Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 82

Chapter 82: Black Knights!
On the deck of the Cyclops, the atmosphere was thick with tension. “One-Eye” Santas stood with a blank expression on his face, his presence alone enough to keep the crew at a distance. The oppressive aura he emitted was palpable, a clear warning to anyone thinking of approaching him.

The rest of the Cyclops Pirates were no better off. Their faces were etched with worry and frustration, all of them haunted by the same curse that had ensnared their captain. They, too, were cursed, their fates tied to an unseen force that seemed to toy with their very lives.

As the East 4 Island loomed ever closer, Santas’ thoughts were a tumultuous mix of fear and frustration. What had begun as a routine sea monster hunt had turned into a nightmare. Now, he found himself a puppet, his strings pulled by an unknown hand, and his life no longer his own to control with his heart marked by a dark curse.

He had tried to fight back, to find the source of the curse and break free, but it was like grappling with shadows. The curse was an ever-present weight on his soul, filling him with dread each time he felt its cold touch.

“Is this the forbidden power that belongs to the sea witch in the rumors?” he muttered to himself, the words bitter on his tongue.

With a heavy sigh, he glanced at the alchemist Twilight standing beside him. The copper mask obscured Twilight’s face, giving no hint of emotion, yet Santas felt an eerie calm emanating from him. Unlike the rest of the crew, Twilight seemed unaffected, her demeanor unshaken despite the dire circumstances faced by everyone.

Santas sighed again, trying to push his worries aside. It was futile to dwell on things beyond his control. If the Dark Moon Witch’s goal was merely the Moon Wolf and the treasure, then all he needed to do was cooperate. It might be a waste of time, but at least it would keep him alive.

The Cyclops docked swiftly, and as soon as Santas set foot on the base, an urgent report reached him. Barely seated and still catching his breath, he was jolted by the news.

“What, you said that three Black Knights landed on the island?” he repeated, eyes widening with shock.

“And they’re currently confronting the Blood Demon Pirates on Tidal Island?”

The mention of the Black Knights sent a chill down his spine. In the world of professionals, their name was synonymous with terror. These ‘hyenas’ of the Augustus royal family were infamous for their ruthlessness and single-minded pursuit of their goals.

“Are they also here for the Moon Wolf and the treasure?” Santas pondered, his mind racing.

The Black Knights were formidable, each one at least a second-level elite. Three of them together represented a force capable of upending the fragile balance of power in the Whirlpool Islands. No pirate group, not even the formidable Iron Eagle Pirates, could stand against them.

Santas knew that the arrival of the Black Knights has changed everything. The delicate equilibrium ballance that had allowed the pirates to coexist was shattered. The hunt for the Moon Wolf and the treasure had just become infinitely more dangerous.

Unless the three pirate groups join forces, there is still a slight possibility of overcoming this threat.

What Santas couldn’t fathom was why the Black Knights, an official armed force naturally hostile to pirates, would appear so conspicuously. Their presence was like a signal flare, drawing attention and raising questions. After his harrowing encounter with the Dark Moon Witch, Santas had no desire to entangle himself further in the chaotic affairs of the Whirlpool Islands.

He sensed that this ‘whirlpool’ Island was dragging in forces far beyond the scope of the three second-level pirate groups. Yet, he was trapped by the curse, unable to escape its grasp. The only path to regaining his “freedom” was to fulfill the demands of the Dark Moon Witch. Santas felt that information about the Black Knights would certainly pique her interest.

After a moment of contemplation, Santas abruptly stood and announced, “Let’s head to Tidal Island and see for ourselves.”

…

By the time Santas arrived at Tidal Island, half an hour had passed. The gathered pirates quickly made way for him, recognizing his authority. As the leader of the Cyclops Pirates and a second-level elite professional, Santas commanded considerable respect.

Entering the throng, Santas spotted “Blood Devil” Leroy and “Iron Eagle” Vladika, both of whom had also arrived. Opposite them stood the three Black Knights, their presence ominous and commanding.

Santas focused on the leader of the Black Knights. Clad in a hooded black robe, his face was obscured, but the aura of menace was unmistakable.

“You must be ‘One-Eye’ Santas,” the leading Black Knight addressed him, his voice cold and calculating. “The leaders of the three second-level pirate groups gathered together. This is a perfect opportunity to eliminate you all at once.”

The words sent a shiver through Santas, Leroy, and Vladika. Before they could react, the Black Knight continued, “However, dealing with pirates is the business of the Royal Navy, not us Black Knights.”

“Now, I offer you two choices.”

“First, cooperate with us to help use find the Empire’s wanted criminal, the Blood Son, ‘Dark Moon Witch’ Freni. After capturing her, we will leave. We have no interest in the Moon Wolf or the so-called treasure of the Whirlpool Islands.”

“Second, you die here now.”

The ultimatum hung in the air, heavy with threat. Santas exchanged glances with Leroy and Vladika, each of them weighing the gravity of the situation. The Black Knights’ unexpected offer was a lifeline, albeit a precarious one. To survive, they would need to navigate this treacherous alliance with the utmost caution.

As the last word fell, a wave of terrifying and surging spiritual energy erupted from the Black Knight. The intensity of it was almost palpable, a force that seemed to darken the very air around them.

Instinctively, the spiritual energy within “One-Eye” Santas, “Blood Demon” Leroy, and “Iron Eagle” Vladika surged to meet the challenge. They strained against the overwhelming power, their combined strength a flicker of resistance. Yet, despite their efforts, they were no match for the Black Knight’s formidable presence. After a brief but intense stalemate, the trio was forcefully pushed back, staggering under the pressure.

“Ahem,” they groaned in unison, the force of the spiritual clash leaving them visibly shaken.

Their eyes widened in shock as the Black Knight removed his hood, revealing a mask adorned with a light golden number “12” between his brows.

“The twelfth seat of the Black Knight?!” Santas gasped, feeling a bitter taste in his mouth.

What kind of monster had the Whirlpool Islands attracted? The realization that this formidable figure was here for the “Dark Moon Witch” Freni only added to his growing dread. If it weren’t for the curse binding him, Santas would have eagerly betrayed the witch’s location to save himself. But now, his hands were tied.

He was trapped, controlled by the Dark Moon Witch. If she were to fall, his own life would likely be forfeit.

“This is asking me to be a double agent… no, an undercover agent for the Dark Moon Witch,” Santas lamented inwardly.

“I… agree,” Iron Eagle Vladika’s hoarse voice broke the tension, his resistance crumbling under the Black Knight’s spiritual pressure and the unmistakable murderous intent in his eyes.

Following Vladika’s lead, “One-Eye” Santas and “Blood Demon” Leroy also reluctantly agreed to cooperate.

“Very good,” the Black Knight nodded, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. “Don’t worry, I won’t make things too difficult for you, as long as you cooperate obediently.”

“Now, instruct your pirates to disperse and gather information about the ‘Dark Moon Witch’ Freni.”

“Number one, number two, accompany Mr. ‘One-Eye’ and Mr. ‘Blood Demon’ respectively. As for Mr. ‘Iron Eagle’, I will accompany him personally.”

“I hope we can cooperate happily during this period,” he concluded, his tone dripping with false camaraderie.

Santas’ face displayed an expression of frustrated resignation, though inside he was seething. He understood that this so-called “accompaniment” was, in reality, surveillance.

“I have to find an opportunity to pass on the information to her,” Santas resolved silently, already beginning to plot his next move.