Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Final Goodbye!
Ryan and the others exchanged wary glances, their minds racing with questions.

Selina smirked, clearly enjoying their bewilderment. “I know you all are curious, but there are secrets I must keep. Revealing them prematurely could attract unwanted attention from powers that would seek to topple you.”

She paused, her gaze scanning their faces. “You must attain at least a fourth-level extraordinary rank to be privy to these mysteries.”

With a wistful look, she added, “When I fade, I’ll leave behind a spiritual box. Reach the fourth level, and you may unlock it, if you dare to know the truth.”

“Now, let us discuss matters of greater immediacy.”

Blood Witch Selina’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she elaborated:

“The inner sea is a vast expanse, dwarfing the outer sea in both size and complexity. It’s filled with countless islands, each a nexus of power, be it pirates, naval forces, or private militias.”

She paused, allowing the gravity of her words to sink in. “In time, you’ll uncover the intricate details of this world. But for now, know this: at the heart of the inner sea lies a sizable island named ‘Lynx, home to a small nation known as ‘Santos’.”

“In Santos’ bustling outer city, you’ll find the ‘Black Cat Divination House,’ a node of the Witch Society. I suggest you visit; their insights could prove invaluable.”

Selina’s form flickered slightly as she added, “Oh, and I targeted Santos for your arrival. Given the vast distances, some deviation from the exact spot was inevitable but close enough.”

“That covers the essentials.”

As her spectral form waned, the edges of Selina’s figure growing ever more diaphanous, her voice softened, but her words carried a poignant earnestness. “Miss Dark Moon Witch; Freni, if you will, remember my words, and share them if the chance arises. If not, then let them fade with me. It’s merely the thrashings of some against the inexorable tide of fate.”

Turning her gaze to Cecilia, she continued, “Wolf girl; Miss Cecilia, Bernhard has entrusted his hopes to you. I know it might feel like a burden, but as Bernhard’s friend and not as a Moon Wolf, I urge you to persevere. Your tribe once stood among the stars.”

Lastly, she addressed Ryan with a look of genuine surprise and admiration. “And you, ‘Brave Man,’ Mr. Ryan, you have truly astounded me. An ordinary human professional undertaking the epic ‘The Brave Man and the First Witch.’ I never imagined this act could be so splendidly executed.”

Her eyes glinted a deep wine-red as she confessed, “Your role in this drama not only allowed me to ascend to a fifth-level legend but also to bask in a final moment of glory.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her tone softening further. “Though I brought you here under pretense for one last ‘performance,’ I ask for your indulgence in my final whimsy. What can you do, after all? Punish me?”

Her laugh was a fading echo as she looked out toward the horizon where night met dawn. The rising sun cast a golden glow, illuminating her fading form. As the first rays of sunlight filtered through her outstretched fingers, she wore a serene smile.

“This time, it truly is goodbye.”

With those words hanging in the air, Selina’s form dissolved into a cascade of light particles, blending seamlessly into the radiant sunrise.

Ryan stood silently, his gaze fixed on the vanishing figure of the Blood Witch, Selina. His heart was a whirlpool of emotions.

Despite the manipulations and the coerced ‘performance’ he had been subjected to by Selina, he couldn’t deny the tangible gains from the ordeal. The access to the sacred “Blood Moon Temple,” the “Holy Blood Baptism,” and the gifting of a sacred relic had indeed provided him not just compensation, but profound empowerment. In a way, the scales between them had been balanced.

With a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of his conflicted feelings, Ryan finally turned away, his eyes seeking the familiar faces of Freni and Cecilia.

Both women appeared lost in thought, their expressions mirroring the complexity of the events that had unfolded. Feeling Ryan’s gaze, they slowly returned to the present.

“We should head ashore,” Freni suggested first, her voice cutting through the lingering silence.

Ryan followed her gaze and spotted the looming silhouette of a vast island. “That must be the ‘offshore island’ Selena spoke of.”

An hour later, the trio found themselves on a sandy beach at the edge of the island’s port. Freni’s breathing was slightly labored; the magical exertion of transporting them had taken its toll, a feat that would have been impossible at her previous level of power.

“Long journeys are better suited for ships,” Ryan mused aloud, a hint of regret in his tone.

The thought of the [Black Rose], their abandoned fifth-level sailing cruiser, was particularly painful. That ship, a prime asset even if sold at a steep discount to the Black Onyx Chamber of Commerce, could fetch at least 50,000 gold pounds. The loss wasn’t just a strategic setback; it was a financial blow.

As for the navy and pirate crew left behind, Ryan felt detached. Their fates, controlled by Freni’s magic, were none of his concern.

Scanning their new surroundings, Freni broke the contemplative mood. “Without the Black Rose, we can’t venture far. We need to find shelter here and regroup. A lot has happened, and we need time to adjust. Plus, we’ll have to secure another vessel eventually.”

Her gaze then shifted to Cecilia. “Cecilia, you seem… different. Have you advanced in rank? And your eyes, your hair, what happened?”

Cecilia’s voice was a mere whisper, a blend of awe and reverence. “It’s the Moon Wolf. Bernhard, the companion of Selina. In its final act, it sacrificed itself to boost my ascent.”

“The reason…” Cecilia paused, her voice trailing off as she gathered her thoughts to continue.

Cecilia’s revelation hung in the air, cloaked in the gravity of legacy. “It said that I am the continuation of the bloodline of the Moon Wolf royal family in the world.”

Freni nodded, a soft understanding lighting her eyes. Having journeyed alongside Cecilia since childhood, she had always sensed something remarkable about her friend’s lineage, but the royal connection to the Moon Wolves was beyond her expectations.

Ryan, overhearing the conversation, could not hide his astonishment. “The bloodline of the Moon Wolf Royal Family?” he mused aloud, connecting dots. “And when the Blood Witch spoke of the Moon Wolf Clan as the golden race during their peak, what did she mean exactly?”

His curiosity about the term “golden race” piqued Freni’s interest, prompting her to elaborate. “The concept of the golden race belongs to an ancient epoch,” she explained. “Back then, the gods ruled from the heavens, and the myriad races were ranked: gold, silver, bronze, and black iron. The golden races were said to have newborns as powerful as third-tier professionals. In contrast, humans were considered the lowly black iron race.”

Ryan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Newborns as strong as third-tier professionals? That seems incredibly strong!”

“Not at all exaggerated,” Freni confirmed with a shake of her head. “The golden races were few in number, and their formidable nature justified their esteemed title.”

She continued, “However, as eras passed and the Golden Age dawned, these racial distinctions faded into obscurity. Now, following the twelve paths of the Golden Law, even those from the black iron tier can aspire to heights once reserved for the golden race.”

Shifting the focus back to their immediate needs, Freni turned to Ryan. “We should find a place to stay on the island first. And, Mr. Ryan, I must ask a favor. We need information from the ‘Black Cat Divination House’ that the Blood Witch mentioned. Cecilia and I… well, we tend to stand out a bit too much now.”

Indeed, after their recent transformations, both women would draw undue attention. Freni, with her enigmatic witch’s aura, and Cecilia, now striking with her silver hair and ethereal presence, could hardly blend into the crowd.

Ryan assessed the situation, understanding the practicality of him undertaking the task. “Leave it to me,” he assured them confidently. On the bustling island, his relatively unremarkable appearance was an asset they needed now more than ever.