Chapter 63

“Finish off those Frantz bastards!”

“Don’t let a single one escape!”

“Bring hell to those ugly pirates!”

“There’s nowhere for them to run anyway! Kill at least one more!”

In the chaotic, desperate melee, the pirates and the navy of the Kingdom of Frantz clashed fiercely.

At the center of it all stood the two pirate captains, clearly the most conspicuous targets.

Blue Queen, donned in a shimmering blue cape, ruthlessly pummeling the advancing navy.

And,

Elise von Derland, wielding a staff with an axe at her side, guarded by Cheshire.

With Elise’s incantations, white magic circles materialized, spawning creatures that took the forms of living beasts.

Opposite the pristine white magic circles, various beasts radiating dark, inky hues emerged.

Wolves, lions, bulls—these creatures viciously attacked the navy as soon as they burst forth.

Navy men were bitten and torn by wolves, clawed by lions, and gored by bulls.

Watching the rapidly diminishing number of navy soldiers amid the bloodshed, the two pirate captains began to wear cold smiles.

“Anyway, the Pirate King’s side is already out of reach! In that case, let’s just take down some Frantz bastards and chop off their heads!”

“Eradicate the Frantz navy and report the details to the Grand Marshal. The situation is messy, but that should leave us at least some crumbs of profit.”

Though a temporary alliance had been formed, they were undeniably wiping out a major force of the enemy nation.

The Grand Marshal could not ignore this achievement either.

Thus, revenge… it was indeed revenge, but above all, the two captains were eager to seize the monstrous benefit ahead as they worked to wipe out the enemies before them.

At that moment…

“Whoosh!!”

“Huh?”

“What’s that?”

A sudden bright signal flare shot up into the sky.

The dazzling light cutting through the darkness caused combatants to momentarily shift their gazes.

“Wait, who launched the signal flare…”

“Could it be… the Benessa folks?”

Despite the chaos, the navy of Benessa was nowhere to be seen.

There was no particular reason to be hostile toward them, but as they were the only ones that could turn the tide, the navy of Frantz held onto a faint hope, while the Brittania pirates began to worry.

Then, under the glow of the signal flare, a group of individuals started to reveal themselves.

As soon as they saw them, everyone present—pirates and navy alike—was suddenly engulfed by a single emotion.

Despair…

A profoundly dark emotion…

“Th-Those guys…”

“N-No way! How did they get here…”

The figures visible to their eyes—

The famed pirate captains stationed around the Mediterranean Sea.

Each known for their strength, among them were two infamous sharks that even other pirates found unapproachable.

However, in that moment, the appearances of the lesser captains faded from view.

Standing confidently among them was a man.

Dressed in a captain’s uniform, with folded arms and a golden beard.

He was the one who gathered them there, but at that moment, he was someone they desperately did not want to confront.

The Pirate King.

Ezra Drake.

He gazed at the pirates with faces stiffened in fear, beginning to show a deep smile.

“Oh my. I’m sorry for interrupting your fun. How have you all been? Elise! Blue Queen!”

“Ugh…”

“U-uh…”

As their names were called, the expressions of the two pirate captains hardened even more.

Looking at them, the Pirate King issued his orders with confidence.

“You dared to challenge me, huh? Go ahead and try! I will personally test whether you deserve to sit upon the throne!”

At his words, golden magical power began to radiate from his entire body.

The sheer force sent chills down the spines of everyone present.

And then…

“Attack!”

“In the name of the Pirate King!”

The Pirate King charged forward, the pirates following suit, launching their advance.

As the unstoppable common enemy rushed towards them, the navy of Frantz and the Brittania pirates hurriedly began to retreat.

“R-Retreat! We must retreat! Everyone retreat!”

“Fall back! We need to escape toward the port!”

Following the orders of Blue Queen and Elise, the pirating crew began a swift retreat like the ebbing tide.

Simultaneously, the confused navy of Frantz began to follow suit.

Just moments ago, they were killing and being killed, but now, due to the appearance of the Pirate King, the two sides unified in fleeing.

Of course, the Pirate King wouldn’t let those trying to escape off easily.

“Whoosh!”

“!! W-Wait…”

“We must… avoid it…!”

“Boom!!!”

The overwhelming magical power swirling from the Pirate King’s hand.

In an instant, with a flash of light, that tremendous wave of power surged forth toward the fleeing parties.

And…

“Boom!!!”

A loud explosion swept away a mob of navy and pirates entangled with one another.

The subversive might that obliterated dozens in a single blow sent chills even through those who were not caught in its radius.

The problem was that this attack was nothing grand, merely a basic strike.

“Damn it!”

“Here it comes again!!!”

“Boom!!!”

Once more, the swinging fist swept away piles of pirates.

In this situation, where tails were being severed, the White Shark Elise made a swift decision.

“This won’t do. Cheshire!”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I’ll have all the remaining summoned beasts converge on him. Bind his feet.”

“Understood, Mother.”

As the command was given, Cheshire moved swiftly, retreating to the back with dozens of the dark beasts.

Cheshire was well aware of what this meant.

It was a practically suicidal order to block the enemies with their lives on the line.

However, without a hint of hesitation, Cheshire began to execute the command.

The only reason for Cheshire Jabberwock’s existence was simple.

To protect and serve her mother.

Even if it meant losing her own life…

That was the undeniable duty within the pinnacle masterpiece that her mother had created.

Cheshire stood against the advancing swarm of the Pirate King with the dark beasts.

“Stop. You cannot pass any further.”

“Whoosh!”

Ignoring Cheshire’s plea, the Pirate King gathered his magical power once more.

Facing that dazzlingly brilliant light, Cheshire positioned the dark beasts up front, gathering every ounce of magical power she had to form a magical barrier.

For just one second, to block this unstoppable calamity.

To protect her mother, no matter what.

And then…

“Pow!!!”

The Pirate King’s fist swung,

Simultaneously, the incredible wave of force burst forth, instantly reducing the beasts gathered in front to ‘nothing’.

Without losing momentum, the golden tempest charged toward Cheshire.

“Boom!!!”

“Ugh!!!”

The horrific surge began to engulf her.

Like a shipwreck caught in a storm, without the ability to resist, the magical barrier that Cheshire meticulously formed was utterly shattered.

As the force swept over her, Cheshire felt her body start to be flung toward somewhere unknown.

The wind threatened to tear her apart, and an unbearable heat scorched her flesh.

In the wake of an attack that no human could endure, Cheshire felt her consciousness fading.

There was no regret.

Following her mother’s command, Cheshire had fulfilled her duty.

Only that she could not verify whether it had been a meaningful help was a pity.

At that moment…

‘…Why is it… so… Why now… are you…’

A form suddenly came to mind.

The one who had always shared delightful sounds with her,

Who had always smiled cheerfully.

And…

The one who made her think about something other than her mother for the first time.

If there was a possibility…

At the very end, she wished to see that person one more time.

With that thought, Cheshire completely lost her consciousness within the ongoing storm of magic.

*

Like ants scattering, the enemies fled rapidly.

Meanwhile, those left behind or unable to escape were swiftly being rounded up by the subordinate pirate crews.

Watching that scene, I calmly spoke.

“We don’t need to rush, so let’s finish it properly. After all, they’re just trapped mice.”

“Yes, Pirate King.”

It was clear where they would go, so there was no need to worry.

Thus, convinced that for some time no one would trouble us, I began to follow behind them again.

At that moment…