Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Withered Star Vine!
[Black Rose], in the dimly lit captain’s cabin of the old galleon.

Ryan, Freni, and Cecilia stood in a tight circle, the creaking of the ship blending with the muted thrum of the sea outside. There was a palpable tension in the air, the kind that weighed on the chest and thickened the atmosphere.

Freni broke the silence, her voice a grave echo in the compact cabin. “We’ve received troubling news from Santas.”

Ryan’s brow furrowed. “What’s happened?”

“An uninvited guest has landed on the Whirlpool Islands.”

“Three black knights, to be precise,” Cecilia added, her tone unusually serious. “One of them is the twelfth-ranked Black Knight.”

Ryan’s heart sank. He knew of the Black Knights, merciless, relentless fighters. Though he and Freni had faced one before and survived, the news of these knights, particularly a ranked one, unsettled him. “How strong is this twelfth-ranked knight?”

Freni paced slightly, the wooden floorboards groaning under her steps. “The Black Knights operate under a simple hierarchy: the rank-and-file and the twelve elite seats. These seated knights lead, and their presence means they’re on a significant mission.”

“Normally, Black Knights work solo. It’s only under a seated knight’s command that they form a group,” Cecilia chimed in, leaning against the wall with folded arms.

“The twelve are chosen from the best, cream of the crop. The last three ranks, including the twelfth, are held by ‘second-tier extreme professionals.’ These individuals have attained a hundred percent compatibility at their first level, making them far superior to regular second-tier professionals.”

Freni’s voice grew bitter as she continued, “Since that vile ‘Despicable One’ seized control, they’ve incorporated a ‘Demon Suppression Stone’ into their arsenal, designed specifically to weaken magic users like myself. Without advancing to the second tier myself, I stand little chance against any seated knight.”

Ryan, catching the disdain in Freni’s voice for the ‘Despicable One’, felt a chill. “The presence of the Black Knight on the Whirlpool Islands changes everything. Thankfully, Santas, our ‘One-Eyed’ informant, gave us the heads-up.”

He glanced at Freni with a resolute look. “This means I’ll have to retrieve the ingredients for your advancement potion, the withered star vine from Minin Forest’s western outskirts, alone. Under these circumstances, you can’t risk landing until you’ve advanced to second-tier of your profession.”

Freni nodded slowly, her expression clouded with concern. Their last encounter with a Black Knight had been too close; the thought of facing even more formidable foes was daunting.

“As much as I hate to admit it, your journey will be perilous. But it’s a risk we must take,” she said quietly.

Ryan clasped her shoulder, his determination firm. “We’ll manage. We always do.”

Cecilia looked between them, her eyes solemn but supportive. “Let’s prepare then. Every moment counts.”

As the trio set their plans into motion, the sea outside seemed to echo their resolve, waves crashing rhythmically against the hull, as if urging them on.

In the dim light of the captain’s cabin, Cecilia, the knight girl who had remained silent up until now, finally spoke up. Her voice carried the chill of resolve as she suggested a strategic retreat.

“Let’s leave the Whirlpool Islands,” she said firmly. “It could be our best chance to evade the Black Knights’ pursuit.”

Her icy gaze swept over her companions as she continued, “With enough time, I am confident that Lady Freni can render the Black Knights powerless.”

Yet, as soon as Cecilia proposed the idea, Freni dismissed it outright. “Cecilia, please, we cannot keep thinking like that,” she interjected sharply. “I refuse to compromise the safety of my allies for temporary security.”

Freni paced, her cloak swirling around her. “Their ability to trace our steps to this remote place implies they’ve acquired some tracking technique unknown to us. Despite not confronting us directly, they’ve instead gathered intelligence through the pirates.”

She shook her head, her expression one of frustration. “Fleeing blindly will solve nothing. Moreover, the main component required for the second-tier potion, the ‘Scholar’s Path’, is rare. Missing our chance to secure it here could mean losing it indefinitely.”

