. So at this moment, in the colonial port of tropical Africa, in the noisy tavern and brothel, he quietly reached for the dagger at his waist and pleaded with Bruno with a bitter face.

"Boss! I have to stay out of the limelight... Please! Leave me here to take care of the sick guide mouse and a few sailors!... When the ship returns to Lisbon, if anyone asks, you can say that I have died at sea, just like the more than 40 dead sailors, with no body left!..."

"If everything goes well and this matter is over peacefully... Wait for your next voyage, pass through Sierra Leone, and take me with you!... For the sake of our brotherhood for so many years, I beg you!"

"."

Bruno narrowed his eyes and looked at the pleading Haroldo for a moment. His hand also touched the sword, and he was silent for a long time before sighing again.

"Haroldo... you are so cautious! Perhaps, if Governor Azores can't find you, nothing will happen at all..."

"Hey! Okay, okay! For the sake of our brotherhood for so many years, I have to leave you a way out... I'll keep you here to take care of the guide rat... I'll go back and report your death in battle..."

"But, from now on, Haroldo can't appear again, and you can't be a boatswain anymore. You have to change your appearance and identity before boarding the ship for the next voyage... I remember you, you are always my Bruno's brother! I will always keep a place for you on my flagship..."

"Ah! Thank you, thank you! Merciful leader!... Praise the Lord! Praise you even more!..."

Hearing this hard-earned promise, Haroldo finally let out a long breath and quietly loosened his hand from the dagger. His clothes on his back were soaked, and his fat body kept saluting, with a face full of gratitude and humility.

"Boss, don't worry! My main job is a cook, not a boatswain... Boatswain Haroldo will die today!... The next time you come aboard, it will be your loyal cook and following brother, Ado!..."