Flames of Retaliation: Pirate Raid Begins
"We have no mercy for those who ignore our boss, got it?"
"...So that's how it is. Sorry, but from now on, it's war!"
"““Woooaaahhh!!~~””"
"Boss forever!~♪"
"Yeehaw!~♪ It's been ages since we last fought!-"
"Perfect timing, I was getting bored!~♪"
...
"Hey... excuse me? This is war, you know? Against that pirate alliance? They've got a hundred times our numbers? Hello? Kids. Your boss is telling you this—can you at least act a little tense?"
After coming back from the North Continent summit where I'd declared war on that self-proclaimed Pirate King geezer, I called together the entire North Face Family and explained what went down at the meeting.
The kids' reaction to my explanation? As you can see, they were thrilled like it was some damn festival.
Is this a normal reaction? Seriously? We're talking life-or-death battle here—why are they so hyped? This ain't playtime war games!
"Boss! Those bastards ignored you, right? So of course we kill 'em!"
"Yeah! That old fart got his ass handed to him by Derek at the last summit anyway? Might as well finish the job properly!"
"Guys who diss the boss? Just kill 'em all, problem solved!"
"““Hear, hear!~””"
"““Let's kill 'em!-””"
...
Did I raise these kids wrong? Or is it this fucked-up environment twisting them into psychos?
I'd picked up these kids from beggar life, taught them manners and knowledge, accepted them as family, and built the Family that way. But I sure as hell don't remember turning them into war-happy maniacs for situations like this...
Was my parenting policy off? Is this why I became boss? Self-loathing starting to creep in.
Most of our Family were around my age or younger, with big sis Rina and Estelle as the eldest at about 19. Technically, by age, I was third youngest after Mira and Shera, but I'm the boss, damn it... Looking at those brats now, who even knows who's the real kid...
Screeech—
"Actor, sir. Dinner's ready. Please eat first."
"Ah—food's here. Everyone, chow down first! Gotta eat well to fight well, as they say! Tucker, help set the tableware!"
"““Yes, sir!””"
"Whoa! Thanks, Uncle Tucker!~♪"
"Daddy, big bro, thank you! Digging in!~♪"
"Heh heh heh~ Eat up, everyone."
We'd been holding our meeting in the mansion hall when Tucker and his son Beric wheeled in carts with the evening feast.
For us ex-beggars, skipping meals was a sin! We valued food above all, and even as boss, I preferred eating together over rigid hierarchies like other outfits. Casual family vibes over strict top-down bullshit.
Soon Malcolm's family and the Romaani tribe returned too, filling the massive dining table in the hall for a merry feast.
**
... ... ...
"Whew~ Let me explain once more. We're at war with those damn pirate bastards now. Enemy numbers: ten thousand! Us? Everyone combat-ready totals seventy. We're overwhelmingly outnumbered—keep that in mind!"
"““Got it!””"
"First off, non-combatants—Romaani tribe, Tucker's family, Malcolm's crew—head to the secret basement shelter right away. Lock the doors tight. I'll assign guards, but with their numbers, stock extra food and water and hunker down."
"Understood."
"Now, strategy meeting. How do we take on the pirate alliance? Everyone, pitch ideas!"
"Boss, can't we just send Derek again and call it done? That Samuel-or-whatever old pirate couldn't even fight back properly last time, right?"
"Yeah, Derek bro could handle it solo."
Jean threw out the idea right away, with the kids chiming in, glancing at Derek—who was busy muttering and soothing his inner hell beasts—before turning to me.
But I shot it down immediately.
"Rejected! Derek did go wild back then and held his own against the Pirate King, sure. But that was because they didn't know what he was, and the venue sucked for him. He can't solo everything!"
"Why not?"
"Simple example. Jean, say pirates bust into our house and we're scrapping hard. Could you go full power and torch the place?"
"Huh?! Uh... no... couldn't..."
"Exactly. When Derek, Allen, and I fought Samuel, his goons were swarming the place in chaos. Samuel's a demon contractor like me—controls the sea. Waves, whirlpools, water attacks galore. You think he'd unleash max power in that melee?"
...
"No matter how much that geezer's a worthless has-been past his prime, he's still ruled the seas for decades as self-proclaimed Pirate King. If he wanted, he could tsunami a whole city under. He's sunk at least ten already!"
"Hmm..."
"That old man's seriously strong..."
