Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 232

Chapter 232: Bounty Posters!
 

“Let’s go, let’s find a place to settle down first,” Freni murmured, her voice low and steady.

Ryan nodded in agreement. Fresh off their arrival, finding a secure spot was paramount, especially in the bustling and diverse crowd of Thundera, a stark contrast to the secluded outlying islands they were accustomed to. This crowded setting provided the perfect cover for the trio.

As they made their way through the busy streets, a large wooden sign by the roadside caught Ryan’s eye. The sign itself was unremarkable, but plastered across it was a reward notice that piqued his interest. Bounty posters were a common sight in these parts, each one a testament to the dangers and rewards of the pirate life.

Intrigued, Ryan paused to study the poster more closely. The Sky Sword Competition was nearing, making the details on these notices particularly valuable.

His gaze zeroed in on one notice in particular, larger and more eye-catching than the others:

Reward Notice

Name: ‘The Sword of the Traitor’ – Durrand

Introduction: A defector from the Sky Sword Dojo, formerly hailed as ‘Sky Chief’. Known for wielding a one-handed sword, Durrand is infamous for stealing secret techniques from the dojo and murdering two of his peers during his escape. His prowess was last noted as ‘Senior 4th Level’; current capabilities unknown. Renowned for his ruthless and harsh methods.

Bounty: 1 million pounds (convertible into an equivalent high-level rare item). Capture may also earn the opportunity for personal instruction by the chief of the Sky Sword Dojo.

Issuing Parties: Sky Sword Dojo (offering instructional opportunities), Alliance of Nations (offering monetary reward).

Beneath the text was a striking depiction of a man with short, light blonde hair, his expression wild and mocking, his eyes gleaming with a chilling detachment.

The poster, splashed in stark blacks, whites, and reds, made the image of the man, Durrand, unmistakably vivid. It was designed to catch the eye of any passerby, ensuring that Durrand’s face was not easily forgotten.

“What a high reward!” Ryan exclaimed softly, his surprise evident. A bounty of one million pounds or its equivalent in rare items, was enough to send shivers down the spine of any sea rogue or adventurer. The additional offer of mentorship by the dojo’s chief was an unusual but significant bonus, hinting at the immense value placed on Durrand’s capture.

Yet, the fact that the poster was still prominently displayed indicated that, despite the years and the tantalizing bounty, no one had succeeded in claiming the reward for the “Rebel Swordsman Durrand.” This was a clear sign of the daunting challenge he posed.

Ryan’s eyes lingered for a moment longer before shifting to the other notices. The temptation of such a reward was undeniable, but he weighed his options carefully. His current strength, coupled with his own status as a wanted individual, made the pursuit of Durrand a perilous consideration.

Deciding against rash actions, Ryan turned away from the sign, his mind racing with thoughts as he rejoined Freni and Cecilia to continue their search for a safe haven.

The Alliance of Nations, a coalition crafted by various sovereign states across the continent, stands as a bulwark against the formidable empire that looms in the north. Within this alliance, the four most powerful nations are distinguished as the “Four Major Committee States,” with the Kingdom of Augustus prominently featured among them.

Ryan, now marked as a wanted criminal by the Kingdom of Augustus, pondered the risk of venturing into the Alliance of Nations’ office to claim a reward. Could this be a strategic misstep, walking willingly into a potential trap?

What intrigued him most, however, was the lack of detail on the wanted poster about why the Alliance had offered such an astronomical bounty for “The Traitor Swordsman Durland.” While the poster outlined Durland’s betrayal of the Sky Sword Gym, it conspicuously omitted the broader implications of his actions, actions that must have severely undermined the collective interests of the Alliance’s member nations. The notice hinted at dark, unspoken truths, perhaps too sensitive or damaging to disclose openly.

Beneath Durland’s notice, the board listed bounties for various formidable pirates, known for their ruthlessness and strength, each capable of striking fear into the hearts of many. These pirates, having attained at least the fourth level of strength, had bounties ranging between 300,000 to 400,000. A substantial sum, yet dwarfed by the million-pound reward for Durland.

