Regsal crouched on Thunder Island's pale beach, basking in the warm winter sunshine found only in the Southern Continental Waters as he stared blankly at the vast sea to the northwest.
Waves washed up onto the beach from time to time, sweeping over his bare feet without the slightest chill.
When the waves receded, they left patches of white foam on the sand, much like beer poured into a glass.
Regsal licked his lips, sorely missing the delicious beer and malt liquor back home, which he had already drunk down to the last bottle.
The Xinfei Merchant Guild's fleet had brought those drinks on its last visit to Thunder Island. They had been mixed in with the supplies the fleet had provided to the Thunderclap Pirate Group, and he had shamelessly claimed them all for himself.
But no matter how good the drink, it would eventually run out.
There was no way to get more of those delicious drinks on Thunder Island. His only option was probably to go ashore and buy them in Nixi City.
However, according to the reports that had reached him, the Rulson Kingdom had long since put the Thunderclap Pirate Group on its wanted list. His portrait, as the group's leader, had already been circulated. If he dared go ashore, he would probably be arrested immediately and thrown into prison, or even beheaded on the spot.
So Regsal could only remain trapped on Thunder Island, staring out at the distant sea every day and eagerly awaiting the Xinfei Merchant Guild fleet's return.
Before leaving last time, the Xinfei fleet commander named Nevall had said that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would regularly lead the Xinfei Merchant Guild's transport fleet along this route. He had also said that the guild would very likely include Thunder Island