"Our foe's contractor to Vepar, Rank 42 of the 666 demons, called the Sea Dominator. Last time, we fought in his flagship and fortress—he held back to avoid wrecking his own turf. But now? If he hits us here, no need to pull punches."
...
"Boss, what if we raid his fortress instead? Like you said, on his home turf, he can't go all out, right?"
"Good point, but they're not idiots—they won't get caught flat-footed again."
...
That bastard's a demon contractor with god-tier sea powers. Pirate King who's dominated oceans for decades. Ironically, his greatest strength is his biggest weakness.
All his moves rely on sea and water—invincible at sea, sure. But massive waves or whirlpools? They'd drag his own allies under too. Fine for one-sided offense, but defending his base? Can't swing wild.
But he's no fool—wants the fight there?
If I were him, I'd hit us right now... Gotta rush combat prep. That hotheaded Pirate King didn't seem patient. We'll strike first!
"Boss? What're you thinking?"
"My gut says that geezer's coming tonight... Non-combatants, pack up and head to the shelter now."
"““Yes, sir!””"
"Vanessa, guard them and the mansion. We'll head out to fight."
"Understood. Protecting your home is my duty."
"Boss, we hitting them now?"
"Yeah. Best shot at winning. Night's fallen—perfect for ambush."
"I'll prep departure! How far to the Pirate King's place?"
"No walking needed! I know the warp coordinates to their hideout. Round up ten to draw the [Warp] array with me! Then mass [Warp]. Tonight—we raid! Delay, and their fleets swarm us with zerg rush. Quick strike: rip off the Pirate King's face!-"
"““Yes, sir!””"
**
"Pirate King! All subordinate fleets assembled. Just give the word!"
"Grrr! Good. Time to show that cocky brat the true terror of the sea!"
"““Arrrghh!!~~””"
Sun down, full moon rising. At the sea fortress Neptune—Pirate King Samuel Tempest's lair and base for his alliance fleets—the central hall (salvaged from his sunken flagship Siren) echoed with the roars of hundreds of captains and crew, totaling ten thousand pirates.
The Sea Emperor, their Pirate King, was pissed. His aura screamed vengeance on the fools who'd dared enrage him—enough to pierce the heavens.
"Listen up! I'll show those land-rat bastards what happens when you mock Pirate King Samuel!—Lead the fleet now and hit their city!"
"Pirate King—to Big Daddy's city?!"
"Yes! Like last time, that mosquito punk's guardian blocked me. Time he pays!—Even if he's Glashalabolras's contractor, no one beats me where there's sea, rivers, water!—I am the Sea Emperor! Samuel Tempest!!--"
Rooooaaarrr!!!---
"Once we drown Big Daddy and the brat, seize the city, expand! Soon, the North Continent's mine!—This is..."
BOOOOMMM!!---
Rumble rumble—
"Wh-what?!"
"Fiiiire!!--"
"Ambush!- Powder kegs exploded!!--"
"Enemy raid!-"
"What?!"
Just as he ordered the fleet upriver to Big Daddy's city, massive fire pillars erupted. Flames snaked like living serpents, igniting everywhere. Powder magazines along the path blew sky-high.
Part of the sea fortress consumed by inferno, sinking into the sea.
"No way! The brats struck first?! What were the guards doing?!"
"Pirate King! No way they breach our triple perimeter! Over a thousand on watch under this cloudless full moon?!"
"Then... [Warp] magic?! How did they..."
Whoosh!—!!!
"Haa~♪ Nothing beats torching shit. Right, you senile old fart?"
"You... North Face scum?!"
"Yup. Name's Jean. Here on boss's orders to barbecue you all fancy-like!"
"You green punk dares hit my fleet!-"
"Ha! Boss was right—you're a flabby old waste."
Grrr!—
"Pfft! Pissed? Us too. Mock our boss? He lets shit slide nice usually 'cause he's nice... but we got no mercy for boss-mockers. Time to ash out!-"
Whoosh!—
Jean erupted in a massive flame pillar, devouring surroundings in fire.
To him, Boss Actor was life-saver, friend, precious family. Sold soul and face to demons to save them—all felt the same.
Mock their boss? Only death awaits!
"Show off that fancy demon power for once."
"Fine! Starting with your embers, drowning every North Face idiot in the sea!-"
With North Face Family's ambush, the war with the pirate alliance kicked off in earnest.