C8 The Attack of the Unknown Pirates

In the Middle Continent, known as the Sudimant Continent, there's more than just abundant resources, fertile soil, and untapped potential; it's plagued by serious issues. The productivity levels are abysmally low, and under its primitive social system, it can't even hold a candle to the Southern Continent, where a slavery-based society prevails. Furthermore, this region is in a state of utter chaos. For an extended period, the Middle Continent has served as a dumping ground for the other four Human Clan Continent nations to exile those guilty of the most egregious crimes who couldn't be lawfully executed. These deeply corrupt individuals have long entrenched themselves in the Middle Continent, and over time, they've established a myriad of sinister forces. With no military to quell or eradicate them, the banditry problem in the Middle Continent is alarmingly severe, making it a veritable haven for criminals.

According to the intelligence currently in the hands of Prince Ostar, the known bandit forces in the Middle Continent are categorized into two main types: pirates and land bandits. Pirates are further divided into buccaneers and corsairs, each with distinct objectives and targets. Buccaneers prey solely on merchant and cargo ships encountered on maritime routes and typically avoid coastal raids. Corsairs, on the other hand, are less discerning; they attack coastal fishing villages and even venture inland, clashing with land bandits over territory and spoils. In the traditional sense, the term "pirate" refers specifically to these buccaneers.

As for the land bandits, there's a wide array of types, with common highwaymen and robbers being the small fry that are frequently encountered. Land bandits are generally classified by the domains they control or inhabit: Green Forest Bandits in the forests and mountains, Desert Bandits in the desert regions, Snow Plains Bandits in the snowy territories, Wasteland Bandits in the grasslands and wilderness, and the Ocean Bandits who operate along the Coastal Domain and are sometimes considered part of the land bandit faction.

When it comes to combat prowess, each branch of land bandits has its strengths, and clashes between them often hinge on the specific terrain of the battle. Those with the terrain advantage tend to have a higher chance of victory. The common bandits and robbers are universally acknowledged as the weakest link, sometimes even outmatched by villagers from frontier settlements, earning them the ignominious title of the bandits' disgrace.

The most formidable wandering force wasn't comprised of pirates or bandits, but a third faction that all nations of the Human Clan Continent deeply feared and dared not speak of openly: the chaotic armies. On the Middle Continent, where wars were a frequent occurrence and military defections were as common as daily bread, these chaotic forces emerged as a new power, surpassing the strength of land bandits and quickly rising to prominence.

These chaotic armies were split into two types: deserters and rebels. Both were better armed and equipped than the land bandits, holding an absolute advantage in terms of armaments. The deserters, with their low morale, had significantly reduced combat effectiveness and were easily handled. The rebels, however, were a different story. Buoyed by high spirits, some even established themselves as rulers of their own territories, effectively becoming malevolent forces in control of their domains. In the Middle Continent's turbulent state, it was all too easy for warlords of various sizes to emerge, creating fertile ground for the proliferation of armed enclaves. Human Clan Countries from other continents, driven by various motives and political interests, refrained from dispatching troops to quell these rebels. Instead, they often covertly withdrew support or even aided these warlords, using them as proxies.

Deploying forces to the Middle Continent to subdue these obscure warlords was a thankless and arduous task, squandering resources and weakening one's own power without any hope of establishing long-term control. Therefore, no one had truly confronted these warlords—until the arrival of a certain individual, who brought about a long-overdue reckoning, a final judgment akin to divine retribution.

The merchant vessel "Widoc Maria" had not been at sea long when it was besieged by pirates in the waters near the Middle Continent—an unfortunate start to the voyage. Prince Ostia, however, was undaunted. The three Exclusive Maidservants and guards by his side were not of the Human Clan, and could easily dispatch even the royal guards of the Oberiske Empire, let alone a band of pirates. Eager for entertainment, Ostar, accompanied by the three ladies and Chris's group, made their way to the deck to enjoy the spectacle. Before setting out, at Ostar's insistence, they all donned thick, dark bathrobes, giving the appearance of esteemed guests fresh from a luxurious bath.

This was a special request from Ostar. Though Chris and the others were of a different race, they were his people, and their alluring figures in scanty bikinis were for his eyes only. The thought of other men gazing upon them was intolerable to Ostar; it was a loss no amount of money could rectify. Outwardly, Ostar seemed nonchalant, with no apparent emotional reaction. But inwardly, like many men, he harbored a deep-seated possessiveness.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our vessel has already paid the protection fee. This isn't what we agreed upon. Could there be some mistake?"

"Mistake? Look at you, fatso, clearly rolling in dough. If you don't cough up some cash for us brothers, nobody's leaving this ship today. Everyone will be shark bait, and the goods stay with us."

"Boss... Boss, we're flying our flag. See? We really did pay the protection fee."

"You don't get it, do you? What do we care about the fee you paid those two hags? You owe us double, or you'll be the first one swimming with the sharks."

