A sailing ship is quietly at anchor in the cove.
　It is a fast ship with three masts. But right now, all sails are folded up and she is quietly waiting for the Lord's command.
　It looks like a very ordinary wooden ship. A western style ship with a dragonbone.
　The total length of the ship would be about mid thirty meters. As a type of ship, it is similar to a galleon. It resembles the ships that were frequently built during the Age of Discovery, which began around the fifteenth century.
　The only difference between it and the Earth's sailing ships is that there are no cannons or other firearms to be found.
　Perhaps the existence of gunpowder is not so common.

　A number of keen eyes were on the ship from the gap in the forest on the north side of the cove.
　Their black-dyed clothing and the masks that covered their entire faces made them assimilate the darkness.
　They were literally dwellers of the darkness.
　They are not afraid of anything, even if it is in the forest where the monsters are writhing.
　Because they are the most fearful monsters of all........

You know what to do, people.

　A faint breeze swayed the leaves of the trees, signaling Sakuya's muttering.
　And then the presence disappears from Sakuya's surroundings. It was a faint sign that could only be felt by people of her own kind.
　She had brought only the most skilled of her clan with her this time.
　The bait has already been scattered. All that is left is to wait for the prey to fall into the trap.

Now, where is your den?　Quickly show me the way, please.

　A cold smile appeared on Sakuya's face. It was the face of a cold-hearted hunter.


''You.......do you think your head will believe such a story?''

　A group of about ten men surrounded the two men in a dimly lit room filled with the smell of tide.
　The shadows in the room danced wildly with each lazy swing of the lamps that faintly illuminated the room from side to side.
　Every face is a sailor's, burned red and black by the sea breeze and sun.
　But if you can smell the blood emanating from their bodies, you can guess what their occupation is.
　A low, cold voice pierced the two men who were kneeling.

''But ... we really did see it.

　The man then turned the conversation to his partner, who remained silent at his side.

I've seen this guy clearly through a telescope, and I've only seen it with my own eyes. This guy was right, a city of unbelievable scale was being built there. No, that was no town. It wasn't a town. It was no more than a small provincial town.

　When I heard those words, one of the men surrounding the two men spat out, "You've got to be kidding me.

You've got to be kidding me. How do you propose to build a town in less than two months?　If you say you can do it, then explain it to me and see!

　At those words, the people around them laughed in derision and approval.
　No matter who heard them, there would be no one who would believe their words.　

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's not. We saw it for sure.

　But the man, who understood that his life was at stake, was desperate to bite back.
　If he was judged to have made a false report, he would be killed for sure. And as an example, he would kill them in a brutal manner that would send chills down his spine.......

You're kidding me!　He's probably been drinking anyway!

　Someone else shouted hoarsely, "I'm not going to do that!

'I ain't going to do that!　We saw it!　I really saw it!

It's true. We didn't do drugs and we didn't drink. We were just following our heads' orders.

　The two men shouted with their blood, but the gaze on them was cold.

'Shut up for a minute.'

　It's a low, hard voice, so low and hard that you would normally miss it.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on one. But the words of the man reached the ears of all those present.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
　He has a massive build and a beard that has been exposed to the sea breeze and has turned red. His sunken eyes glow with an awful-looking light.
　His tanned, reddish-black skin hides in the gaps in his silk shirt.
　It's just like a man of the sea.
　The man's name is Henry. The other pirates call him "Shark" and fear him.
　He used to be a fisherman in a small fishing village in the kingdom of Elnesgoura, but due to a tax dispute, he killed the nobleman who ruled the village and escaped.
　He approached quietly like a shark and devoured them in silence.

"...head...

Oh ... we're...

　They turned their clinging gaze to Henry.
　Their lives depend on the mood of the man sitting in the chair. It's impossible not to be afraid of that.

The only thing that can make you feel better is the fact that you're in the same boat as the man in the chair. Why don't you guys go get something to eat?

What?

　The dumb words escaped from the mouth of the man who had been the most vocal in accusing them of being too unexpected by the ruthless head.
　But the man hurriedly covered his mouth.　

'Go.'

　Ignoring the odd looks from the surroundings that poured in, Henry ordered them to leave with a fluttering hand. It was as if he was chasing away a dog...

Hey, hey. Excuse me.

Excuse me. Heads.

