Chapter 8
In the early morning, Franklin and Ambasha set out on a small sailboat to go shopping.
Watching them from a distance, I prepared to follow in a small rowboat.
“Isn’t it a bit over the top to get involved in something like this? As I always say, it’s an overreaction.”
The vice-captain, Remine, rubbed her eyes as if still tired and made her point. I untied the ropes and firmly replied.
“It’s my daughter’s first outing. Naturally, I should watch over her.”
“Franklin is enough by herself. It’s just Cyprus Island, after all…”
“I’m going.”
“Can you at least listen when someone is talking…!”
— Splash!
With those words, I ignored her protests and set off on the boat.
Of course, one could think this was an overreaction or meddling, just as Remine said.
It wouldn’t be such a big deal if we were going on a distant expedition.
After all, it was only a short trip to Cyprus Island, practically our front yard.
It was even more excessive considering Franklin, who is a considerable part of our pirate crew, was going along.
However, I had already firmly decided that, for the time being, this was the right course of action.
The penalty for abandoning the quest had yet to manifest clearly.
Considering the unpredictable nature of Head Chef, who enjoyed messing with people in unexpected ways, it was better to be thoroughly cautious about even minor matters until something happened.
That’s why I had given Ambasha an emergency flare yesterday.
Anyway, after maintaining a suitable distance, I arrived at Cyprus Island, following the two.
There, I quietly settled down, waiting near the port.
Unlike just a moment ago when darkness prevailed, the sun was now rising, brightening everything around.
From here, observing their movements with the naked eye would be quite obstructive, so I began to monitor the two in a different manner.
A massive flow of magic energy surged throughout my body.
I quietly emanated that energy in all directions.
The enormous sphere of magical energy spread out, enveloping the area.
Simultaneously, I began to sense the presence of all beings within that range.
Among them were the movements of Ambasha and Franklin, who were currently wandering through the market.
The Magic Sphere.
A type of sensing magic that only high-level warriors or wizards could use.
Through it, I could keep an eye on the children’s conditions, and a serene smile began to form on my lips.
“What should I say… this brings back old memories?”
It was similar to when I had watched over Franklin when she first joined the pirate crew.
At that time, Franklin wasn’t particularly strong in combat, and she had many insecurities compared to others, so it wasn’t just out of affection from the original story; I simply couldn’t leave her alone.
In fact, there was an instance where she almost got into trouble, scared by a couple of lowlife thugs, and I had to step in and save her, making my intervention quite justified.
Now, seeing that Franklin had become a proper officer and was out shopping with young Ambasha filled my heart with pride.
This was what it felt like to raise a daughter.
As those thoughts crossed my mind, I momentarily felt a sense of calm while monitoring their movements.
But then…
“…What’s going on with those guys?”
Franklin suddenly came under attack.
At the same time, I noticed that the previously unremarkable individuals had gathered in one spot, signalling that something was amiss.
However, I chose not to intervene immediately and opted to observe the situation.
I trusted Franklin’s abilities, so rather than jumping in myself, it was better to act as needed.
There’s no need for a parent to do a child’s homework.
But…
“! What is this…”
Contrary to my expectations, Franklin found herself cornered by an unexpectedly strong assault from the enemies.
Simultaneously, as a golden flare shot up into the sky…
I immediately rose from my spot, gathering magic energy in my legs.
And…
—Crash!
As the ground cracked beneath me, I instantly propelled myself upward.
I landed precisely where I had detected through the magic sphere—the location where Franklin and Ambasha were being ambushed by some audacious fools.
***
“Did you come looking for me?”
“!!!”
A cold voice accompanied by a chilling presence from behind.
Magellan and his subordinates felt their bodies freeze as they forced themselves to turn around.
There stood a man.
With golden hair and a golden beard, he radiated an overwhelming presence.
In that moment, Magellan instantly realized.
This was the Pirate King.
The ruler of the seas, Ezra Drake.
“How dare you lay a hand on my beloved children. You must have prepared for the consequences of your actions.”
With those words, the Pirate King slowly began to approach.
At the same time, as the golden magic power began to swirl in his hands, Magellan instinctively understood.
Although it seemed similar to the condensation technique he used, the power contained in that fist was on a completely different level.
The flow of magic was rotating at an unimaginable density, moving at incredible speed.
Even without swinging it yet, the vibration in the air made it feel as if a massive storm was approaching him.
