Chapter 56: Stephen’s Day
The gentle sea breeze blew over Modo Harbor, and in the distance, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks could be heard.
Inside the harbor, people came and went, with merchant ships loaded with goods docking near the port. Occasionally, squads of fully armed, expressionless guards patrolled by, causing the passing merchants to respectfully step aside. Rarely, one could see the legendary Drow, but they were not as evil as the stories depicted; they just appeared a bit aloof and seemed indifferent to everyone. These Drow enforced the law quite strictly, and bribery seemed ineffective against them.
Stephen Hogg jumped down from the deck, patted his coin pouch after landing, and then gazed towards the Tide Tavern on the southern side of the harbor.
This tavern was operated by the Ocean Temple priests.
On the other side of the dock stood the more luxurious Golden Crown Inn, the best place for indulgence in Modo, with the most expensive fine wines and the most beautiful maidens. However, Stephen was just an ordinary pirate; he couldn’t afford such places and only occasionally drank rum at the Tide Tavern. He now considered himself a family man, which required him to be more frugal, so after some thought, he turned toward the city of Modo.
“Forget it.”
Stephen mumbled to himself, declining the invitation from a companion to enjoy a night at the tavern, while on his way back to his lodging, he pondered, “Now is the time to save money; I reckon I have enough saved up for three hundred Ginds.”
“Enough to buy a piece of land in the city.”
“I’ve heard that the mainland hasn’t been safe lately, and soon I’ll bring her and the children over.”
Thinking of this, a hint of happiness appeared on Stephen’s face.
He wasn’t young anymore.
This year he was already 35 years old, which is considered quite old among pirates. As a human, after entering his thirties, he felt that his physical energy was no longer what it used to be. Although he possessed Second Tier strength and had considerable battle experience, age inevitably brings deterioration, and this is true even for advanced professionists. In his last showdown with Pirate King Asrold, Stephen received a kn*fe wound to his abdomen and lost a lot of bl**d. Though he had recovered now, he still had some lingering dark injuries.
Stephen had been drifting at sea for a long time.
After years of life-and-d*ath battles, he was already tired of it, so he planned to finish his current task and apply to join the city guard.
To change to a more stable job.
Throughout Stephen’s not-short pirate career, he had followed many pirate leaders, but none had ever instilled in him as much hope for the future as Lord Soren.
Order.
Everything in Modo Harbor was orderly, owing to the strict regulations in place. Although the law had not been fully established, the rules set by Lord Soren were strictly enforced. Anyone who challenged the rules would be ruthlessly crushed. Stephen had never seen any pirate leader manage the unruly pirates as well as Lord Soren did. Although some methods were bloody and cruel, that was just a minor issue.
Once accustomed to the order established by Lord Soren, they would realize that life wouldn’t be as terrible as in the past.
No need to worry about being completely robbed and cast aside in a stinky gutter after getting drunk, and no need to fear that their hard-earned wealth would ultimately fall into someone else’s hands after a desperate fight.
Effort should be rewarded.
In Modo, any occupation could provide for oneself, even the most despicable slave could gain freedom through hard work and live a decent life in the city.
What reason did Stephen have to doubt that he would have a better future than those freed slaves?
“I should have enough money.”
There was a stone-paved road from the harbor leading directly to Modo city. The neat road was regularly maintained, and since Stephen had never received any formal education, slightly complicated calculations were a bit challenging for him. Though he had recently been spending money learning letters and arithmetic, it was difficult for him due to his age. As a result, he found himself counting on his fingers as he walked, “Adding my previous contributions, I should be able to buy land south of Modo city at the best price.”
“Maybe enough to buy fifteen acres?” (Note: The size is comparable to an acre; one acre is about six current mu.)
“These lands have been cultivated by slaves; judging by the growth this year, there should be a good harvest. After buying the land, I can spend some money to buy two slaves from Shipwreck Bay to farm, and even when I’m older, I can live a decent life.”
“When I get the land deed, I’ll bring her and the kids over.”
“Then spend a bit of money to ask the priest to hold a wedding. Hehe!”
A somewhat simple smile appeared on Stephen’s face, softening the scar on his left cheek that made him look fierce, making him less intimidating.
He had a beloved one.
