Chapter 242
Chapter 242
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 242
Chapter Title: Into the Pirate Den
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Leaving Miron behind at the outskirts, Set and I cautiously made our way toward the deep heart of the forest.
It wasn't fear of them that held us back. We were worried about Jeremiah, who had been captured by Artis.
If Artis was holding Jeremiah captive here of all places, our plan was to retreat quietly without making a move for now.
Provoking cornered pirates could lead to disaster for Jeremiah, and that alone would spell failure for the entire operation.
That was why Set and I moved with more stealth and caution than ever before.
As we ventured deeper inside bit by bit, we began to spot the pirates standing guard, one by one.
Part of me wanted to grab one and interrogate him, but after watching for a moment, I had to abandon the idea.
From observing them, it was clear they left a mark at regular intervals before moving to the position of the person ahead of them.
If we snatched one for questioning, the pirate ahead and behind would immediately notice something was wrong—the one ahead from the no-show follower, the one behind from the missing mark.
That would be the end. Artis would realize intruders had followed and start preparing defenses.
'What a thorough bastard.'
To maintain such tight security even in this deep hideout.
I had to admire Delro's skills anew for smashing through guys like this.
Taking advantage of gaps in their patrols, we slipped inside and wandered the forest for quite a while.
How deep had we gone?
The cold, humid forest air, thick with the sea's moisture, suddenly changed.
A space warmed by a faint heat. Not the kind from a campfire—this was the warmth from many bodies gathered, their heat trapped and building up.
'Found it.'
Set had sensed the shift in the air too, sending me a telepathic message.
With that brief telepathic exchange, Set and I split up and moved out.
Our pace slowed even further.
I didn't know Artis's exact power level. But as successor to the Neptune Pirates, it was reasonable to assume he was at least on par with Samuel.
'No, definitely stronger.'
They'd replaced the Neptune Pirates despite having a much smaller crew.
No matter how elite their sailors were, without the captain's superior strength, they couldn't have taken over.
Since Samuel was low Master-class, Artis was probably mid-low Master or full mid-level.
The thought that even the slightest sound could give us away made our steps even more careful.
Thankfully, the forest's humidity soaked every leaf and branch, muffling most footsteps.
"...Damn it, this humidity's driving me nuts. Wish I could dry my clothes at least."
"Quit whining. You know lighting a fire with these wet woods would send up a smoke signal? You trying to advertise 'I'm right here' to the kingdom seals?"
"I know, asshole. Just talking."
"Watch your mouth. Captain's in a mood—one wrong word and your head's rolling."
"Fuck, no end in sight, stuck in this shithole..."
The voices of pirates—topless, sitting on the forest floor checking gear—drifted over.
Haggard faces, twisted expressions. Complaints spilling out.
Signs of fraying internal unity.
Pirates had no loyalty to speak of—that was their creed.
Actually, it was impressive that cohesion held this long under Artis, after one crushing naval defeat wiped out their organization.
They weren't the only ones.
Pirates lounged everywhere, resting or maintaining equipment.
Despite being defeated remnants, their eyes shared something: spirits unbroken.
Those griping about Artis clearly didn't pin hopes on him.
Easy to guess where their hope lay instead.
Jeremiah, famed in his past life for piling gold like mountains.
They were banking on her, no doubt.
At the end of the defeated pirates stood two middle-aged men.
One an unremarkable gentleman, eyes open or closed unclear. The other bald and fierce-looking, status obvious from his face.
Their aura set them apart—they had to be the Cybele Pirates' captain and vice-captain.
Suppressing our presence to avoid their senses, I slowly scanned between the pirates.
'Where is she.'
Left to far right. Every inch where pirates rested.
No sign. Not a glimpse of Jeremiah anywhere.
'Hidden away somewhere after all.'
Set's telepathy came from the opposite approach.
Even scanning without blind spots from both sides, no Jeremiah.
Confirmed. She was detained elsewhere.
Right as I reached that conclusion—
Boom!
"!"
A golden flare lit up the dim sky.
Set and I both knew it was the signal flare I'd given Miron.
Confirming the pirates' eyes drawn skyward by the sudden light, I shouted telepathically to Set.
Set thought the same—before I finished, flames infused with extreme yang energy burst from both his hands.
Two ferocious dragons born from Set's hands vaporized the forest's dampness in an instant, lunging at the pirates.
Kaboom!
Crackle, crackle!
"Gaaahhh!!"
"Hot, so hot!! Damn it, fuck!"
"Water!! Gimme water, you bastard!"
Hell on earth.
