The Pirate King's Unchanging Dream
Pirate King Hornigold. "Tch, why'd I go easy on him?" "On which side?"
Zan de Radgerda let out a deep sigh. Anyone could see he'd blatantly held back, yet here he was pretending otherwise. His Vitatus Strike could pulverize a ship if he'd meant business. And yet, the fact that Radamu Dice's form still lingered after taking it head-on raised more questions about restraint than raw hero strength. The man she knew wasn't one to pull punches.
She couldn't shake the doubt from him using a skill that kicked the sea eight times—executed with just two lazy stomps. "It's 'cause there's a witch in his party. No thanks to pissing off Circe by killing him."
"....."
What face would he make if he knew Circe was aboard—and that the guy he'd kicked was her mate? No point stirring the pot, so Zan held her tongue. He'd been chasing Circe all this time. She'd seen plenty of his obsession during their travels. For ten years, Hornigold had been their compass on that journey—countless treasures, endless adventures, formidable foes, and staggering sea disasters. Each a treasure of memory. But now, they were just rusted regrets.
"Fifty years of searching, huh?"
"Damn right. Scoured every sea that could swallow me whole. I know about the witch, Circe's whereabouts—even that she's lost both arms."
──Now that was news to her. Zan played dumb for now. No use tipping her hand to this sharp bastard; he'd only grill her. Praying Radamu survived thanks to the witch in his party, she decided to comply and gauge the situation. His crew waiting behind would look after Radamu—no need to worry there. But with the Empire betrayed and her as extra hostage, they'd come charging recklessly. Her head throbbed at the thought.
Circe missing both arms... So that's why they met. Those two...
"Even as Pirate King, still hunting Circe. You're one consistent bastard."
"Don't get it twisted, Zan. I didn't hit the seas to become Pirate King."
".....Right."
What he sought was the lost history of an ancient kingdom—and the sea witch Circe. Just those two. Bristol tagged along for the romance, and our aimless voyage turned into a quest for them. Those glorious, shining days—ruined by sharing them with that damn man—made her eyes sting with unwanted memories. This was the fate of rotting away fifty years doing nothing.
She'd known she'd cross paths at sea someday, but not like this—so pathetic. A handkerchief quietly placed on her hand. Hornigold didn't look her way. The Iron Empress never shed a tear, they'd said. Ridiculous nonsense from who-knows-when. She was just an old hag now. That youthful fire? Not even embers left.
Confidence brimmed when she set sail, joy at meeting Admiral Shark, thrill fleeing the Holy Eagle Kingdom or unearthing treasures—like youth reborn. But times had changed, farther than she could feel.
"Damn bastard."
"Heh, should've killed me outright. Women, always... Time topples even kingdoms that conquer seas. Fifty years, Zan. Things can't stay the same."
The ship had reached the Pirate Kingdom. Imperial vessels loitered near the entrance. What thoughts brewed in Prince Castella seeing those seven ships? Admiral Shark?
He'd lingered, smoking silently as his half-sunk ship went down. They'd joked captains died with their vessels—yet both abandoned ship, aging disgracefully.
"Missed my cue to die..."
"Tch, spare me the old man's lament on my ship. Age in body, stay young in heart."
"Kukuku... True. Even at thirty, that bearded boy chased sea witch legends with stars in his eyes."
"Rum?"
"Pass. Body can't take it."
"That's sad."
Handing back the rum, she watched him pop the cork, mix in gunpowder, and chug. His clumsy captain imitation stirred no rage or insult to the dead—just baffling familiarity.
"Didn't the captain say mixing rum makes you a heretic, Hornigold?"
"Forgot how you always pushed me to man up and chug? Just a coincidence our tastes matched."
As if. He'd rage when the captain shoved it at him. Through the captain's quarters window, one invincible fleet's red ships entered the kingdom, unloading our gold vault onto the deck. Naval decks teemed with refugees—from elders to kids—clutching belongings like lifelines. The Empire's navy once brimmed with pride and glory. Their misery mirrored her life too closely; Zan bit her lower lip.
Hornigold, gazing upward, noted the ships docking and stood. "Time to disembark. Need an escort, lady?"
"Stuff it. I'd stab you if I had a blade."
"Kukuku..."
Her lethal glare barely fazed him; he just chuckled, "That's my Zan." She smashed his rum bottle, gripped a shard, and slashed. It grazed his cheek—blood trickled. Shock faded quick; as she puzzled, wrinkles creased his eyes, and she backed away.
"....Not the Fountain of Youth, then."
"Curse of the Crown. What's wrong? I can fight fair."
His cheek healed, youth returning eerily. Zan caught her breath, asking who knew. She'd uncovered his sole weakness.
His answer? As expected—a feral grin. "Just one."
Only you.
"Gonna kill me?"
But he dismissed it—waste of time, let's go—and turned.
Disembarking revealed a rotting shantytown—mandatory path to the kingdom. Diseased dying, slaves abused by pirates. Hollow-eyed slaves, hope gone, terrified the naval refugees with Hornigold's dread.
"A-Admiral...! You came to save us...?!"
A gaunt woman reached for Admiral Shark, who gawked in recognition. The emaciated, rotting noble crawling with flies and maggots paled even Prince Castella.
"Dare touch my partner with those filthy hands?"
"Hiiik... Sh-Shark, I-I—"
Bang! Hornigold fired mercilessly, gaze disgusted. Screams at the exploding head, kids wailing into parents. The navy, forced to follow, eyed Admiral Shark anxiously—fear of the same fate spreading.
