In a tavern in the royal city.
"Wine! Bring me wine quickly! Just killed some useless peasants, now it's time to celebrate, drink lots of wine, and eat lots of meat!"
"That's right! Bartender! Hurry up with the wine, or do you want to eat a bullet? We are from the Great Hammer Pirate Crew."
"And meat! Bring us meat first! We've been eating that salted meat at sea every day, it makes people want to puke. There's no fresh fruit or vegetables. If it weren't for the money, I'd prefer to stay in this royal city forever."
The tavern was filled with smoke and noise.
Pirates were gathered in groups, talking excitedly about which village they had plundered, how many women they had gotten, and how much wealth they had taken.
The tavern owner was a bald, slightly overweight middle-aged man.
From his fine silk robe, it could be seen that he had lived a good life in the Prince's Royal City.
But now, the bald man was sweating profusely, bowing and smiling apologetically to the pirates while serving food and drink.
"Guests, please wait a moment, the kitchen is speeding up."
"Speeding up?" said the pirate sitting at the table as he drew a short flintlock pistol from his belt and slammed it on the table, causing the tavern owner to turn pale.
"I've waited three whole minutes, do you know how much wealth it would take to compensate for my precious time?"
The pirate's companions were also laughing, looking at the trembling tavern owner with mocking eyes.
"There are too many guests today, we're doing our best. For the meat, please wait a bit longer. Jimmy! Bring the wine quickly!"
The tavern owner apologized in a low voice.
But inside, he had already cursed every pirate in the tavern.
Although they had come in as customers to eat, most of them wouldn't pay the bill after eating.
If they were in a good mood, they might throw down some money.
If they were in a bad mood, not only would they not pay, but they would also insult and beat him.
Since the king had died, the peaceful life in Prince's Royal City had completely changed.
Pirates roamed the city, fighting, killing, and robbing citizens daily.
The tavern owner had thought about leaving the city with his savings, but the pirates had blocked the city gates.
The royal guards were nowhere to be seen, replaced by drunken pirates.
No one knew how the country had fallen into this state.
Moreover, with so many pirates brazenly appearing, the North Sea Navy hadn't come to arrest them, making the citizens live in constant fear.
"Jimmy?"
The tavern owner called loudly but didn't see his son bringing the wine, becoming puzzled.
At that moment, a short-haired young boy with a delicate face was being held by a scar-faced pirate at a nearby table.
The boy looked terrified, trying to break free from the pirate's grip.
"Let me go! Dad! Help!"
The boy named Jimmy screamed in fear.
"Jimmy!"
The tavern owner ran to the table in a panic, bowing repeatedly to the scar-faced pirate.
"Guest, please don't hurt my child. He's young and doesn't know any better. I apologize on his behalf."
"Apologize?"
The scar-faced pirate sneered, pointing to the spilled wine bottle on the table.
"This kid knocked over my wine, how will you apologize for that?"
"Lies! I didn't touch you, you're framing me!"
Jimmy shouted, his face turning red.
The tavern owner's face changed quickly, and he grabbed his son's arm.
"Jimmy! Stop talking!"
"Dad! I'm telling the truth!" The boy insisted.
The scar-faced pirate's face twisted in anger.
The other pirates in the tavern burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Pete, you're so weak, you can't even control a little boy, and you call yourself a North Sea demon, that's hilarious."
"Yeah, yeah, is that scar on your face from a fight, or did you fall and hurt yourself? I remember you said Jennifer slashed you with a knife. Seems like you love to brag."
The pirates mocked the scar-faced pirate.
In a corner of the tavern, a tall man with wavy blonde hair sat quietly, as if disconnected from the noisy world around him.
In front of him was a stack of tarot cards.
The blonde man shuffled the cards elegantly.
Then he dealt some cards, placing one on the table.
"So, the direction fate points to is..."
He flipped the card, revealing an emperor sitting on a throne.
It was the Emperor card.
In the tavern, Pete's face grew redder with anger from the mockery.
He wanted to shout back, but most of the pirates in the tavern worked for big-time pirates.
He didn't dare offend them easily.
He glared at the defiant boy and the smiling tavern owner.
"You little brat! How dare you lie? And you, stupid owner, get me another bottle of wine now!"
Pete kicked the tavern owner in the stomach, knocking him to the ground.
"Dad!"
Jimmy screamed, struggling to get free.
"Hahaha, I'll use your body as an apology for knocking over my wine!"
Pete laughed, grabbing Jimmy's arm and pulling him into his lap.
The tavern owner, in great pain, crawled to Pete, holding his leg and begging.
"Please, don't hurt my son. He's just a boy."
"Get lost!" Pete shouted, slapping the owner, causing him to bleed from his nose and mouth.
"I like boys!"
"Pete! Don't hit him too hard! If you kill him, we won't have anyone to serve us food! Hahaha!"
In the corner, the blonde man, Basil Hawkins, stood up quietly, putting the Emperor card in his pocket, and walked towards the tavern door.
"The thing I want is in the palace? I'll go and see."
He searched his pockets and frowned slightly.
"Forgot the money?"
Ahead, the tavern owner was still begging Pete to save his son.
But Pete wasn't listening, continuing to tear at the boy's clothes.
Hawkins reached behind the tavern owner and spoke softly:
"Owner, I forgot my money. I'm sorry, but I can do something for you. Is there anything you want me to do?"
The owner, in tears and completely distressed, sat on the ground crying bitterly.
"Please, save my son, someone, anyone, save my son."
"Save him, huh?"
Hawkins nodded lightly, drew his sword quickly, and struck Pete with a lethal blow.
"I've completed your request. Consider my meal paid."
Hawkins sheathed his sword and walked out.
Behind him, Pete's face froze in an expression of rage.
Blood lines appeared on his neck.
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