REGIS ASCALON

There was turmoil on the deck and while the sailors on board were doing everything to keep the situation from turning chaotic.

I had never seen such a huge metal ship and it sent down shivers in my backbone.

Alicia was silent as she viewed the whole thing with wide eyes open. Was she still afraid of the ocean otherwise she had already defeated an evil dragon in front of me?

And Hana was neutral as everything she saw only worked to fascinate her. She little understood the danger entailed if we encounter those pirates upfront.

Was that even a ship and how it emerged from the bottom of the sea? I had too many questions just the same as the other panicking passengers seem to have.

Were they the infamous pirates and now what? Should we fight? But my arrows won’t even reach that far. And a single shot from their bizarre ship blew half of our ship.

I never thought a ship could actually emanate evil, but this one did. Its body was made of dark strong metal and not even the whirlpool could match its force. Rather the strong waves and the force shaking our own ship were caused because of that pirate ship surfacing in the middle of the ocean.

How did they find us in this big ocean?

Swissshhhh….

Swissshhhh…

Too many of the same booms were heard and the sky was smoked with fuming boulders that went straight to hit the pirate’s ship.

These were the fire shots from the canons installed on our ship.

Maybe those canon shots could sink the pirate ship before they get near us or so I thought.

CLANK…

CLANK…

The shots only ended up hitting the body and were rebounded back into the ocean.

“How can we defeat a ship that moves like lightning?”

“It must be some new kind of magic technology. They have no sails and the ship can move inside water too.”

“No one has ever heard or seen this before. We are all doomed.”

The murmurs of the people were suddenly silenced by a rebellious but bold voice.

“Fools, I have been the captain of this ship for my forty years and so the sail of this ship will stand proud as always. All my men to the deck. Now.”

Another figure appeared on our ship an old man in a long blue sailor’s uniform and a white hat with a golden lining circled around his head.

“Men, fire again at my command. And the others help the people to evacuate the right wing and treat the injured in the left spare space.” His energy reverberated on the ship and the people’s sight followed his voice.

People started acting fast and the wood debris was being cleared and the fire was put out all at the same time. There was little to no fear in the eyes of the sailors on the ship as if this was not their first time dealing with the pirates.

The pirate’s black ship continued to approach us with intense speed. If they did not stop then most probably our ships would collide.

And from the previous performance, it was clear that our ship would be wrecked beyond recognition.

“Fire in the Hole….Fire…”

Continuous rounds were being fired but the result was the same. There was not a single pause in the pirate’s ship movement or a dent in that curved metal body.

But something was different this time that did not sit right with me. Most of the canon shots were neither direct nor aimed at the pirate’s ship since most of them fell into the ocean without making a hit.

Was this a mistake, but how can the accuracy drop to so low?

A swift wind blows and the captain shouts, “Now… Men. Pull. Pull with all your strength.”

“Pull… Pull… Pull.” All the sailors had gathered around the post and while the sea wind blew they pulled the sails open and the stern of the ship changes direction in one instant. They continued pulling and cheering in unison.

With a jerking force, the ship changes course. I realized the canon shots were only a farce to make sure that the pirates keep on thinking that we had not given up and were prepared for a fight.

Turning back I look at the captain as he held his cap tight with a defiant gaze at sea and holding his chin. His white mustache and burly beard spoke of his forty years of experience in a head-on clash against the unexpected. He did not want to involve his crew or passengers in a war with the pirates so the best thing to do was avoid them with sustainable damage and exit the battlefield.

“The captain of this ship is so awesome and brilliant.” I found a new admiration for the captain of the ship.

Sails puffed give onward motion and we get farther and farther from the pirate’s ship.

In the next few seconds because the big ship of pirates could not steer at the same speed and change path as us. It passes our line of trajectory without hitting us and misses its golden chance.

The pirate ship goes back into the water and was not again seen.

“Have they given up?”

“Were they the black storm pirates? I guess we will never find out.”

The people were now in a relaxed state.

But even this happiness only lasted for a while as an unidentified cylindrical piece burning in flames shot at us from the front.

There was no time left from the point it was observed and the moment it hit the mast of the ship and burnt all the sails.

“Captain. We are surrounded by pirates on all sides.” A sailor cried as he ran to the man himself with the information.

Just as the sailor reported we had been surrounded by enemy ships on all four sides.

