C12 The Successful Arrival at the Port of the Middle Continent

The merchant vessel "Victoria" was undoubtedly the most impressive ship to set sail for the Middle Continent in recent decades. Aside from the unfortunate incident of being plundered by the Pirate Leader Basile, known infamously as the "Bald Dragon," which marked a blemish on its history, it offered luxuries that many other cargo and merchant ships of its class could not match.

Throughout its journey to the Magyr Port of the Middle Continent, the "Victoria" was escorted by two of the Pirate King's main fleets. The procession resembled a royal fleet safeguarding the Emperor at sea so closely that, were it not for the black skull pirate flags adorning the escort ships, one might truly believe it to be so.

Pirate Queens Liana and Belrose spent the entire voyage in a private room aboard the "Victoria," enjoying the company of Prince Ostia. The secrecy of their stay was impeccably maintained. Had the pirates of the escort fleet discovered that their revered "Crimson Queen" Liana and "Golden Queen" Belrose were sharing quarters with a man, their outrage could have sparked a mutiny.

Prince Ostia, though a Transmigrator, lacked any extraordinary abilities or cheats—his only assets were the memories and knowledge from his past life. Frankly, his skills in charming women were nothing beyond average.

The devotion of Chris, Yulia, and Sofia—three stunningly powerful maids—to Prince Ostia was not solely a testament to his exceptional emotional intelligence. Chris was the only one initially smitten with him, while Yulia and Sofia's loyalty was still driven by duty rather than affection, leaving room for Ostia to nurture a closer bond in the future.

Nevertheless, Prince Ostia's interactions with Liana and Belrose were delightful, earning him considerable favor during the voyage. Ostia's secret? He was a storyteller at heart, and as it turned out, Liana and Belrose shared a keen interest in tales of pirates and sea monsters. Once Ostia tapped into this shared passion, drawing upon a trove of pirate and sea monster legends from Earth's Middle Ages, the two queens were captivated, hanging on his every word with eyes alight with wonder, even glossing over the finer details in their rapture.

Ostar had a gift for storytelling that captivated everyone around him. By the end, even the typically aloof Yulia, who wasn't fond of stories, and Sofia, who was only familiar with the myths of this world, were enthralled by Ostar's animated tales.

"After Columbus discovered the New World, it all started... But it's getting late. Let's continue this tomorrow," Ostar suggested.

"Lord Ostia, could you please go on just a bit more?" pleaded one voice.

"Lord Ostia, it's not that late! Could you tell us a little more, please?" implored another.

In the opulent room, Ostar was at the center of attention, narrating his tale from the head of the grand table, dressed only in his black boxer briefs as he prepared to rest. Standing behind him was Chris, clad in a peach-pink bikini that left little to the imagination. Her delicate fingers worked over his shoulders, easing the prince into relaxation.

Yulia and Sofia knelt to his front, each to one side. They wore their original sleek black-strapped and alluring golden hollowed-out bikinis, rhythmically tapping his thighs to the beat of his story. They pressed and relaxed, their focus solely on the prince's words.

They had initially wanted to perch atop the prince's lap, but the image was too provocative. Ostar feared he might not keep his composure, potentially leading to an embarrassing outburst. He had to forbid their idea for the time being. Even their forward-leaning poses were seductive enough, offering a glimpse of the enticing cleavage before him.

Pirate Queen Liana and Belrose sat demurely on either side of Ostar, hanging on his every word. Their usual weapons of defense had been set aside at a distance, signaling their deep trust in Prince Ostia. They showed no fear of any sudden treachery or the sinister play of a big bad wolf preying on an innocent White Sheep.

Ostar found himself in a precarious position. Surrounded by five stunning girls, three of whom were clad in barely-there bikinis, the view was a feast for the eyes—a veritable bounty. Yet, due to certain constraints, Ostar couldn't act on his desires, making the situation all the more agonizing.

For a man to look but not touch was a cruel form of torture, especially for Prince Ostia, whose virility was not in question. Thankfully, the beauties were so engrossed in the enthralling narrative that none seemed to notice the Gentleman Prince's rising dilemma, which threatened to burst through his briefs.

Ostar found it difficult to take action. If only Liana and Belrose were with him, he wouldn't hesitate to act first and discuss matters later. However, with Chris and the other maids around, it was a different story. These three personal attendants were not of the Human Clan but belonged to other races, and they were constantly by his side.

Acting on certain indescribable impulses in their presence made Ostar feel all sorts of discomfort. This time, he had to regretfully hold back. In the future, he could look for opportunities to foster a closer bond with Liana and Belrose before making his move. For now, such actions were off-limits aboard the ship.

While the rapport with Liana and Belrose had grown, thanks to his stories, Ostar couldn't be sure of the true depth of their connection. After careful consideration and weighing the benefits against the risks, he chose not to behave like a brute. He refrained from acting on his impulses, biding his time for now.

