Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 209

Chapter 209: For the Scenery And Treasure!
“If we do not act against the remains of the God of Separation, they will wreak havoc and attempt to forge a new dominion of faith. Too many will be sacrificed,” Shelia said, her voice imbued with a sense of urgency.

“My sister couldn’t bear the thought of Princess Ariel bearing guilt over her resurrection. She paid a steep price, activating the ‘Artifact – Sacred Scale’.”

“To complete the ‘Rebirth Reversal’ ritual, a life must be sacrificed. Had the divine weapon not been activated, my sister might have clung to life for a few more days,” she continued, her tone softening with sorrow. “She’s truly kind-hearted, but perhaps to a fault…”

“You’ve seen what unfolded afterward; I need not recount those events.”

Ryan listened intently, his expression complex as he digested the saga. A sigh escaped him, reflecting a mix of resignation and contemplation.

The calamities, it seemed, traced back to their fateful expedition to the Ash Sea. Yet, had the sacred relic remained untouched, they wouldn’t have gained control over the ‘Artifact – Holy Libra’ necessary to restrain the deity’s remnants. Despite their exceptional skills, the Fire Witch Milanla and Princess Waterdrop Ariel would have stood no chance against the Libra Pope, now empowered by the deity’s wreckage.

This strange twist of fate, while disastrous, somehow brought about the best possible outcome for the city of Saint Tos…

But at what cost?

Ryan, seated cross-legged on the cold stone, broke the ensuing silence. “What will you do next?”

“Me?” Shelia seemed to snap back from her thoughts, her gaze lowering. “I’ll remain on the outlying island for a while, to live as my sister once did. After that, I suppose I’ll return to Star Island.”

“My power at the third level feels too meager. If I could reach the fourth…” She trailed off, then shook her head dismissively. “Let’s not dwell on my path. Purple Wind, what about you? What are your plans?”

“Me?” Ryan was taken aback by her interest in his own journey. After a brief pause, he admitted, “I should be heading deeper into the sea.”

“Deeper into the sea… Are you seeking the Golden Tree?” Shelia asked, her voice laced with a mix of surprise and concern.

“Perhaps,” Ryan replied, his tone uncertain.

He explained that it wasn’t his personal quest but that of his captain. As a crew member, it was natural for him to follow the lead, even without a definitive goal.

“It’s perilous,” Shelia interjected quickly, her voice tinged with an anxiety she couldn’t fully explain. “The outlying island lies at the edge of the inner sea. Reaching the Golden Tree requires not just crossing this area but venturing deep into the ‘new sea area’ a region plagued by natural disasters and monstrous sea creatures. Even a legendary professional would struggle to guarantee safety there.”

Ryan paused, considering her warning. After a moment, he smiled. “Why worry now? Let’s take it one step at a time. Even if we don’t reach the Golden Tree, the journey itself, the scenery and experiences are treasures I deeply value.”

“Scenery… treasure…” Shelia repeated softly, a wistful note in her voice.

Was all that transpired merely a backdrop to Purple Wind’s journey? And her, once his companionn was she too just a ‘treasure’ in the narrative of his life?

With a slight shake of her head, Shelia stood, resolved. “I’ll leave this matter in your hands. I have other duties to attend to.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and descended the platform. As she walked, her form gradually dissolved into a fine mist of ice, vanishing without a trace into the cool air of the cavern.

Ryan withdrew his gaze, resuming his silent vigil beside the ice coffin. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, the quiet only disturbed by occasional drips of water echoing through the cavernous space.

Just as the silence began to feel oppressive, the sound of footsteps resonated through the hall. Ryan lifted his head, his face breaking into a genuine smile as he recognized the two figures approaching despite their wide hooded robes that concealed their identities. He had grown incredibly familiar with their auras after the extensive time they’d spent together.

Freni hurried to Ryan’s side, her relief palpable as she ensured he was unharmed. “Oh, Ryan,” she exhaled, her voice laced with relief.

Cecilia, trailing slightly behind, offered no words, but her expression softened noticeably, signaling her own relief.

Ryan nodded towards them, his voice low, tinged with the weight of unspoken stories. “There’s much to discuss. I’ll explain everything soon.”

His brief words were cut short by his sharp observation of figures slowly converging towards the platform. Among them were former knights of the Libra Cult and royal knights of Saint Toth, their numbers diminished, few adventurers and pirates survived the ordeals of the underground labyrinth, their greed having exacted a steep toll.

Frani and Cecilia, noticing the approaching professionals, glanced at Ryan, seeking guidance with silent queries in their eyes.

Ryan rose deliberately, his movements resonant with authority. Planting his greatsword into the ground, he leaned forward, resting his hands on the hilt. His voice, amplified by his burgeoning spiritual force, echoed sternly across the cavern. “No one is to approach the platform. Violators will face death!”

The word “Death” reverberated, carried far by the boost of his [Spirituality], now a formidable 24 points after his recent advancement. Although newly promoted, Ryan’s profound experiences had propelled his spiritual prowess to a level rivaling third-level heroic professionals.

The giant light screen that had earlier displayed his fierce battle with Pope Libra and the remnants of the God of Separation hung in the air, a silent testament to his formidable capabilities. The knights, witnessing the display, harbored a genuine fear of this masked knight whose spiritual strength, though technically at a third level, imposed an aura akin to that of a fourth-level extraordinary professional.

An eerie silence settled around the platform. Royal knights hesitated, their duty to check on their princess clashing with the intimidating presence of Ryan. Meanwhile, the knights of the Libra Church bowed their heads in silent contemplation, troubled by their Pope’s actions they had witnessed on the screen. Many, having roots on the island, found their loyalties conflicted and remained muted, drawn to the platform out of a sense of desperation and lack of alternatives.

This silence was abruptly shattered by a streak of silver light that sliced through the air, drawing all eyes towards it. As the luminance dimmed, it revealed a young knight adorned with three distinctive ‘weights’ marks on his chest armor, the hallmark of the Libra Holy Church’s Court of Arbitration.

He was Shimo Davenport, the Third Judge of the Court. On the island, it was well-known that the Holy Church had three judges, but few beyond its borders knew that Shimo, the last promoted, was in fact the strongest among them. His journey through the levels had been marked by perfect professional compatibility, a rare feat that saw him maxing out the potential of each tier.

The presence of the Third Judge, Shimo, instilled a renewed sense of belonging among the Libra Knights. Their gazes converged on him, seeking direction in the midst of uncertainty.

Shimo’s eyes locked onto the figure standing resolutely on the platform. He recognized him instantly, the enigmatic man who had eluded his capture not once, but twice. In the brief span since their last encounter, this adversary had ascended to a realm of power that Shimo knew he could never hope to reach.

The stern eyes peering out from beneath the purple mask met Shimo’s, and in that gaze, the Third Judge found his resolve waning, his hand faltering at the hilt of his sword. The silent confrontation was palpable, charged with unspoken recognition of the shifted dynamics between them.

Finally, with a heavy heart, Shimo released his grip on his sword, bowing his head slightly in a silent admission of the changed power dynamic.

His gesture ushered a hushed reverence back over the crowd, a silence that persisted until the fading light of the setting sun signaled the awakening of the Water Drop Princess from her icy slumber.