Chapter 84

On an island in the Messina waters of the Golden Sea.

There, Yoken and Orman sat gathered around a bonfire, clinking their bottles together.

They were on cloud nine, having reaped the greatest harvest of their lives.

“No one has been more successful as a pirate than us! When will we ever get our hands on such treasure again?”

“Treasure from two cities, it's unbelievable!”

“That bastard Tospol, if he were alive, he would have been so mad to see us.”

“Haha.”

It was natural for the two to be in high spirits.

They had just succeeded in plundering Urdino and Messina.

Invading an empty city was a very easy task.

Messina was completely defenseless prey.

In the process, the pirates hit the jackpot.

They obtained not only immense treasure but also Messina's sacred relic.

Although several other pirate leaders of the Golden Sea died during the raid, and the pirate fleet also suffered considerable damage, such things didn't matter.

The fact that they survived was far more important.

And as long as they were alive, it was possible to make a comeback.

There was no need to share the treasure they obtained this time with the dead.

The pirate leaders laughed and chatted for a while before suddenly lowering their voices.

“So what are you going to do now, old man Yoken?”

“Can you not with the 'old man' thing?”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Forget it, forget it. I won't say another word.”

Yoken grumbled and chugged from the bottle.

He didn't like being called an old man by those around him even though he was still young, but it was obvious what Orman was going to bring up.

“What do you want to hear this time?”

“I'm asking if your thoughts on leaving for another sea are still valid.”

“Can't we not talk about that, just for today?”

“If not now, then when?”

Orman threw an empty bottle onto the sandy ground and shouted.

“The Pescara and Messina navies were shattered because of this war. And since Fasa was burned, it means the Fasan navy must have suffered serious damage as well.”

“I suppose so?”

“Then the only ones we have to be careful of in the Golden Sea now are Levona. Honestly, we only run into the Levona guys when we're unlucky.”

“That's true. The Levona navy's patrol routes are simple.”

“So what I'm saying is. Why do we have to be leashed by a mere company commander? In fact, we did everything he asked us to do, didn't we? Attack Urdino, attack Messina. That's enough!”

“That's true.”

Instead of scolding him, saying, ‘Thanks to him creating the opportunity, we plundered a city we couldn't even dream of before, you are a truly despicable pirate for not knowing how to be grateful,’ Yoken agreed with his words.

A truly cunning pirate is one who quickly forgets favors.

In the first place, Leon hadn't kidnapped him to bestow a favor.

There was no need to be grateful just because he let them plunder once.

As Yoken cautiously agreed, Orman became animated.

It seemed he had been worried about what to do if he didn't agree.

“I knew it. I knew I could talk to you, old man.”

“It's not like I don't know what's going on.”

The subordinates didn't have the brains to think, so they didn't know the seriousness of the situation, but the leaders were different.

They always kept their ears open to rumors and were interested in how things were going.

Although there might be some exaggeration, according to the rumors, the war was already almost over.

In other words, it meant that the pirates were no longer needed.

“No matter how I look at it, Leon, that guy is definitely not a good person.”

“You think so too, old man?”

“Ah, I told you to stop calling me old man.”

“Just continue with what you were saying. So?”

“What I'm saying is that he won't leave us alone when everything is over.”

Yoken thought that Leon would aim for their backs once his business with them was done.

It wasn't a completely unfounded thought.

If they were in his shoes, they would do the same.

However, a truly cunning pirate is one who prepares a way to protect his back.

“Ahem. Don't tell anyone.”

“Ooh. Do you have a plan?”

Yoken looked around and then whispered cautiously.

“Actually, the guy named Ishmael who leads the Fasan navy now is my godson.”

“That Kobold fellow? Was he?”

“He was originally under Tospol. So I'm acquainted with him.”

“No wonder. I was thinking what's a Kobold doing in the navy, turns out he was originally a pirate. That's funny. Anyway, so?”

“He's playing the part of a navy man now, but when he realizes the situation has changed, he'll switch sides again.”

“Have you spoken to him beforehand?”

“Not yet. But I'm planning to meet him soon and try.”

“That sounds like a very good idea. If we can take control of the Fasan navy, we won't have to fear Levona either.”

Even before Tospol was subjugated, the Black Company's fleet was a notorious presence in the Golden Sea.

Now that they had defeated Tospol, they had become a living legend.

There was no pirate in the Golden Sea who hadn't been harassed by the Black Company's fleet, and everyone feared its existence.

If they could get their hands on even half of that fleet, not only would they not have to worry about navies, but they might even be able to vie for the position of the strongest in the Golden Sea.

Once their intentions aligned, Yoken and Orman giggled and toasted once more.

“Long live the old man!”

“I told you to stop with the old man thing!”

It was when the drinking was at its peak.

Ishmael appeared, leading a group of guards.

Yoken, spotting Ishmael, grinned.

“Oh, Ishmael! My lucky charm!”

The heavily intoxicated Yoken and Orman didn't notice that the guards Ishmael brought with him were strangely heavily armed.

And in their state of euphoria, they didn't realize that Ishmael was uncomfortable with their familiarity.

“Orman, this is my godson I was talking about. You saw his face last time, right? The friend who was watching us! Ishmael, what good news have you brought this time?”

“Kruk, a message has come from Lord Leon Gryph.”

“Really? Where are we to attack this time? Pescara? Levona? Anywhere is fine. As long as we can get treasure.”

“No, kruk. It's not that kind of order.”

“Then?”

