Chapter 39

-BOOM!!!

With an incredible sound, the pirate ship was firing cannonballs in all directions.

In the center of it all, Auriel, who had just boarded the ship, was pacing back and forth, completely lost on what to do in this chaotic situation just thirty minutes in.

“Reload everyone!”

“Reload!”

The pirates echoed the commands as they stuffed gunpowder and bullets into the cannons.

Right after loading them with magical power, they quickly lit the fuses.

And then…

“Fire!”

-BOOM!!!

The sharp bombardment shot off once again.

It was Auriel’s first time witnessing such a naval battle, yet even so, she could easily gauge how things were faring.

Out of five navy warships, two had already sunk, and the remaining three were in rough shape.

At this point, it seemed clear that the outcome was already decided.

However, despite the looming defeat, the navy continued to attack relentlessly, refusing to give up.

“Watch out!”

A cannonball was flying straight toward them.

Feeling the danger, Auriel desperately unleashed her aura in a bid to fend it off.

But then…

-BOOM!!!

“Huh?”

A sudden green aura barreled in from somewhere.

Resembling a sword, it exploded the approaching cannonball in mid-air.

The unexpected explosion was more powerful than anticipated.

Even with her aura for defense, Auriel realized that a direct hit would have been quite dangerous as she turned her head towards the source of that aura blade.

What she saw was a woman enshrouded in an unusual aura.

Having a vague sense of déjà vu about her face, Auriel approached her savior and bowed her head.

“Th-Thank you! I owe you my life.”

“It’s better to intercept cannonballs mid-flight than try to block them head-on. No matter how sturdy the barrier is, it’s on a whole different level from ordinary bullets.”

Calmness permeated her voice even in the midst of all the chaos.

With a serene smile, she released her aura once more.

Several chunks of aura formed around her.

They took the shape of swords, spreading out in all directions toward the incoming cannonballs.

And then…

-BOOM!!!

She shot down all the incoming projectiles, numbering no less than ten, leaving Auriel in a state of awe.

Though they both wielded aura, the divine power radiating from this woman was a cut above even what Auriel, seen as a saintess, possessed.

Moreover, the destructive energy right before her was fundamentally different from Auriel’s healing-focused magic.

Filled with intense curiosity, Auriel asked in a tentative voice,

“Excuse me… but who are you? You seem to be a highly skilled priest… no, a holy knight.”

“Just an ordinary pirate, you know. One in a similar predicament to yours.”

“Ah…”

That response struck a chord and instantly resonated with Auriel.

“By the way, what’s your name?”

“Ah… yes. My name is Auriel Stardust. Have you heard of me…?”

“Auriel?… Could it be the one who sings well?”

Unlike the Pirate King, this woman recognized her.

Auriel felt a strange joy, or perhaps relief, wash over her at that realization.

“Yes, th-that’s me.”

“Is that so? I was actually hoping to meet you.”

She had a momentarily surprised expression, though it quickly turned to one of calm as she wiped the emotions from her face and said with a smile,

“Anyway, I’m glad to meet you. My name is Lemain. I’m the vice-captain and the ship’s doctor.”

“Ah… So you’re the vice-captain. I… I look forward to working with you.”

“Likewise.”

With that, Lemain turned her gaze back forward.

Auriel watched over her in silence as she continuously released aura to intercept cannonballs mid-air.

The navy’s fierce assault had resulted in some damage here, but thanks to Lemain’s protection, the pirates’ losses were minimal.

It was like witnessing the very definition of an ultimate shield.

While internally admiring how aura could be wielded in such a way, Auriel gazed at the unfolding battle, now nearing its end.

And then…

“!…Ugh…”

Burning ships and the floating corpses in between.

As she passed through a fleeting moment of admiration, the stark reality of ‘death’ hit her hard, and Auriel unconsciously attempted to make the sign of the cross.

Just then…

“Don’t waste your breath praying for their souls.”

“…Y-yes?”

Lemain spoke with a chilling calmness, and when she saw Auriel’s bewildered expression, she continued in a serene tone,

“You’re no longer a priest serving God. You’re just a pirate like those aboard this ship. Do you really think you have the right to comfort the souls of your ‘enemies’?”

“…That… that’s…”

Auriel found herself at a loss for words in the face of her blunt truth.

“It’s advice from a senior. You should fix that mindset first. You’ll feel more at ease as a pirate.”

“…”

Lemain’s words rang true about Auriel’s current situation.

In response, Auriel replied with a trembling voice,

“I’ll… try my best.”

With that, she lowered her head, slightly biting her lip.

Thus, leaving behind a junior who still had much to learn, Lemain’s gaze shifted from the defeated enemy battleships to the port ahead.

The navy was gathering like ants.

Although, in typical circumstances, they would hardly be a match for the Pirate King, the issue lay with the subordinates surrounding him, all of whom were injured and exhausted.

Engaging in battle while protecting them would be no easy task, even for the Pirate King himself.

There were many things Auriel wished to say about why they, who were supposed to return at roughly the same time as her, were still over there.

‘Well… let’s hold off on that for now and focus on…’

*

“U-Um… sis… my… my arm…”

“Ugh…”

Fraklin’s arm bore a deep wound.

It looked as if a hidden blade had sliced deep through it, making me frown instinctively.

A singular strike had slipped through my defenses.

In this situation, there was only one person I knew capable of such a feat.

“Damn pests, but it ends here.”

A woman with a smoking gun spoke in a cold voice.

Achroiel.

After reloading her gun with precision, she aimed it toward us.

Her gun, surrounded by a ferocious wind, was unlike a typical weapon.

-POW!!

Her attack, amplified by wind magic, soared toward us once more.

This time, it aimed not at the shoulder but directly at Franklin’s head.

With an attack powerful enough to pierce through even a magical barrier, a hit would mean certain death.

At that moment of despair reflected in Franklin’s eyes…

-THUD!

A golden aura wrapped around her hand, blocking the attack just in time.

Simultaneously, with a spurt of red blood, Franklin was engulfed in shock.

“C-Captain!”

“…Tch.”

The sudden sting hit me, forcing me to frown instinctively.

In that moment, my hand, cloaked in magic, was akin to being covered in steel armor.

Not only could it deflect bullets, but even cannonballs were no issue.

The fact that I sustained even a minor injury to my hand reminded me that Achroiel was undoubtedly also a Grand Warrior, like me.

Then…

“I’ve finally figured it out. I know who you are. The only person who can block my attack like that is one of a kind on this sea.”

Achroiel spoke with an icy tone.

Skillfully reloading her gun in an instant, she pointed it back at us.

Her attack was infused with more magical energy than before.

It felt as if she had met an arch-nemesis, radiating a fierce energy beyond what I had witnessed until now.

“Consider this your last warning. Release the two of them.”

Achroiel’s voice was resolute, and I could only respond with one thing.

“I really can’t comprehend what nonsense you’re spouting.”

No kidding—this was not sarcasm, but rather a sincere response from me.

However, without a hint of hesitation, Achroiel fired again.

Bullets soared toward us.

I attempted to block them once more, but…

In an instant,

They changed direction like they were alive and flew right past my hand.

“!”

It was headed straight for Franklin.

My face was momentarily overtaken by shock.

At that moment…

-THUD!

“!!”

The bullet froze mid-air.

Enveloped in a faint green shield, it was gently placed atop someone’s hand.

“Is that a magic arrow…? You’ve been nostalgic for quite a while now.”

A calm voice emerged from the familiar figure.

With a smile, I turned toward my friend standing before me.

“You’re late, Lemain.”

“Fufufu…”