Chapter 76: The Pirate King of Laxas (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: The Pirate King of Laxas (3)
Pellin Kraysinne is a genius.
Having already reached the 3rd Tier at a young age, he is a prodigy whose talent no mage would ever dispute.
Unfortunately, however, the name Pellin Kraysinne is not particularly well-known.
This is because Pellin’s talent could never quite catch up to that of his older sister, Penia Kraysinne.
His genius was eclipsed and paled in comparison to his sister’s even greater brilliance. Despite this, Pellin did not resent Penia.
On the contrary, he adored her.
He watched her manifest magic he struggled with as if it were nothing. He saw her earn the recognition of the Tower Master and become the Vice Tower Master of the Blue Magic Tower at such a young age. Watching her, he felt a sense of pride.
Pride that he shared the same bloodline as Penia Kraysinne.
Pride that the woman who became a Vice Tower Master so young was his sister.
That was why, for someone like him...
"It’s been a while."
"It... has been a while."
"Have you been well?"
"Y-Yes... of course...!"
The situation unfolding before him felt beyond surreal; it was nothing short of a total shock.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Ah, w-well—the Tower Master said there was business in Laxas—"
Pellin stood there with his mouth agape, watching Penia—who was notoriously arrogant to everyone except the Tower Master—smile awkwardly.
He had truly never seen Penia act this way toward anyone else.
"This makes no sense..."
"What makes no sense?"
Evan, sitting in the carriage, asked as Pellin muttered to himself.
However, Pellin remained in a state of shock, as if he couldn't hear a thing.
"My sister... using honorifics like that?"
"...?"
He wore a look of utter desolation, as if he had just witnessed his proud sister, who always walked her own path, compromising her integrity for the sake of the world.
However.
"Just yesterday, she slapped a noble brat three times for acting out and then froze him solid with ice magic...?"
"??"
"A few days ago, when she caught a merchant guild trying to rip her off, she smashed all their carriages, froze the guards who arrived late, and even stormed the Lord’s castle to throw a tantrum...???"
"...."
As Penia’s outrageous track record flowed smoothly from Pellin’s mouth—contrary to his devastated expression—Evan looked at him and thought:
...Mages really are a bunch of lunatics.
Between Pellin, who admired his sister for her madness, and Penia, who committed those acts in the first place, they were quite the pair.
Just as Evan was updating his mental prejudice against mages after hearing such appalling stories...
"So, is that fellow your brother?"
"Y-Yes...! I am so sorry...! He’s spent his whole life cooped up in the Magic Tower, so he knows nothing of the world...!"
Alon replied casually to Penia, who bowed her head deeply at his question.
"There’s no need to bow so low. He didn't seem to know any better, so I’ll let it slide."
"T-Thank you!"
Penia let out a sigh of relief, bowing once more.
"Sister, why on earth are you using honorifics—"
Pellin, who had been wearing a hollow expression until a moment ago, finally found his voice, but he couldn't finish his sentence.
"Shut up!"
Whack!
Before he could even finish his thought, Penia began mercilessly beating him with her staff.
After a brief moment.
"I-I’m sorry... pant... He’s... pant... still very young...!"
Leaving the twitching Pellin behind, Penia approached and apologized again. Alon was reminded once more that in the game’s lore, she was often depicted as having a bit of a personality disorder.
"No, it’s fine. More importantly, if you’re heading to Laxas, our destinations are the same. Let’s travel together."
"Eh? No, there’s no need for that."
"Do you dislike the idea?"
"Ah, no? It’s not that. It’s just, well..."
At Alon’s question, Penia—who had been beating Pellin like a demon just seconds ago—began to shift her gaze nervously.
She looked like a mouse in front of a cat, racking her brain for a way to escape the situation.
"If you don't want to, you don't have to come along."
"Ah, w-well..."
Alon had spoken lightly, merely intending to show a bit of goodwill, but Penia suddenly stiffened as if she had goosebumps all over her body and muttered.
"I-I’ll go."
"Is that so? You really don't have to."
Alon checked one more time, noticing her less-than-ideal expression.
"No, no! Please, let us go with you!"
Unlike her hesitation just a moment ago, as soon as he double-checked, Penia appealed desperately to join them. Her face looked so frantic that Alon felt a bit strange, as if he had somehow threatened her, but he soon nodded.
"Then let’s head out."