If he swung his sword, Calalbog, to block that attack, it would shatter into pieces instantly.
He could not win.
No, he couldn’t even think of escaping.
How could a human evade an approaching tempest on foot?
The moment he turned his head to flee, that fist would surely take his head off.
This was the ultimate realm spoken of only in whispers.
The pinnacle of nothingness…
The power of a 12th Rank warrior.
Before that overwhelming and almost sacred power, nothing was permitted.
Except for one thing.
—Thud!
“…”
Magellan knelt on the ground as he lowered his sword.
Then, with a fluid motion, he bowed his head before the ‘King’ in front of him.
“I’m sorry! Great Pirate King!”
“…”
A completely sincere apology, devoid of tricks or pretences.
At that, the Pirate King briefly halted his fearsome steps, showing a flicker of mercy.
Seizing that moment, Magellan poured out his words with all his might.
“We acted foolishly and carelessly, and we made a grave mistake! It was only because the Sea Witch was wearing a robe that we couldn’t recognize her face and ended up hurting her! However, we would never dream of opposing the Pirate King! We will provide the utmost compensation! Please, just this once… just once, forgive our foolish mistake! We humbly ask for your mercy! O ruler of the seas!”
Speaking rapidly yet precisely, he expressed that everything was a mistake and a misunderstanding.
Even if a rapper were to witness this, they would be left in awe and would bow their heads to learn from him.
Yet, he remained with his head pressed to the ground, rigid and unmoving.
In a situation where he couldn’t even look up, a terrifying silence followed.
He had said all that he could.
All that remained was to wait for how this insurmountable monster would decide his fate.
And no matter the outcome of that decision, even if it meant death…
Magellan knew it was his destiny, and he had no choice but to accept it.
1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds.
Every second felt as heavy as a year in that oppressive silence.
After what seemed like an eternity…
At last, the Pirate King began to speak quietly.
“Understood. I will show mercy.”
“!”
“Certainly, people can make mistakes while living their lives. That’s how we grow.”
“Ah!”
It was as if brilliant sunlight was pouring down from a sky filled with dark clouds.
Magellan involuntarily lifted his head, a smile forming on his lips.
But…
“In that sense, I think I should make a mistake too.”
“…Huh? What do you mean by… Gah!”
With those words, a fist came flying toward his face.
Despite being a blow without magical energy, the immense shock sent Magellan crashing to the ground.
“Are you kidding me? You almost killed them, and you think an apology is enough? Why do we even have laws? If you make a mistake, you should pay for it. What, you think a magic barrier will protect you? I’ll use my magic to pound you into the ground!”
“Guhhh!!”
Magellan and his crew began to be mercilessly beaten.
They could feel the change in tone that revealed the Pirate King’s rage, leaving them no choice but to endure the beating in silence.
The fear that they might actually die if they rebelled crushed their will to resist completely.
“Gwaaaah!…”
“Guhh!!”
Thus, in a quiet and secluded alley perfect for an ambush, the screams of people echoed for about 20 minutes.
The Pirate King joyfully pounded on the pirate hunters, including Magellan.
In the meantime, Franklin timidly attempted to kick and the weak but oddly painful attacks of the girl were just a bonus.
Amidst it all, whether to be grateful that he was controlling his strength just enough not to kill them or to resent that the painful moments were prolonged was hard to determine.
However,
At this moment, Magellan was blissfully unaware of something.
He was oblivious to the complex emotions reflected on the face of the Pirate King, who was half-killing them.
***
“Ugh…”
“Oh no… I’m going to die…”
The bounty hunters lay on the ground, beaten and humiliated.
Under normal circumstances, there would have been no mercy or apologies, and he would have executed them all for daring to touch his ‘family.’
However,
I could not do that now.
Looking at Magellan lying there, the striking appearance of the sword he possessed…
I was genuinely astonished by this unexpected situation.
I knew the name Magellan very well.
I had heard news about this quite famous bounty hunter several times.
But at this moment.
For the first time, as I faced this Magellan and observed the man who had been bowing his head, I began to understand.
‘…Black Blade Calalbog… and this dark sun-like appearance… Could it be… this guy…?’
The name Magellan does not appear even once in the original story.
However, there was always a dark-skinned, black-haired, handsome man with Black Blade Calalbog, unmistakably.
Marthus.
He was one of the Playable characters like Ambasha over there.
—
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