Pirate Kingship

Dusk enveloped everything.

The grand fleet had sailed smoothly through the First Circulation Zone for the past two days and continued its journey southward without rest.

But within the captain's quarters of the Fourth-rate Ship "Support," lights were brightly shining.

Only Major General Elsie Newman, the Fleet Commander, and the summoned Byron sat facing each other across a dining table.

"Come, Captain Byron, try this bottle of Captain Morgan's rum from the Banta'an Archipelago. See if it suits your taste. Truth be told, when it comes to rum, nothing's quite as authentic as that from its place of origin, Banta'an."

Seeing a middle-sequence Major General pouring wine for himself, Byron, who seemed like nothing more than a small-time pirate bold in battle but inexperienced in the ways of the world, immediately stood up, flustered by the attention.

"Sit down, please sit, no need to be nervous. As the Fleet Commander, I should be thanking you for stepping forward yesterday and slaying that dual-pistol Squid. You are our hero. Right now, there are countless beautiful young ladies in the Fleet who are enchanted by you, Mr. Sea Hunter, HEH HEH..."

It was clear that Elsie Newman was quite pleased with Byron's respectful demeanor, smiling warmly like a neighborly uncle who was easy to talk to. This new pirate captain indeed matched the intelligence he had gathered overnight. He was not the kind of fearless and irreverent young fool that Newman had most feared. It also meant that the meeting had a reason to continue.

Having retaken his seat, Newman did not dive straight into the main topic, but instead tossed a question to Byron, "Mr. Sea Hunter, do you know which country is the absolute ruler over the Banta'an Archipelago and even the entire sea at present? And how did it come to dominate?"

Byron pondered for a moment and answered according to the knowledge of a new pirate captain, "Your Excellency, this is my first time sailing overseas. I have only heard that the Kingdom of Castilia has a great influence here. But to ask why they could become the dominant power? Isn't it because they have the biggest fists? There's a saying at sea: The only purpose of cannons is to measure land. The victor is naturally the strongest one."

How could I not know? I probably understand it even better than this General. The Banta'an Archipelago, also known as the Spice Islands. In the past hundred or so years, the island nation of Hightins first fought the hundred-year war with Iris, then Red Rose and White Rose went through a thirty-year Throne War. During this time, the Kingdom of Castilia took the lead in starting the Great Nautical Age, becoming the first to indulge in the opportunity.

Initially, a Prince Henry of Castilia established the continent's first navigational school, beginning to train sailors and various specialists. He set up meteorological observation posts and recruited geographers, cartographers, mathematicians, Astronomers, and ship Engineers. Every scholar-type Transcendent of the Tower Sequence was welcomed. The grandeur was comparable to the arts festival currently led by Ferdinand of the Kinquan Family in Peridot. Prince Henry had them collaborate in the academy. They extensively collected literature on geography, meteorology, trade winds, currents, shipbuilding, Sailing, etc., and analyzed and compiled them to draw new sea charts...

Thus, under the leadership of Prince Henry, a Great Nautical Age that would change the fate of the entire Old Continent and even the world formally began. More importantly, such a major event with an influence of at least 50 naturally gave birth to numerous Sacred Relics. Nautical Charts, Compasses, steering wheels, sextants... The vast number of Sacred Relics held by the Kingdom of Castilia also ensured their success in overseas ventures!

In just a few decades, they gained control of numerous gold and silver mines in the Banta'an Archipelago. They also secured the main source of Spices. An ample supply of Spices could mass-produce Transcendent beings. Gold and silver could purchase weapons for their armament. The power of Castilia thus inflated rapidly. It gradually grew into an enormous entity that no one could shake. Especially in the Banta'an Archipelago, even the Church has to seek the help of Castilia for anything it wants to achieve here. Under their oppression, including the Kingdom of Hightins, other nations could only occupy the less fruitful corners and edges. Catherine's new territories, the Tayman Archipelago near the edge of Human exploration, are such places.

The Major General explained the Banta'an Archipelago situation to Byron, the novice, and then said solemnly, "Yes, the core of the dispute over the Spice Islands is the Spices! It is the source of Extraordinary Power!

"They are more important than gold and silver. Spices rapidly enhance Spirituality, strengthen the perception of Navigators, and serve as auxiliary fuel for lighthouses to illuminate the Spiritual World, protecting colonies from Bizarre attacks.

"Spices are essential goods for overseas colonization, a solid currency.