Once a songstress from Shipwreck Bay, her husband had been a sailor, but he tragically died in a shipwreck. After her husband’s d*ath, she struggled to raise her two children alone, but it was too difficult for a woman to support two growing kids. Finally, she steeled herself and engaged in half-opened dealings, relying on the flesh trade to provide for her two little ones. Then she met Stephen, a pirate who appeared fearsome but was exceptionally gentle towards her.
After taking down a drunken man who refused to pay for services rendered, Stephen began his relationship with her.
She was a gentle woman.
Not particularly beautiful, with a slightly delicate voice, she was around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. She had a bit of weight, but her skin was fair, and her personality was very gentle, skilled in housework, keeping the room clean. She had a big backside, looking like a woman capable of giving birth. As for her past in the flesh trade, Stephen didn’t care much; a woman capable of setting aside her pride to engage in such business for her children only made him respect her more.
He was just a pirate.
Saying his hands were full of bl**d might be an exaggeration, but the number of people who had died at his hands was certainly significant.
Some deserved it, and some were innocent.
Occasionally he would go to the temple to confess his sins, and once he even cried like a child in her arms.
Perhaps getting older had made him softer.
This time when escorting goods to Shipwreck Bay, Stephen encountered a teenage thief; in the past, he would have definitely crippled that child’s hand. But seeing that malnourished child this time reminded him of his beloved’s two kids. He not only let the thief go but also tossed him a few silver coins.
Life was tough, and his beloved’s older kid, who was also involved in shady dealings back then, now only had eight fingers at thirteen years old.
Stephen was tired.
He was no longer young. In a few years, he would be forty.
A man at forty could only rely on rich experience in battle; he sought a more stable life.
A woman.
A group of lively children.
A stable job and a secure home.
Years of drifting at sea had forged him into a true man. He could fight fiercely without fear of d*ath, but that did not mean he wanted to continue living a life full of uncertainty.
He was a bit different from other pirates. Perhaps others would only begin to yearn for such things once they reached his age.
………………
Before him appeared the city gate of Modo.
Stephen quickened his pace toward his lodging. He had his own house, though it was just a small brick house. Yet, it was a property earned through hard-fought battles. More often than not, he preferred staying at his lodging, as the house felt empty. He would wait until he had brought his beloved over before considering moving in.
“I need to get some furniture too.”
Stephen thought to himself, not knowing what came to his mind. A look flashed across his face that men would understand. “Hehe. There are three rooms; maybe I should buy a bigger bed.”
At that moment,
A commotion arose at the city gate of Modo.
Soon, a sizable wyvern crawled out, much larger than a cow, with a rope around its neck. It seemed to be restrained by someone whom Stephen couldn’t see. The wyvern walked forward proudly, ignoring the surrounding guards. Once it exited the city gate, it impatiently flapped its wings, stirring up clouds of dust.
“Alright! Alright!”
“Xiao Hei, stop messing around! I’ll let you out to play now!”
A crisp child’s voice came from behind, and though no one was visible, Stephen straightened his expression and quickly bent down, kneeling on one knee, “My Lady!”
This was the precious treasure of Modo.
Her status in Modo was nearly that of a princess; who didn’t know that Lord Soren treasured her more than his own life?
Phew!
The silhouette of the wyvern soared into the sky.
Then a petite girl in a black princess dress appeared before Stephen’s eyes. Vivian didn’t notice him kneeling to the side at all. After releasing the wyvern’s rope, she clapped her tiny hands and said cheerfully, “Let’s go, Lulu! Today I’m taking you to catch fish!…”
The small, delicate cat girl beamed with joy at the words, nodding vigorously, “Meow! … Catch fish!… Lulu wants to eat grilled fish!…”
Under the sunlight,
Vivian led the small cat girl towards the sea, and Stephen quickly stood up and headed towards his lodging.
He still had to complete a task transfer today.
………………
Countless battles.
Repeated life-and-d*ath struggles.
bl**d, slaughter, d*ath—in the cruel and heartless life-and-d*ath game, Modo city finally stood firm on these overseas islands.
Soren not only changed Vivian’s fate.
This vibrant city also altered the destinies of many.
Vivian finally had a stable environment to grow up in, allowing her to live the life a child her age should have in her spare time.
Happiness.
Carefree.
Living like a child, after all, she was only nine years old.
And Soren.
He would continue forward in the midst of slaughter, for promises and for protection.
………………(To be continued ~^~)