* * *
After picking up the twitching Pellin and setting off for Laxas, Alon learned two things from Penia.
First, regarding why the two of them were scavenging for food (?) in the middle of the road, it seemed they had a major falling out with the merchant guild leader they had been traveling with.
According to Penia, after a bit of a spat, she made a "slight mistake" and had to flee.
...He wondered how a "slight mistake" resulted in them fleeing without even packing food, but it wasn't something he felt the need to pry into. Above all—
"...."
"...."
Seeing Evan and Pellin looking at Penia with various subtle expressions, Alon grasped the general situation and naturally changed the subject.
And during that conversation, he heard something else interesting from her.
"...Ships are disappearing?"
"To be precise, it’s only happening near the Relic Coast, but they say ships are being dragged under the water."
"Is it a natural disaster?"
"No, according to a treasure hunter, it seems to be 'Fishmen'."
"...Fishmen?"
"Yes. Of course, it’s not certain. Fishmen haven't been seen for a long time."
Alon fell silent for a moment at Penia’s words.
Why are Fishmen appearing now?
Of course, Alon knew that Fishmen appeared in Psychedelia.
However, what puzzled him was the timing.
This was a point in time when the existence of Fishmen shouldn't have been revealed yet.
Since two Outer Gods had already appeared, the original timeline had become somewhat meaningless, but even considering that, the appearance of Fishmen was far too early according to the game’s basic settings.
Alon tilted his head slightly.
No, wait. Fishmen shouldn't even be able to emerge at this point.
Unlike the Outer Gods, whose appearance times were somewhat abstract, he recalled the specific lore attached to the Fishmen and felt a sense of unease.
Regardless, if Fishmen had appeared now, it meant that another Outer God could potentially manifest as well.
As Alon was lost in thought...
"We’ve arrived."
Evan’s voice from outside cleared his head.
Even if Fishmen were appearing, the fact that Alon had to go to Laxas remained unchanged.
Stepping out into the Kimin Territory, which was part of Laxas, he immediately left the carriage behind and headed for the harbor.
To enter the capital of Laxas, one absolutely had to take a boat.
The four of them soon arrived at the harbor and were lucky enough to find a ship that was just about to depart.
The problem, however...
"100 gold coins per head."
The man who appeared to be the captain was trying to rip Alon and Penia off with a blatant, mocking sneer.
"Huh? 100 gold coins per head?"
"That’s right."
"Do you really think that makes any sense?"
"If you don't think it makes sense, you can wait two weeks for the regular liner."
The captain grinned.
He vaguely guessed Alon was a noble, and even though he knew Penia and Pellin were mages, he was still bold enough to try and swindle them.
"Ha—do you even know who I am?"
Penia spoke threateningly, even letting her mana flare, but the man only flinched slightly before continuing.
"I don't care who you are. Whether you’re nobles or mages, this is my ship. I set the price."
The man spoke with confidence.
Watching him, Alon guessed the reason for his arrogance.
He must have connections higher up.
The only reason he could speak so boldly to a noble was that he likely had a patron who would cover for him even if he swindled people like this.
After a moment of thought...
"So, are you getting on or not?"
Alon looked at the arrogant captain and spoke.
"...So, that’s 400 gold coins?"
"Correct."
"I’ll pay."
"?"
The captain’s face went blank for a moment.
He clearly hadn't expected Alon to actually agree to such a proposal. He was stunned for a second, but only for a second.
"Take it."
When Alon handed over the coin pouch, the captain snatched it up.
He still looked a bit skeptical, but a jubilant expression soon broke across his face as he gestured.
"Get on. I’ll take you there."
The captain headed into the ship with a despicable smirk behind his thick beard—the kind of smile that made you want to punch him.
"Wait, Count, are you really going to give it to him? Even considering the premium, that’s nearly ten times the normal rate!"
Evan asked in shock at the absurd situation.
"It can’t be helped."
As long as the man had connections, there wasn't much they could do.
Even if they managed to haggle, they wouldn't be able to get to Laxas for another two weeks unless they paid up, so it was better to just hand over the money.
...In truth, it was an unthinkable luxury normally, but thanks to the treasure he had received from the King of the Colony, his pockets were quite deep.
...Penia and Pellin probably have plenty of money too. Maybe I should have told them to pay...?
...Of course, even with deep pockets, such thoughts still crossed his mind.
