At this moment, on the deck.

"W-what's happening..."

A Nako male, clutching a crude spear, stood frozen, his eyes wide as he took in the scene before him.

It was a rare occasion to dock. Shouldn't the remaining crew, left behind while their comrades partied at the tavern, be lounging around, grumbling about their bad luck?

"Why... why is this happening..."

As he hesitated, indecision rooting him in place, another scream rang out from one of his companions.

"No, no, please! Aaaah!"

"I was wrong! Spare me... I'll behave, I'll go back to the cage, I swear!"

Armed with tridents and clad in formidable armor, the siren crew members were methodically suppressing the rebellion, as effortlessly as sweeping dust off a deck.

"ROOOAR!"

The only real challenge was the massive beast rampaging across the deck, its tendrils lashing out as it charged wildly.

"Move the slaves to the sides, clear the center! Don't let that creature damage the merchandise!"

A muscular siren in armor stood at the center of the chaos, commanding with an air of unyielding authority.

"Yes, Commander!"

"Understood, Commander!"

The crew snapped to attention, executing orders with practiced precision.

Yes, everything had been a facade.

There was no negligence—none at all. The captain hadn't taken the commander away today.

Aside from a few regular sailors, most of the crew left on the ship were elites.

And the reason was all too clear.

"Because I'm on this ship."

I murmured under my breath.

"Big bro, I'll go call the commander! Hold on!"

The entire plan had shifted—all because of that one panicked shout from a fleeing siren.

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The commander.

I didn't know much about him, but one detail stood out in my memory—his absurd strength, enough to wrestle a beast into submission.

This wasn't an ordinary figure.

He was either the captain's trusted confidant or his right-hand man.

And now, with such an important figure left aboard, what did it mean?

I forced myself to think quickly.

The first possibility that came to mind was what had happened earlier that day.

Was it those aristocratic bigwigs?

I rewound the sequence of events in my mind.

They had been discussing a deal centered around me, and the price they offered... it had even caught the marquis off guard.

"Damn it."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

If the commander had been left behind because of me, then during this rebellion, what would he prioritize protecting above all else?

How much time had passed?

Since the last group of slaves had been escorted out, it had been about five minutes.

No matter how prepared they were, the chaos of a sudden rebellion should have left them scrambling, right?

I lifted my head, staring in the direction of the deck I couldn't see.

A sense of foreboding crept into my chest.

If the commander was stationed here, along with a squad of well-equipped crew members...

I always braced for the worst. A chill ran down my spine.

Don't tell me... most of the rebellion's already been crushed?

I worked so hard to release all of you—even sent out wild birds and beasts to stir up chaos. I even let that monster loose!

I was counting on you to draw their attention so I could wait for the right moment in the cargo hold.

"I can't wait any longer."

Grabbing my belongings, I quickly downed a vial of stimulant from my suitcase. My gaze locked on the cargo hold's door.

Originally, I planned to act once most of the crew had been lured to the deck.

But now, I feared the suppression on the deck would end before that moment came.

There's no way I can face the commander head-on!

With that thought, I didn't dare delay, immediately getting to my feet and preparing to move.

The deck was no longer an option. I needed to find another way out.

Gulp...

I tilted back the last vial of stimulant and gulped it down.

This was my final dose, but since I'd have to rely entirely on myself moving forward, I couldn't afford to hold back.

Damn it. This is spiraling out of control. There's no way I'm getting out like this—

"..."

"..."

Our eyes met.

The cargo hold was chaotic, but thanks to the rampaging beast, a clear path stretched from the beast enclosure to the hold's door—completely unobstructed.

Because of this, as I hurried toward the exit, I looked up and saw a figure standing in the doorway.

A siren.

A siren in armor, gripping a trident.

My heart nearly stopped.