These were all normal ships floating on the ocean, but from this close, we could see that they were all filled with pirates bearing swords, and anchors and readying more canons with magic fuel.

Our ship had already lost its sails and so it stopped moving.

I turned back to look at the captain hoping he still might have some trick up his sleeve.

But instead, he was holding his cap low in front of his face and waiting for the inevitable and all the sailors followed his example and became duds or either said their final goodbyes by crossing their arms.

“What… he gave up so quickly. What about the speech about being a proud sailor and forty years of experience? I now am starting to hate this.” I frustratedly said that loud.

And finally, the only missing enemy joined its fleet party, the unusual ship surfaced back but this time its top latch opened itself.

Over it some men stood and then they hovered in the sky. They were flying but I was sure it was not some kind of magic but the new device tucked around their waist doing this.

“We are the Black Storm Pirates. Get ready to be sunk to the bottom of this ocean along with your ship.” The man announced flying the fastest among his pirate crew with the flying gear. The pirates throttled at full speed at us.

“This is bad. This is bad.” Usually, I would not freak out like this but having no experience at sea I little knew about how to handle pirates.

At this point, I could not count on the pompous Captain, the sailors, or other passengers. They were already scared to their wit’s end and did not know what to do.

But there was only one person I know who could prevent this disaster with one magic spell. And so I woke her up from her trance.

Jolting Alicia by her shoulders I shout at her face. A bad habit I might have picked from the momentary admiration I held for the Captain.

“Alicia, can’t you do something or we will all drown in the sea.”

“I am sorry Regis for pretending nothing is wrong here. But don’t worry I will try to fix everything.”

As if coming back to life Alicia said the most reassuring thing anyone would have wanted to hear on this ship.

But why do I get this hopeless feeling that she meant entirely something else?

***

ALICIA ASCALON ASHBORN

Why. Why? Why…

These pirates are doing everything wrong.

Why do they have a submarine instead of a black ancient pirate ship possibly faster than any other ship.

And they want us to sink to the bottom.

Isn’t plundering, and looting what they should try to do first?

Or, turn the people they capture into slaves for prospecting gold or mining.

Make us walk the plank or directly throw us in the ocean when they get bored.

I wouldn’t want that actually to happen but sinking us sounds more like a military order than showing free pirate traits.

And why are they trying to band up under one hood? Aren’t all pirates cold-heated thieves with no code or honor at all? Who only care for the treasure and would backstab a friend as fast as a foe for sake of greed.

They are nothing like the pirates I know.

My only chance of having a pirate adventure has been utterly crushed and taken away from me.

Even the leader of the Black Storm Pirates is using modern destroyer weapons and all his body parts intact. No single eye patch, a hook hand or wooden leg. There is not even a gossipy parrot pet on his shoulder. And yet they all dare to call themselves pirates.

“Those fakers…It’s so infuriating.”

“Alicia is everything all right? Can’t you do something or they are going to sink the ship?”

That’s when Regis warned me and I had to come to the realization that I was in the most danger of all because I did not know swimming and losing the ship would mean we will never get to the Human Continent and I was averse to the idea of even losing a day in my search, especially on some pretenders.

I knew only Regis who can understand me too thinks they are doing it all wrong.

“I know Regis, so you don’t need to worry. Take care of Hana while I show them the true path.”

“What are you going to do?” Regis asked me.

“I will ask them to stop attacking us,” I said honestly, and before she could further ask anything I leave.

We were surrounded by pirates on all sides and I need to hide my identity as well while I do this. Everyone’s eyes were on the pirates so it would be difficult to handle everything by not being visible.

So, instead of going in the mask, the best thing is to uncover my identity. I could fly high and still remain out of everyone’s sight.

While everyone was distracted, I stand on the rail and jump off. Instead of going down, I start flying and remove my mask.

“Ah! The wind feels so nice on the face.”

I was back in my original form and no one would recognize me in my long white hair.

Now I needed to meet this pirate flying towards our ship at full speed along with some of his crew. His submarine was steady in the ocean.

Maybe it was on standby and ready to shoot us the moment the pirate gave the signal.

I fly in his direction and the pirate captain saw me coming from far. I was already flying above his height. Looks like his flying gear could not make him hover higher above sea level.

The two of us started levitating in the middle. Because of the strong sun rays, he might not be able to clearly see me.

