Some deranged woman who had lost her home and country, yet she spoke like some damn alliance leader. Captain Planck answered with a well-practiced customer-service smile and explained earnestly, "Your Majesty, we've been hiding in the Abyss Nebula for over half a year. The Revenge can cloak itself, but we still need to resupply and gather intelligence. Our movements have already drawn the attention of the Freeport."
The Eroin queen glanced at the pirate captain. For a moment, her eyes seemed to regain some of their lucidity. "Oh? The mighty World Serpent has no say in the Abyssal Capital?"
"It's a city founded by pirates, and everyone knows they'll go wherever the money is... Even the Alliance's and the Empire's gray hands have far more sway in this city than we do." A trace of awkwardness crept into Planck's smile. "Besides, the Serpent is in hibernation right now!"
Queen Tomitaili seemed to understand, and her smile grew more sardonic.
"I see what you mean. The World Serpent has influence in the Abyssal Capital, but because you're in hibernation, you can't reveal yourselves."
The captain answered with another smile. He couldn't very well tell her that he knew the Serpent Head responsible for the organization's Freeport and Abyss Nebula operations—and had even met him in person for drinks.
This is why I can't stand half-baked types like you! Planck sighed. Either go all the way and be a raving, delusional prophet, or be the wise and mighty Eroin queen again—the great khagan who had inflicted the greatest losses on the Empire and the nations of the galaxy in history. What was with switching back and forth?
At the start of this adventure, Captain Planck had felt some sympathy and respect for Queen Tomitaili. Now, however, he was gradually growing tired of