Pirate Kingship

By mid-November, strong winds and high seas became frequent within the North Sea, rendering it unsuitable for navigation.

Only those navy cruisers and privateering pirates desperate to flee had dared to risk their lives and make a break for it in the coastal waters.

Any pirate ship below a fourth-rate vessel that dared to set sail at this time was practically throwing half its life under the scythe of the Death God.

However, there are always exceptions.

On this day, a three-masted sailboat bearing the blood-red cross flag of the Kingdom of Hightens on a black background quietly emerged on the turbulent sea.

It even cut through the waves with the chilling stern wind, speeding like an arrow with a velocity unmatched by other pirate ships of its time.

Even without displaying that iconic pirate flag.

But its unique flat deck design and the shape of its sails were enough for those who had seen it before to recognize it at a glance.

This was none other than the Golden Deer, embarking on a new journey after bidding farewell to Bayfolk Princess Violet.

The effect of the title "World's Fastest Three-Master":

"It can increase its designed normal sailing speed by an additional 20%, and its impact from adverse weather such as large waves, strong winds, and storms is reduced by 20% (Chapter 61)."

To others, these might be large waves, but to it, they were only moderate.

At this time, the North Sea might have been a no-go zone for other small vessels, but for the Golden Deer, it was a backyard it could freely navigate.

"The wind direction is changing, adjust the course eastward by one compass point, angle into the wind."

"Aye, aye, sail hands adjusting into the wind."

Byron, with his hands on the wheel, personally steered his beloved sailboat, much like a knight "riding" the north wind and galloping across the sea.

Challenging the winds and waves that others dared not face was perfectly in line with the path and professional creed of a Storm Knight, with his Spirituality growing every moment.

Although the increase was minute, it was a constant flow, already racing from 4.2 straight to the First Rank limit of 5 points.

If others could experience the same thrilling, dangerous events and survive as he did, they could also achieve a breakthrough, embodying the principle that "the ones left standing will be king."

"Thrust!"

"Slash!"

Amidst a chorus of loud shouts, one could see that apart from the sailors busy with their duties, a group of elite pirate marines were lined up on deck, diligently practicing Fisher Swordsmanship.

In the biting cold wind, they had all shed their shirts, baring their muscular chests, with steam almost forming a white mist above their heads.

The glint of their blades was swift, like breaking waves, and the bone-chilling murderous aura was even colder than the north wind.

Byron hadn't been idle in Iron Anchor Bay during this time.

Taking advantage of the power vacuum left by many a captain dead or injured and pirate ships capsized, he replenished his crew to the full count of 100 men.

The marines, making up half the total crew, were finally taking shape.

Furthermore, Byron repeatedly confirmed that none among them were spies planted by other powers, and all of them had starting loyalty well above the passing line.

Echoes of History reads a person's history, not their thoughts, by examining what they've done to give a quantifiable evaluation.

This could also be described as judging by deeds, not intentions.

The quantified data wasn't set in stone either.

For instance, cursing the captain in secret or turning a blind eye to things that could damage the captain's interest would all reflect in the numbers.

There was no such thing as a forced lock on loyalty either.

Additionally, although this bunch of pirates still lacked a Transcendent, many of them were talents with potential for Spirit Awakening.

Byron nodded in satisfaction as he watched them:

Aside from myself, there are the Guardian Knight Ironwall Brue and the Phantom Blade Gus, who will disappear if not anchored to me. They provide protection and form a core team with the highest combat power, ensuring no betrayal. No matter how many new crew members come aboard or how stubborn they are, they won't be able to stir up any trouble. Moreover, that dose of Blood of Transformation concocted by a Third Order High Judge truly had remarkable effects. With just an extra drop added to the original Angel's Kiss, Honest Eight Fingers, Gunnery Chief Wynndort, and the carpenter Little Hans all achieved a breakthrough in their Spirituality in succession. The next step is to assist them in completing their Promotion Ceremonies.

After the great battle, Byron continued to "snowball" using the forbidden knowledge he had seized.

He transformed the gains from Iron Anchor Bay into tangible strength.

Killing enemies, brewing Blood Brew, enhancing the group's strength, and then in return hunting even stronger enemies, crafting higher-quality Blood Brew...

The Golden Deer's capabilities suddenly entered a period of rapid surge in strength.

Ascending to become a Transcendent required three prerequisites: a sublimation of Spirituality, prerequisite knowledge, and an initiation ceremony.

But these three individuals embarked on three different career paths: one a Bayfolk Berserker, one an Artillery Expert, and one an Artisan.

The required ceremonial media for each were different.

The simplest was Eight Fingers', requiring a copy of the Pirate's Ten Commandments and a Bayfolk Battle Axe that had slain at least ten people as a medium.

Wynndort needed a notebook of his own, filled with all his reflections on studying Artillery Skills, embodying his personal insights.

Little Hans, the Artisan, needed to craft by his own hand an invention that was not only unique but more useful than any before, a "micro-creation."

