Pirate Alliance

The street, a living hell the night before, looked as though nothing had happened. Not a trace remained.

If the smell of blood hadn't still lingered in the air, no one would have believed that bodies had lain in pieces here last night.

But this was a port city, and the inn stood near the harbor. The smell was hardly unusual, so passersby suspected nothing.

Only the stray dogs that usually came here looking for food were missing. What had happened to them?

Not a single one could be seen on the street today.

The sun had risen nearly overhead by the time Kuta got out of bed, yawning.

He hadn't been able to sleep last night, so he had gone to the top of the fountain at the island's center. He had spent the night watching the moon, feeling the wind, and drinking.

Only when dawn broke had he returned to the inn to rest.

He washed, dressed, and went out.

The moment he entered the sitting room, everyone looked his way. Kuta stopped, scratched his head, and laughed.

"Why are you all staring at me? We're staying here for seven days. Can't I sleep in?"

"Let's see what's for breakfast."

He walked to the table and leaned forward to inspect it. "Why is there so much food?"

"Of course there is."

Ahua adjusted his glasses and shot Kuta a look. "It's lunch, after all."

"Lunch?"

Kuta paused, then calmly drew back. He slapped Ahua on the shoulder, sat beside him, and picked up the cutlery laid out before him. Glancing around, he asked, "Why are you still looking at me? Eat!"

"Oh!"

Everyone glanced at Ahua, who was grimacing and sucking in sharp breaths, then quickly came to their senses. "Right, let's eat! Everyone dig in! Ha