Chapter 37

Before me lay countless auction items.

It seemed someone had made off with a chunk of them already, yet there were still quite a number left. She, the woman wearing the White Crow Mask, spoke with a serene smile.

“Whoever you are, it seems the early bird guest has quite the discerning eye. They’ve chosen only convenient items and packed them away neatly…”

Among them were some things she personally wanted, but she had no choice but to let that go for now. After all, she couldn’t afford to lose sight of the bird she already held in her hands while fretting over the one that flew away.

With that tidy conclusion in mind, she picked up a small dagger resting on the shelf and started examining it.

At that moment…

“Who goes there!”

“You! A thief come to steal auction items!”

A group of people barreled in from behind. Some were Navy soldiers, while others looked like auction officials, all pointing guns at her with tense voices.

“Don’t even think about trying a lame excuse now! Surrender willingly!”

“…Hah…”

These lazy officials, who had fled in fear of a fire only to return after the situation had settled, stood there with cocky bravado, prompting a small sigh to escape her lips.

“Truly… ridiculous. Just recently I issued a command because of one such fool…”

“What did you just say?”

“Quit mumbling and kneel! If you delay any longer, it’ll be a bullet through that thick head of yours…”

-Snap!!!

“…?”

In that instant, the Navy soldier abruptly fell silent. Simultaneously, his vision began to turn a deep shade of red.

It was… a dagger that flew at such unseen speed and lodged itself into his skull.

-Thud!

“!!”

“Wh-what…?”

The rapid turn of events left the onlookers engulfed in bewilderment.

However, right after that, horror-struck expressions were replaced by an eerie stillness, as their heads separated from their bodies and rolled to the ground…

“Regrettable. I originally didn’t intend for bloodshed here, but thanks to someone, my plans have changed slightly.”

A heavy silence settled in the storage room once more. Within that silence, she began to lightly gesture in the air, as if drawing something.

And then…

-Snap!

A finger flicked lightly.

Immediately, groups of people began to appear as if rising from the ground around her.

“You called for us.”

“Gather all the items here. Don’t leave a single one behind.”

“It will be done.”

As soon as that order ended, the followers began to act promptly. Watching them, a deep smile started to spread on her lips.

“Thank you. You’ve helped me in such a manner… I’ll ensure this debt is repaid when the opportunity arises.”

*

A small fast boat was racing through the waters.

Powered by magic stones, it splashed loudly as it sped onward, where Achroiel was writing orders in real-time and dispatching them through couriers to all directions.

“The enemy is currently at this location, quickly heading southeast near San Mark Plaza.”

“Given the direction, it seems they’re headed for the port.”

“Yes, they’re most likely planning to escape on a boat.”

Speaking in a cold voice, Achroiel listened intently to her officer.

Even at this moment, she maintained the Circle of Magical Power, reading the enemy’s movements in real-time.

Without showing the slightest sign of fatigue, she maintained an enormous Circle of Magical Power covering a radius of 4 kilometers.

Such an act could only be performed by her, a Grade 10 Grand Warrior, who could do what would be impossible for an ordinary person.

“However… their speed is extraordinary. Moreover, even with reinforcements being dispatched, their pace is hardly slowing down… They must have some extraordinary talent on their side.”

“Indeed… even just moments ago, that strike’s power was hardly something an ordinary person could wield.”

“Who could it be? I doubt they have an ordinary background, given their audacious intrusion at the Great Auction…”

“We’ll know more once we get our hands on them and see their face. For now, let’s focus on restraining their movement.”

“Of course. I’ll continue to send reinforcements.”

“We absolutely must reclaim what they’ve taken: the auction items and the hostages. To repay the shame of having the Great Auction interrupted, we must accomplish at least that. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Admiral.”

With that, Achroiel returned her focus to the presence she felt within the Circle of Magical Power.

Despite numerous capable individuals already engaging in combat, the enemy’s movements showed no signs of wavering, causing Achroiel to increasingly scowl.

