Chapter 56

The lively atmosphere that had prevailed just five minutes ago faded away, and a chilling, tense air began to envelop the tavern.

The pirates and navy soldiers, drawn up facing each other with weapons drawn, glared as if they were about to kill each other at any moment.

“Do you dare challenge the great navy of the Kingdom of Frantz, you mere scraps of Brittania pirates?”

“Shut it! You filthy dogs of Frantz, I’ll end this here today!”

The basic adversarial relationship between pirates and the navy was evident.

To make matters worse, the Kingdom of Frantz and the Brittania Empire had been longstanding enemies for centuries.

Geographically, conflict was inevitable between an island nation and the mainland right across the way, compounded by a history of brutal battles over the past 120 years that had let grudges accumulate steadily.

Though they had become allies through the intervention of Benessa, it had always been a relationship where friendliness was virtually impossible.

Moreover, fueled by the drinking that had just taken place, both sides were sufficiently tipsy to be clouded in judgment.

And now, with a three-way combo of occupational conflict, regional dispute, and drunkenness, alongside the heightened tensions from recent deaths, the two groups were on the brink of a bloody clash.

With their guns and swords aimed at the ‘allies’ in front of them, the atmosphere felt ready to explode at the slightest provocation.

The figure at the forefront of the pirate crew, the only senior member among them, Cheshire, began timing when she could unnecessarily cleave down those heads with her axe.

Then…

“Stop right there!”

“!”

In the next moment, a woman suddenly jumped right between them.

With deep blonde hair and green eyes, adorned with a star on her shoulder, she rushed into the tensions between the two factions.

At that moment…

“Uh?”

“C-Captain?”

The murderous intent that had filled the tavern instantly evaporated, replaced by confusion among the Frantz Kingdom soldiers.

Seizing the opportunity, she spoke in a calm yet firm voice.

“What on earth is going on here? The enemies aren’t even here yet, and you are already aiming your guns at each other? I distinctly warned you to prevent this kind of situation from happening!”

“T-That guy started it!”

“Y-Yeah! They were the ones who insulted the Kingdom of Frantz first, calling us tadpole leg gnawers and snail babies!”

“Right! Those fish fry brutes have no right to…”

“Enough! Regardless of what happened, how can you point guns at each other? Stop the nonsense and explain who shot first! Who was it?”

The admiral spoke harshly, aware that in the end, since there had been a murder, the fault rested on them.

“The gun was aimed at us first over there. But the trigger was…”

“…”

“…Tsk…”

Instead of providing a clear answer to the admiral’s question, the soldiers of the Frantz Kingdom began to glance nervously at each other.

Naturally, it made sense, as they seemed to have no intention of confessing, “I was the one who shot.”

Sighing lightly at their silence, the admiral then calmly addressed the pirates, particularly the woman with the axe who appeared to be the representative.

“I apologize. My subordinates were rude. I sincerely apologize for causing unnecessary commotion.”

She expressed her apology neatly, simply bowing her head. However, in diplomatic situations, an apology bore significant meaning, implying a recognition of one’s error and an utmost effort to rectify any resultant damages.

Watching this exchange, the ax-wielding pirate spoke coldly.

“I understand. Then will you offer a neck?”

“…What?”

“You’ve carelessly killed one of my crew members. It’s a matter of principle that death must be repaid with death. Either hand over the killer’s head, or you shall offer yours.”

“…Instead, we can pay compensation for the loss…”

“That won’t do. No matter how much you offer, you can’t bring the dead back to life. It is only by death that the debt can be settled. Isn’t that basic common sense?”

“…You know that’s impossible. It would be troublesome to insist on such a thing.”

“Then there’s no negotiation.”

“Those bastards are trying to get away with this…”

The admiral had initially lowered her head, recognizing that they were in the wrong. However, faced with the opposing party’s insistence that implied “then just die,” her patience began to wear thin.

After all, as a member of the navy and a subject of the Kingdom of Frantz, she felt equally dissatisfied to be entangled in the business of these Brittania pirates.

“Right… I was a fool to think I could reason with pirates. Here I was trying to handle this peacefully, but it seems that’s not going to happen!”

With that declaration, the admiral decisively drew her sword.

In response, the woman with the axe began to emanate her magical energy as well.

The chilling and intensely powerful aura filled the air, and the unshakeable flow of magic spun rapidly. The admiral realized that this woman was at least a Grade 7 Advanced Warrior.

The confidence with which she stepped forward made it clear that there was a reason for her stance.

And then…

“Attack!”

A voice suddenly rang out from somewhere.

Instantaneously, the Frantz Kingdom army and the Brittania pirates charged into battle.

-Clang! Clang! Clang!

Inside, the Brittania soldiers and pirates began firing away.

Using tables and chairs as cover, they transformed the tavern into a chaotic battleground in an instant.

-Bang!

“Damn! Eat this!”

Wood splintered as thick clouds of gunpowder smoke filled the air.

As bullets and the sounds of clashing swords flooded the confines, the admiral’s opponent was, of course, the ax-wielding woman right in front of her.

-Creeeeeak!!!!!

The immense noise erupted as their magic clashes met.

While she wielded the difficult-to-handle axe with ease compared to the sword, the nature of the weapon made it inherently tough to counter.

Simultaneously, her movements—precise like a machine and unyielding in their magical energy flow—clearly indicated that she was a skilled warrior.

In this moment of weapon clash, the admiral could again reaffirm one thing.

It had been a long time since she had met someone worth fighting.

-Bang!

Simultaneously, both pushed against each other’s strength.

However, the admiral twisted her body and swiftly transformed her momentum from being pushed into an attack.

“…”

-Crackkkk!!!

The adversary narrowly blocked the strike with her axe handle.

Slightly pushed back by the impact, the admiral attempted to keep attacking.

At that moment.

“!”

An axe blade shot towards her head with impressive speed.

Seeing that her posture was slightly unstable but still continuing her assault, the admiral frowned slightly.

And then…

-Crackkkk!!!

She barely managed to deflect the descending axe with her sword.

The strength behind it was far beyond what she had anticipated.

An ache shot through her hand that was defending against such power.

‘Was that… an intentional display of strength? No… this level of force is…’

The fact that she was disoriented yet could exert this much power left the admiral contemplating just how formidable her opponent was.

With thoughts like that, she rolled away to evade the axe falling from above, intent on smashing her head.

-Boom!!

The axe crashed down onto the ground.

Taking advantage of the moment, the admiral, rolling on the ground, immediately sprang to her feet, channeling her magic energy.

-Bang!

With a forceful kick, she launched herself into the air, racing towards the pirate who had just pulled her axe out of the ground.

And then…

“!!”

-Puff!!

Something green suddenly flew in from the side.

The admiral was forced to twist her body hurriedly to avoid it.

“This is… an aura?”

“…”

Another individual had suddenly entered the fray.

The admiral’s attention shifted towards this new nuisance.

The woman exuding green aura bore a cold gaze, observing the situation intently.

Her face remained concealed beneath a black robe, but the aura hinted at her being no ordinary individual.

“Tsk… Just like you filthy pirates, using underhanded methods! Interrupting a duel like this.”

“Not once did I say it was to be a 1:1 match. Also, I’m not a pirate. I’m just a traveler who happened to be dining with a friend.”

She spoke in a chill tone.

Seeing her, the admiral felt another annoying factor had joined the fray and resumed channeling her magic.

Two against one would be slightly burdensome, but it wasn’t impossible.

If she could resolve it quickly, the odds were still favorable.

Allowing her judgment to settle, the admiral fixed her piercing gaze on the two of them.