Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Boarding The Pirate Ship!
Struggling against the relentless sea, Ryan clambered onto the deck with great difficulty, assisted by two burly men garbed in pirate attire. Gripping a thick hemp rope, his arms ached as he hauled himself aboard. Once safely on the ship, his stomach revolted against the swallowed seawater, and he retched violently over the side.

The fickleness of the ocean was a marvel; mere moments earlier, the sky had been clear, but now it was obscured by torrential rain.

His small canvas raft had stood no chance against the formidable waves that had toyed with it mercilessly until it finally succumbed, tossing him into the churning waters.

Miraculously, Ryan’s descent carried the blessing of the Viking ancestors, endowing him with a potent affinity for water. This mystical boon was his salvation, especially when, amidst his despair, the silhouette of a majestic three-masted sailboat materialized on the horizon.

…

Vomiting out the last remnants of seawater from his mouth, Ryan steadied his breathing and surveyed his surroundings with a newfound calm.

The sight that greeted him was bewildering.

Beneath the downpour, a host of pirates knelt scattered across the deck. Even the rugged duo who had hauled him aboard with the rope had rejoined their comrades, all kneeling in apparent reverence or fear.

These men, with their formidable builds and fearsome demeanors, now looked like mere shadows of themselves, drenched, cowering, their eyes wide with terror, resembling lost lambs rather than the fierce marauders of the seas.

They were all facing a point just behind where Ryan stood.

“Tell me, your name?” inquired a voice that sliced through the sound of the rain.

The voice aimed for gravity and majesty, but its natural crispness and the softness of its tone lent it an unintentional youthful charm, almost comical in its effort to sound commanding.

Turning, Ryan found himself staring into the face of the speaker, and his expression shifted to one of complete astonishment.

Adorning her head was a large, fluffy white hat, the top of which appeared to be bending backwards under its own weight. It was separated from the brim by a circle of delicate light blue ruffles, giving it the whimsical appearance of a witch’s hat.

Beneath the brim, a face as finely crafted as a porcelain doll peeked out. She couldn’t have been more than eighteen or nineteen, her complexion as pristine as polished gem, standing in stark contrast to the weathered, tanned skin of the pirates surrounding her.

The girl’s attire was a vision in white, with her dress accented by dark blue sleeves and collar. The interplay of white and blue, along with the tassel-like patterns beneath her icy blue eyes, enveloped her in an aura of profound mystery.

Beside her stood a figure equally striking.

This companion wore a light chainmail shirt, her physique both lithe and strong, much like that of a stoic knight. She exuded a sense of solitary strength, her presence commanding respect and a clear space around the girl she was evidently sworn to protect. Despite her slender frame, she gave off an air of unyielding fortitude, as if no foe could breach the perimeter she guarded.

Ryan, regaining his composure, addressed her with a deep, respectful voice. “Are you the captain of this ship? Thank you sincerely for your assistance.”

“My name is Ryan Soros,” he introduced himself, though he had fabricated the surname on the spur of the moment. In the Kingdom of Augustus, the commonality of the name ‘Lian’ made such alterations a frequent necessity to avoid confusion.

As he spoke, Ryan performed an elaborate gesture with his right hand, turning it a full 360 degrees, while simultaneously pivoting on the toes of his right foot towards his left. After rotating his hand, he turned again, his body slightly bowed forward at an angle between 30 and 40 degrees, executing a graceful bow.

This automatic gesture was a deeply ingrained instinct, born from the repetition of the same movements countless times within this body.

“Ryan Soros?” Freni, the girl with the ice-blue eyes under the whimsical witch’s hat, narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “You claim not to be a pirate, yet the calluses on your hands tell tales of years gripping a sword… and ‘Soros’ is not a surname known within our kingdom’s nobility.”

Ryan felt a sinking feeling in his chest.

Her familiarity with the royal surnames was unexpected. It wasn’t surprising, though, that she could discern his non-pirate origins. How could a pirate maintain such unblemished, smooth skin like his, untouched by the harshness of sun and sea?

Sensing the piercing, icy stare of the armored woman beside Freni, Ryan shook his head, his voice tinged with regret. “I apologize, I did indeed lie. The truth is, I no longer know my own name.”

“When I awoke, my past was a blank slate, and the name Ryan Soros was merely given to me upon recovery.”

“Oh?” Freni’s expression shifted to one of skepticism. Just as Ryan braced for further interrogation, she surprisingly dismissed the matter, “Forget it. Out here on the sea, dwelling on such details serves no purpose. Tell me, what can you do? We have no use for dead weight on this ship.”

Ryan exhaled a silent sigh of relief and responded hastily, “I have some basic skills with a sword, I understand a bit about navigation, and I know about rare artifacts.”

The skills he listed were exactly those marked as “beginner” on his internal panel.

“You know navigation?” Freni’s interest was visibly piqued at the mention. “Could you serve as our navigator, then?”

A navigator is crucial on any large vessel, responsible for the intricate art of maritime navigation. This role demands a keen understanding of how to ascertain the ship’s position and plot its course accurately. Beyond plotting courses, navigators must also monitor weather patterns, predict sea currents, and discern wind directions to provide essential navigational guidance to the captain.

All vessels traversing vast oceanic expanses rely on a seasoned navigator.

Although some ship captains are adept navigators themselves, it was clear that Freni, the ice-blue-eyed girl, did not possess these skills.

“Navigator?” Ryan hesitated upon hearing the title, his initial surprise giving way to a cautious nod. “I’m not well-versed with this particular stretch of sea, but I am fairly confident in predicting weather, currents, and wind.”

“That will suffice,” Freni responded, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. “In that case, Mr. Soros, you are welcome to join the crew of the Black Rose.”

“My name is Freni,” she continued, extending her hand in a gesture of formality. “You may address me as ‘Captain.'”

Beside her, the armored woman gave a curt nod, her expression remaining stoic. “And this is Cecilia, my guard.”

“I’m honored,” Ryan replied, feeling a wave of relief as he saluted them once more. Curiosity piqued by the sight of the kneeling pirates behind him, he inquired, “Captain, who are these men?”

“They,” Freni remarked with a dismissive wave of her hand, “are merely ruffians without regard for their own lives. I’m considering what to do with them.”

“Mr. Soros, if you are suggesting we cannot afford to dismiss any hands, especially not in times like these,” Freni nodded thoughtfully. “Then let them serve as sailors for now. After all, a ship bound for distant shores cannot sail with just a few souls aboard.”

With those words, she raised her right hand, and a mysterious, dark blue energy swirled around her pale palm, hinting at the depths of her power and the arcane secrets she commanded.