“As promised before, he says we may take the plundered treasure and leave the Golden Sea. Kruk.”

“Aah. How merciful of him. Please convey my thanks to him.”

Yoken and Orman exchanged glances.

‘It seems the Fasan navy, even if not completely disabled, has suffered considerable damage.’

‘Looks like it.’

In their eyes, Leon was not the type of man to keep his promises.

For such a person to politely ask for their withdrawal instead of threatening or intimidating them as before, something must have really happened.

Like the Fasan navy suffering fatal damage.

Or perhaps he had other things to worry about.

Either way, if the navy was weakened, it was a good condition for pirates to run wild.

Yoken, gaining confidence from the clue, pushed forward with his plan.

“Ishmael, my godson. I would like to grant that request. However, the situation has now changed.”

“Kruk, what do you mean by that?”

“I mean, how about we discuss the future together? It will be a good opportunity for you too. Listen. I'm saying we can become the new hegemons of the Golden Sea.”

“Kruk, who is included in 'we'?”

“Me, your godfather, and Yoken. I've already thought it through.”

Yoken familiarly put his arm around Ishmael's shoulder.

Orman grinned.

A rosy future naturally painted itself in his head.

However, the moment a dagger grew out of Yoken's neck, that future also shattered into pieces.

Puk!

A dagger forged from steel growing out of a living creature was a violation of the laws of nature.

Naturally, there was an artificial act involved.

“Keoheok!”

A fact easily overlooked because he was a Kobold, but Ishmael was clearly of pirate origin.

Especially, like a true Kobold, Ishmael was skilled with a dagger.

It was because there weren't many things that fit his physique.

But that didn't mean the dagger lacked power.

It was enough to take a person's life.

Ishmael tried to pull the dagger from Yoken's neck, but when it didn't come out in one go, he complained.

“Kruk, maybe because his neck is thick, it's a bit tough. Anyway, he never goes down easy. Kruk.”

“Neheo, kkeoheok.”

“Kruk, how dare you call me godson. I'm a pirate too, you think I don't know what you're thinking? Kruk, you were probably planning to go back to pirating again.”

“Neohuk.”

“Krrruk, I'm not going back to how things were! Never!”

Yoken clutched his own neck.

Blood gushed out from the wound.

Yoken reached out before collapsing onto the sandy beach.

The blood flowing from the corpse shone with a dark reddish light like rusted iron.

Orman, who came to his senses late, shouted.

“Ambush……!”

Before he could finish his words.

The guards Ishmael had brought with him presented spears as their answer.

Several spearheads pierced Orman.

Orman staggered and fell onto the bonfire.

The flames consumed Orman, and the smell of burning flesh spread around.

It was too shabby an end for the legendary pirates of the Golden Sea.

Of course, no one there cared about that.

Thanks to the guards quickly dispatching Orman, none of the surrounding pirates noticed the situation.

“All taken care of.”

“Kruk, good. Signal the shore.”

One of the guards lit a torch and waved it towards the shore.

Then, a moment later, five warships cut through the thick darkness and approached the shore.

The warship decks were filled with armed troops.

Yoken and Orman could never have known, but the Fasan navy had suffered almost no damage in this war.

So it was possible to devote all their strength to mopping up the pirates.

The troops that disembarked from the ships passed by Ishmael's group and ran towards the pirates' camp.

Soon, the island turned into a scene of chaos.

Screams began to fill the air from all directions.

The completely unsuspecting pirates were no match for the Fasan navy.

Ishmael instructed his guards.

“Go. Go and help your comrades. I'll stay here a little longer.”

“But, boss. Will you be alright alone?”

“Go.”

At the firm command, the guards reluctantly left their posts.

Ishmael was left alone by the bonfire.

After a short while.

From the darkness, a mist took shape and approached.

The shape turned into a human form and soon transformed into Selvi.

“Good work, Ishmael. You look very tired, but you did a great job.”

Selvi looked towards the chaotic camp and muttered.

“With the important head cut off, it will be hard to find pirates in the Golden Sea now.”

“Kruk, have I proven my qualification now?”

“What qualification are you talking about?”

“……”

Although there was little interaction because their respective fields, navy and intelligence, were different, there was a perception that they were comrades in the same company.

However, their positions within the company were different.

Ishmael was senior to Selvi, but he was of pirate origin, shunned by everyone.

On the other hand, Selvi was personnel brought in with Eleonor vouching for his identity.

Ishmael had to consistently prove his loyalty, while Selvi had no such need.

Moreover, since Selvi was active in intelligence, he was a burdensome presence for Ishmael.

There was no law that said he wouldn't be eliminated by Selvi someday.

Selvi understood such anxiety.

He looked at Ishmael for a moment and then spoke.

“I know what you're worried about.”

“Kruk. You know?”

“Yes. It's because of your origin.”

“Kruk.”

“Don't worry about anything. You don't need to think about proving your qualification or not. No matter what anyone says, you are our comrade.”

Ishmael stared blankly at the hand Selvi offered and then took it.

There was no way a vampire could feel warm, but for some reason, the hand felt warm.

“The night wind is harsh. Shall we return to the ship first?”

“Kruk, and you?”

“I will stay and help with the rest of the cleanup.”

“Understood. Kruk.”

Selvi instantly turned into mist and headed towards the place where the engagement was taking place.

Ishmael glanced at the dying bonfire and the pile of corpses, then walked alone to the ship.

But Ishmael was no longer alone.

He was with the comrades he had chosen.

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