Ethan had never known that he was quite famous among a certain group in Port Royal.
This group was the naval soldiers of Port Royal.
The soldiers who had followed Commodore Norrington out to sea to pursue the Black Pearl had all witnessed the sight of Ethan unfolding his wings and soaring into the sky.
That scene had left a deep impact, and all of them had remembered Ethan ever since.
After returning to Port Royal, these soldiers treated their encounter with a messenger of God as something to boast about, leading to legends about Ethan spreading among all the military personnel in Port Royal.
So when Beckett ordered Ethan's arrest, many soldiers in Port Royal were reluctant to act. The two who actually stepped forward were soldiers brought by Beckett himself, not sailors originally stationed in Port Royal.
As soon as they made a move, and Ethan began to glow, slowly unfolding a pair of pure white wings that shimmered with golden light, countless soldiers immediately dropped their weapons, knelt on the ground, and began to repent, praying for God's forgiveness for their earlier offense.
Beckett stood frozen in a daze. When he had taken over Port Royal, he had investigated Ethan and hadn't missed the information claiming that "Ethan is actually an angel," but he hadn't taken it seriously.
Although there were many magical phenomena in this world—like the legendary Flying Dutchman and the bizarre experiences of its captain Davy Jones, which he was aware of—he had never believed that angels actually existed.
He didn't know what to do now. Should he kneel like the others around him? While he was still hesitating, Ethan had already walked up to him with a "kind" smile on his face.
The light around Ethan gradually dimmed, becoming warm and comforting, making people long to bask in that divine glow forever.
He wasn't the only one who felt this way. The aging Weatherby Swann had some old injuries and ailments that constantly troubled him, but at that moment, he felt completely healed. It was as if he had returned to his prime years.
Even though he wasn't close to Ethan and Ethan had his back to him, just seeing those folded pure white wings made him want to kneel down.
Beckett, who was bearing the brunt of the pressure, finally couldn't hold on. He knelt on the ground, drenched in sweat, and began to pray for forgiveness.
"Releasing Elizabeth… that shouldn't be a problem, Lord Beckett?"
"As you command, Elizabeth will be released immediately."
Beckett turned and ordered his aides to release Elizabeth at once and escort Miss Swann over respectfully.
He didn't know why Ethan cared so much about Elizabeth. He didn't dare consider whether an angel might have fallen for Miss Swann. All he knew was that he had to comply—otherwise, he couldn't imagine the consequences.
Beckett hadn't even considered whether Ethan might have used some dark magic or illusions to impersonate an angel. He simply didn't dare to gamble.
He had no way to determine whether this was real or fake. Ethan had previously knocked down dozens of people with a wave of his hand, and the huge chandelier that fell from the ceiling didn't seem to require more effort than brushing off dust. Beckett was certain that if Ethan wanted to kill him, it would be easy.
What shocked him even more was that when Ethan approached and he was enveloped in the light radiating from Ethan's body, some old scars on his hand miraculously disappeared—as if those wounds had never existed.
Such a "miracle" was not something someone dabbling in dark magic could achieve. This was a real miracle. He was now genuinely inclined to believe those "absurd rumors"—Ethan was indeed a messenger of God.
Ethan nodded in satisfaction, retracted his wings, and withdrew the Holy Light surrounding him. He gently patted Beckett's shoulder, seemingly to show he was pleased.
Beckett didn't know that it was precisely because he had yielded and knelt to beg for forgiveness that he had narrowly avoided disaster.
If he had tried to "expose Ethan's true identity" or "reveal his tricks," what awaited him wouldn't have been a gentle pat. The more likely outcome would have been Ethan erasing his soul completely from this world.
Now that Beckett had submitted, Ethan had no interest in bullying an ordinary person. He motioned for him to get up and returned to his seat.
He had been sitting there earlier, with Weatherby Swann and Will Turner seated across from him.
Now, both Swann and Beckett stood there obediently. Even Will Turner, standing nearby, looked constrained and silent.
