VS Hornigold
"...."
Stepping inside the walls, what we saw was an unbelievably peaceful scene. Villagers wandered the streets at night, drinking in taverns, while those who looked like navy men strolled with their families, trying to adjust to kingdom life. There were vast farms raising orchards, chickens, and pigs. The kingdom ruled by the Pirate King was a world utterly different from the entrance below. If the outer area was hell, this place looked like paradise. There wasn't even a single guard on watch.
Did the pirates handle security? Or maybe no one dared commit crimes—there was no way out of this kingdom anyway, and crossing the Pirate King meant getting tossed straight into the hell below. Drifting endlessly in limbo, neither dead nor alive, was terrifying just to imagine.
The four of us moved silently, hiding in the shadows. Trees dotted the island, allowing Radamu to conceal us single-handedly. When we reached the inner castle, blocked by the walls, Mortis hurled the three of us up, and the men pulled her up together. Using magic circles as footholds, we dashed across the sky undetected and slipped into the castle through an open window.
Isn't this going too smoothly? The thought crossed my mind. The sea had been eerily calm, and that's when it's most dangerous. We weren't relaxing or letting our guard down, but the heavy pressure lingered.
We cautiously opened the door and stepped into the corridor. Lavish halls displayed artworks from who-knows-where—plundered or purchased. From magic lamps onward, if Default Kingdom felt near-futuristic, this was Renaissance emperor-level opulence. Even furniture made of gold. Kidd muttered in awe, "As expected of the Pirate King." Even Hyacinth weakly joked about slipping a golden candlestick into his inventory. The extravagance was shockingly beyond anything we'd seen.
It must feel like this for someone who's spent their life farming in a backwater village. Even Radamu, from another world, felt dizzy amid the gold and jewels adorning every surface like decorations.
Where could she be in this vast place? Probably not the underground dungeon. We trusted only Hyacinth's nose. It led toward Admiral Shark and Prince Castella's scents, but as we climbed higher, cold sweat trickled. The kingdom was empty of pirates—just ordinary servants cleaning. Baffled by their lack of special abilities, we finally stood before the grand hall doors on the top floor.
"We have no choice but to open it." Mortis, ready to tank any attack, flung the doors wide. Inside awaited a massive table laden with steaming, freshly served dishes. Unlike our ragged selves, Riko and Zan sat unscathed alongside Admiral Shark and Prince Castella. No bindings on the hostages left us stunned—but we quickly sensed Hornigold's trap and drew our weapons.
"Sit down. You gonna fight in front of the meal I prepared, sis?"
"Zan, are you alright?"
"As you can see, this lady here's fine too."
Both had black cuffs on their arms, but they didn't seem restrictive. Shark and Castella wore none. Kidd roared Hornigold's name, thrusting his harpoon—but Hornigold casually deflected it with a dinner knife, then hooked the lobster claw like bait and took a big bite.
"No manners...."
Frowning in displeasure, he soon smirked, rising with a smile. "That's what makes a pirate. Fiery temper inherited from Mom?"
"Don't compare me to anyone else—! My name is—!"
Bang! A bullet grazed Bartholomew's cheek as he lunged in rage. He hadn't even registered the draw. His eyes trembled. As he staggered back, silent, Hornigold muttered, That's better, blowing smoke from the barrel and spinning the gun on his trigger finger.
"Rookie, think about who you're barking your name at before you yap."
"....Need help?" The admiral's hand rested on his sword hilt. But Hornigold pressed his shoulder down. Instead, he pulled a potion from his belt and told Zan to drink it, eyeing the saboteurs ruining his dinner ambiance. Locking eyes with Radamu, he grinned.
"No reason for my men to get involved in my personal business."
Hornigold himself revealed why no subordinates lurked in the castle. The arrogant Pirate King, tyrant of the seas, saw no need for underlings in mere "personal matters." He approached with a leisurely stroll, as if going for a walk.
Simultaneously, Prince Castella rose, drawing his sword on Hornigold's exposed back.
"....Then I'll betray you for personal reasons too."
"Prince."
"Admiral Shark. I understand your concern for me. But I promised to side with them!"
"....."
To the Aran, promises were sacred. Not consulted, Shark could only stand silently and offer Zan the potion—hoping for a peaceful resolution if she drank.
"If I drink, will you show mercy, Hornigold?"
"....Zan, if you ask, I'll let you keep breathing. Admiral Shark, don't worry. This is my affair."
Only then did Zan sigh, No choice, and down the potion. Clutching her chest, she coughed and collapsed. Eyes rolling back in fury, Mortis roared, grabbing her own hair like a flail and charging.
"What did you give Zan!!!"
"Who knows... nightmare, maybe?"
Dodging the swinging head effortlessly, Hornigold parried the ice magic sword stabbing from behind with his hook—without looking. In seconds, five surrounded and pressed him. Kidd recovered his harpoon, glaring murderously; Hyacinth aimed his dual pistol-swords. Mortis whirled her head to gauge distance; Radamu drew his spirit sword, watching.
Hornigold stared solely at Radamu.
"Beautiful moonlit night. Hate interruptions."
"Die—!!!"
Kidd's thrust was stomped down, launching him skyward. He flicked away Castella's ice sword swings with his hook. Dodging Mortis's head by leaning back, he tripped her leg, toppling her into Hyacinth's bullets as a shield. Radamu extended a hand—the dropped gun flew to him, but Hornigold's body soared. Radamu summoned a magic circle midair, spinning for a spirit sword overhead strike—but Hornigold dodged with a backstep lean. He kicked Mortis into Radamu; catching her, Radamu was hurled into Hyacinth. As Hyacinth moved to catch them, the kicked gun slammed his gut. Guhk! Doubling over, he crumpled under Radamu and Mortis in a tangled heap on the grand hall floor.
Aerial Kidd, harpoon dropped, flipped for a diving strike on Hornigold's crown—but Hornigold seized his ankle, swinging him like a sword at Castella. Twisting to avoid impalement, Castella collided with Kidd, crashing into the table, food splattering everywhere.
"Urk..."
In just two seconds of combat—Riko, frozen in her chair, couldn't believe her eyes. Utterly overwhelming. He was toying with them.
"Lord Hornigold, approval needed for new citizens' housing construction, trade of recent spoils, and 4th Fleet's departure orders."
The prime minister approached from afar, handing over documents. With unbelievable composure mid-fight, Hornigold read and signed them, passing them back. Servants cleared the mess and hauled away the wrecked table as he leisurely lit a cigar.
The five glared from a wide berth.
"I've lived as I pleased. No grand reasons. Meaning's just tiring."
Inhaling deeply, he exhaled smoke from nose and mouth, flicking the stub away.
"Became Pirate King 'cause I hate anyone above me. Ruling this kingdom? Duty of a king. Making all nations enemies? 'Cause that's how I wanted it.... Screw what others bark; I've lived my way."
Slowly drawing his sword, overwhelming pressure emanated. Suffocating charisma filled the room, weighing us down. Before us stood a man who'd spent his life at sea, slaying all challengers, reigning 50 years as the lawless tyrant, king of the waves.
"Revenge on me, killing me to be king, sea's balance crumbling after my death—none of my business."
Radamu Dice stood where Pirate King Cutlass's blade pointed. Boiling mana surged from Hornigold's body as he locked eyes.
"Come, rookie. Fight me for purely personal reasons."
If you can't surpass me, die here.
With that, Hornigold's sword shoved Radamu's spirit blade aside; a chest kick shattered the wall, debris flying as Pirate King and hero clashed swords under moonlight, sparks flying once more.