On the Storm Ocean, off the coast of Castel Island.
A pirate ship flying black sails drew alongside a small sailboat, forcing it to lower its sails and slow down.
"Hey, you can't do this!" The first mate stepped to the rail and shouted up at the towering pirate ship opposite them.
"We're a Candlelight Society vessel. Look at the holy emblem! Besides, there's nothing aboard—we're transporting prisoners!"
A figure in a black tricorne appeared at the pirate ship's rail. Grasping a rope, he swung lightly a few times before stepping onto the gunwale and leaping onto the sailboat.
The first mate took several steps back when he saw the pistol at the man's waist.
We're from the Candlelight Society, the h-holy emblem, look...
Jeremiah glanced expressionlessly at the holy emblem, then fixed his eyes on the first mate and rested a hand on the guard of his curved blade.
"Sir... My lord! You must have something you wish to ask. I'll tell you everything. There may be no cargo in the hold, but there's plenty of fresh water, I..."
"Where's the captain?"
"I'm here, I'm here!"
A man nearby hurriedly forced a smile and cautiously edged forward.
"What did you deliver to Castel?"
"Prisoners—ah, no, a group of people who might have been Polluted, though it wasn't quite confirmed..."
"Was there any cargo? Timber, steel, for example."
The captain froze, then shook his head.
Jeremiah's face immediately darkened.
The month was almost up, yet there was still no sign of what that lord had promised.
He had wasted so much time here. Other than fighting with the runt from the Silent Temple, he had gained nothing at all.
Damn it, had he really been tricked?
"How have things been on the island lately?"
"Uh, that lord seems to be