For many seasoned professionals, mere gold had little allure compared to the promise of rare, powerful treasures that could enhance one’s abilities, treasures equivalent to Durland’s bounty. This was the true magnet drawing countless bounty hunters to his trail.

As Ryan’s gaze drifted away from the board, preparing to regroup with Freni and Cecilia, a sudden instinct made him turn. His eyes locked with those of a young man studying the same board. The man stood about 1.85 meters tall, sporting long black hair tied back in a ponytail, a rarity in these parts. He was clad in a slim black suit adorned with gold trim, a sword with a red-tasseled hilt resting on his left hip.

The breeze played with the tassel as the man caught Ryan’s scrutiny, offering a slight nod and a faint smile in response. Though no words were spoken, Ryan understood the silent message conveyed through their fleeting connection: “You are very strong, we will meet again…”

With a calm demeanor, the black-haired swordsman turned and walked away, his departure as smooth as his arrival.

Freni, sensing a shift in Ryan’s mood, inquired softly, “What is it?”

Ryan’s expression softened as he turned back to her. “It’s nothing to worry about. Just crossed paths with a strong swordsman.”

This swordsman’s prowess clearly matched those spoken of at the fourth level or beyond. His aura and demeanor set him apart, so much so that Ryan might have suspected him to be Durland himself, if not for the stark difference in their appearances and the unique, unchangeable essence that each person carried in their eyes and spirit.

The tranquil gaze of the black-haired swordsman was a stark contrast to the harsh, indifferent stare depicted on the wanted poster of “The Traitor Swordsman Durland.” His calm demeanor suggested a seasoned warrior, perhaps drawn to Thundera by the allure of the Sky Sword Tournament.

Ryan mulled over this possibility but decided to focus on more immediate concerns. “Let’s go, we need to find a suitable hotel first,” he proposed, his voice steady as he directed his steps towards the bustling heart of the city.

Freni, trailing slightly behind, couldn’t shake off a sense of unease. Her witch’s intuition tingled; a subtle premonition of danger from the black-haired man. Though there was no overt threat, her instincts whispered warnings.

Brushing aside her concerns for the moment, she quickened her pace to catch up with Ryan.

Thundera, unlike the simpler governance of the outlying islands, boasted no single ruling nation. Here, an intricate network of influential organizations, collectively known as the “Sky Alliance,” held sway. The Sky Sword Hall stood as the undisputed leader of this alliance.

Over centuries, this unique power structure had attracted numerous chambers of commerce, culminating in the rise of Azure City, a sprawling metropolis divided into three concentric zones: the central area, home to the elite and the governing Sky Sword Hall; the inner ring, bustling with commerce; and the outer ring, where the daily lives of the common folk unfolded.

The trio chose the Moon Bay Hotel, strategically located on the cusp of the inner and outer rings, offering a blend of accessibility and relative safety. The hotel’s robust security and comfortable accommodations made it an ideal base of operations.

Once settled, Ryan, Freni, and Cecilia agreed to split up to gather intelligence more efficiently. As a precaution, Ryan distributed “sound-transmitting conches” among them, a magical communication tool provided by the fantasy beast witch, Meloye. This would enable them to stay connected during their separate endeavors.

In a city teeming with professionals, where swords hung from nearly every waist, Ryan felt the familiar thrill of a new challenge. His experiences had taught him the importance of understanding local customs and power dynamics. While pirates typically thrived on bending or outright breaking the rules, knowing them could provide leverage, turning potential obstacles into opportunities.

Determined to learn from past missteps, Ryan headed straight for a local tavern known as the “Old Black” instead of seeking costly information from the chambers of commerce as he had done previously. Taverns, he knew, were goldmines of free-flowing information if one knew how to listen.

Pushing through the door, he was immediately enveloped by the warm, yeasty scent of malt beer, a welcome contrast to the crisp sea air outside. The tavern’s atmosphere was lively, filled with the robust laughter and raucous tales of its patrons. Here, Ryan was poised to dive into the undercurrents of Thundera City, seeking the knowledge that could define their next moves.