Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Did You Find Me?
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In the early dawn, Frankling and Ambasha set off on a small sailboat to visit the market.
Watching them, I prepared to follow in a small rowboat, keeping a bit of distance.
"Isn't getting personally involved in something like this a bit overkill? Like I always say, it's an overreaction."
First Mate Lemain rubbed her eyes, still sleepy, as she spoke.
In response, I untied the rope and replied firmly.
"It's my daughter's first outing. Of course I have to watch over her."
"Frankling's more than enough for that. It's not like it's anywhere far—just Cyprus Island..."
"I'm off."
"Hey, at least listen when people—!"
-Splash!
With that, I ignored her completely and shoved off in the boat.
Of course, by normal standards, Lemain was right—it could be called overprotectiveness or meddling.
It's not like they were heading off on some distant expedition.
Following them that closely just for a quick trip to Cyprus Island, which was practically our front yard, was definitely excessive.
Especially since Ambasha wasn't going alone; she was with Frankling, who was a solid pillar of strength in our pirate crew.
But right now, I'd already made up my mind that this was the right way to handle things for the time being.
The quest abandonment penalty hadn't shown itself clearly yet.
Considering that damn system's personality of screwing people over in unexpected ways, it made sense to respond thoroughly to even minor things until something actually happened.
That's why I'd given Ambasha the emergency signal flare yesterday, too.
Anyway, keeping a moderate distance, I followed the two to Cyprus Island.
There, I waited at the harbor, quietly finding a spot to sit.
Unlike moments ago when darkness still blanketed everything, the sun had now risen, brightening the surroundings.
From here on, visually tailing them would draw too much attention, so I began monitoring their movements another way.
The immense mana flowing through my entire body.
I quietly released it in all directions.
The mana spread out in the form of a massive sphere, enveloping the area.
At the same time, the presences of all beings within that range began registering with me one by one.
And among them were Ambasha and Frankling, wandering the market and checking out various stalls.
Mana Sphere.
A detection-type spell usable by high-level warriors or mages who had reached advanced realms.
As I monitored the kids' status through it, a gentle smile crept onto my lips without me realizing.
'What can I say... This takes me back.'
It reminded me of the early days when I first joined the crew and used to watch Frankling's back.
Back then, Frankling wasn't all that strong in combat yet.
More than anything, unlike the others, she had a lot of mental fragility, so even without any original story attachment, I couldn't just leave her be.
In fact, there was that time I had to step in personally when she nearly got roughed up by some worthless thugs because she froze up.
So in a way, my protectiveness was spot on.
Now, that same Frankling had grown into a proper executive, heading out to the market with young Ambasha—this scene alone filled me with pride.
The kind of satisfaction that makes you think, "This is why you raise kids."
As those thoughts brought a moment of peace while I tracked their movements, that's when it happened.
'...What the hell? These guys...'
Frankling suddenly under attack.
And seeing the guys I'd ignored until now—since they hadn't moved much—suddenly swarming toward one spot, I knew something was wrong.
However, I chose to hold back and observe for now.
I trusted Frankling's skills, so jumping in immediately would be worse than letting her handle it unless necessary.
No need for a parent to force-solve a homework a kid can do alone.
But...
"! Damn it..."
Contrary to my expectations, Frankling got cornered by their unexpectedly fierce assault.
And seeing the golden signal flare shoot into the sky...
I immediately sprang up, gathering mana into my legs.
And then.
-Crack!
A crack split the sunlit ground as I launched myself forward in an instant.
I landed right where the Mana Sphere had pinpointed them...
The spot where the bold bastards were ambushing Frankling and Ambasha.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Did you find me?"
"!!!"
A chilling voice and the eerie presence from behind.
Mazelan and his men forced themselves to turn around, feeling as if their bodies had frozen solid.
There stood a single man.
Blond hair, golden beard.
Just his presence exuded overwhelming dignity.
The moment they saw him, Mazelan knew instantly.
This was the Pirate King.
The ruler of the seas, Ezra Drake.
"To dare touch my beloved children... You must have been prepared for the consequences."
With those words, the Pirate King slowly approached.
Seeing the golden mana begin to swirl in his fists, Mazelan instinctively understood.
It looked similar to his own Compression, but the power in those fists was on another level entirely.
