Translator: Cinder Translations
...
On the western ocean of the Aldor Kingdom, a merchant ship was slowly approaching the kingdom's largest port—West Harbor.
The ship was a large paddle sailboat, with a huge hull and twenty long wooden oars extending from each side, moving up and down in unison with the beat of the drums.
On the deck, many people were vigilantly observing the surrounding sea. From their expressions, they seemed more like warriors than merchant crew members.
At the stern, on a high sterncastle, two people were holding onto the railing, each holding a mug of beer, gazing out at the land appearing on the horizon.
TL Note: Sterncastle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aftercastle
"The weather is really nice today, Captain Edward," said a young man with black hair and an earring, smiling at the tall middle-aged man beside him.
"Indeed, it's a good day for gathering information," Captain Edward replied, raising his mug and taking a sip. He was a sturdy man with a lean face, a mustache extending like a sword on his upper lip, dark skin, and a certain indescribable sense of weariness on his face. However, his eyes were sharp and unforgettable, filled with an intense, penetrating gaze.
Little did anyone know that the once-mighty pirate who ruled the northwest seas of Aldor and mysteriously disappeared—Captain Edward Walker—was about to make his reappearance. But now, he had an additional identity—as a member of the Mage Organization, the Arcane Order.
He had been sent by the organization to harass the western coast of the kingdom, but old habits from his pirate days made him diligent in gathering information first.
The young man, named Nathan, raised his mug in response and said, "Returning to Aldor's waters again, Captain, this must feel like coming home, doesn't it? Are you feeling particularly nostalgic?"
Captain Edward shrugged, "You're disappointed. I used to wander around the northwest bay with my crew. I've only been to the central seas of the kingdom a few times, so there isn't much to be nostalgic about. Besides, the royal navy, while not as formidable as the nations of the Horn Bay, isn't to be underestimated. They aren't as easy to deal with as the lords of the northwest. Oh, by the way… Nathan, speaking of the northwest bay, didn't you go there recently? What was it about? If it's convenient to disclose…"
The young man Nathan, though young, was a highly valued member of the organization. His notable achievement was burning down the Aldor Kingdom's granaries right under Princess Catherine's nose, during a time when the kingdom's army had just reclaimed the Crystal Glare and the city was under martial law.
Nathan thought for a moment and tilted his head, saying, "There's nothing I can't reveal to you. Do you know Maltz Kent?"
Captain Edward smiled, "Earl Kent? He's quite a troublesome character—ambitious, cunning, and ruthless, just like his ancestors. How did he provoke us?"
"Heh, not only did he not provoke us, but he also wanted to ally with the Arcane Order. It was Master Bennett who made contact with him, planning to use him as our external force."
"He's no easy prey."
"Precisely. That's why he could be useful to us. Isn't Giles the same?"
"That's true. So you went there for that? Was it successful?"
Nathan shrugged and pouted, "It fell through."
Captain Edward was a bit surprised. Given the power of the Arcane Order, there should be few things they couldn't handle, especially since Kent had shown interest in joining.
Seeing the pirate captain's expression, Nathan explained, "Originally, according to Master Bennett's plan, he was supposed to become the Duke of the Northwest and then clear out any dissenters, setting him up as a second Tyrant Duke. However, something went wrong."
"What went wrong?"
"Master Bennett left midway for some reason. Maltz Kent, not waiting for his return, acted on his own and ended up becoming the target of everyone's ire. He really was a fool who didn't understand his own reputation in the Northwest Bay."
"And then?"
"Then the lords of the Northwest Bay, who had old grievances with him, united against him in war. Hmph, his own troops were useless, and before he even settled into the duke's position, he was attacked at his doorstep. After that, he ended up in a coffin."
At this point, Nathan's mouth curled into a grin as he slowly said, "I was the one who did it."
Captain Edward asked with confusion, "Why? Was it to prevent the organization's information from leaking?"
"That was part of it. Such waste should be eliminated. But there was also another reason—this guy dared to threaten us for aid. Hmph, a dog that can't be trained barking at its master deserves to be cooked."
Captain Edward continued, "What about Master Bennett?"
Nathan shook his head, "Who knows? He's always unpredictable."
Captain Edward expressed some concern, "Could something have happened to him?"
"Haha." Nathan sneered, "You may not know him well. As a member of the Ten-man Team, Master Bennett's power is profound. He alone can handle a small-scale army and can retreat unscathed even in the face of a large force. Secular lords' power is nothing to him. Maltz Kent, who was second only to the duke in the Northwest Bay, was similarly controlled by Master Bennett. We needn't worry too much."
Captain Edward nodded and took another sip of his drink.
Nathan looked up at Captain Edward's eyes and said, "By the way, how did you join the Arcane Order?"
Captain Edward's face showed a nostalgic expression. After a few seconds of silence, he said, "Ten years ago, I obtained an ancient scroll from a merchant ship. By chance, I came into contact with the power of the arcane arts, something that only existed in legends became real before my eyes. Since then, I became obsessed with this realm, or rather… possessed."
"It was a blessing from the heavens. After that, my body awakened potential for spellcasting. I devoted myself to collecting all things related to magic, even though to ordinary people it was a taboo. But the circle was so closed that many treated magic as a mere fantasy."
"Efforts ultimately paid off. I came into contact with the Arcane Order, and the door to the magical world finally opened to me. Moreover, the Arcane Order is backed by… backed by that revered lord. After contributing my efforts with sincere devotion, the organization finally accepted me."
Captain Edward turned to lean on the railing, looking up at the clear sky, "At that moment… how should I put it? For someone who has been an orphan since childhood, it felt like finally returning to a true home."
Nathan pondered for a moment and said, "Yes, once we awaken our abilities as mages, we essentially separate from the mundane. Even if we don't have this awareness at first, day by day, you slowly realize you are different, or rather… rejected by the secular world. Captain, you are wise, having sought your kind from the start. Only fellow mages can truly understand and accept each other."
He changed the topic, "However, among our kind, there are also fools who naively believe they can blend in with ordinary people. They don't realize the cost of their lives once their identity is exposed."
Nathan's eyes flashed with a cold light, "What we need to do is shatter their naivety and make them see the harsh reality of the world."
(End of the Chapter)
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