"Can I just watch from beside the Captain? I won't do anything, just observe."
"The pirates might insult the Lord. It would be best for you to stay in the cabin."
"I really won't do anything. I'll just watch."
Jertin stared intently at me.
"Captain Jertin! All combat preparations are complete!"
A crew member shouted from the deck as he ran past. The pirate ship was closing in rapidly.
"Haa... I suppose I have no choice. You must stay by my side."
With no time to argue, Jertin finally sighed in resignation.
"Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble."
I stared at the pirate ship, quite excited since it was my first encounter with pirates.
The pirate ship was a medium-sized sailing vessel, smaller than the Jerutin Ho. At the top of its mast, a black flag fluttered in the wind, emblazoned with a white skull clutching a sword in its teeth a classic pirate flag.
Wow, this reminds me of that pirate movie I watched in middle school.
The movie's soundtrack automatically started playing in my head:
Bum-bum-bum ba-bum-ba-bum bum-bum...
Wait, no. That's the background music from a pirate manga. The movie's OST wasn't like that at all... What was it? Shit.
My memory of the movie was hazy, having watched it so long ago.
My hand instinctively reached for my smartphone in my pocket, then froze. This world had no internet; I couldn't just look it up.
Should I just pop back to reality for a bit? This is really bothering me.
Before I knew it, the pirate ship had closed in, maintaining a distance of about 10 meters from the Jerutin Ho.
A man standing on the pirate ship threw his head back and roared with laughter.
"Hahaha! We are the Blood Dagger Pirates!"
He wore a black coat draped over his shoulders and a large hat, a cutlass clutched in his hand. Shabby-looking pirates surrounded him.
The moment I saw them, I was utterly disappointed.
These filthy beggars are pirates?
They looked nothing like proper pirates. Their clothes were torn to shreds, little more than rags, and their bodies were so grimy they were practically black. Their hygiene was so appalling, I wondered how they'd even managed to survive this long.
"You call yourselves the Blood Dagger Pirates, but why are you all carrying cutlasses?"
At least their weapons were razor-sharp and gleaming blue.
"We are a trade ship affiliated with the Jeriel Merchant Guild, operating out of the Cobalt Kingdom," Jertin said calmly to the agitated pirates. Declaring his affiliation was a warning: Leave us alone and we can all go our separate ways peacefully, knowing the Jeriel Merchant Guild stands behind us.
"Jeriel Merchant Guild?" the pirate captain muttered, then twisted his lips into a greedy smile. "If you're with the Jeriel Merchant Guild, you must have plenty of valuables! I'll kill you all and plunder everything!"
"Captain! Calm down! If you think rationally for a moment, we can all benefit from this!"
"The real profit comes from killing every last one of you. What, you think you can abandon your ship and jump into the sea? If that's your choice, I'll gladly welcome you! Jump into the sea right now, you bookworms!"
The pirates of this world were truly depraved. Piracy was often the last refuge for criminals who had reached the end of their rope.
"Captain! We have the passage fee you demanded! There's no need for bloodshed!"
"Heh heh heh. Are you an idiot? If I kill you all, the ship and all its treasures become mine. You think I'd settle for a mere passage fee and let you go? Are you out of your mind?"
"If necessary, we'll offer additional food supplies beyond the passage fee."
"You pathetic fool. Heh heh heh."
"Have you forgotten the rules of the Pirate Alliance? Avoiding unnecessary combat and plunder is one of its core tenets!"
"Pirate Alliance? I left that cowardly bunch ages ago!"
"You've got some nerve. Aren't you afraid of the Black Shark of the Pirate Alliance?!"
"Black Shark? That bastard's gonna be dead soon anyway. What are you waiting for, you useless bastards! Get the ships alongside!"
At the Pirate Captain's shout, the pirates scrambled to row their ships closer.
Jertin's face hardened.
"Captain Jertin, it seems things aren't going as planned."
"...My apologies, Lord. I never expected the pirates to act so recklessly. But rest assured, our crew is not weak."
That much was clear.
Compared to the pirates, the crew members were all reasonably well-trained and well-fed, appearing to be in good condition.