Mana flowing at ultra-high speed while maintaining unimaginable density.
Even before he swung, the air vibrated like a massive storm bearing down on them.
If he swung Caladbolg to block that strike, the sword would shatter in two instantly.
He couldn't win.
No, he couldn't even escape.
How could a man outrun an approaching typhoon on foot?
The moment he turned to flee, that fist would blow his head clean off.
This was the ultimate realm he'd only heard of.
The pinnacle of martial arts...
The power of a 12th Grade Grand Master Warrior.
Before that overwhelming, almost sacred might, nothing was permitted.
Except one thing.
-Thud!
"..."
Mazelan dropped his sword and knelt on the ground.
Then, in a fluid motion like flowing water, he bowed his head to the "king" before him.
"Forgive us! Great Pirate King!"
"..."
No tricks or bluffs—just a perfectly sincere apology.
The Pirate King paused his terrifying advance for a moment of mercy.
Mazelan seized it, pouring out his words with all his might.
"We were foolish and careless, committing a grave mistake! The Sea Witch was wearing a robe, so we didn't recognize her face and ended up wounding her! But we never intended—even a fingernail's worth—to defy you, Pirate King! We'll offer the maximum compensation we can. Please, just once... forgive our foolish error! We beg you earnestly, Lord of the Seas!"
Fast and precise, emphasizing it was all a mistake and misunderstanding...
Mazelan unleashed his plea.
If rappers saw him, they'd bow and ask for lessons.
Even after, he kept his head glued to the ground, rigid as stone.
In the deafening silence, unable to even check his reaction...
He'd said everything he could, giving his all.
Now, only wait to see how this untouchable monster would dispose of him.
And whatever the verdict—even death—Mazelan knew it was his fate, and he'd accept it.
1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds...
Each dragging like a year in unbearable tension.
After an indeterminable stretch of silence...
The Pirate King finally spoke quietly.
"Understood. I'll show mercy."
"!"
"Indeed, people make mistakes in life. That's how they grow."
"Ah!"
Words like brilliant sunlight piercing storm clouds.
Mazelan lifted his head, a smile unconsciously forming.
But then...
"In that spirit, I should make a mistake too."
"...Pardon? What do you m—Guh!"
With that, a fist flew toward his face.
Even without mana, the devastating impact sent Mazelan sprawling to the ground.
"You kidding me, you bastard? You nearly kill someone and think 'sorry, my mistake' fixes it? Then why bother with laws? If you screw up, you get punched. Oh, mana barrier? Not dropping it? Want me to infuse mine and really lay into you?"
"Kuhuk!!"
Mazelan and his crew started getting beaten like dogs on the hottest day of summer.
Before the Pirate King's rage—evident even from the shifted speech—they could only shut up and take it.
The terror that any resistance might really get them killed crushed their will completely.
"Guek!..."
"Keurgh!!"
In that quiet, secluded alley perfect for an ambush, screams echoed for about 20 minutes.
The Pirate King gleefully pummeled the bounty hunters with his fists.
Frankling's timid kicks and the girl's surprisingly painful weak strikes were bonuses.
Whether to thank him for finely controlling his strength to avoid killing them or curse the prolonged agony was impossible to say.
However,
at this moment, even as Mazelan got mercilessly thrashed, he didn't notice.
The incredibly complex emotions on the face of the Pirate King who had half-killed them...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Ugh..."
"Ow... I'm dying... no..."
The bounty hunters lay sprawled on the ground, brutally beaten.
Normally, mistake or not, I'd have executed them all for daring to touch my "family," mercy be damned.
But now, I couldn't.
Mazelan collapsed among them, and his sword with its distinctive appearance.
Seeing it, I was genuinely shocked by this unforeseen situation.
Of course I knew the name Mazelan.
I'd heard plenty about this fairly famous bounty hunter.
But this moment.
Facing Mazelan in person for the first time,
and closely observing him as he bowed his head...
I realized.
'...The Black Sword Caladbolg... and this Black Sun-like look... No way... this guy...?'
The original story never mentions a Mazelan.
But the handsome dark-skinned man with black hair always carrying the Black Sword Caladbolg is definitely there.
Maseus.
One of the player characters, just like Ambasha over there.