Chapter 161: The Man Known as the Pirate King
「Yow, hero. This is turning out to be quite an intriguing situation, isn’t it?」
Truly fitting for the Thief King, Wake. Even when faced with the dragon maiden Are, clinging to my arm, there’s no fear in his eyes. In fact, my awkward struggle as Are drags me along seems to amuse him to no end.
The citizens were initially shocked when we entered the bustling city of Brussel. The city guards even attempted to surround us. But for Wake, it’s all just fodder for laughter.
With his unruly golden hair, he points at me and laughs heartily. Honestly, he’s laughing a bit too much.
However, Wake should know that if he upsets Are’s mood, even he won’t get away unscathed.
「W-ell… It’s been a while, Wake.」
「Hahaha! I thought I’d tease you about marrying that princess knight, but little did I expect you to surpass all expectations by being involved with something else, hero. Seeing your face each time truly brings me joy, haha!」
He’s not done laughing yet, it seems.
Wake, exhausted from laughter, is now supported by his attendants.
「I’m not doing all this just to make you laugh every time, you know.」 Well, let him laugh as much as he wants.
This time, I need Wake’s cooperation, so if keeping him in good spirits requires enduring his mirth, it’s a small price to pay.
「No, no, laughter alone won’t suffice. The renowned dragon maiden, among the strongest humanoids, as a martial artist, is already a curiosity. But the female knight by your side adds another layer of intrigue. I often hear about flowers on both hands but you have the strongest in both hands. How did it come to this?」
「That’s a question I’d like an answer to myself…」
Are had steeled herself for this, but even Louise, who resigned from her post as captain of the volunteer corps, seems to have found newfound determination. She’s now accompanying me as my guard. Are’s clinginess bothers Louise, and the two of them bicker endlessly, pulling at my arms during our journey.
I can tolerate their whispered arguments near my ears, but their full-force tug-of-war needs to stop. If I weren’t the hero with various magical enhancements, they’d probably tear me apart for real.
「Are, what on earth are you thinking, trying to crush my lord’s dominant arm?」
「Hah! Fear not, for I shall protect the hero. If you’re concerned, you can simply step away!」
Enough with this relentless arm-tugging!
Are you two engaged in some twisted form of ‘child’s play’ reminiscent of the famous Ooka Echizen’s judgment? It’s a parody, but I recall stories where children pulled each other apart for real. This is no laughing matter.
Louise, the Ten Thousand Swords, Silesie’s strongest, and Are, the dragon maiden who surpasses even her.
Show a little restraint, or I might end up dead. The mighty King General being pulled apart by his royal guards will really happen and I’m not even joking.
As I continue to grumble about this, Wake grins slyly.
This guy truly enjoys witnessing people struggle with romantic entanglements. Quite the character.
They say he has a penchant for heroics. Wake the Wake, the Thief King who rules the underworld of Silesie, Roland, and Transylvania, is also renowned for his way with women.
Yet, I’ve never seen him embroiled in relationship troubles. Wake seems to navigate these waters quite skillfully.
「Wake, if you don’t mind, could you share some wisdom on managing such relationships?」
「Of course. First and foremost, never mess with a female warrior who appears stronger than you. That’s the golden rule in the Thieves’ Guild.」
Well, that’s a bit late as a premise. The advice comes after the fact. Every time I voice my grievances, Wake bursts into laughter.
No wonder he finds it amusing—I’m practically embodying everything he deems off-limits.
「Enough of that. I’ve brought the magic rifle’s magazine for Wake. Please check it.」
「Thanks. While untangling hopelessly complicated relationships isn’t my forte, I’m open to other consultations.」
「Yeah, sure. I’m counting on you.」
「Want to recruit pirates as allies, huh? The underworld connects land and sea. It was wise to seek advice from me.」
Indeed, I had no connections with pirates.
I had tried to send out feelers to the pirates of the North Sea, offering them employment as mercenaries, but received no response. The only person I could think of to consult was Wake.
「Even if you are the famed hero of Silesie on land, you’re still unknown at sea. The cautious pirates won’t easily heed your call.」
「Is that so? I’ll rely on your wisdom this time, Wake.」
Hearing that, Wake’s face lit up with a pleased smile.