The humid forest reeked of burning flesh everywhere, screams replacing the pirates' chatter.
'Extreme yang lives up to the hype.'
Set, once called Sunflower alongside Aria as the continent's strongest flames.
Not at his peak yet, but torching these pirates was child's play.
Pirates plunged into chaos.
Amid it, two unscathed: Artis, who lightning-drew cutlasses from his waist to fan away the flames like a windmill; and the vice-captain, crossing arms to tank the blaze.
Thud!
"You Artis the captain? Nice to meet you."
"Fuck, some punk kid dares speak my name...? Who the hell are you!"
"Jerome von Carviot. You gonna tell me the guy here to take you down doesn't know my face?"
Artis's face crumpled at the smug grin.
"You—!"
He lunged in rage but halted mid-step, drawing a deep breath.
"...No, better this way. Bring your head to the king, and he'll offset this mess somewhat."
One step.
Just one to quell his boiling fury.
After naval slaughter, now this ambush.
Not easy to compose, yet impressive mental discipline for a pirate.
'Not bad.'
"Kid. Credit for chasing us here. But you'll regret coming just the two of you, drunk on victory."
Artis nodded to the bald man, who wordlessly charged Set.
"Think you can handle him alone?"
"Hmph! Got a little fame off continent idiots and now you fly too high."
Shing!
Artis ignited aura on dual cutlasses, radiating menace.
"I'll show you why we're the terror of the seas."
"...What's that?"
"Ah, signal flare. Means the hostages are rescued."
A pure smile, worlds apart from the ghostly figure snapping pirate necks earlier.
That contrast made the young man scarier, but recalling his clear eyes when asking her name, Jemi wasn't afraid of Miron.
"If it's not rude, mind if I ask a few questions?"
"Of course not."
Ready agreement.
Jemi sorted her questions amid the sudden shift.
So many things.
How they'd tracked Artis's ship using the flagship as bait.
Even if tracked, how they knew she was there.
No, fundamentally, one burning question.
'Why save us?'
The Cybele Pirates were strong, despite last night's defeat.
Especially the flagship elites.
No reason to chase them while babysitting commoner kids.
Clearing pirates first was efficient.
Even Jemi had only hoped for rescue 'if possible' during the sweep.
But this wasn't the 'rational' choice ordinary folk would make.
'It's almost like...'
Just as her thoughts crystallized—
Kaboom!
Far off, massive flames erupted.
Whoosh!
Miron shot up, staring at the blaze.
"Sorry, questions later. We need to move now."
"Huh?"
Jemi looked up at the sudden voice, meeting Miron's grim face.
"My lord's fighting there."
Flames spewed from both hands, surging fiercely at the man.
In the now bone-dry, fire-hot forest, the blaze fed on hot air, growing more menacing.
But—
Wham!
Cybele Pirates vice-captain Olga's massive fist scattered the flames as it closed in.
Crack!
The glancing punch carved concentric rings, pulverizing a towering tree behind.
Thud!
The ancient giant, untouched by man for decades, crashed down, its roar drowning the devouring flames.
"Punk... Think your weak flames work on me?"
Olga shook his hand lightly, flicking off embers.
Embers from Set's fire that had torched pirates and forest alike.
Yet Olga's hand looked untouched, as if brushed by petals.
Under the dark moon, his hand gleamed faint blue.
Aura.
"Chasing us on parlor tricks? Lost at sea and you think we're pushovers?"
"......"
Frozen in terror? Olga smirked coldly.
"Not just you. That fool charging the captain too. We'll send your heads to Olivia. Underestimating island pirates..."
"Shut up."
"What?"
"Fight with your mouth? Your men burning alive right now, and you're yapping solo."
"...Ha! Kid's got a mouth. Cybele Pirates rebuild with just captain and me. Rest? Easy replacements."
Olga brushed off Set's words, clenching his fist.
Crack! Pop!
"Our captain's mid Master-class. Think he'll lose to that unweaned brat?"
"Mid Master, huh."
Snort.
Laughter escaped at Olga's boast.
This monster had toppled Beast Sword Marquis Crank, one of the empire's four marquises years ago, and wiped out a wyvern pack ruling Dragon Mountains.
No way he'd lose to mere(?) mid Master.
Coastal hicks wouldn't know.
Even Set couldn't forget that shock.
'That's why.'
Back from Osiris, he'd trained extreme yang like mad.
Train, train, train again.
To burn steel flesh that withstood Beast Sword aura and pierced wyvern hides.
Grip!
"Can't even burn low Master aura? Pathetic."
Fwoosh!
Immense heat erupted from Set's body in a flash.