Pirate Hero

On October 11, the sky was clear, and the sea breeze carried the scent of wine as it swept through the clean harbor.

Arthur set foot on Rhine Island's pier for the first time, carrying nothing but the gold coins for the auction.

He had already received word that the Old Wood Ship Auction on Rhine Island would be held on Sunday, October 15.

Coming up with 9,860 gold coins in four days was asking too much of him. All he could do was see how generous the Church of Light would be.

"Welcome, our hero! Captain Arthur!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

As confetti cannons burst, Governor Drew of Rhine Island personally greeted Arthur, with the well-trained Tudor Royal Navy following behind him.

Arthur's gaze swept over the pier. "The Empire's navy is truly magnificent. Governor Drew, you really are the Empire's lion of the sea."

"Compared to you, my achievements are insignificant."

"Lord Arthur is far too modest. The award ceremony is ready, and Father Roberto of the Church of Light will bestow the Light's blessing upon you."

"Oh! That is a great honor for me."

Governor Drew was the very image of a Tudor noble, with green eyes, a narrow, straight Anglo-Saxon nose, and a white powdered wig.

His gaze fell on Arthur's chest, where a gleaming Sun Medal was set with a rather ordinary ruby.

"Captain Arthur, are you on good terms with the Church of Light? The Sun Medal is a rare treasure even within the Church of Light."

"You're too kind, Governor. The faith of Light is widespread in Tudor, and I happened to perform a few insignificant deeds, so they gave me a small reward."

Governor Drew's eyes flickered. The Church of Light was the most powerful Orthodox Church in the Tudor Dynasty, and many people worshipped the Light.

It was common knowledge that relations between the Tudor nobility and the Church of Light had grown strained.

The group walked along the coast toward the Governor's Mansion. Arthur gazed at Rhine Port and praised the Empire's strength.

At the same time, he took in the fleet at Rhine Port.

About ten caravels were lined up, fitted with the latest cannons. Their black muzzles exuded a murderous aura.

His Great White Shark was a simple, modified caravel.

There were two carracks, each a size larger overall, and a quick glance revealed more than ten cannons apiece.

They could carry crews of forty to sixty, and their castle-like forecastles could effectively defend against boarding.

As a trade port of the Tudor Dynasty, Rhine Island's defenses were not to be underestimated.

"Captain Arthur, you seem quite interested in the carracks."

"No captain can resist the allure of a carrack, not even for rum or women.

"If there's anything that can rival a carrack, it's a bigger ship with more cannons!"

"Haha, the award ceremony is this way."

During their brief exchange, Arthur had shown a clear interest in ships—a common trait among pirate captains.

Two rows of sailors stood beside the beach, holding flintlock rifles. A red carpet ran between them to a wooden platform by the waves.

"Come along, Captain Arthur."

Arthur stood on the platform and gazed at the nearby Governor's Mansion.

Holding the written decree, Governor Drew recited in a loud voice, "Arthur, captain of the Great White Shark, has rendered meritorious service in driving out the Black Devil Order.

"Accordingly, he is granted the title of Honorary Baron of the Tudor Dynasty and a ten percent tax exemption.

"Captain Arthur is also hereby granted a Letter of Marque. He may plunder any merchant ship and pay twenty percent of the proceeds to the crown. All proceeds he receives shall be protected under Tudor law."

After Governor Drew finished reading the decree, a sailor beside him presented a wooden tray bearing a gold medal and a Letter of Marque.

A line of small text was engraved on the medal: Honorary Baron of the Tudor Dynasty.

Arthur calculated how many gold coins he could sell the two items for.

A Letter of Marque meant protection under Tudor law. Many pirates and merchant ships involved in smuggling needed one.

The ten percent tax reduction that came with the title, together with the Letter of Marque, was worth a great deal.

He was sure plenty of merchants would pay a high price for these two things.

"All right, Lord Arthur. There's a banquet waiting for you, and I've invited quite a few prominent social figures."

Governor Drew was very warm toward him. Befriending a rising pirate captain could bring considerable benefits.

In the future, they could trade secretly in the New Continent's finest goods without leaving a trace of wrongdoing.

When he arrived at the banquet hall, Arthur spotted a familiar face: Hisoka, the Royal Apprentice Painter.

A tall priest wearing a Sun Medal approached Arthur with a grim expression.

"Lord Arthur, this is Father Roberto of the Rhine Church of Light!"

Father Roberto looked displeased. He stiffly offered Arthur his blessing, then picked up a heavy bag of gold coins.

Arthur's face lit up with joy. He hadn't expected Deacon Wallace to act so quickly. The church's reward had arrived in no time.

At the sight of Arthur's smile, Father Roberto looked as miserable as if he'd eaten a moldy pastry.

Slave to money!

Wretched pirate!

Arthur held the money bag in both hands. Its satisfying weight lifted his spirits.

Father Roberto maintained a polite demeanor. "Governor Drew, I don't feel well."

"I'm sorry, but I can't attend Lord Arthur's award banquet."

Governor Drew courteously sent a young sailor to escort Father Roberto back to the church.

His gaze lingered on the money bag for a moment, then he looked at Arthur meaningfully.

"It seems you and the Church of Light are on very good terms, Lord Arthur."

Arthur weighed the bag in his hand. The bright clink of coins echoed through the banquet hall.

He replied in a relaxed tone, "Perhaps our relationship won't be so harmonious in the future."

A greedy pirate. That was how Governor Drew defined Arthur.

Governor Drew could more or less guess what was going on between Arthur and the Church of Light. It was probably the recently flourishing Shadow Temple.

By choosing gold coins, Arthur had forfeited his chance to join the Church of Light and help repel the heretics. Such opportunities were rare.

It also meant Governor Drew had a good chance of working closely with Captain Arthur.

At the banquet that followed, Arthur got a taste of what the so-called prominent social figures were like.

They were a bunch of artists skilled in dancing, music, and painting. They hadn't even had two drinks before a female painter threw herself into his arms.

She murmured that nobody appreciated her masterpiece and that someone needed to put it up for auction to make her famous. Her eyes were practically overflowing with longing.

Holding his wineglass, Arthur emerged from the crowd of women with a long sigh and joined Governor Drew.

Governor Drew smiled. "Don't you like them, Lord Arthur?"

His eyes glimmered with confusion. What pirate would turn down easy prey? Was Arthur even a pirate?

Arthur chuckled, weighed the bag of coins stamped with the sun emblem, and took a small sip of wine.

"Governor Drew, compared with this, everything else is insignificant."

"Would there be an opportunity for me to discuss a deal with you, Governor?"

Governor Drew raised his wineglass and gently tapped its base against the rim of Arthur's.

"Of course."