"A battle is imminent, Lord. Please retreat to a secure cabin..."
"No. I'll help too."
Before he could protest, I drew my sword.
Thud!
The pirate ship rammed into the Jerutin Ho.
"Kuhahaha! Kill them all! Loot everything! This ship is mine now!"
"Kieeeeeeeeeeeek!"
"Kueeeeeeeek!"
"Kkoeeeeeeek!"
The pirates swarmed aboard, howling like beasts. The crew members quickly formed defensive lines, grouping into small squads to engage the invaders.
Jertin drew his sword from his waist. Aura flickered and surged from the blade.
"Lord, stay by my side. I'll protect... Lord?!"
I left Jertin behind and charged toward the pirate ship, my target the Pirate Captain. If he wasn't just a figurehead, he had to be the strongest among the pirates. My grip tightened on my sword.
"Some young lord thinks he can charge in without fear!"
The captain swung his cutlass with a speed impossible for mere physical strength. He could use Mana.
At this level, he's at least a high-grade Aura User.
Kang!
I parried the cutlass and lunged into the captain's guard, aiming for his solar plexus.
"Y-you bastard!"
He retreated swiftly.
Watching his movements, I felt certain of victory. What good was Mana if he couldn't control his body properly and his swordsmanship was clumsy? There was no way I could lose to someone like him.
Except for one variable.
Swoosh.
The ship rocked violently with the waves.
The ship's balance shifted slightly.
In contrast, the man's body remained perfectly steady, honed by decades of life at sea. His eyes gleamed beneath his wide-brimmed hat.
"Heh heh. The sea's too dangerous a place for a whelp like you."
His cutlass flashed, seeking an opening in my defenses.
Yeongcheon Style: Veiling Moon.
My upper body glided through the air, evading his strike. Seizing the moment, I retaliated with a swift counterattack. My blade slashed across his shoulder and chest.
"Ugh!"
He recoiled in alarm, a flicker of fear in his eyes as he finally recognized my skill.
"That's him! Surround him and kill him first!"
"Aye, Captain!"
The remaining pirates on the ship formed a circle around me, their weapons trained on my position.
"Even the swiftest bastard dies when stabbed simultaneously! Kill them, you bastards! Kill them all!"
The Pirate Captain raised his cutlass and roared the command.
"Yes, sir! Die!"
As the blades drew closer, I opened my mouth.
"P... Pikachu..."
"Pikachu?"
"PIKACHU!!"
Azure lightning erupted from my body, electrocuting every pirate within range. I unleashed the Thunderbolt with all my might.
The pirates were paralyzed, unable to flee or even scream.
When the lightning subsided, the pirates collapsed to the deck, dead.
"M-magic?!"
Only the Pirate Captain, an Aura User, remained alive, though he could barely twitch.
"It's not magic. And what's the point of knowing when you're about to die anyway?"
"Spare me..."
I struck the man's neck. I never intended to spare him.
I turned around. Over twenty pirates still remained.
Sensing my gaze, the pirates flinched. They exchanged nervous glances before either charging at me or diving into the sea to escape.
I cut down the charging pirates with my sword. I didn't bother pursuing those who fled into the sea. The sea was monster territory. Traveling the sea without a ship was tantamount to suicide. The fleeing pirates would soon be devoured by sea monsters.
I reboarded the Jerutin Ho.
"Impressive, Lord. Your swordsmanship is exceptional, but that lightning..."
"It's an artifact," I replied. "I carry it for self-defense."
"Are you injured, Lord? You seem displeased."
I was somewhat disappointed with the pirates. I had hoped for a more intense battle, but they turned out to be weaker than I had anticipated.
"It's just because I haven't moved much lately."
"What shall we do with the pirate ship? Since you killed the Pirate Captain, Lord, ownership belongs to you."
"It's an old, dilapidated vessel. Doesn't seem to have any treasure either..."
"If you're planning to dispose of it, would you consider selling it to me?"
"To you?"
"Technically, the Jeriel Merchant Guild would be purchasing it. Payment... I'll settle the full amount upon our arrival at the port."