Regardless, having paid the fee, Alon and his party boarded the merchant ship and set off for Laxas.
* * *
It had been one day since the merchant ship bound for Laxas departed.
Having been told they would arrive in the city in three days, Alon was resting in the room assigned by the captain.
"Uuuggh—"
He looked at Evan, who was lying on the bed next to him, his face a pale shade of green as he groaned.
"Are you alright?"
"I feel... like I’m dying, Count... I think I’d rather just die. Hic—!"
Watching Evan, who had rushed out more than five times since waking up, Alon realized the man was prone to severe seasickness.
"Uu-ugh..."
"...."
And on top of that, Penia was the same.
Her face was just as green as Evan’s, and she looked utterly dizzy. Before long, she too clutched her mouth and went sprinting out.
I guess even the 6th Tier can’t escape seasickness.
Watching Penia, who had been in a near-death state since yesterday and couldn't even lift a finger along with Evan, Alon let out a sigh of relief.
I’m glad I don't get seasick.
It had been a while since he’d felt so positive about his own body and its tiny mana hole.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Suddenly, amidst the sound of the waves and the rhythmic creaking of the rusted iron, a bell began to toll frantically.
"E-Enemy attack!! P-Pirates!"
"!"
Sensing the merchant ship fall into instant chaos, Alon moved quickly and headed outside.
There, he saw the situation on the deck.
Countless pirates were swarming aboard before anyone could even react.
Alon immediately moved his fingers, equipped with his gauntlets, intending to activate Severe Cold.
"...."
But he hesitated.
If he used magic recklessly here and the ship was destroyed, the situation would become extremely dangerous for him.
Realizing that if the ship sank without any other alternative, he would be buried at the bottom of the sea, he weighed his options.
In the blink of an eye, pirates were pointing swords at him. He decided to let himself be captured for now.
* * *
In the end, Alon was captured by the pirates.
Penia, unable to overcome her seasickness, had fainted while half-draped over the deck railing. She was captured without any resistance, and her staff was confiscated. Evan and Pellin met the same fate.
In that situation...
"A deal, let’s make a deal...! You can take all the cargo! Plus, I have mages and nobles here that you’ll love! Over there, look!! That noble is quite wealthy! You’ll definitely get a huge ransom for him!"
Watching the captain, who had been captured along with the other mercenaries and crew, sell them out without a moment’s hesitation, Alon wore an expression of utter disbelief.
"That piece of trash...!"
Evan was equally incensed, his face contorted in a scowl.
However, Alon didn't feel a great sense of crisis.
After all, he had allowed himself to be captured on purpose to buy time to form the necessary Phrases and seals for his magic.
Furthermore...
...As I thought.
Penia, who had been in a bad state due to seasickness, had already broken the mana restraints the pirates had placed on her and was looking at Alon.
She looked ready to move the moment Alon made his move.
...Shall I give it a try?
Just as Alon finished his deliberations and was about to utter a Phrase...
"It’s damn noisy out here."
A man appeared from the pirate ship that had hooked onto theirs.
He was clad in silver armor that looked expensive even at a glance and held a blue trident.
The man, who possessed an air of elegance one wouldn't expect from a pirate, approached the captain with a relaxed expression.
"The Sea God...!?"
The captain looked as if he had seen a ghost as he uttered the man’s alias.
Penia, who had just woken up from her faint and was assessing the situation, felt her expression twist with anxiety.
Having done her research before coming here, Penia knew exactly who the "Sea God" was.
The Pirate King...!
She grit her teeth at the appearance of a powerhouse who had unified six of the Seven Archipelagos, was known as a Great Pirate, and had a massive bounty on his head in Laxas.
The situation was spiraling out of control.
...What on earth is he thinking!?
Penia looked anxiously at Count Palatio, who remained still and simply stared at the Pirate King without taking any action.
"That shouldn't be possible... There’s a noble here?"
The man spoke to the captain as if he had no interest in anything else.
"Y-Yes, over there, right there!"
As the captain stammered and pointed toward Alon, the man naturally turned his gaze.
"...Huh?"
After a moment of silence, a look of pure shock crossed the man’s face.
And then—
"...Hyung-nim?"
The man known as the Sea God and the Pirate King, Ladan, stared at Alon in surprise and spoke.
"?"
"?"
Every eye on the deck, including Penia’s, snapped toward Alon.