　The two men, who were stuck on the floor as if begging for pity, bowed to Henry and ran out of the room like a de-rabbit.
　It's not clear if it's a whim or a reason for Henry's whim, but he didn't want to lose the life he'd just picked up.

You're not going to be able to get away with it.　You don't really think you can believe those people's stories, do you?

　One of the remaining men in the room asked Henry, who was sitting comfortably in a chair.
　They are the ship's executives, including the captain of the ship.
　Unlike most sailors, they are allowed to ask Henry, the captain, a certain amount of questions.
　Of course, you need to be very careful not to spoil Henry's mood as an absolute authority....

I don't think they'd have the balls to lie to me. And if they did, don't you think they'd have something more honest to say?　You guys know how I do it, don't you?　

　Stroking a hand over his beard, Henry turned a sharp look at the man who had asked him the question.
　In fact, Henry didn't believe the two men were lying. You can confidently say that even the dumbest of subordinates understand what happens if they lie against you. He has executed that many as an example.
　Certainly, the two men's stories are too wild, but if they were plotting a betrayal, they would build a better story.
　Everyone nodded silently at Henry's words.
　It's true that the report was too ridiculous to deny their words from their heads, but it was too risky when they calmed down and thought about it.
　It must be in the bones of every sailor on board this ship that they know how ruthless they are....

That's... that's for sure. But then, what kind of a magic trick did that young man use?　He's been in the peninsula for less than two months, you know?

　I understood that the two men were not lying. But that brings up a new question.

'Well. But I suppose it's possible to make it look like they're just pretending.

Pretending?

　The men nodded their heads at Henry's words.
　They are used to rough stuff, but they are not good at using their heads.
　The majority of their heads are occupied with alcohol and women.

''From a distance, you can fool a lot of people, can't you?　The two men claimed to have confirmed it from the cape, but they didn't go close enough to check. It's possible that they were just papier-mâché made of wood.

Did you get tauted?

Well, it's a possibility.

The head. How do I get out of here?　I suppose we'll just have to go check it out.

　In fact, this is a story that cannot be answered by discussing it as it is. Then we have no choice but to go and check it out.
　But Henry shook his head at his subordinate's words.

No, there's no need for that.

But...

You dare to question me?

　The man tried to defend himself, but Henry interrupted him with a sharp look.

If I come back now, I'll be late for the monthly meeting. Or do you want to talk to them?

　Henry's words caused everyone in the room to gasp.

'Well that's true.

So we'll have to go back. I don't know if they'll believe me or not, but...

　In Henry's mind, two faces comparable to his own come to mind.
　Both of them are people who normally would not want to see each other too much.
　However, this time, Henry couldn't move on his own.
　It's not a good idea to have a good idea of what you're talking about.

I'm not going to be able to make a move by myself. We'll have to talk about it at the meeting, whether we want to attack or negotiate.

　We can only speculate at this stage.
　However, one thing is clear.
　Regardless of whether it was a sham trap or a preparation, it is clear that Mikoshiba Ryoma is aware of the pirates who have their base in the Woltenia Peninsula.
(It's getting tricky.)
　I thought it was just a stupid aristocrat's idea to start a pioneering project, but it seems that his idea was a bit naive.
　It seems that Mikoshiba Ryoma is serious about cultivating this barren peninsula.

"Okay, raise the anchor. Let's get back to the harbor!

　Under Henry's command, the anchor was hoisted and the sails were set.
　Slowly at first, the ship picked up speed with the wind.
　Towards their roost........


　The town was located at the northern end of the Worthenian Peninsula.
　The inhabitants of the town had survived in this supposedly uninhabited area, and they did not understand where they came from.
　They do not know where they came from, nor do they understand their roots.
　Aristocrats and their descendants were exiled to the peninsula. Criminals who have been gambled with a bounty by the state and have nowhere to go. Some of them have crossed the raging sea, others have passed through the forest, which is said to be an evil land, and finally arrived at a paradise. Or perhaps, in a sense, it is a hell on earth.
　Indeed, it is a place where no existing power can reach. It's a city that is immune to the tyranny of the aristocracy and the tyranny of the state. That's all one might call it, and one might call it a paradise. But if you ask them what rules the town, they'll call it hell.
　The only thing that rules it is power. Strength was the only thing that ruled the town, and that was the law of the town.
　Gender and age are not taken into account at all there.
　This was such a town.
　In a small bay surrounded by steep cliffs, the town was located. It was as if it was afraid of being seen by the public....