Chapter 167: Pirate Fortress
Before me, standing at the bow of the black cedar warship, lay a murky white sky and a dark, turbid sea. The world stretched out in monotonous shades of gray.
The vast ocean surged violently, growing more tempestuous as we sailed northward.
The cold sea breeze lashed against us, its ferocity increasing with each passing moment.
「King General, if you keep standing there, you’ll catch a cold.」
「Drake, is the pirate fortress known as Buccaneer’s Fort still far off?」
It had been six days since we set sail. Despite following Drake’s expert guidance along the northern sea route, I was growing weary. Occasionally, patches of land appeared—bare rock faces dotted with sparse moss, a desolate shoreline strewn with driftwood. It was a barren tundra, fittingly described as the edge of the world.
This impoverished land, where the Buccaneers made their hidden haven, extended beyond the tree line into frigid territory. No ruling nation dared claim this untamed wilderness. In truth, it belonged to the domain of the ‘Demon King of the North’ where miasma flowed abundantly from countless ley lines, and formidable monsters roamed the demon world.
According to Kaara, the Northern Demons paid little attention to humans. Thus, attempting colonization along the rocky coast of the Sway Peninsula posed no immediate threat of retaliation. Still, it remained a region teeming with monsters.
At the southern tip of the Sway Peninsula lay the autonomous city of Aslo, known for its valuable timber. Many sought to establish colonies there, but no sane human willingly chose to inhabit the harsh northern lands.
Except, of course, for the outlaws who had been driven from their homelands for various reasons. Drake, his white beard brushing against his cheek, answered,
「We’re close in terms of distance, but beyond this point lies treacherous reef-infested waters. We’ll need to take a circuitous route to approach Fort Buccaneer.」
「I see……」
I nodded, contemplating our journey into the unknown.
This time, I haven’t brought the Silesien fleet with me. The wounded fleet is currently undergoing repairs in the homeport’s dock.
After considering a swift ‘expedition’ on the pirate stronghold, Buccaneers’ Fort, we decided to proceed with just one emergency-repaired Black Cedar warship, unaccompanied by other vessels.
I had envisioned a fleet battle against the inferior pirates, similar to what Britannia’s ‘King Arthur’ did, to subdue them. However, it seems the situation won’t be that straightforward.
The Buccaneers, hidden in the treacherous reef waters of the northern limit, are formidable. Even if we attack with a fleet primarily composed of large ships, we won’t be able to approach the pirate stronghold protected by intricate inlets and obstructing reefs.
While Drake, who knows the reef area well, suggested that we could bring a large vessel into Buccaneers’ Fort harbor, he didn’t guarantee that we could win a battle there.
Once dragged into the narrow sea lanes among the reefs and grounded, even an invincible warship would meet its end.
Although there’s a tactic of weakening the pirates by attacking them outside the reef area, we don’t have the luxury of engaging in a prolonged battle now, given the ongoing war with the Castilian navy.
So, we must find a way to overwhelm the pirates and force their submission beyond mere cannon diplomacy.
And of course, when it comes to who will do it, it’s me.
「Quite a predicament, Drake.」
「Haha, just look forward to it, King General.」
Even before the battle begins, it feels like we’ve already run aground on the reefs. The easily crushed pirate crew may have already fallen prey to the Britannian navy after Drake’s defeat against the invincible armada.
Being part of the second wave always comes with its share of hardships.
This is where we need to strategize.
With that thought, I gaze out at the sea, and from the distance, a small fleet of galleys comes into view.
「Ah, Drake, those aren’t pirates, are they? Finally, some combat.」
Finally, some enemy actually showed up.
I’ve been bored on the ship all day and my arms are already ringing!
「Wait wait, look closely first!」
「Hmm, considering the ships around here, it’s hard to imagine anything other than pirates.」
As the three galleys approach, their sails bear no skull-and-crossbones pirate flag; instead, a white flag flutters.
The universal signal for surrender is unmistakable.
「Perhaps they were my former subordinates.」
「Regardless, dealing with small galleys won’t change much. Let’s establish contact.」
While I thirst for information about the pirate stronghold, I can’t help but wonder why we’re not engaging in combat. Personally, I’m fine with that, but Louise and Are seem restless, on the verge of breaking into a brawl and damaging the ship.
As we board the small galley, I notice its dilapidated state. The hull shows signs of wear, and the tattered sails barely hold together.
The pirates who come aboard wear ragged, makeshift clothing—hemp sacks draped over their shoulders for warmth in this bitter cold. They resemble a group of castaways more than pirates, their weathered faces marked by wrinkles and strands of white hair.
「Captain Drake!」
「Ah, it’s you!」
An emotional reunion unfolds on the deck—a reunion six years in the making.
These shabby pirates were once under Drake’s command.
