Shaking with anger, she rushed onto the deck and began violently kicking the pirate captives, who were tied up like zongzi, cursing them angrily as she kicked:
"You bastards! Beasts! What did you do to them?! Why don't they even want to live anymore?!"
Her actions caught the attention of the other rescued women.
Those who had just been saved and were wrapped in clean blankets watched the young warrior, who had lost her composure out of anger and sadness.
Their gazes were complex and hard to describe; there was gratitude for this act of defense, but more so, an unspeakable sorrow—
Sorrow both for the almost luxurious "naivety" the warrior displayed and for this cruel world that forced people to need immense courage just to keep living.
"Enough."
Charlotte Linlin stopped the female warrior, signaling her to calm down. The young warrior turned back, her eyes filled with tears of grievance and indignation.
Charlotte Linlin didn't say much, just gently patted her shoulder. Then, she turned to the surviving women and asked clearly:
"Now you are free. What are your plans? If your hometown is nearby, we can take you back. If... you still want to go back and rebuild your home.
If not, we can also take you to a relatively safe large island nearby.
Or, if you don't mind life at sea, you can choose to follow us for the time being."
The women looked at each other, their faces filled with bewilderment and sadness.
Hometown? There might only be scorched earth and the graves of loved ones left. But besides there, where else could they go?
Start over in a strange place? For a group of women who were physically and mentally scarred and had nothing, it was easier said than done.
As for following these benefactors to become pirates? The thought was suppressed as soon as it surfaced.
Their homes and families were destroyed by pirates; they had a deep-seated fear and hatred for the identity of "pirate."
Although they were extremely grateful to these women who had saved them, they could never step onto that path, nor did they want to become a burden to their benefactors.
Finally, an older woman summoned her courage and spoke on behalf of everyone:
"Milady... thank you for saving us. We... we still want to go back.
That is our home. Even if it's burnt to the ground, it's our roots... We have to go back... at least to collect the bodies of our families and set up graves..."
Having anticipated this, Charlotte Linlin nodded. She didn't show any surprise or attempt to dissuade them, simply respecting their decision.
She turned to Vina, who had been waiting nearby, and instructed directly:
"Vina, adjust the course and take them home."
Vina looked at these women with hollow eyes and scarred bodies, as if seeing her past helpless self.
She approached Charlotte Linlin with concern: "Captain Linlin, sending them back like this... I'm worried... they might encounter the same experience again.
Yako burned their entire village; they have nothing now, and they've suffered such great physical and psychological trauma.
Moreover, that sea area is not far from the first half of the New World, and rookie pirates from Paradise often pass through... If they encounter pirates again, they won't have any ability to resist."
Charlotte Linlin looked at the worry in Vina's eyes and reached out to gently stroke her head:
"Then we will hang the flag of our Heavenly Punishment Pirates over their village."
She looked toward the distant horizon and continued:
"Although a pirate flag cannot stop all desperate criminals, it is enough to make most pirates with half a brain tremble with fear!"
On this sea, sometimes a pirate flag is the best protective charm for the weak.
Vina was stunned for a moment, then understood the Captain's meaning. Yes, this was the most direct and effective way of protection they could think of.
In this corner where the World Government was powerless to protect civilians, they could only rely on another "evil" to deter "evil."
A few days later, the heavenly tribulation reached an archipelago according to the women's guidance. Near the edges of many of these islands were the remains of small villages burned to the ground.
Seeing the tragic state of their homeland, the women's suppressed crying broke out again.
Charlotte Linlin had people help clear an area and hung a Heavenly Punishment pirate flag, drawn for the occasion, on the highest pillar of the village.
The black flag flapped loudly in the salty sea breeze, the skull pattern on the flag seemingly coming to life, coldly looking down upon this scarred land.
It announced to all forces passing through this sea area—this place is under the protection of the Heavenly Punishment Pirates. Those who dare to move against it will suffer 'Heavenly Punishment'!
After settling these poor women and leaving behind some basic supplies, the Heavenly Punishment set sail again.
Standing at the stern, Charlotte Linlin watched the coastline as it gradually shrank, with only that black flag still vivid, and asked thoughtfully:
"Vina, does this sea area have a name on the nautical chart?"
Vina took out the nautical chart and checked it carefully, then looked up and answered:
"Captain Linlin, according to the chart, this archipelago sea area... is called Totto Land."
"Totto Land... is it?" Charlotte Linlin repeated the name in a low voice, her gaze deep, wondering what she was thinking.
The sea breeze blew through her long hair, and the pirate flag flying over the ruins was like a sudden mark branded onto this sea area.
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