I glanced at the pirate ship. Though old, it was still seaworthy.
As the Territorial Lord of a port city, wouldn't it be wise to have a few ships at my disposal?
"No, that's enough for now. Later, after I've taught the Dwarves shipbuilding technology, I'll have them build me a proper ship."
What would my dignity be worth if I owned a mere pirate ship?
"Very well. I'll leave it to you. I'm going to the cabin to rest for a while."
"Ye. Rest well, sir."
I brushed past Jertin and entered the cabin. Behind me, I heard his shout:
"Seize the pirate ship! Move quickly!"
We arrived at the port.
I sold the pirate ship to the Jeriel Merchant Guild and received payment. I paid Jertin separately for his transportation services.
But our journey wasn't over yet. We hired a carriage and set off for Bravo, the city where Goldway Academy was located. It was a three-day ride from the port.
"Wait. Stop the carriage for a moment."
I opened the carriage window and shouted an order to the coachman.
The coachman, driving the double-headed carriage, reined in the horses with a bewildered expression and turned to look at me.
"What is it, Baron?"
"Nothing much. Let's take a break here."
"If we pass this point, we'll arrive within an hour..."
"The scenery looked nice through the window earlier. Just wait here for a bit."
"...Yes, sir. As you wish."
The coachman replied with a reluctant expression. He was a commoner and merely a hired coachman; he had no choice but to obey.
"Master, what are you thinking?" Kelly asked, yawning.
"Coming here is a special occasion, isn't it? Then we should do something memorable. Come with me."
Leading three maids, I headed somewhere quite a distance from the carriage.
We arrived at a place with a massive boulder. The maids and I climbed onto the boulder.
"Wow..." Rizel gasped in awe.
Standing on the boulder, we could see the Great City of Bravro spread out before us.
Our gazes turned toward Goldway Academy, situated on one side of the city. The academy was a colossal structure, rivaling the King's castle in grandeur. A pristine white, elegant fortress anyone would nod in agreement at its beauty.
"Amazing..." Kelly murmured softly.
"Alright, then," I said, lowering my pants. I gripped my limp cock and aimed it at Goldway Academy.
"What are you doing? Don't tell me you're going to "
"It's Goldway Academy, so we have to commemorate it by spraying Goldwater. What are you doing? Take off your panties and lift your skirts too."
"Master, are you crazy?" Kelly asked, her expression serious.
"It's an order, Kelly. This is a commemoration! We can't be at Goldway and not do Goldwater. If we film it and edit it, we'll get an epic video."
"...Head Maid! Don't just stand there! Tell Master to stop..."
Kelly's words to Yuria trailed off. The moment I finished speaking, Yuria had already taken off her black panties and lifted her skirt.
"Kelly, the Master's orders are absolute. As maids, we must obey any command he gives. Now hurry up and take off your panties and lift your skirt."
"The Head Maid is usually so composed, but she acts so strangely whenever the Master is involved. Don't you think so, Rizel? ...Rizel?"
Kelly glanced beside her and gasped in shock. Rizel had already stripped off her panties, hiked up her skirt, and was exposing her neatly trimmed, pale orange pubic hair.
"Kelly, it feels so refreshing! You should try it too!"
Kelly looked around.
Yuria was also preparing to relieve herself, her silver heart-shaped pubic hair prominently displayed in the air.
"...Am I the weird one here?"
"Hurry up, Kelly. Everyone's waiting."
"Okay, okay..."
With a sigh, Kelly finally removed her panties and lifted her skirt. Her pussy was completely bare, without a single hair.
I pulled out my Auto Camera and floated it into the air.
"Alright, I'll count down. We all go at the same time when I reach one. Three... two... one!"
Yuria and I immediately started peeing, but Rizel and Kelly were a beat behind, likely because they weren't used to relieving themselves outdoors.
"Ah... this sense of freedom... it's exhilarating beyond words."
It felt like Goldway Academy was being defiled by Goldwater.
Meanwhile, at Goldway Academy...
Someone frowned, staring out the window.
Their gaze pierced the distant horizon, beyond the range of ordinary human vision.
"...What are those lunatics doing?"