「Well, the thieves’ guild doesn’t usually get involved in national conflicts…」
I knew that well enough. And I knew it was just a pretense.
Wake might laugh at others’ misfortunes, but he’s a reliable friend.
「I can at least introduce the hero to a few acquaintances on a personal level.」
「Do you know anyone suitable in Brussel?」
The capital of the Duchy of Transylvania, Brusell, was a river city along the Tsurube, but it was inland. Unlike the port of Pervert, I didn’t expect to find any seafaring men here.
「Actually, there’s a man who was once the Pirate King, now locked up in this city’s dungeon.」
「The Pirate King?」
「Well, ‘was’. It’s been six years since he was active. With your influence as a hero, you should easily be able to get a prisoner released.」
「If I ask King Valram, it should be possible…」
A prisoner held in the dungeon for six years. The title of Pirate King was certainly thrilling, but could I expect much from him?
Well, there was only one way to find out. I decided to visit Valram Castle, greet Duke Valram, and obtain permission to release the prisoner.
The Duke was startled to see me arrive with a Dragon Maiden and the King of Thieves in tow, but he still welcomed us warmly.
Over tea, the Duke listened with amusement to my stories about the recent activities of Princess Caroline. However, when the conversation turned to the Pirate King, he showed clear reluctance.
「Indeed, Hero-sama, you may not be aware, but ‘Blackbeard’ Drake was once the notorious pirate king who terrorized the North Sea. We keep him alive because killing him outright would render us powerless in controlling the pirates. So, we maintain his existence until his natural end.」
「To defeat Castilia, we’ll need the power of the pirates so I can only ask you.」
「However, releasing Pirate Drake freely is akin to setting an orca loose in the sea…」
The dignified King Valram furrows his forehead. According to him, even the modest Transylvanian fleet suffered considerable losses due to Pirate Drake’s actions. The infamous ‘Blackbeard’ Drake, once hailed as the pirate king, united the Northern Sea’s pirate forces and expanded his reach beyond the entire Northern Sea, even into the Siren Sea. He was a formidable villain.
Yet, Drake’s luck ran out when he grew powerful enough to threaten Castilia’s naval supremacy. Under relentless assault from Castilia’s invincible armada, the Drake Pirates were decimated.
Drake himself barely escaped, fleeing from one defeat to another, until he was finally captured—not by Castilia, but by a lesser Transylvanian patrol vessel. When he was apprehended, he was so battered that his survival seemed miraculous. And so, the former pirate king remains imprisoned in the capital city of Brussel.
To release Drake or not—to risk the nightmare of a resurrected grand pirate fleet—was a legitimate concern for the king. But Wake, the Thief King, who witnessed it all, reassures him.
「Fear not, Your Majesty. The Northern Sea pirates have undergone changes, and Drake’s legendary status doesn’t hold as much sway as it once did. Besides, our hero here from Silesie has willingly taken on the task. Unforeseen calamities are unlikely.」
Wake playfully pats my shoulder, spouting his usual confident remarks.
In the end, it’s my responsibility, so there’s no avoiding it.
「Indeed, if that’s what the esteemed hero-sama says, then I shall grant permission.」
「My apologies, Your Majesty.」
「No need for apologies. This kingdom now belongs to hero-sama. As the one overseeing the governance, I have no right to object.」
So, that setting is still in play. Well, eventually, it won’t matter, as our child with Caroline will inherit everything.
「Now, could you guide me to the dungeon?」
「Of course…」
Guided by King Valram himself, we made our way to the earthen prison hidden in the backyard of Brussel Castle. Within the natural cavern walls of the dungeon sat the man we sought.
Captain Drake, known as the Pirate King, was there.
「So, this is him.」
「It’s been six years since I last laid eyes on that scoundrel.」
Both the King and I hesitated. For a moment, I wondered if we had entered the wrong cell.
The man before us, sitting on a crude wooden chair within the iron-barred earthen cell, was not the infamous ‘Blackbeard’.
