Chapter 429
Chapter 429
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 429
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in a Count's Family
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The Red Flying Fish Pirates docked at Uric Island once more.
Among the executives of the Pirate Alliance, Bicol was still drinking at the tavern. It seemed like the only thing he did all day was drink, but this guy commanded a total of eight pirate ships under him—a great pirate.
"Heh heh... You arrived sooner than expected. I heard the rumors. You burned five pirate ships, huh? Who would've thought you had such impressive skills."
His words were casual. But I noticed his demeanor had changed from before. Previously, there had been a subtle air of disdain toward Dairan, but now he was openly wary of her—anyone could see it.
'Well, yeah. If you hear that someone sank five pirate ships at once by setting them ablaze, you can't ignore them.'
Dairan tossed a gold coin toward Bicol. He snatched it out of the air like he'd been waiting for it.
"I want to contact Borix."
"Heh heh heh... It's not much, but... Borix said he wanted to talk to you too."
Bicol threw a magic communication orb to her. Dairan infused it with mana.
—I've been waiting, Dairan.
"Borix. I handled it just as you wanted."
—I heard the report too. I never thought you'd actually pull it off.
I could feel Borix's genuine admiration. He probably thought even after suggesting it that she'd fail. From his perspective, it wouldn't have mattered if Dairan died.
"They were amateurs with no experience. They were totally off guard. And I didn't kill everyone."
—Sinking five pirate ships even if they were careless is still an incredible feat. You have more than enough skill to be an executive. Did you use the wizard you have with you?
"Exactly. You know how wizards shine in situations like this, right?"
—Guess I should save a wizard myself sometime.
"You'll put in a good word for me, then?"
—I'm a pirate, sure, but I'm not one to make empty promises. I'll recommend you as an executive.
"Thanks. Appreciate it."
—Looking forward to seeing you again.
The communication ended. Dairan handed the orb back to Bicol and turned away without lingering.
"Don't you need two more recommendations?"
Bicol asked. She answered without turning back.
***
The Red Flying Fish pirate ship raced across the sea with the wind at its back.
Dairan sat at the bow. Her red hair fluttered in the sea breeze.
Lately, she spent more time staring blankly at the ocean. According to the female pirates, she always looked at the sea when she was deep in thought.
I sat down next to Dairan. She flinched in surprise when she saw my face.
Ever since that day I saved her life with mouth-to-mouth, her attitude toward me had changed. Neither she nor the other pirates noticed, but to me—who was hyper-focused on observing her—it was obvious.
"...Do you have something to say?"
"I came because I was curious what you think about when you stare at the sea."
"..."
Dairan fell silent. Normally, she'd brush it off as nothing and walk away. But today was different. Humans have those sentimental days sometimes, and it seemed today was hers.
'She gets all sentimental every day in the captain's quarters, though...'
I'd secretly installed a camera in the captain's quarters. I knew she masturbated once or twice a day ever since I saved her. She was probably using me as her fantasy material.
"I was thinking about what comes after the plan succeeds."
"Afterward, huh. Are you going to become a mercenary like you mentioned before? Or settle down in some rural village?"
"I've thought about it, but I don't think I can leave the sea."
"Why? If you keep pirating, you'll be branded a traitor and won't last long before you die."
"I was born and raised on the sea. And if I create a new Pirate Alliance... that possibility disappears. Oh, don't worry—we have no plans to pirate in your territory."
The chances of her forming a new Pirate Alliance were slim to none.
No matter how you sliced it, no pirate would support someone who'd betrayed the alliance once. And she had to know that.
Right now, she was just being stubborn. Refusing to leave the sea.
'She's no ordinary woman, so she's confident... but the world isn't that forgiving.'
As I looked at her, a shiver ran through me. Now! This is the moment! my instincts screamed.
"What do you mean born and raised? From a fishing village?"
"Exactly what I said. I was born at sea. Specifically, on a merchant ship sailing the ocean—my mother gave birth to me there."
"Huh... Things like that happen too."
I nodded along as she shared her backstory. Dairan gazed at the sea and spilled it all freely.
It meant a certain level of trust had built up with me. Maybe she trusted me more than her own crew.
Trust in people doesn't come just from spending time together.
"My father was a merchant baron. He owned seven merchant ships. From a young age, I learned about the sea from him and the navigators. He had the hired sailors take me out every day to nearby waters to hone my sailing skills."
"Oho. Noble blood after all. So why'd you become a pirate?"
"Ten years ago, my father passed away. Three days after a stormy night with lightning flashing, one of his injured subordinates came to the mansion and told me the news of my parents' deaths. The sea took them."
"..."
"I was out of my mind back then. I couldn't believe my parents were gone in an instant, and then the debts from failed trades came piling up—tens of billions. With interest accruing daily, I thought repayment was impossible. So I fled to sea with Gula, the leader's daughter, and became a pirate."
"...And you still love the sea?"
"I know it's weird. But the sea is my world. How do you run from the world you live in?"
Dairan suddenly sighed.
"I rambled too much. Forget this conversation. It's not even interesting."
I grabbed her shoulder as she tried to stand.
"My offer still stands. If you love the sea so much, join the Tevran navy and roam it freely. I'll make sure you can sail under my name."
