Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: War Preparations with Maxburg (5)
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"Haha, this is quite the spectacle. I mean, how much plundering did you lot do that merchants are protesting all the way to Rothringen, the capital of the duchy, saying they can't survive there? Couldn't you have gone easy on them?"
"It was our humble token of appreciation to Your Excellency, who pays us fairly. I was worried it might not be enough, but I'm glad you're satisfied."
"Pulling the 'I'm a noble' humility card at the end, eh? Just brag away. Isn't that what pirates do?"
Braim looked at me and grinned after hearing that.
"We're pretty damn useful, aren't we? What do you think?"
"I admit it. So, to keep you from turning against me, I'll have to pay a fair price. Fine, I'll buy those 18 ships, their cargo, and 500 crewmen for 15,000 gold coins."
"F-Fifteen thousand... You're really going to pay fifteen thousand?"
"Factoring in the goods, crew, ships, and your efforts, it'd be around 10,000. But I hold you in high regard, so I'm adding 5,000 more."
"You're serious?"
It wasn't strange for Braim to doubt me.
Privateering contracts typically granted pirates access to ports and cheap supplies in exchange for a cut of the loot.
But not only was I not taking any tribute, I was supplying them with food, water, and what they saw as magical kelp rations.
On top of that, I was paying unacknowledged bonuses for sunk ships, and now offering an extra 5,000? That was basically just handing out money.
Whether in modern Korea or this era, anyone throwing cash around like that was usually a con artist.
"Yes. But let me ask one thing—what are your plans after this contract ends? Decided yet?"
Braim's expression turned serious at my question.
"Is what you wrote at the end of the contract true?"
"It is. If you join my service, you'll get a share of the profits from your spoils, plus land and a house as a reward. And as soldiers under me, you'll be treated the same as my current troops."
"As Your Excellency knows, the Black Mist Pirates are former captains who broke away from Britannia's vile warships because we couldn't stand them. Asking us to become soldiers—even from someone who treats us as people—our lads won't accept it."
Pirates in this era were usually free spirits who'd rebelled against abusive captains or officers on warships or merchant vessels.
Most lords shouting "Join me!" got nothing but a raspberry in response. But this guy was using his crew as an excuse, which meant...
The door was already open. A little more persuasion, and I could bring them under my banner.
So, I opened my mouth to convince him.
"Then let me ask you this. Don't you want to get married?"
"For us pirates, marriage only happens if you lose an arm or leg and have to leave the sea, or when you're old enough to knock up a slave girl you bought. That's ridiculous..."
"You say that, but you sure seem jealous of the guys who pull it off."
"No, really. Sure, you can have a kid who looks like you and watch them grow even in old age... but raiding with your mates on the ship or in the city, then feasting on booze and meat—that's real fun."
"I see... Well, since you're here, have some pastries Ella baked before you go."
With that, I rang the bell to summon the steward and said,
"Sebastian, Ella should be done baking by now. Ask her to bring the pastries herself."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Sebastian swiftly left the study.
Moments later, Ella entered in her usual maid outfit, pushing a cart with a tray piled high with pastries and a teapot full of black tea.
She set the tray and tea in front of me and Braim, then naturally took her place behind me.
I stroked her head and said,
"Thanks. We'll enjoy them."
"No problem, Master..."
Braim looked baffled, probably shocked that a mere maid would act so affectionately while her master hosted a guest.
"Who the hell is this maid that she can behave like this while you're seeing a guest...?"
"Oh, I haven't introduced her to you. No need before. This is Ella, my one and only concubine. No wife, so she's basically my legitimate spouse."
Typically, a noble's concubine was of lower status than the noble's title, ranked by favor and entry order.
By that measure, my sole concubine Ella— as count's consort— was treated nearly like a baron's wife.
But she always told me,
"I'm your maid, Master. I don't have that noble grace... I won't strut around like that. It'd cause you trouble."
Because of that, new maids sometimes mistook her for regular help, bullied her, and got chewed out by me...