Alternatively, he needed to contribute to an entirely new invention and fulfill a mission with that invention.

The good news is that the Golden Deer, as a pirate ship, could fully satisfy the Promotion Ceremony requirements for all of them. Next, they just need to pull off an overwhelming act of looting. Let Honest Eight Fingers enjoy a thrilling five-kill spree; Wynndort needs to hit the enemy ship with cannonballs three times in a row—non-consecutive shots don't count and the count resets. Little Hans needs to do nothing; while others are working, he just has to stay on the ship and make sure he doesn't get killed. As long as the Golden Deer can make one successful heist, making full use of its pirate ship capabilities, he can be promoted anytime. After that, there's probably no chance to hold the ceremony in Hastings Native Land; they can only look for another opportunity on their way to the Bantaan Archipelago with the group.

Byron took a letter out of his pocket.

It was the Navy Department's reply, stamped with its seal, to his application for a Privateering License under the name of Executioner Bill.

It ordered all privateer ships and those yet to acquire their Privateering License to gather at Felixstowe Port, the closest port to the Royal Capital of Kingston.

They would then join the Navy warships switching out at the colony, Kingdom merchant ships, colonial vessels, and nobility heading for their domains to form a combined fleet set for the Bantaan Archipelago.

Moreover, the Navy Department would also appoint an uncertain number of pirate generals, granting them the rights to form their privateer fleets.

With Executioner Bill's prestige among Red Beard's fleet and the privateer ships, he had a great chance to secure a spot as a pirate general.

"Change the tack with the wind!"

Heading south, the Golden Deer swiftly crossed the northernmost lighthouse of Markerflarga after several favorable wind changes, fully entering the coastal waters of the Kingdom of Hightens.

They also hoisted the Navy Department flag that had been sent along with the letter on the jib boom.

With that flag aloft, pirate ships on their way to join the convoy, whether wanted or not, would not be attacked by any navy vessel and were entitled to swagger into the capital circle.

Of course, it also meant that your ship was now a moving piece of Hightens territory, with Law Mages holding the power of life and death over it!

A dog must be leashed; the York Family wasn't charitable and feared a backlash from these lawless rogues.

Alas, the Golden Deer, a crime syndicate led by an Outlaw Madman, was a wolf with a blackened heart long ago.

At this point, near land, the waves finally calmed down quite a bit, and other merchant ships engaged in short-distance transportation between island ports began to appear.

Continuing forward, near midday, they gradually approached a bustling landmark port to the north of the Strait Islands.

Even maintaining a speed of thirteen knots, it would still take a full day to reach the Royal Capital from here.

However, Byron suddenly ordered,

"Stop the ship, bring the sails to a halt!"

Pulling the braces, all the sails were balanced to the wind, allowing the Golden Deer to quietly rest upon the glittering sea.

Byron, cloaked in a cashmere cloak, walked to the bulwark and quietly watched the shoreline scenery, his gaze distant.

His sea-blue eyes reflected the port city ahead and the stretching mountains behind, and he seemed too reluctant to look away.

His voice tinged with longing and remembrance, he murmured to himself,

"The Gaelt Highlands are full of hills and vast forests, as well as gently rolling green grass and moss.

In summer, the sun always likes to linger long at sunrise and sunset, gifting the most beautiful dawns and twilights in the whole world.

During winter, daylight becomes a brief interlude between dawn and dusk, slipping away no matter how desperately you try to hold on..."

Bruh stood silently beside him, equally lost in thought.

For the land ashore was none other than the Sorenburg Principality!

It was where Byron and Bruh had grown up together.

Though in recent years their family had mostly resided in the Royal Capital, even the ever-busy Prince Sorrenberg would return to his domain every summer for a short stay.

There were towering castles, frolicking ponies, and lush green pastures stretching as far as the eye could see...

But times had changed; his uncle, father, and cousin Edward, who used to play here, were all gone.

Only one relative was still there!

And there was the childhood friend, the one who had wailed to the adults, "Why does Byron have a Little Cheep Cheep? I want one too, I want one too!" This earned Byron an undeserved beating, and after that, he never bathed with her again, nor engaged in their usual intimate, boyish antics.

If that violent woman, known by the childhood nicknames "Dog's Bane" and "King of the Kids," could even be called a childhood friend.

In Byron's memories were endless beauties, but what lay before them, so close yet so distant, was the hometown they could never return to.

Suddenly, Bruh pointed.

"Captain, take a look at that ship in the port."

Byron looked where Bruh pointed.

Among the many vessels moored outside Sorenburg, one stood out conspicuously.

A giant white sail bearing a crowned Silver Cross was displayed.

That was the mark of the Church.

This wasn't particularly strange; as the most powerful force on the entire continent, the tentacles of this behemoth naturally spread everywhere. The crucial part was the flag hanging from the mast: it was clearly a burning stake, studded with iron nails!

"That's... the Religious Tribunal? How did we run into those madmen?!"

Byron's heart skipped a beat.