“We’re cornered,” Freni stated flatly. “Our only option is to confront the Black Knights here, secure the Moon Wolf Blood, and then make for the inland sea. It will be much harder for them to follow us there.”

Her voice carried a note of fervor, the weight of their dire situation pressing upon her.

Cecilia remained silent for a moment, absorbing the gravity of Freni’s words, then murmured an apology, “Sorry, Lady Freni…”

Freni sighed deeply, the heat of the moment passing. “It’s alright… I got a bit carried away,” she admitted, her tone softening as she turned towards Ryan.

With a deep bow, an expression of solemnity on her face, she entrusted him with a critical task. “Mr. Ryan, as you’ve pointed out, it’s imperative I don’t risk being seen before my advancement to the second level.”

“I’ll leave the retrieval of the ‘Withered Star Vine’ to you.”

Having witnessed Ryan’s previous encounters, including his strategic prowess in the skirmish against ‘One-Eyed’ Santas, Freni had discerned that despite his recent ascension to a first-level professional, Ryan’s capabilities far exceeded typical expectations. He could hold his own against second-level elites, possibly even turning the tide in unexpected confrontations.

Though curious about his rapid progression, Freni chose not to pry. Everyone had their secrets, after all, and her priority was to place trust in her allies and provide them with all the support she could muster.

“You’re welcome,” Ryan replied with a reassuring smile, ready to act on their plan. “Without further delay, I’ll head to shore alone in a small boat and aim to secure the ‘Withered Star Vine’ today.” His tone was decisive, reflecting a readiness to face whatever challenges lay ahead on the mysterious and perilous Whirlpool Islands.

“Thank you for your assistance,” Furen said with a nod of appreciation. “I’ll prepare the ‘Mind-Clearing Potion’ now. Take it with you for protection. Although our intelligence suggests there are no powers outside the Minin Forest that could cause a loss of control, caution is warranted.”

“Understood,” Ryan responded with a slight nod, his gaze briefly meeting Cecilia’s downturned face. “I’ll head outside to continue my training.”

“I’ll call you when needed,” Freni promised, her voice firm yet reassuring.

As Ryan stepped out, Cecilia raised her eyes within the confines of the captain’s room, her lips parting as if to speak. However, the only view before her was Freni’s retreating figure heading towards the potion’s brewing compartment. With a silent sigh, she pressed her lips together and held back her words.

…

Dusk quietly enveloped the sky.

A cloaked figure emerged at the western boundary of Minin Island. After mooring his boat, Ryan lifted his eyes to the distant mountains. The island, central among the Whirlpool Five, was crowned by a dormant volcano surrounded by the expansive Mingjin Forest.

Ryan’s mission was clear: locate the elusive plant monster known as the withered star vine, rumored to dwell on the forest’s outskirts.

Plant monsters, territorial by nature, seldom stray from their domain, providing Ryan a predictable pattern to track his quarry.

Following the map’s detailed routes, Ryan ventured into Minin Forest, reaching the suspected lair of the withered star vine. His movements were cautious and deliberate, mindful of the uneasy peace held by the three major pirate factions; the forest had seen little activity from any but the most foolhardy or uninformed of small bands.

The quiet of the dense forest at dusk lent an eerie air to his search.

Ryan proceeded slowly, his right hand always near the hilt of his greatsword, ready for whatever might emerge.

The soft rustle of the breeze through the trees carried an unusual scent, a disturbing undercurrent that set Ryan on edge. He paused, focusing intently.

Suddenly, his attention snapped to a gray text hovering over the vines draping from an adjacent tree:

[Withered Star Vine: A nocturnal plant monster that thrives under starlit skies, drawing spiritual essence from the celestial glow to fortify itself. By day, it camouflages as mundane foliage. Recently affected by the ‘Special Spirituality-Crazy Moonlight’, this Dead Star Vine has begun to siphon the lifeblood of living creatures, escalating its threat level significantly.]