That was Ella's humility. To others, she was undeniably nobility.
Thus, Braim—pirate or not—had committed lese-majeste against a noble.
He quickly bowed at the waist and apologized deeply.
"My apologies, Your Excellency and Lady Ella. I never imagined you'd wear servant's clothes."
Ella lightly waved it off.
"It's fine. I'm no noble by birth."
"Thank you."
"I baked these since Master had a guest. Enjoy."
"Then I will."
Braim and I ate Ella's pastries.
Made with fine flour, plenty of butter, milk, and sugar, they were soft and sweetly delicious.
How does she make simple cookies crumble so perfectly at the touch?
After eating some, nursing that wonder, I started bragging to Ella about the day's events, as usual.
"This guy's Braim, captain of a pirate ship. Used to be a bad captain, but now he's a good one working with me. He drove off the minions from the Duchy of Maxburg tormenting our territory."
"Really? Wow..."
I deliberately kept the conversation going until he finished his cookie, to stir him up.
And sure enough, he went from incredulous to eyeing Ella and me with real envy.
No wonder— for men surviving on fragile ships across endless seas, all they had left was pocket change and an aged body. Family was the forbidden fruit they denied wanting.
They claimed it was nothing, but deep down, childhood memories or pre-rebellion days made them burn with jealousy for those who had it.
Feigning ignorance, I said casually,
"Sorry about that. Been too busy lately to chat much with Ella."
"No worries. And the pastries were amazing. As expected from Blueport's ruler, where pastries and culture reign supreme—these outshine anything from the palace's top chefs."
"Glad you think so. Well, one last question before you go. Really don't need a family?"
His face twisted, torn between his hidden longing for family and pirate freedom.
"That's what family is. You bust your ass for them, come home to the savory smell of fish your loving wife baked. Then the family gathers at the table for a warm meal. You brag, 'I did this today, pretty impressive, huh?' Your wife and kids comfort you, or genuinely admire their man with thanks. Kids proudly tell Dad about their day with laughs. And tomorrow? Hope to give your loving kids and wife better food, clothes— a reason to push through hard times, a home to return to. That's family."
Ridiculous coming from a childless guy twenty years my junior...
But he was too dazed to notice, just gaping at me slack-jawed.
"Sounds nice. Great, even. But to have that, we can't live as pirates anymore. And sure, me and the officers might be fine, but the rank-and-file could get abused like on those old warships. They won't take it... They'd just mutiny and pick another admiral."
In typical navies—even good ones treating ex-pirates well—only officers could afford families.
But in cash-rich, manpower-short County of Kroitel? Not an issue.
Even our lowest enlisted could marry, feed kids three squares, and save for weddings.
"That's their armies. Not ours. Abuse without reason? Noble or not, they pay the price. We'll punish desertion, but leave with good cause? Fine. Pay's generous—7 gold a year for basic marines, gear and food all covered by the county."
"...For real?"
"And talent rises. Heard the bard songs about the Black Baron's demon pig hunt? Mark, the serf-born quasi-noble in it? He's my platoon leader now, pulling 2 gold monthly."
"You'd treat my men the same?"
One more bait, and he'd bite.
Anyway, building the navy starts with his fleet— even his lowliest swab gets squad leader at minimum.
"I'm expanding the navy. Need skilled sailors like yours. Contribute to victory this war? All commissioned as sergeants or higher. And you? Knighted."
"But sergeant... what's that rank?"
"Leads ten men. About 10 gold pay. I'll even arrange marriages—plenty of unmarried serf girls here. Miss this? Gone forever."
He dropped to one knee before me.
"Admiral Braim of the Black Mist Pirates pledges loyalty to Your Excellency of Kroitel. Accept me and my men."
"Good. Prove your worth in this war for those terms. And of the 15,000 gold, using 5,000 for houses and land for you all? Fine?"
"As you wish. My men will serve you loyally too."
Finally, all pieces in place for victory.
This time, overwhelming—utterly crushing—win.
Or worst case, Northern Alliance might not hit Romania's rear...