Chapter 50
Britannian Empire.
The number of battleships alone exceeded 2,000.
The number of naval personnel operating them reached 200,000.
Undoubtedly, it was the most powerful naval force on the continent…
No.
It was the most powerful naval force in the world.
While Bennessa’s naval influence was confined within the Mediterranean,
the Britannian Empire controlled the North Sea, the Atlantian Sea,
and even the Indian Ocean, exerting its dominance across the world’s oceans.
However, despite possessing such an overwhelming naval force,
the world’s seas remained vast.
Protecting key trade routes and ports,
deploying forces in wars against enemy nations,
inevitably led to the depletion of their forces.
No matter how many colonies the Britannian Empire had across the globe,
there was a limit to its national power.
To overcome this limitation,
the Britannian Empire implemented a policy.
The operation of privateers.
They made deals with pirates,
incorporating them into the empire and legalizing their piracy.
In return, they were forbidden from attacking imperial citizens
and were required to aid in maintaining the empire’s security through military actions.
This policy had a surprisingly long history,
with the legendary Francis Drake from the era of Queen Elizabeth 200 years ago,
and Captain Kidd from 100 years ago being prime examples.
For Arcroyal, who harbored a deep-rooted hatred for pirates,
one of the primary reasons she left the Britannian Empire
was precisely because of this privateering system.
However, now…
Arcroyal had no choice but to accept Nelson’s proposal
to deploy those privateers—
the so-called two sharks raised by Britannia.
‘It’s not to my liking… but now is not the time to be picky…’
Had there been more time,
she might have sought another method.
However… right now, she had neither the time
nor the right to dwell on the past.
Even at this very moment,
before her eyes, she could still see them—
Elkana and Ambasha’s figures flickering in her mind.
‘Even while I’m standing here… they must be going through hell…’
Her friends, taken by the Pirate King because of her foolish suspicions.
There was no need to explain what it meant
for women to be captured by such vile pirates.
What made it even worse was that the two of them
were pirate hunters, despised by all pirates.
That alone meant their suffering would be even more horrific.
‘Surely… as revenge for everything… they must be enduring this… or that… perhaps even that…’
‘They must be experiencing every humiliation possible as women,
slowly breaking down mentally…
until they finally succumb, completely corrupted,
reduced to mere playthings for the pirates’ desires…’
‘Kugh…’
Just thinking about it was… no, it was unbearably horrifying.
Though there was nothing she could do about their immediate suffering,
she had to rescue them before they were completely broken.
Even if it meant joining hands with an old enemy,
she needed to gather the strongest possible force.
If she could take the Pirate King’s head, that would be ideal.
But Arcroyal knew.
Unless the Britannian Empire directly intervened,
defeating him with just this force,
even with a stroke of luck, would be incredibly difficult.
However, even if killing the Pirate King was impossible,
achieving her goal was not out of reach.
‘Just hold on a little longer…
I will save you, Elkana… and Ambasha… no matter what…’
***
“What? You mean that Pirate King?”
“Yes, Duke Oaklean. It seems she has become utterly furious after the Sacco di Bennessa incident.”
The “guest” sitting before him—
Grand Marshal Raphael’s words piqued Duke Oaklean’s interest.
“Is that so? That makes sense… Getting humiliated by some lowly pirates would indeed make her blood boil. Hahaha, this is perfect. To think we’ll get to see those filthy pirate bastards buried at sea.”
Duke Oaklean chuckled, his thick cheeks quivering as he spoke.
Watching him, Raphael spoke in a calm tone.
“Yes. That is why we have received their request for support, and we have decided to accept it. However… we are facing several dilemmas regarding this matter.”
“A dilemma? What kind of problem?”
“Yes, as you know, our Franz Kingdom does not have a strong navy. Moreover, with our worsening financial situation, even if we provide support, it is unlikely to be at a satisfactory level.”
“What do you mean by that? Are you saying we don’t even have enough money to deal with a bunch of lowly pirates?”