When Ostar, accompanied by Chris and her entourage, stepped onto the deck, they discovered that the merchant ship "Victoria" was in the clutches of pirates—surrounded, to be exact. Dozens of pirate ships of varying sizes had the "Victoria" hemmed in with no escape. The pirate flags were a mishmash, with no two skull and crossbones alike, giving the impression of a ragtag fleet cobbled together. Even the pirate vessels varied in size and make.

On the deck, the "Victoria's" captain, Aristotle, was in the midst of negotiations with the pirate chief. But things looked grim; the captain's collar was torn open, and the chief was shaking him violently. The failed talks were evident on his bruised and swollen face, a testament to the chief's rough handling. Despite the beating, the captain managed a forced smile, pleading for the pirates to spare his ship. Prince Ostar had previously held a low opinion of the avaricious captain, but now he saw a glimmer of commendable bravery in him.

What Ostar didn't realize was that Captain Aristotle was acting out of sheer desperation. The sailors and crew who had resisted were mercilessly slain by the pirates, their bodies left to litter the deck, blood turning it a crimson tide. The "Victoria's" passengers, mainly unarmed merchants, were powerless to fight back. In such dire straits, paying off the pirates seemed the only option to ensure their safety. After all, wealth is fleeting, and buying one's life was the prudent choice. But negotiating with these pirates was far from straightforward.

Pirates come in two varieties: buccaneers and privateers. Merchants often sailed without guards, primarily because large merchant vessels like the "Victoria" would typically pay hefty tributes to the leaders of renowned pirate factions before setting sail. These pirate kings, upon receiving tribute, would ensure "special attention" was given to these ships, instructing their crews not to plunder them and to offer protection when necessary. The flag Captain Aristotle mentioned was a token purchased from a pirate king, serving as evidence of his paid protection fees and tributes.

However, the pirates who targeted the "Victoria" were not your average buccaneers but privateers, a more ruthless and violent breed. Privateers committed crimes not only at sea but also on land within the Coastal Domain. The protection fees and tributes Captain Aristotle had paid meant nothing to them. Instead, they escalated their aggression, fueled by a fierce rivalry with the buccaneers. Both factions were locked in a struggle for territory, teetering on the brink of open conflict and war.

The ringleader of the privateers who attacked the "Victoria" was Basile, known as the "Bald Dragon." Basile was a hulking figure, a man of muscle who preferred to fight shirtless, showcasing his physical prowess. His bald head and the scars that marked his face and body gave him a fearsome appearance. On deck, the formidable Basile was the one manhandling Captain Aristotle's collar, poised to deliver a beating. Despite his obvious baldness, Basile's ironic nickname was a feeble attempt to conceal the truth—a fact not lost on Ostar, who saw Basile as someone whose bark was worse than his bite.

The "Bald Dragon" Basile was seething with rage, looking for an outlet for his pent-up fury. Poor Captain Aristotle, an unfortunate soul, had unwittingly walked into the line of fire. The true rulers of these waters near the Middle Continent were the "Pirate Queens," Liana and Belrose. It was to these formidable female Pirate Kings that Captain Aristotle had previously paid his protection fees and from whom he had acquired his flag.

Liana and Belrose both bore the title "Pirate Queen," distinguished by their monikers "Crimson Queen" and "Golden Queen," respectively, based on their hair colors. Among the vast expanse of the ocean, only ten pirate leaders could claim the title of Pirate King, and of those, a mere three were women, with two operating in this very region. The competition wasn't limited to buccaneers and privateers; even the pirates vied among themselves. The two Pirate Queens sought dominance over this maritime domain. To avoid offending either, Captain Aristotle had paid protection fees and gifts to both. Yet, he hadn't anticipated the presence of a third force. Unlike the buccaneers, privateers didn't adhere to the same code of conduct, and there was no guarantee they'd honor any prior arrangements of tribute or protection.

Ostar and his companions were the last to emerge on deck. Prior to their arrival, the crew of the Victoire had been herded together by pirates for a coordinated looting. Desperate to stay alive, the merchants, ashen-faced, presented all their valuables, placing them at the forefront for the pirates to stuff into the large hemp sacks they'd brought along.

"These trinkets aren't even enough to pick our teeth with! And we'll be taking these too..."

"But... sirs, I truly have no money left."

"Enough with the excuses. Unless you fancy parting with your skull, we're in need of bowls!"

"Alright, alright, I'll comply!"

Under the pirates' menacing force, the merchants were stripped of their garments, leaving them in nothing but their underwear. Pirates, after all, were far more ruthless than their seafaring counterparts; while a pirate might settle for a ransom, pirates were unreasonable, taking whatever they pleased. Hence, the title of Pirate King was reserved for pirates of a certain caliber; pirates, with their deplorable conduct, were never deemed worthy of the honor.

Basile, the "Bald Dragon," inadvertently caught sight of Ostar, who reclined casually on the deck in a bathrobe, looking every bit the affluent young lord. The three excessively beautiful maids accompanying him were impossible to ignore, their beauty striking. With a signal from Basile, his henchmen swiftly encircled Ostar and his group, unaware that their opponents were well-prepared and utterly unafraid.