On Bagran Island, glasses clinked amid a lively feast.
The clinking of cups, laughter, singing, and the thumps of people slapping one another mingled into a chaotic din.
Yet no one seemed to have noticed that a strange fellow had slipped into the ranks of their two pirate crews.
"What are you troubled about?"
The Fourteenth Daughter's brother asked in puzzlement. His eyes were bleary with drink, and he had yet to recognize the man before him as the very person their two pirate crews had joined forces to fight.
"Th-that man is...?!"
Standing not far away, however, the Fourteenth Daughter widened her eyes, staring straight at the handsome man who held up his cup with a broad smile.
He looked familiar, but she could hardly believe it.
Impossible! How could that man simply appear right in their midst? This was too absurd!
But soon, the Fourteenth Daughter opened her mouth wide and let out a piercing shriek, pointing ahead with her right index finger.
The man had noticed her. He turned his head, raised an index finger to his lips, and softly shushed her, signaling for her to stay quiet as he shook his head.
"R-River!!"
The Fourteenth Daughter's shrill voice tore through the noisy festivities on Bagran Island, bringing many people abruptly to silence.
Then everyone turned to look at the Fourteenth Daughter, before quickly following the direction of her pointing finger.
At that instant, the revelry froze, and the silence deepened until a falling pin could have been heard.
"R-River!!"
After roughly two seconds in which time itself seemed to stop, a roar rang out. The scene descended into chaos. Everyone stared wide-eyed at the smiling figure holding a cup in their midst, their pupils contracting in disbelief.
"Oh? Have I been recognized?"
"I told you to