“Shiver Me Timbers. Who would have thought someone who could use flight magic was onboard that rustic ship? Maybe we could have captured you. You must be some strong mage and rich if you are one of the passengers on that big merchant ship.”

‘Woahhhh…” He might not be that bad of a pirate at all.

“But I think that has to go all to waste. I am going to sink this ship and it will set a good example that I am going to rule all the pirates and this sea alone.”

I lost the little patience I had after hearing about his stubbornness and foolishness. He is not at all ambitious or looking for some kind of grand hidden treasure.

“Please don’t get carried away and stop what you are doing,” I asked plainly.

“Huhhh… did you hear this little girl. Can’t you see around yourself? You are surrounded by hundreds of my pirates on all sides.” The pirate captain was not at all intimidating except for the confidence he showed in the new machinery they were equipped with.

Along with the submarine I was sure now that this was made by one of my classmates. There was no other explanation. And these pirates are using this technology to harm people. I wonder if this was stolen or if it was given to them on purpose.

“Move aside brat or we will have to shoot a cannon at you.”

“You can die with your friends and family there. Might as well stop wasting your time and spend your final moments with them.”

The men behind the Pirate Captain spoke.

“No matter what you do we are going to sink every ship that passes from here. Someone like you really thinks they can stop us.” The pirate captain finally spoke.

“It seems I have no other choice.”

If it could not have been helped and the pirates were going to plunder our ship. I was already planning to levitate the whole ship and escape from these pirates. By coming this close Al had already analyzed that the submarine was not capable of flying.

But if I did not do something about these pirates, Caige and Maia will be hurt when they try to come to the human continent. And I will never let that happen.

I think I again forgot to tell Regis the rest of the plan that if they did not listen to my request I had to go with plan C ⸻ Complete Annihilation.

Just then I had an intense feeling that I was being watched back from my ship more intently than the rest who could have only seen my silhouette. I look in that direction, but those gazes on me suddenly fade. It was not of Regis or Hana and they did not seem to emanate any ill intent. Was I only imagining, there’s no way someone could have found out from that far?

“Are you finally having second thoughts? You should be afraid after all you are outnumbered. I hate to kill children, but we have already killed so many that I have lost count.”

“Before this, all ends, let me ask from where did you acquire that submarine.”

“Wha… How could you know about the submarine if you are first time looking at it.”

Suddenly there is an irritated look on the Pirate’s face.

“Kill her. Use your gear…. Now you will see.”

The pirate hears the voice of his men brandishing their swords and adjusting their gear to fly at me. But suddenly the voice of the hovering fans stop working.

The pirate looks back only to realize all of their presence was covered in a mist of blood and the remains fall off into the ocean.

[DISMANTLE]

I already had my suspicion that they were all low-level pirates. The only problem was the submarine and a large number of pirate ships. I cannot handle them one by one.

“Ahhhhh….” The leader of the pirate screams, “Why you? What kind of hideous magic is that? You will regret this if you are trying to save your people on the ship. My pirates will take them hostage. And they listen very little to me because they are a rowdy bunch and might kill half of your people.” The Pirate Captain might have been good at planning and decent enough to stage this coordinated attack in the first place. And was now trying to threaten me.

“You don’t have to worry. I had already asked you all to withdraw but now I have more reason to completely erase you.” I said in the same plain tone with no feelings because that’s not how I wanted it all to turn into this.

“Who are you…? Answer me.”

It was already too late. One of the reasons I decided to remove my mask was to try my new magic which only worked on a wide scale range. The number of surrounding enemies was perfect to measure its strength and I couldn’t have asked for a better topography.

With magic surging from my body and taking effect on the environment I cast my ultimate ice spell.

“[ICE CALAMITY]”

***

PIRATE CAPTAIN

“My heart and body feel so heavy. This rise in magic power; what did she mean she will take care of everything.”

Those white hairs and the sun shining at the top. I could not see her face because of the shadow or how serious she was. But she killed those pirates without touching them.

Anyways, as if I cared about those foolish comrades of mine who were here only for some action and profit. All that mattered to me now was my mission given to me by him.

Why does it feel like after all these months that tragedy is about to happen again.

The one who gave me this power and the submarine, the day⸻ when the World’s Strongest appeared in front of me.

The day when everything on this sea ended because of him and the same day when everything started because of him.

***