"...Hah. What am I supposed to trust about you? I'd rather die free as a pirate than be used up by a noble and discarded."
"I have zero intention of discarding my woman. If there's anything you want, I'll support you fully."
"You mean..."
She stared at me like I was ridiculous.
I spoke to her with the seriousness of a pirate's vow.
"Become my woman."
"...Hah. You think I don't know your goal is my body...? Mmph!?"
I leaned in and kissed her. I pretended to close my eyes but peeked through slits. She hesitated instead of pushing me away immediately.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Finally, Dairan closed her eyes. Her full lips were plump, soft, and yielding.
I rubbed them slowly, unhurriedly, and her mouth naturally parted.
Now for the tongue. I slipped mine into her mouth. She trembled briefly but soon responded with hers.
"Mm... "
Saliva mixed, creating sticky sounds. Dairan was a terrible kisser. Her inexperience screamed through.
I kept kissing without breaking for breath.
About ten minutes in, I instinctively reached for her breast.
Squish.
I wanted to savor the blissful feel, but she grabbed my wrist and pulled it away. Her flushed face glared at me.
"I'm not your woman."
"After a kiss like that?"
"... "
Dairan's eyes wavered. She wasn't sure of her own feelings yet.
I chuckled.
"Fine. I respect your will. Just kissing, then."
I switched back to my normal tone. The moment she allowed the kiss, she'd already crossed the line.
With Arousal Boost active, I kissed her again.
"Hmph... "
I wondered how many days she could hold onto her purity now.
***
The Red Flying Fish pirate ship anchored at a village. It wasn't an ordinary one, of course. A village allied with pirates—one of the Pirate Alliance's strongholds.
Dairan strode confidently through the village and entered the largest, most ornate cabin.
The interior overflowed with luxurious, flashy, and bizarre furniture and decorations.
The man lounged arrogantly in a leather chair.
"Oh! Dairan! I heard the stories, but I didn't expect you'd come see me."
Lemor.
One of the Pirate Alliance executives. Short brown hair, a monkey-like face and ears. Slim build, but dripping with shiny accessories that gave off the vibe of a wealthy tycoon.
From what I'd heard before coming here, he was a pirate but specialized more in smuggling.
"You know you have to give me what I want if you want my recommendation, right?"
Lemor's hobby was collecting antiques.
Dairan and I had scoured a sunken ship underwater to trade with him.
"I've got it ready. You'll like it."
"We'll see if it satisfies my eye."
Dairan's subordinates placed a chest before him. He opened it with the excitement of a kid on his birthday.
"Ohooo?"
Lemor carefully lifted out the item.
It was a grotesque statue.
The body was a common fish shape, but it had skinny human arms and legs attached.
"Grr! Amazing! The statue itself is great, but these gold bracelets and anklets are the real gems!"
Even if they were real gold, their value was low. Probably not even worth five gold coins.
"Deal's on, then?"
Lemor, who'd been fussing over the statue for a while, carefully set it on the table.
"Of course. I'll recommend you. That's your third one, right? Who's the last one?"
"Lend me Uging's communication orb."
"Figured as much."
Lemor cackled.
My face twisted involuntarily. I'd heard Dairan's plan in advance, and I already hated this Uging guy.
'Patience. Just hold it together a little longer.'
Dairan activated the orb she received.
The connection took dozens of seconds of silence before responding.
—Lemor. Did you get the item I ordered?
A man's voice, slick like it was slathered in oil, came through.
"Uging. It's me."
—That lovely voice...! Dairan!
Uging raised his voice. Dairan's face briefly soured.
"... "
—It's been three months since we last talked like this! And you reached out first, Dairan! I can't tell you how happy—
"Uging. What I want is... "
—I know. You want my recommendation, right? But unfortunately, I can't hand them out lightly—it'd ruin my reputation. However, if you meet my condition, I'll gladly recommend you.
Dairan glanced at me. It was almost instinctive, but I caught it since I was watching her closely.
"If you recommend me... "
I reached out and wrapped my arm around Dairan's firm waist. My other hand caressed her face.
Dairan's eyes widened as she looked at me, and Lemor grinned like he was enjoying the show. I checked Lemor—he seemed like he wouldn't interfere, silently chuckling.
—Huh? What, Dairan? Why'd you trail off?
Good thing it was audio-only. If it transmitted visuals too, the plan would've been ruined.
"...Just thinking for a second."
Dairan didn't push me away. Probably thanks to the kisses we'd shared on the ship whenever the chance arose. I brought my lips to her ear. She shivered slightly.
—Haha! No need for pointless worries, Dairan. Like I said before, we're destined for each other. With us, we can live well on these seas.
I licked her pale nape.
"Hah... "
—Oh, was that a sexy sigh? Dairan! You know what I want. Say it yourself!
"If you recommend me... Ah... I'll marry you."
My woman marrying another man... Even knowing it was a white lie and part of the plan, it grated on me. In a petty mood, I unlaced her leather corset midway and slipped my hand inside.
Dairan, her face flushed red, didn't resist.
—Dairan. Your voice is trembling—are you shy? Haha! Don't worry. I'll take good care of you from now on. Like I said, I fell for you at first sight. We'll make a great couple. How about we hold our wedding on Pirate Island the day you become an executive?
"Pfft, heh heh heh!"
Lemor couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.