No one dared to sit, nor did anyone dare to speak, afraid of angering this messenger of God.
Beckett, who had previously tried to arrest Ethan, didn't even dare to lift his head. He stood silently with his head bowed, cursing in his heart why his men hadn't brought Elizabeth Swann back yet.
Until Elizabeth arrived, he felt like there was a sword pressed against his throat, ready to strike at any moment.
Only when Elizabeth appeared safe and sound would that blade withdraw—if only slightly.
He didn't expect to be favored by this messenger of God. As long as he wasn't punished, that was enough.
Now, he desperately hoped that what the scriptures said was true: God is merciful and would not overly punish those who had erred.
Fortunately, Ethan didn't seem to intend to hold him accountable—at least not on the surface.
When Elizabeth was brought in, Beckett quietly let out a sigh of relief.
"Then… I'll take my leave, sir."
"Remember to compensate Governor Swann for his losses." Ethan emphasized the word "Governor." Beckett paused, then immediately understood Ethan's meaning. Although unwilling, he didn't dare disobey. After giving a sign of acknowledgment, he left Governor Swann's mansion with his soldiers.
The group of soldiers who had barged in so aggressively left without a fuss. A few unlucky ones who had fallen badly—especially those crushed by the chandelier—were dragged away. From beginning to end, none of the injured dared show even the slightest dissatisfaction, not even letting out a groan of pain.
Ethan noticed but paid no attention to them.
Although he couldn't be bothered to argue with ordinary people, that didn't mean he'd heal those who had tried to attack him. Just because a dog bites someone doesn't mean that person can't beat the dog to death.
Not killing them was already lenient. Healing them? He wasn't the kind of person who, after getting slapped, would ask if the other person's hand hurt.
"Long time no see, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth was still a little dazed. When soldiers came to the prison to take her out, she thought her end had come, believing that damn Beckett had ordered her hanging.
But the soldiers acted strangely. They were extremely polite. Not only did they unlock her shackles right away, they even asked if she felt uncomfortable.
She didn't answer. Even if she did feel unwell, she wouldn't tell them.
But what happened next confused her even more. The road they took led straight home. When she arrived at her own doorstep, she began to wonder if her father had done something to save her.
Just as she was thinking that, she saw someone who had left a deep impression on her—the man who had almost changed her entire worldview.
"So it was you."
Elizabeth was a very smart woman. She glanced at her restrained father, recalled the behavior of the two soldiers who had escorted her home, and immediately understood what had happened.
Ethan must have performed some miracle and frightened Beckett and the soldiers.
She looked at her father and Will again. The two of them must have been just as shaken.
"When did you get here?"
"Today."
Elizabeth pulled her father and Will down to sit with her.
She sometimes doubted Ethan's identity, wondering if the magician persona was just a cover. But since they had spent time together, she wasn't so frightened that she'd act like a timid bird. She could still speak to Ethan normally.
"You just arrived in Port Royal today and immediately came to see me?" Elizabeth didn't think she held that much importance in Ethan's heart. "Is something wrong?"
"No, I just happened to come here and wanted to see how you were doing. I didn't expect to find you locked in the dungeon." Ethan briefly explained what he had talked about with Governor Swann earlier. "So I just brought you out. That way, your father and your fiancé wouldn't be too worried to eat."
Elizabeth looked at her father, then at her fiancé Will Turner. She smiled at them both and sincerely thanked Ethan.
Ethan didn't respond with any false modesty like "you're welcome." He had helped Elizabeth and Weatherby Swann out of trouble, so being thanked was only natural.
Moreover, he had done more than just rescue Elizabeth. If Beckett didn't want Ethan causing trouble for him in the future, he would have to abandon all actions targeting Governor Swann. That meant all charges against Swann would be dropped, and he could continue to serve as the Governor of Port Royal.
This also meant Elizabeth would remain the Governor's daughter, continuing her noble lifestyle. But this young lady was never one to settle for an ordinary life—and now, seeing Ethan again, her eyes were already shining.
(To be continued.)
Drop some power stones please xD
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