Chapter 246: Silent Mary
[You're underestimating how enticing the Pluton is to the pirates of this world. Greed, deceit, cunning, treachery, and reverence for strength are the core themes of pirate life here. Although you don't know much about the history of pirates from your previous life, you still recognize a few future big names among those who've pledged themselves to you. One of them is a sailor named Sam Bellamy—now still a down-and-out seaman—but in the future, history will remember him as the "Pirate Prince," active in the Caribbean and becoming one of the most feared pirates of all time.]
[At this moment, the man has yet to make his mark. Still, recruiting a future legendary pirate is no doubt a boon. Since he had notable management skills even in your previous life, you appoint him as bosun.]
[April 19, 1716—after recruiting a group of formidable pirates, you and the Pluton inevitably become the focus of Port Royal. But you're in no rush to set sail. Instead, you have Tuval and Bellamy sell off the loot you seized earlier, stockpile funds, and bide your time.]
[By merging Tuval's ship with several new recruits' vessels, your fleet now numbers ten ships. While the term "pirate crew" isn't exactly in vogue here, you stick to the tradition from the One Piece world and name your band the Pineapple Pirates, flying a flag emblazoned with a skull sporting a pineapple-shaped hairstyle. This is your one non-negotiable point.]
[April 22, 1716—after days of silence, just as expected, Port Royal's British governor, Weatherby Swann, finally loses patience and invites you to the governor's mansion for a meeting. Historically, this year marks the peak of pirate activity in the Caribbean; Britain alone issued 1,763 letters of marque, allowing pirates to act as government agents and "legal privateers" against the Spanish Armada. When you arrive, Swann's purpose is exactly what you anticipated.]
[He first tries to negotiate for the Pluton on behalf of the British Crown, offering land and a title in exchange. When you refuse, he invites you instead to serve as a commissioned privateer for Britain.]
[For someone who once ruled the entire sea, becoming a privateer to fight for England and the East India Trading Company is laughable. But it fits into your short-term plan—you still need an official façade. After Swann offers generous terms—funding, tax exemptions, and free supplies—you reluctantly agree. To you, the contract is just a piece of scrap paper you can tear up at any time.]
[Meanwhile, Tuval doesn't disappoint—together with Bellamy, he quickly fences all the stolen goods and amasses some wealth. You're finally ready to start changing this world in various ways. After consulting your crew, you decide to remain in Port Royal until the end of June, setting sail only after hurricane season passes.]
[In these two months, you've got quite a bit to do. Building an Iron Man suit is impossible—technology is 300 years behind—and you're not looking to leap too far ahead. Casually, you hammer together a steam engine. (You have unlocked the achievement: Steam Age.)]
[April 26, 1716—something strange happens. Who would've thought the "grandpa in the ring" trope exists on Earth too? Your ring starts talking—in a guttural, trilled Spanish. It takes you a while to understand it. This isn't Roger or Goodwin, but a man named Hernán Cortés, who died in 1547. Hernán Cortés? You pause. Anyone who knows history has heard the name—one of the most famous conquerors of the Age of Discovery: a Spanish navigator, military leader, and explorer who, with fewer than a thousand men, conquered the Aztec Empire—population in the millions—in just two years.]
[From your conversation, you discern Cortés's true nature—unlike Roger or Goodwin, he is more like a true pirate: greedy, cunning, perceptive. Though he bears you no malice, he certainly underestimates you. After some negotiation, he makes his request: find the sea goddess Calypso and find a way to resurrect him. In exchange, he will teach you all his black magic and tell you the location of the treasure he left after conquering the Aztecs—a mysterious island, the route to which passes a deadly island and the legendary mermaid island.]
[You have to admit, Cortés knows exactly how to exploit your love for the sea and taste for adventure. After some thought, you agree to his terms.]
[April 29, 1716—you mount your steam engine on a sailing ship. At first, Cortés and your crew don't understand what you're doing. But when the steam engine pushes the ship forward at over 15 knots, everyone realizes a new era—yours, and the sea's—has arrived.]
[April 29 – June 29, 1716—as in the One Piece world and the Apocalypse world, you improve the sails and upgrade the cannons. The Pineapple Pirates now surpass other ships in firepower, speed, and stability.]
[You also attempt to create Devil Fruits in this world. With the alchemy and life alchemy you learned from Goodwin, it's theoretically possible—but your research shows some essential elements are missing. Perhaps cooperation with local alchemists will be necessary.]
[June 30, 1716—the Pineapple Pirates leave Port Royal, heading north. As a refined pirate and one-time guardian of the Four Seas, you have no interest in plundering merchant ships. Your targets are slave ships, warships, and rival pirates.]
[On the open sea, the Pluton is nearly synonymous with invincibility. The other steam-powered ships in your fleet have a decisive edge in maneuverability—anyone targeted by your fleet has little hope of escape. In just half a month, you make a name for yourself in the Caribbean. Notably, you haven't attacked a single merchant ship, nor has a single civilian died at your hands.]
[July 14, 1716—you even defeat the Silent Mary, commanded by Spain's infamous "Butcher of the Seas" Salazar. Historically, this ship crushed all pirate kings, routed the British navy, and upheld Spain's naval supremacy. This was a clash of legends. Against this 1,000-ton, 88-gun juggernaut, you pay the price of two ships sunk before finally defeating and capturing her.]
[July 23, 1716—you haven't neglected training. Though already at the peak of your strength, you find Cortés's black magic surprisingly useful. His unique magic can weaken enemies and even influence weather to gain an edge in naval battles. For example, grinding cocoa powder, bosa stone, and daisy root into a powder and casting it with black magic can create a brief localized storm. Unfortunately, your talent for black magic is limited—it will take time to master.]
[In this time, your relationship with Cortés grows quickly. Under the combined weight of your strength and charisma, you've become quite good friends. If this were a certain kind of "unmentionable" romance game, you could have already unlocked his route.]