Seven years ago, on a small island in the West Blue.
The island was not particularly large. Although it lay within the sphere of influence of a major nation, it was tucked away in a remote corner and received no attention at all.
However, the island's residents did not care whether those above paid them any mind.
Fishing, selling their catch in the nearby town, then spending the money drinking heavily at the village's little tavern—this was the daily life of the villagers. When they had nothing to do, neighbors gathered to chat about news from the papers or discuss which family's daughter was the prettiest.
Everything beyond the island had nothing to do with them. Pirate routes would never come to this peaceful village—or rather, they would never be able to find it, because the village was simply too small.
There were only a dozen or so households in the village, with fewer than a hundred people in total.
As a result, there were very few children of the same age. In the entire village, there were only two children.
One of them was named Bertrand. He was fourteen years old and was already the youngest child in the village.
His parents worked in a town outside the village and only returned after long intervals. Usually, he lived with his grandmother. The days when his parents came home were always his happiest, because they brought him lots of fun toys every time.
Life in the village was dull and monotonous. After all, he was still too young to be like the adults, who went to drink at the village's only tavern after finishing work each day. Fortunately, he had a very good playmate.
A playmate who was gentle, loyal, and always smiling.
His playmate was named Brice. He was