"Hightins needs Spices, His Majesty needs Spices, the Navy needs Spices, and we... the Newman Family also need Spices!"

At this point, the Major General's voice had become devilishly persuasive, "Byron, you might not realize.

"Although the Banta'an colony lies outside the direct territories of the Kingdom, it is divided into several types: company colonies (belonging to pioneering companies), landowner colonies (belonging to the Nobility), and autonomous colonies (privately owned).

"But in the largest Kingdom-direct colony, the newly appointed Governor is also a Newman.

"I believe that a soldier who doesn't aspire to be a general is not a good soldier.

"The Newman Family might not be able to grant you the title of Pirate General like His Majesty. However, I can support you with personnel, ships, arms, funding, docks...

"I wonder if you would be willing to help me?"

His smile was impeccable. Nobility's etiquette could never bear any deviation. In the eyes of commoners, these characteristically tedious formalities of the Nobility have almost become a way of life after decades of practice. Not a single noble in a social setting would find it cumbersome. The kind of impetuous and reckless Nobility seen in stories, who cannot help but mock or step on civilians when they see them, or who readily scold and beat their servants, is exceedingly rare. Their disdain and prejudice towards commoners are only hidden within their polite smiles and nearly impeccable manners. Even if they kill someone, it would certainly be with a smile behind the knife!

So, sometimes when these Supremes utter what seems to be a question, if the listener truly believes they are being asked for their opinion, they are certainly in for a misfortune. Many think they always have a choice when in fact, they have none at all. It's like having two candidates pushed forward for you to vote for, where no matter who wins, it doesn't affect the interests of those 'puppeteers' at all. Talent is certainly valuable, but if it cannot be used for my benefit, it is worthless. Obviously, the Newman Family intends to exploit their official position to leech from the Kingdom's system for their own gain—quite a shrewd calculation.

As a qualified heir to the Royal Family, Byron certainly knew these tactics well and caught the hidden meaning in the other's words. He did not disappoint Major General Newman, rising to his feet, right fist to chest, and solemnly promised, "Your Excellency, since I am a Harkins, to serve my country is my unshirkable duty! You may command me as you see fit."

He was perfectly clear in his heart. This General Newman actually needed a Black Glove to do the dirty work that the officials and the Newman Family could not openly handle themselves. Should the situation escalate, it was foreseeable to discard the soiled Black Glove to extinguish the fire.

Following the usual practice, another onerous 'indenture' was signed.

"Excellent, Mr. Byron, you are destined for a great future!"

The smiling Major General lifted his glass for a toast. Both men let out hearty laughter, simultaneously. Both regarded it as a victorious meeting. The Newman Family had gained a loyal, able, background-less strong-arm to do the dirty work, while Byron had found a new boss worth remembering—a great future awaited them both! It was just that this new "confidant" status still required time to cultivate, to eventually deflect crises.

Why not give him a copy of the Silvergold Island treasure map too?

While Byron's thoughts were still diverging, Major General Newman had already handed him a piece of paper with coordinates written on it. He solemnly cautioned, "Your first task.

"There is a little island that produces abundant Spices, right on the border between the Kingdom's colony and Castilia. It is neither large nor populous, yet it consistently yields Spices of the highest quality. The Newman Family stumbled upon this place by chance and discovered that it seems to hide a secret.

"I have sent people to the island several times. The high-Class ones came back empty-handed, while the low-Class ones never returned at all.

"I need a team of unfamiliar faces, with moderate Class but top-notch strength in their Class, to help me figure out what exactly is going on there.

"If the mission is successfully completed, the credit for mass-producing high-quality Spices could very well be ours.

"Before we reach Banta'an, you and your pirate ship will need to depart ahead of the main Fleet and quietly sail off, leaving the First Circulation Zone to handle this task discreetly."

Byron took the piece of paper and slowly read out the name of the islet, "Tayman Brak Island?"

He couldn't help but grimace as a torrent of swear words rushed to his throat: Damn it, if I'm not mistaken, Tayman Brak Island is actually one of the Tayman Archipelago islets that I just acquired from my sister, right? Indeed, this is on the very edge bordering Castilia. But are you really fobbing off your grandfather with a disputed territory under the de facto control of an overseas hegemon?!

He recalled saying during the day that in this land exchange, the York Family's greed did not look too unsightly.

Youthful, truly too youthful.

Such a familiar recipe, such a classic flavor—oh, it's just too authentic!