He should be in his early sixties, but the long years of captivity had taken their toll. His unkempt, salt-and-pepper hair hung wildly, and even his once-proud black beard had turned white.
He appeared emaciated. His weathered skin, tanned from a sailor’s life, bore wrinkles, and his left arm was missing—likely lost in fierce combat. His left leg was also amputated midway, replaced by a rudimentary wooden prosthesis.
The black eyepatch over his right eye wasn’t a pirate fashion statement; it likely concealed vision loss.
Yet, it was that cloudy left eye that bore into us.
Though I couldn’t attest to his past, this weathered man seemed incapable of much now.
Wordlessly, we opened Drake’s cell, and the Thief King, Wake, stepped forward.
「It’s been a while, Drake.」
「…What brings you here, young landlubber?」
「Just a greeting. I’ve come to release you, Pirate King Drake.」
「That Drake is dead. The title of Pirate King and any semblance of it are long gone.」
「Then who are you now, Drake?」
「…Just an old has-been, spending my remaining days haunted by regrets.」
The man seems rather difficult to please.
Wake shrugged, maintaining his smile. Based on that reaction, I deduced that Drake was still useful. If he was, then I would employ him.
「Drake, I want to hire you.」
「And who the hell are you?」
His cloudy gray eye bore into me.
Who am I, indeed…
「I am King General and present hero of Silesie Kingdom, Sawatari Takeru.6I aim to ally with pirates and create a new Silesie navy.」
「You’re spouting nonsense. Are you trying to imitate ‘King’ Arthur, who employed pirates?」
It’s not mere imitation.
What I aspire to is an upgrade.
「I must aid Arthur, who is under attack by the Castilian forces. Furthermore, I need to go beyond that—to crush Castilia.」
「That’s a pipe dream. Even if you manage to recruit pirates, assembling a fleet won’t make a dent in Castilia’s invincible armada. If it were that easy, I wouldn’t be rotting away here!」
Drake’s wrinkled cheeks trembled, perhaps recalling his defeat. His tear-filled eyes hinted at lingering regret.
To grieve so intensely over a loss meant he hadn’t given up entirely.
「Listen, Drake. I can achieve that. I have strategies and new weaponry. But we lack ships, crew, and admirals. That’s why I’m asking you. Become the admiral of the fleet I’ll create.」
「Ridiculous! I’m a damn pirate. Besides, my days as a pirate captain are long gone—I’m just an old has-been now. I can’t even move my limbs freely; what can a leftover husk like me do?」
「Drake, you were once hailed as the Pirate King. Even the Thief King, Wake, recognizes your prowess in naval warfare. Your past doesn’t matter. You’ll be aboard a ship, and limbs won’t hinder you. If you have the experience and skill to lead a fleet, that’s what I need.」
「…」
Drake fell silent.
The aging Drake, once known as ‘Blackbeard’ now bore the moniker ‘Whitebeard’. Despite his transformation, he commanded a formidable fleet and had battled Castilia’s invincible armada.
Upon reflection, he seemed like the most exceptional candidate imaginable.
Perhaps I should intensify my recruitment efforts.
「Drake, aren’t you bothered by your defeat? If you join forces with me, we can overcome Castilia’s invincible armada.」
「Are you seriously saying that, young one…」
His eyes, which had previously looked down upon me as a novice, now displayed a flicker of interest after my bold proclamation. Since I intended to hire Drake, I needed to assert my authority as his employer. From experience, I knew that a bit of bragging was necessary.
「Indeed, I speak in earnest. We once faced the invincible armada alongside the Britannian Navy. Arthur may have lost, but I emerged unscathed. I even seized an enemy prototype ship. So, you could say I’ve tasted victory.」
「Unbelievable…」
「Enough talk. Follow me to the harbor. I’ll show you something unimaginable. Once you see the new warships I’ve crafted, you can decide.」
「Understood. If you’re willing to go that far, I’ll accompany you. Tired of my prison cell, I yearn to glimpse the sea before my time runs out…」
With skepticism lingering, I successfully roused Drake.
A single blast from the Black Cedar warship’s main cannon would surely open his eyes.