“That is correct. While funding is an issue, the bigger problem is our lack of manpower. Even during the reign of the late king, our kingdom preferred to focus on the army rather than the navy.”
“Tch… You handled things poorly in the past, and now you’re disappointing me again.”
“As a military officer, I can only apologize. At this rate, even if we defeat the Pirate King, bringing back spoils of war will be difficult.”
“…What? What do you mean by that? Spoils of war…?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The enemy is none other than the Pirate King. He must have hoarded countless rare treasures from across the continent.”
“I-Is that so? Well… that does make sense…”
Duke Oaklean’s face darkened with greed at Raphael’s words.
He had always been inclined toward luxury since childhood,
but the recent financial decline of the Franz Kingdom had made it difficult for him to indulge in his usual extravagant hobbies.
Seeing this, Raphael spoke in a regretful tone.
“However, with the current level of support, there is little to expect. The main forces in this operation are Bennessa and the Britannian Empire. They will take not only the treasures but also all the slaves that were stolen.”
“Treasures… and slaves…?”
At the mention of slaves, Duke Oaklean reacted sensitively.
Raphael knew of his history—how the Pirate King had once raided his slave ships.
Observing the shift in his demeanor, Raphael quietly smirked to himself.
“Of course, if Your Grace and the nobles of the kingdom were to lend their strength, the situation might change. But I doubt there’s any reason for you to do so.”
“Hmm…”
Raphael rose from his seat.
Duke Oaklean, watching him, trembled slightly, a strange atmosphere settling between them.
“Then, I shall take my leave. I will see you at tomorrow’s state council meeting.”
With those final words, Raphael turned to leave.
His steps were measured, slow yet disciplined—like that of a soldier.
Just as he was about to exit the room…
“Wait. Stop.”
“…”
Duke Oaklean’s voice halted him.
For a brief moment, a smile flickered across Raphael’s lips before he quickly erased it.
Turning back with a curious expression, he faced Duke Oaklean.
Duke Oaklean, smiling deeply, thought to himself—
“This is a golden opportunity… A chance to recover my losses… and even claim Ambasha for myself!”
The flames of desire, which he had nearly given up on, flared up once more.
He eagerly anticipated the moment when he would finally enjoy that tender young girl.
His mouth watered with anticipation.
***
For the first time, it opened its eyes.
The first thing it saw…
was the figure of a woman.
Dressed in pure white, like snow.
A black skull emblazoned on her hat.
Long, flowing purple hair, like silk.
And… dazzling blue eyes.
Facing the first light it had ever seen,
it spoke its first words.
“Who… are you?”
The first words to ever leave its mouth.
To this, she answered.
“I am your mother. And…”
As she spoke, she slowly reached out her hand.
The warmth of her touch spread through it.
And then, she said—
“You are my… greatest masterpiece.”
Her voice was full of kindness.
From that moment on,
the only warmth it ever felt was from her.
The only presence that carried kindness—
the only one who mattered—
was its mother.
For its mother, it took up arms.
For its mother, it bled.
For its mother, it killed.
And… for its mother, it would die.
That was its only reason for existence.
With that truth engraved in its heart,
it continued to wield its weapon,
following closely behind its mother.
“P-Please! Spare me! Please… at least spare this child…!”
A human knelt before its mother, pleading.
Clutching a small child, tears streaming down their face.
Watching them,
its mother smiled and said—
“Kill them. All of them.”
“Yes, Mother.”
It swung its axe, obeying her command.
The screams that followed didn’t matter.
Only one thing mattered.
Its mother’s smile.
For that alone, it…
No.
The being that could now be called “her”
faithfully carried out her duty, reveling in joy.
At that moment—
“Captain! You need to see this!”
“Hm?”
A sudden voice interrupted.
Her mother’s smile faded as she turned to look.
Before her stood unfamiliar figures.
A golden-haired woman with golden eyes, followed by others.
Seeing them,
her mother smiled once more and said—
“It’s been a while. What would you like me to do in the name of the Britannian Empire?”
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment