Captive of the Pirate King
Riko, bound tightly with ropes, felt a deep sense of dismay. How did things end up like this? Her captors were overwhelmingly strong. Even accounting for Radamu's severe matchup disadvantage against them.
If we'd fought in the forest? Hornigold wouldn't have even touched the ground before tree roots tore his limbs apart. Riko was certain of it. Even on solid land, things might have gone differently. Radamu had zero experience in naval combat. Even on a ship—given his personality, he'd meticulously consider every possibility of the vessel breaking apart and immobilizing him, leaving no room to unleash his full power. He could be so meticulous it bordered on frustrating. Caring for others was admirable, but his overthinking often made things feel "no fun" at times.
Still, now that his comrade had been kidnapped? He'd grit his teeth and march right into Hornigold's lair. The man who challenged an unbeatable evil god, who risked his life to retrieve severed arms for a total stranger like the great witch. For a comrade he'd shared over a year with? Riko didn't need to see it to know how furious he'd be—not at her for failing to respond properly and getting captured so pointlessly, but at himself for failing to protect her. He'd be tormented by guilt.
Am I gonna die...? Captured by these pirates, her male identity exposed, shot in the head for grossing them out? Witches clashing with pirates was commonplace. Ninety percent fell to enchantment, surrendering their essence wholesale, while the rest—well, plenty of pirates welcomed women with open arms regardless. The remaining ten percent were female pirates, quick to fly into rage and try to kill. Witches' potions and spells had kept them from serious harm or death so far. But the youngest, the late-blooming baby witch, seemed fated to end her life here today.
Still, no regrets... She'd witnessed Circe gaining a husband, recovering her arms, weakening the witches' frail bodies, and even the death of the evil god that had tormented Circe for so long.
But I don't wanna die... Who would? Dying without marrying a handsome man(?). Tightly bound in the cell, whimpering and crying, the pirates gawked at her like a curious monkey in a cage. Shriveling under their gazes, she huddled in the corner, but they asked if she wanted food, if the seat was uncomfortable—caring so much it almost seemed like they'd been enchanted. But she knew better; they were probably plotting to drug her or gang up for violation. So she snarled like a wild beast, threatening to bite off and sever their peppers if they entered. The pirates just laughed, calling her threats adorable.
Their reactions felt off. Rather than advances, they begged her to stay put, warning they'd be killed by the captain if they touched her. With her magic sealed anyway, just behave, they said. Emotions exploding, Riko wailed like a goat, screaming that the pirates were trying to violate her. They fled the cell in a panic, denying involvement.
"...Huh?"
What? These guys? Wasn't it supposed to be the opposite? Pirates forcing captives into dependency without escape? Puzzled, Riko slammed her handcuffs against the wall to break free. Without knowing how witches fought, preparing such restraints would be impossible.
No way... something that severs mana...? She'd never heard of handcuffs that sealed mana. Witches could draw runes from ambient mana alone. But these were high-class seals blocking even that—unknown to Riko.
"Staying quite obedient, aren't you, cute bunny girl?"
"Eeeeek...! I've got pride too! I'd rather bite my tongue than get violated!"
"Oh dear, that won't do. Won't your comrade coming to rescue you be upset? Seeing a corpse would break their heart."
"Eeeeek...!!"
Hornigold's sly grin dared her to try something. With Radamu surely coming, she had to endure. He opened the cell door, beckoning her to walk out if her legs worked. Offering an escort like a gentleman, he extended his hand. Bravely, Riko snatched it.
Ascending to the deck revealed a massive natural fortress. Not man-made, but enormous rock walls carved by nature, coated entirely in refined mithril like battlements. Riding the currents through the sole entrance unveiled the soaring kingdom. Riko marveled at the Pirate Kingdom fused with the sea. But her awe soured at the filthy slaves hoisting nets and the sick lying in streets.
With fierce currents and high walls, how did ships even exit? The slaves were trapped, unable to swim free. The lowest levels were a slum of refugees. Barnacle-crusted wooden planks, saltwater flooding streets with waves, rotting fish heads, swarming flies, pirates piling corpses in corners.
Worst place ever...
"Don't look so pitying, miss. That's all karma."
"...Karma? This?"
"Used slaves, now enslaved themselves."
"Ha...?"
Hornigold burst laughing, claiming the beaten, bound slaves were all nobles or officials. Ascending further, the inner castle transformed the scene. No sea, but a river; children playing, residents farming like another world. Bowing deeply to Hornigold, offering fruits to his followers. A bespectacled youth in noble attire reported taxes and budgets.
Not a pirate... practically a king. Well, Pirate King fit, but it looked like a prime minister welcoming the monarch home.
Her handcuffs now dangled like bracelets, arms free—but Riko lacked the power to scale walls or swim upstream. "Welcome to my castle! You're the first girl in my room."
"Uh... what an honor... or whatever! You're gonna pounce! Violate me!"
"Heh... feisty one. Got the skills to resist?"
"Eeeek... Circe... sorry... the baby witch goes first!"
Leaping from the open window in desperation, Hornigold yanked her ankle, tossing her onto the bed. "Guaak!" Witch pride and purity intact! Kill me! She flailed pathetically. Arms crossed with an indescribable expression, he pulled a book and read, waiting her out.
"Ignoring me outright?!"
"Fruit and salad for dinner?"
"Y-yes."
The initial tyrant's brutality gone, his consideration disarmed her. Playing along, she eyed him warily, ready to rip his throat if needed. Devouring honeyed fruit salad, Hornigold eyed her pityingly—Is she slow?—neatly filleting his grilled fish with knife and fork, impeccably finishing, dabbing his mouth.
"...S-so? Why bring me here instead of a cell?"
"Where do you think this fish came from?"
He tossed a photo and card: a Trust Union port's small fish shop, beauties pictured; a business card with contact for orders.
Cold sweat poured; Riko's eyes trembled.
"Witches' shop, right? Long history... Immortal, so they rotate. Lucky me."
"H-ha... hahaha..."
"I'm their VVIP. Big orders? That's me."
"Ah, the loyal customer—wait, no!! Stalker!!"
"Not a stalker!! Premium client!!!"
"N-not wrong, but...!"
The bizarrely frequent mega-orders were Hornigold's. Sisters thrilled, buying clothes and cosmetics off fish sales—main revenue from him. Cruel irony. Grinning at her reaction, he confirmed it.
Blackmail? Kidnap others? Trembling, Riko awaited. Hornigold spoke.
"...So, does Circe eat fish? My money must help."
"Y-yeah? Buying pricey fish for no reason is suck—mmph!"
Clamping her mouth on the slip, panting. Coolly brushing it off—"I could give her more directly; tell her to visit"—he pressed on.
"Isolated island, but cravings exist?"
"Circe likes fruit..."
"Noted."
Scribbling in a tattered notebook. Then a thick tome: quizzing his researched history, runes dense. Riko squeezed eyes shut. Trembling, correcting minor discrepancies; he erased, revised fluidly.
His runes are better than mine...
"Spent my life researching Circe and witches. Mysteries solved...!"
"Heavens! Using me as research assistant! He's a history prof!"
"Rather violate me!" Sprawling dramatically, he shoved Montagu survivor records and ruined kingdom histories—all in runes—forcing her to verify. "I don't know much...!" Tears falling, she complied. Quickly exposed as bottom of knowledge.
"Youngest, huh... Figures."
"Already treated like an idiot...?!"
"Only a fool eats enemy food. Anyway."
True; lips pursed. Muttering salad's tasty, another bowl arrived—juice bonus. Kid treatment. "I'm a 60-year-old witch!" He, over 90, ignored; she stuffed salad.
Grinning "Yum," he closed his history book—pointless. "So, your role?"
"Uh... Circe's servant."
"Should've led with that!!"
"Kyaaak!! My bad...! N-no, you didn't ask!!"
Eyes flashing at delayed key info, unlocking a safe: empty potion bottles, notebooks. Why empty bottles? A notebook slammed down. Reading: Circe's full biography, densely packed.
Even her parents' names I didn't know. Traveled elf-ruined heartlands, piecing gravestones—mad dedication. Sweat pooling like a stream. This guy's for real...
"Rare for witches to party up... Why wandering?"
"W-well... Witches' Island attacked, Circe's arms severed and taken—"
Suddenly, darkness. Senses cut off; panicked, limbs heavy as water. Cold splash shocked her awake; tumbling from chair.
"Pardon, got excited."
Trembling at his uncontainable rage. His killing intent felled her—foaming, incontinent, fainted.
Changing clothes provided; returning in pink princess dress from a servant.
"Continue..."
Smiling, but dead-fish eyes swirled madness, fury. Fist-punched table scarred neatly.
"T-to... f-find... it... w-we... left."
Overwhelmed, stuttering. "White-haired human?" Nod. Photos slammed: Kesera Sera Sera, white-haired human, robed giant, white-haired red-eyed Levitfoot.
"These bastards?" Nod.
"C-collaborate—"
"Did! Elves wanted poison; traded. Thought done... but they headed storm zone—your island. They did it...!!"
Grinding teeth, face red, steaming fury. Traded elf poison; en route, hit island. "They took Circe's arms?" Nod. Breath hitching, he pulverized wall.
Mithril? Denting it; near-accident averted—already emptied.
Nauseous, hiccuping, eyes spinning.
"Relax, miss... Won't risk Circe's ire. I'll help. Their intel? All yours. Trade."
"What trade...?"
His researched stacks nearby. How'd a sea man gather this? Nothing to offer—body only.
"History says she likes coral carvings?"
"Y-yes..."
"Think she'd like one?"
"Pardon?"
Half-day Circe preference grilling. Satisfied, handed intel, photos, trade log. Bagged; bracelets off—"Go home if you want." At gates, questioning.
"Wha... the hell?"
Really? Just leave? Or probe more? Hesitating, deciding more on Hornigold needed; knocked castle door.