They Didn't Often Prey on Fellow Crooks

"I said I'd trade my Nautiloid Ship for this Crystal Frigate and those prisoners," Anse said unhurriedly.

"Deal!" Ronan blurted out, afraid Anse would change his mind.

Anse raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "The Antilan Empire's Crystal Warships must be pretty rare, right? Are you afraid they'll hunt you down?"

"Crystal Warships are very rare, and if you acquire one illicitly, they will indeed hunt you down. But that's not the main issue." Ronan shook his head slightly. "The main issue is that anyone who isn't a Solar Mage will have a hard time operating a Crystal Warship.

"An ordinary Rudder Master can barely get one moving, but they can't properly operate its weapons and defensive systems. Recharging it is difficult, too."

Anse understood.

Crystal Warships were highly customized starships. Even if outsiders seized one, they would struggle to get the most out of it.

And the Antilan nobles monopolized the Solar Mage legacy, leaving outsiders no chance to get their hands on it.

"Can a Crystal Warship operate in a dead magic zone?" Anse pressed.

"No. The farther it gets from a star, the weaker it becomes, and the more it depends on its Solar Mage." Ronan shrugged. "Otherwise, I'd already be dead." "Tell me more. How did you capture this warship?"

"Well, it was... a chance encounter in space. They latched onto my starship and wouldn't let go. They chased us for two or three days before I found an opportunity to board their ship and take that Solar Mage hostage..."

In truth, Ronan didn't know whether it had been a chance encounter either. The Solar Mage refused to say anything, and he didn't want a Solar Mage's blood on his hands, so his only choice was to sell both the people and the starship.

"Come on,