Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 127

Chapter 127: Witch Association!
In the confines of a narrow alley, a jet-black dagger caught the sparse light, its gleam belying an unyielding sharpness that promised peril. The coolness of the metal seemed to seep into the air itself, an ominous presence in the dimness.

Ryan, undisturbed, allowed a wry smile to touch his lips as a voice, icy and commanding, sliced through the silence behind him.

“Are you the one they call the manager of the ‘Black Cat Fortune Telling House’, Meloye?”

“Answer my question!” The demand came not with answers but with a chilling authority. The speaker, a woman, pressed the dagger forward imperceptibly, a warning that was meant to intimidate.

However, her intimidation faltered. Unseen by her, Ryan’s fingers had deftly clamped around the blade of the dagger. Despite her efforts, the dagger remained immobile, as if bound not by flesh but by the immovable force of a mountain.

Realizing her disadvantage, the woman abruptly released her weapon and retreated. But Ryan’s reflexes were quicker. In a blur of motion, he was suddenly beside her, the reclaimed dagger now gently pressed against the vulnerable skin of her throat. A mere pressure away from drawing blood.

Forced to halt, the woman found herself under close scrutiny. Ryan noted her attire first, sleek, form-fitting black tights that accentuated her lithe figure. More intriguing, however, were the faint stripes adorning her cheeks and the unusual, soft black fur covering her hands, which ended not in fingers but in what resembled the claws of a cat.

“A cat girl?” Ryan mused aloud, sensing a vibrant spirituality emanating from her being. He lowered his hand, offering back the dagger. “I mean you no harm. I heard about this branch of the ‘Witch Club’ from another witch and thought to seek some intelligence.”

As the dagger vanished from his grip, the cat girl backed away, her eyes wide and wary. After a moment of tense silence, her voice softened, the ice thawing slightly. “The magical aura on you is very str, indicative of long dealings with witches. Where did you learn of this ‘branch point’?”

Ryan’s smile was slight, knowing. “Blood Witch, Selena.”

“Lady Selena?!” Her pupils widened in shock, a flicker of recognition crossing her features. “You know of Lady Selena’s whereabouts?”

“A faint trace of her lingers on you,” she observed, her tone shifting from suspicion to a mix of hope and desperation.

“Please, tell me about Lady Selena. We’ve lost contact with her for some time now.”

Ryan exhaled slowly, choosing his words with care. “The last I saw her was in the Whirlpool Islands. As for her current situation… I’m not certain.”

He withheld the grimmer details of his last encounter with the Blood Witch; such revelations were premature for such a fledgling acquaintance.

“Whirlpool Islands… the outer sea… that explains her silence,” the cat girl murmured to herself before raising her gaze, her expression composed once more. “Sir, I am Meloye, the proprietor of the ‘Black Cat Fortune Telling House’ and a Fantasy Beast Witch. May I inquire as to who I am speaking with?”

“Just call me Ryan,” he replied, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern. “I’ve heard rumors recently, did the knights from the Libra Holy Church really come to the ‘Black Cat Fortune Telling House’ and take you into custody?”

Meloye, the cat girl, gently stroked her hair, her movement fluid and graceful. As she did, the intricate lines on her face smoothed away, and her distinctive black cat claws receded into the appearance of normal human hands. “Yes, they did. But they only managed to confiscate one of my prostheses,” she said, her voice low, hinting at an undercurrent of unease. “This alley isn’t safe for a detailed conversation. Please, follow me.”

Without warning, Meloye’s form began to shrink dramatically, her body contorting and compressing into the small, nimble shape of a black kitten in less than a heartbeat.

Ryan watched in astonishment as the kitten weaved through the shadows of the alley, its movements swift and sure. He followed as it darted into an unassuming farmhouse that looked like any other in the dimming light of evening.

Inside, he saw the kitten glance back at him before leaping gracefully into a water tank. When its paw touched the water, the surface shimmered strangely, distorting momentarily before Meloye vanished beneath the surface.

“A portal of sorts?” Ryan mused aloud, intrigued by the magic at play.

After a moment of hesitation, he decided to follow, jumping into the water after her. His decision was bolstered by his confidence in his own strength, vastly enhanced by recent upgrades, and his assessment of Meloye’s power as relatively benign.

Emerging from the water, Ryan found himself in a small room, about 20 square meters in size, decorated in soothing shades of lavender. The room, furnished with a simple wooden table and draped with dark curtains, mirrored the aesthetic of a fortune teller’s parlor.

Meloye, now in her human form again, sat at the table and poured a cup of steaming black tea for Ryan. “Mr. Ryan, please,” she invited, gesturing to the seat opposite her.

“This is the real branch of the Witch Association,” she explained, her voice calm and measured. “The ‘Black Cat Fortune Telling House’ above and the water tank we used are just one of many entrances to this hidden space. There are several such portals, all leading here. But without my permission, no one can access this place, even if they find the correct entrance.”

She paused, a slight smile curving her lips as she thanked him. “And thank you for the information about Lady Selena.”

“Did you need my assistance for something particular?” Her movements were refined and practiced, revealing her training in hospitality.

Ryan, however, remained focused on the matter at hand, ignoring the tea. “Have you somehow offended the Libra Holy Church?” he asked directly.

“No,” Meloye responded, shaking her head, her expression one of frustration and innocence. “I am merely caught in an unfortunate situation. A few days ago, a sacred relic was stolen from the church. It appears that cat’s footprints were discovered at the scene, prompting the knights of the Libra Holy Church to zealously search for any individuals or even objects, related to cats.” She sighed, a mix of resignation and irritation in her voice, clearly aggrieved by the misunderstanding.