「You lot looks terrible.」
「We’ve got nothing left at the fort—no proper food or clothing.」
「Drake, let’s feed them first. They need it.」
「ah, alright…..」
Our ship’s provisions consist of rock-hard bread, biscuits, cheese as tough as iron, salted meat, and a cabbage or two. But for these hungry souls, I’ll whip up a warm soup. The only decent ingredient we have is the freshly caught herring.
I slice the fish and toss it into the pot.
Despite the less-than-gourmet meal, Drake’s former crew devours it with newfound vigor. As long as there’s enough to fill their bellies, anything will do.
Having finished their meal, they finally settled down to hear their story. The sailors unanimously complain about the dwindling supplies at Buccaneers’ Fort.
They lack materials for ship repairs, proper clothing, fuel, and most importantly, food.
「I see.」
The aftermath of the Germania Empire’s defeat and collapse has reached this place. With no ships traversing the North Sea, the autonomous city on the Sway Peninsula has fallen into a state of famine.
Naturally, the pirates who once sustained themselves by raiding those transport vessels are now starving as well.
Buccaneers’ Fort, before even engaging in a siege, is already completely depleted.
Now, how can we leverage this situation?
「The pirate leader wishes to meet Captain Drake and the hero of Silesie.」
「Very well, let’s meet them.」
Drake seems taken aback by my casual acceptance. After all, if they’re potential allies, we can’t afford to avoid meeting them. We’re all in this together.
Even if it comes to combat with pirates, we have capable guards by our side.
I glance back at Louise and Are, who continue their heated argument and wrestling match. Come on, Louise, stop swinging that massive tail around and damaging the mast! Frankly, I’d prefer combat sooner rather than having our crew turn on each other.
※※※
Guided by Drake’s former crew, we safely dock at the pirate stronghold.
Beyond treacherous reef waters, we enter a bay beckoned by the faint light of a lighthouse on the distant horizon. What lies there resembles a cave carved into sheer cliffs.
The harbor rests within the rocky cavern—a natural fortress surrounded by massive rock formations. The towering crags resemble the weathered face of an old pirate, complete with a richly bearded chin.
「Drake, this feels more like an extraordinary rock castle than a fort.」
「Yes. I’m finally back. Everything feels familiar…」
After six long years, Admiral Drake’s voice trembled as he returned to his hometown. Perhaps tears welled up, for he vigorously wiped one eye with the sleeve of his admiral’s uniform.
Though situated in the remote reaches, the pirate fortress nestled within the winding inlet was a surprisingly excellent harbor. Nearly a hundred pirate ships lay anchored on the mirror-like, tranquil surface of the water.
While smaller vessels like cogs and galleys dominated, there were also larger ships—bass and carracks—capable of mounting cannons. If he could rally all these fleets to his side, they would be more than a match for an invincible armada.
Upon entering the port and venturing into the town, I was taken aback. The exterior had screamed ‘pirate stronghold’ but inside the cave, life thrived in an unexpected way.
Narrow alleys between buildings were festooned with laundry lines, where fatigued women toiled at domestic chores. Emaciated children, clad in tattered garments, huddled around small stone hearths, shivering.
It hardly resembled the fiercest pirate haven in the North Sea.
Curiously, the harbor teemed with women and children, while pirates were scarce. Inquiring about this, I learned that the men ventured out to sea for fishing or hunted monsters to secure even a meager food supply.
The transport ships of the Silesien Protectorate sailed under the vigilant guard of cannon-equipped warships. Meanwhile, the Britannian side grappled with a state of war between the Britannian Navy and the Castilian Navy.
Their primary industry—the pirate trade—seemed woefully crippled.
They bore the derogatory moniker of ‘Smoked Meat Scoundrels’ clinging to the northern cliffs, their strength forged by consuming monster flesh to survive. Nay, they were pirates compelled to be survivors.
Louise and I, too, eat monster meat. When fresh, we devoured it heartily, but seeing hungry children gnawing on smoked meat drew a heavy sigh. They ate the greenish flesh of goblins as if it were their last sustenance.
Even though you say ‘eating monsters’, it’s not as if we can consume the tough, sinewy flesh of goblins. While it’s not poisonous and technically edible, goblin meat—squeezed for a bit of fat and then used as soap material or scattered as fertilizer in our fields—is unappetizing even to livestock.
Perhaps they can’t catch monsters that yield delicious meat. Given the land’s barrenness, it’s no wonder there are no well-fed monsters or livestock. In every sense, this northern land is harsh.
「We need a communal meal.」
The provisions here aren’t abundant, but my ship—with its remarkable strength that can even take to the skies if necessary—and Kaara, who uses magic to catch fish, ensure that on voyages back to our home port, hunger won’t be a concern.
We borrowed a large cauldron at the harbor and decided to prepare a communal soup using the ship’s provisions.