But…

Even so, she wasn’t thinking of defeat.

This was Benessa.

A place that was practically in the palm of her hand.

No matter how fierce their resistance, they ultimately wouldn’t be able to escape from here.

Vowing to make them pay for causing such a ruckus, Achroiel fixed her gaze on the current location of the one responsible on the map.

“I will make you regret this… you black crow hatchling… I shall certainly get you…!”

*

The water city of Benessa.

True to its name, it was surrounded entirely by waterways, and its main mode of transportation was not carts but ships, including gondolas.

Normally, this place could be called a beautifully charming location in many respects, but…

In such a peculiar environment, escaping proved to be quite a bothersome situation.

Just like now.

-Splash!!

“Damn! Already…?”

Magellan emitted a frown as he unleashed magic, projecting a barrier just in time to defend against the Navy’s attacks from boats on the side.

None of them stood out as especially formidable; normally, he could have easily taken them down by himself.

However, Magellan had no leisure to deal with them one by one at this moment.

Currently, he was carrying Elkana on his back.

Beside him was Franklin, also carrying Ambasha.

Both were in a situation where their combat ability had to be considerably reduced from usual, and especially considering the scale of the enemies chasing them, this was merely the tip of the iceberg.

The Navy was descending from their ships, firing guns, and enemies continued to swarm from behind like ants.

And…

“! Magellan, above!”

“Damn it!”

A Navy soldier dropped down right above him.

Surprised by the sudden ambush, Magellan quickly raised his sword.

The soldier wielded a spear wrapped in magic.

That would be roughly at the level of a Grade 5 Intermediate Warrior, and if he seized the opportunity in a surprise attack, he could potentially place Magellan in danger.

However…

Gah!!!

Like a mosquito struck on the palm of a hand, the Navy soldier was flung away with utter helplessness.

Simply put, Magellan wasn’t alone here.

“Quit dawdling! We press onward.”

“Y-yes!”

The pirates regained their composure after the Pirate King’s words and began to move forward.

Though something similar had happened several times before, the Navy had been dispatched and had flown off effortlessly with each strike from their Pirate King.

With combat strength so overwhelming that it made one think they could easily win even in a face-off against the entire Navy present, if it weren’t for the necessity of carrying the wounded, there likely wouldn’t have been a need for this chase in the first place.

Thus, while they admired the Pirate King’s combat prowess once again…

At the same time, the increasingly narrowing pursuit by the Navy reignited a feeling of urgency in their hearts, as they raced at full speed toward their target, the southern port.

Then…

“! Ah! There!”

As they stepped out of the alley, the port finally appeared before them.

Ambasha’s face lit up with a bright smile at the sudden wide-open view, but…

“Uh?”

“T-this…!”

The blooming smile suddenly wilted, and Ambasha’s face began to stiffen.

Simultaneously, Magellan and Franklin, who had been running ahead, could only halt in their tracks.

What lay before them was…

Five Ships stationed in the port.

And,

Before them stood the Benessa Navy, waiting in formation.

“We’ve got you.”

Moments later, a voice filled with vigor rang out from behind.

There stood Achroiel, who had arrived unnoticed, along with hundreds of gathered Navy soldiers.

“Now! Hand over Elkana and Ambasha, who you’ve abducted! If you do not do anything foolish and return them to their families, I may grant you a small mercy!”

Achroiel’s voice boomed confidently.

Of course, for those listening, all they could think was, ‘What kind of nonsense is this…?’ But in this situation, with no way to escape, even such words began to carry a sense of seriousness.

“Uh… Captain… how much longer do we have?”

Franklin asked in a quiet voice.

To this, the Pirate King replied in a soft voice.

“5…”

“…5 minutes, then it seems it rests on you and me to buy time here…”

“4…3…”

“…?”

Franklin wore a slightly dazed expression at the Pirate King’s words.

Then…

“2…1.”