Once they reached his domain and had a castle, there would be plenty of opportunities for joyous activities and a proper place for them. Ostar's dreams were a bit too idyllic, as he seemed to forget that the Middle Continent was a primitive society. By then, even a thatched hut would be a luxury.

"Alright, we'll be at Magyr Port by tomorrow. Get some rest early. We need to return you to your flagship, or your pirates might start thinking I've kidnapped their queen."

"Lord Ostia, you really have a way with jokes. These stories are far more entertaining than anything we've experienced over the years."

"Lord Ostia, where do you come across all these fascinating tales?"

"There are many more stories to tell. Once I've repaired the dock, and if you visit often, I'd be delighted to continue sharing these tales and amusing anecdotes with you."

Liana and Belrose were utterly enchanting, their every gesture radiating a seductive charm. In the end, Ostar stood firm, kept his wits about him, and cleverly played hard-to-get. After piquing their intense curiosity, he set up a future meeting, gradually drawing closer to them, step by step, until he could ultimately achieve his goal of a complete conquest.

The two Pirate Queens, Liana and Belrose, remained unattached, despite the attention of numerous Pirate King-level suitors. They hadn't declared any romantic relationships, leaving the door open for Ostar to make his move.

Ostar was a gentleman who valued looks, personality, and ability over lineage and background. Upon encountering Liana and Belrose, he immediately considered them for recruitment and alliance. On the Human Clan Continent, most nations prioritized their armies, neglecting their navies. But Ostar, as a Transmigrator, saw the potential in the Pirate Queens' fleets as an excellent reserve naval force and knew he had to enlist them.

While adept at charming the ladies, Ostar also focused on his duties. He presented the Pirate Queens with the Lord's Seal of Bloomfield, a token from his father, Emperor Augustus VIII of the Oberiske Empire. This act bestowed upon Liana and Belrose the first and second official letters of marque in Human Clan history, legitimizing their plundering activities.

This strategy mirrored the historical practice of the English Kingdom in medieval Europe, which issued letters of marque to privateers as a countermeasure against the invincible armada of the Bullfighting Kingdom. In the Strange World Continent, Ostar's move was unprecedented.

In the primitive society of the Middle Continent, quick capital accumulation required unconventional methods. Ostar, unwilling to turn pirate himself, cleverly issued the legal certificates to Liana and Belrose to do the raiding on his behalf.

Ostar had personally vetted the integrity of these two stunning Pirate Queens. He was principled, eschewing random maritime raids that could provoke universal ire and lead to a united front against him. That's why he passed over the more ruthless pirates for partnership, opting instead for the more reputable and charismatic Pirate Queens.

"Lord Ostia, Belrose and I will take our leave now," Liana assured him. "We'll complete the task you've given us, and you can expect the first delivery of goods by this weekend at the latest."

"Don't push yourselves too hard, Liana, Belrose," Ostar replied. "Once I've set up the production workshop, I'll assist you in upgrading your fleet's warships."

As the merchant vessel "Victoria" neared the Middle Continent, Prince Ostia took his leave from Pirate Queens Liana and Belrose, watching them return to their flagship. At that point, Ostia's relationship with the Crimson Queen and the Golden Queen remained purely professional.

The massive clash of the ten greatest Pirate Kings later shattered the existing barriers. Now, their relationship could at best be described as casual friendship; they were far from being lovers.

"Sir Alistair, you know how to handle the matter aboard the ship, correct?"

"Absolutely, Lord Ostia. I shall remain tight-lipped, not a word will escape me. My head is on the line!"

"Sir Aristotle, the wise live long lives, and I believe you are indeed wise."

"Lord Ostia, I understand."

Before disembarking from the "Victoria," Ostia took a moment to remind the captain, the stout Sir Alistair who was privy to his true identity, to keep the secrets well guarded. After all, as the Empire's Third Prince, spending several days in the same room aboard the ship with two alluring Pirate Queens, known for their bold fashion choices, was nothing more than storytelling. Yet, should rumors reach the Oberiske Empire, it could spark a scandal, especially if manipulated by those with ulterior motives. Not even the libidinous Seventh Prince Oser would dare to engage with the Pirate Queens.

In terms of gentlemanly conduct, one could argue that Ostia had surpassed the Seventh Prince. With his departure from the ship and arrival at Magyr Pier, Prince Ostia's journey as a lord in the Middle Continent truly began.

Captain Aristotle expressed his gratitude to Prince Ostia for saving his life. Beyond keeping their secret, he also wished to bestow upon Ostia the wealth that "Bald Dragon" Basile had compensated him. Naturally, Ostia declined the offer, seeking no such reparation.

In the unique economic landscape of the Middle Continent, gold coins held little value for those not engaged in commerce. After much insistence from Captain Aristotle, Prince Ostia graciously accepted a refund of fifty gold coins for his passage, effectively making his entire journey cost-free. With not a penny spent, he found himself back at square one with a starting fund of a hundred gold coins.