Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Gathering Intelligence!
Bathed in the gentle glow of the moon, the level 5 sailing cruiser, the [Black Rose], glided gracefully into the harbor after several hours navigating from the Whirlpool Islands.

As the anchor plunged into the murky depths of the ocean floor and secured the vessel, night had already cast its velvet cloak over the port. Yet, the dockside was far from shadowed; rows of street lamps cast pools of light every few meters, illuminating the port with a clarity that rivaled daylight.

On the bow deck, Ryan and Freni surveyed their surroundings. Ryan’s gaze lingered on the myriad pirate ships docked along the wharf, a stern furrow forming between his brows. He estimated there were no less than a dozen such vessels, a testament to the pirate stronghold that the Whirlpool Islands had become.

“It’s a bit troublesome,” Ryan murmured, more to himself than to Freni. Turning to the witch beside him, he continued, “Lady Frenie, once we’ve replenished our supplies, we should steer the [Black Rose] clear of this port. I recall you possess the ability to hasten our passage over water? Let’s put some distance between us and any potential threats.”

Freni, taking in the scene with an equal measure of caution, nodded in agreement. “That’s what we should do,” she affirmed.

“Thank you, Mr. Ryan,” she added, her tone appreciative.

“This is what I should do,” Ryan replied, a slight shake of his head dismissing the need for thanks as he disembarked alone.

The situation on the Whirlpool Islands was murky at best. With Frenie and their other companion, Cecilia, best kept out of sight, the tasks of resupplying and gathering initial intelligence fell to Ryan. To ensure his safety, Frenie handed him a dark blue crystal. A single-use artifact crafted by her hand, it could unleash a formidable protective shield with a mere infusion of spiritual energy, robust enough to thwart any first-level professional’s assault and alert Frenie to come to his aid.

The port was eerily quiet at night, the day laborers having retreated to their homes, leaving the area almost deserted. In the distance, Ryan could see the market district of the port land, dotted with multi-storied wooden structures. One bore a sign he recognized, the Black Onyx Chamber of Commerce.

Situated strategically at the last stopover before the deeper sea, it was unsurprising to find such a prominent trading power here. Ryan had mixed feelings about the Black Onyx Chamber of Commerce. Though their methods were as shadowy as their namesake suggested, they were reliably honest in their dealings. With their recent arrival at the Whirlpool Islands, engaging the Black Onyx to handle their immediate logistical needs and perhaps purchase some local intelligence seemed a prudent first step.

Fifteen minutes later, Ryan come out from the Black Onyx Chamber of Commerce, the voice of the manager, a vibrant young woman named Stacy, ringing in his ears with a cheery “Welcome again!”

“It’s too dark,” Ryan muttered under his breath, clenching his jaw in frustration.

The cost of replenishing their supplies had been trivial, but the price of intelligence had been steep. He had parted with 500 pounds for basic details and current happenings on the Whirlpool Islands, no room for negotiation.

For context, Master Bronze Hammer would craft a low-level marvel for merely 1,000 pounds! Despite the sting of the expense, Ryan understood the age-old wisdom: to do one’s job well, one must first sharpen the tools. Reluctantly, he had handed over the funds under the watchful eye of Steward Stacy, who seemed to see him as a walking purse.

Thankfully, the intelligence proved to be worth every penny.

As he walked down the creaky wooden street, Ryan replayed the details he’d acquired. The Whirlpool Islands consisted of five islands: one large central island called Minin, flanked by four smaller ones, Tidal Island to the north, Sulu Island to the south, Basha Island to the west, and Wani Island to the east.

Finding the names a bit cumbersome to recall, Ryan simplified them in his mind as North Island 1, South Island 2, West Island 3, and East Island 4.

Currently, the [Black Rose] was docked at the tip of North 1 Island, which served merely as an outpost. The central Minin Island, he learned, hosted a dormant volcano surrounded by the expansive Minin Forest, teeming with creatures both common ones and spiritual ones as well.

Significantly, the Moon Wolf incident had stirred a notable disruption in the local fauna. A considerable number of sea monsters had appeared in the waters between the islands and Minin, making the journey to the central island perilous, even for a seasoned professional.

Besides geographical insights, Ryan was particularly keen on the power dynamics details provided by the Black Onyx. The allure of the Moon Wolf and rumored treasures had drawn a number of pirates to the islands. Among them, three pirate groups stood out for their notorious reputations and formidable strength: the Blood Demon Pirates, the One-Eyed Pirates, and the Iron Eagle Pirates, all hailing from the inner sea area and far more dangerous than any ragtag band from the outer regions.

Among the notorious factions of the sea, the Iron Eagle Pirates hold the reins of supremacy. Intelligence reports according to Black Onyx is that their formidable reputation is partly due to their captain, who has tamed a colossal flying beast, lending the pirate crew its fearsome name.

In contrast, the Blood Demon Pirates and the One-Eyed Pirates, though formidable, do not match the might of the Iron Eagles. Their captains, recognized as second-tier elite professionals, carry bounties of a staggering 51,000 and 55,000 pounds respectively.

These three pirate syndicates maintain a silent accord, each controlling their own small isle within this treacherous archipelago. Currently, Ryan finds himself on North Island 1, the dominion of the Blood Demon Pirates.

The intelligence provided by the Black Onyx Chamber of Commerce is thorough, yet regarding the enigmatic Moon Wolf it provided him little information to go on. Whether this absence of information is due to ignorance or a deliberate omission remains unclear.

Ryan made his way to a nearby tavern, a bustling hub where rumors and secrets are traded more freely than coin. His intention was clear: to gather any scraps of knowledge about the elusive Moon Wolf before returning to his ship, the Black Rose.

Contemplating the dangers, Ryan reassured himself that, barring an encounter with a second-tier professional, his own skills would suffice against any lesser foe. According to his sources, the Blood Demon Pirate leader usually confined himself to their stronghold in the central part of North Island 1, making an unexpected encounter at the tavern unlikely.

…

Far from the chaotic sea routes, atop Minin Island’s dormant volcano, a lone large gray wolf sat bathed in moonlight. The silver beams draped over its fur, casting an ethereal glow as it gazed at the crescent moon, its wild eyes softening with a rare gentleness.

In the shadows, just beyond the moon’s reach, a figure leaned against the serene beast, murmuring into the still night air, “It’s almost time, almost time…”

…

To the north, beyond the Whirlpool Islands, a navy vessel cut through the ocean waves at a brisk pace. On the bow stood three black knights, their gazes icy with unspoken threats and their presence foretelling a storm of retribution about to come.