Everyone seemed hungry. They flocked to the enticing aroma rising from the pot. Even though we were unfamiliar newcomers, they eagerly consumed the soup we prepared.
While part of our intention was to improve their impression of us, we couldn’t ignore hungry children—even if they were pirates.
As the soup distribution reached most of the crowd, I approached the pot, considering having a bowl myself.
But among the women huddled around the cauldron, one stepped forward.
Representing the serving staff, I assumed she would express gratitude for the communal meal. Instead, she scowled and blurted out, ‘This tastes like crap!’.
Her sudden outburst caught me off guard.
Wide-eyed, I watched as the disheveled woman in ragged red and yellow cloth removed her grimy headscarf, revealing a sardonic smile. Her pointed double teeth were bared as she extended her hand toward me.
「I’m Mearid Rivatania. The head of these pirates!」
「Eh, what does that mean?」
Even if she was a harbor servant, being suddenly addressed as the head of pirates left me momentarily speechless.
Thinking it was a handshake, I hastily grasped the proffered hand. To my surprise, it was warm and soft—not the rough, calloused hand of a harbor servant.
Mearid, the pirate leader, had disguised herself in this grubby attire. Nearby, children carefully wiped the mud from her face with damp cloths.
As the dirt makeup washed away, Mearid revealed a striking countenance: slightly wavy black hair framing azure eyes. Yet, three large scars marred her otherwise beautiful features—like claw marks etched across her cheeks. The bluish, painful remnants resembled tattoo artistry.
The children reverently draped a crimson velvet cloak over Mearid’s shoulders.
Her exquisite appearance juxtaposed with the unsightly tattoos. Indeed, upon closer inspection, she exuded the aura of a pirate leader.
Her presence had eluded me until now—an oversight I found baffling.
Perhaps she possessed the skill to approach silently, undetected.
「You newcomers—what mischief did you intend upon landing? A communal meal, of all things. Is that what heroes do?」
Narrowing her eyes, Mearid scrutinized me without lowering her guard.
For a moment, she averted her gaze, then snorted and continued,
「I considered rounding you up and executing you if you pulled any funny business. But I can’t harm those who feed our children.」
Her threat wasn’t a bluff.
At Mearid’s signal, the serving staff and children lifted sandbags and wooden objects—potential weapons.
Apparently, they weren’t entirely defenseless.
More pitiable than threatening, but if attacked by women and children, it would indeed be troublesome.
「I have no intention of fighting against pirates.」
「I know. You’ve heard that we want you to join us, but we have no intention of cooperating. I despise those royal nobles!」
「Hmm, am I disliked too?」
「Silesien hero, you’re no different! Even if you don’t want to fight us, you’ll probably use us for your war. Your kindness is just a façade. In exchange for a cheap favor, you’d order us to sacrifice our lives—just like those damned kings.」
Her words caught me off guard, and I feigned composure while inwardly shaken.
Mearid’s accusation hit the mark precisely.
Considering pirates as reckless outlaws, I had initially thought of using them in the war. That was my true intention.
Yet, now that I stood within Buccaneers’ Fort, I saw emaciated children, grimy women, and aging sailors—former crew members of Drake’s ship.
The people of called ‘Smoked Meat Scoundrels’ were unfortunate souls eking out a living in this harsh land.
Driven by necessity, they survived by consuming monster flesh, not out of a desire to engage in bloodthirsty combat like aggressive mercenaries.
No, even I would justify that I didn’t relish war. Our goal was to secure the seas, repel Castilian naval forces encroaching from the north, and gain control of the Siren Sea—not for personal gain, but to alleviate the people’s poverty.
Whether Mearid, the pirate leader, or the kings ruling the land, our ultimate aims should align.
But explaining that would likely fall on deaf ears.
「Understood, Mearid Rivatania. For now, you likely welcomed me because of the distress you’re facing. Let me resolve the food shortage issue here! Whether you’ll cooperate or not, let’s discuss that later. 」
Mearid regarded my declaration with suspicion. It’s only natural—what could a stranger suddenly say?
Trying to reason with people who have endured such suffering and become obstinate is futile. Actions, not words, will fill their bellies. But with just one ship’s provisions, it won’t be enough.
First, we need to hunt for prey. We don’t have the luxury of leisurely transporting food from the Eura continent. Here and now, we must find food resources to swiftly improve their lives.
And thus, I’ll demonstrate my authority as a ruler.
Otherwise, they won’t even listen to us.
Though my intention was war, it seems I’ve become a monster hunter. Yet, perhaps this path is more befitting of a true hero. I thought so, checking the magic sword at my waist.
Beyond the human world lies the northern reaches—the realm of monsters. It’s terrifying yet exhilarating to imagine what creatures await.
Rather than humans killing each other in war, this feels more suited to my nature.