No escape in this kingdom; their fate hinged on Hornigold's whim.
"Hey, Admiral. Know who that bitch was? Kukuku... Deinous scale girl making jewelry from 'em... Bought tons of slaves. So I returned the favor—yanked every nail and claw for trinkets, pickled fingers in salt brine. Kukuku..."
"....I know. Blinded a reporting naval officer's eye when her pretty-scale slave didn't arrive."
"Think she deserved death?"
"......"
"Kick."
No answer needed—go, he gestured. Instilling terror to crush resistance. Vile, brutal—but they'd never defy him. As navy and families followed pirates to the castle, Zan trailed; he paused her. "Slow stroll along the shore. Catch up."
"Nothing to say."
"Come on, Zan. Donated to the All Gods Temple... Heh... Seas are harsh. Invisible winds bring plagues, y'know."
"......Think I'd thank you?"
"Ask for it? Navy got wrecked. Who'd guess Trust Union's ports would crumble like that? And no one wages war here on a whim."
Scanning around, she clocked the motley crowd: praying faithful, ragged nobles glaring daggers yet cowering, an elf hung by the pillar—ears severed—devoured alive by starving madmen. Its regeneration kept it screaming. Zan averted her eyes.
"Funny, right? They thought it wouldn't happen to them. Strong, crushing power from birth. Bottom-feeders? Who cares. I don't meddle—unless they filth up my seas. Then they pay."
"....Even with Trust Union's navy crushed, no invasions 'cause you intervened?"
"Why cover for idiots shitting in my ocean?"
Even if it's an evil god—he growled, gunning down the ex-noble. No one dared challenge him. Eyes blazing, he glanced at Zan... stared at the starry sky, smirked. "Too damn hot."
Tossing his coat, he walked; Zan followed along the shore. Slave-makers paid dearly. Even land nobles invading his turf—burned domains, dragged alive as slaves. Their folk lost lords overnight. Others snatched the seats.
"Spend much?"
"Kukuku... Merchants bow to who?"
Sea balance ran on power, he claimed. Assassins, kidnaps, kills—all for a price. Elves? He crushed and captured them. His strength? Beyond her judgment.
"....Why not heal that arm, Hornigold?"
"Loyalty. Know it, Zan?"
Chuckling like he'd drunk too much, he stopped at the castle gate, palm out. "Behold my work." Inside: farmers, village life. All kidnapped from slave ships—lucky bastards, he said. Criminal slaves? Pirate fodder. Roaring laughter.
Then...
"I loved traveling. That man who didn't mock my dream—you too."
"......"
"Wondered if the island had nothing. This cursed crown. Even pre-betrayal, told that bastard if Circe traces appeared, I might betray. ...Guess his reply?"
"Manly?"
"Pirate life too. Couldn't stab him—screamed betrayal instead. Still stupid."
His severed arm? Loyalty, he chuckled. Zan stayed silent—never imagined those talks in the captain's quarters. That idiot would've laughed, "Try betraying to my face!" Pure moron. Muttering agreement, Hornigold burst laughing.
"Ah, good... Nice having someone for old tales... Booze loosens tongues."
One bottle? Youthful shell, but old inside.
"Pirate King was his dream. Not mine. Just hated anyone else taking it."
Perched on rock, griping; Zan agreed. He'd grinned at Sea Triton ending his journey soon.
"So, your dream, Hornigold? Meeting sea witch Circe?"
"......Curious 'bout the dream-crusher's dream? You're old, Zan."
"Pitiful old drunk whining over one bottle."
"Heh. Am I? Old man?" Grinning, chuckling, erupting again. Zan sighed—always laughing. Mortis nagged him for it too, wiping tears.
Gazing at sky lights, he murmured: nothing big, grandiose nothing-dream.
"I was a slave, Zan. Never told ya. Sold young, barely remember."
"...Figures. Hated slaves. Suited you."
"Survived luck. Storm... Idiot captain crashed into sea's demon realm. Lucky? Lived."
"Tough break? Washed to island?"
"Yeah. Got a poisoned vial too. Still see it closing eyes... Vibrant coral colors... That beauty..."
Glassy-eyed at horizon, lost in memory—he called that vial his dream, lifeblood treasure. Yet she'd never seen him carry it. Recalling him downing a potion, she frowned. Not unused—too precious.
He'd drunk his dream, chose it, plunged into seas.
".....Met her. Sea witch Circe."
"Wish you could see. She's truly beautiful..."
Standing, adjusting hat. No—beauty fell short; he asked her instead.
"──So, impressions of Circe, Zan?"
".....Scary fucker. Chills... You knew everything?"
"Think I'd miss Sea Triton's owner being Circe?"
Crashing waves, storm winds—that beach song haunting his ears. "Like stars stitching night seas—her sorrow, faded over decades, Zan?"
"......."
"Prove it then. Or die by my hand."
"....Answer me, Hornigold. What drives this madness?"
Still clueless? Chuckling, he shook head—blind to man's heart.
"Elves, Empire, disasters, oppression... I'd shield her! Even if all turned foe! No one touches her in my seas! Hornigold guards her! Prove it—that guy's man enough against even the Maou!"
Mad eyes gleaming, he laughed. His dream—unchanged—shared only with her.
"Consistent lunatic. Sixty years, same."
From first meeting, unwavering: protect the woman he loved against all oppression. Give isolated, stripped her—freedom. Crush any sea foes. For her happiness alone.
"Rude, but pure love."
Unchanged, even if she loved another. His heart.