The port town of Brutos was the entrance of the Sapphire Kingdom.
A town burned by harsh sunlight, where the sea winds carried the suffocating sll of the tides.
Brutos was a lting pot of people from all over the world, where trade ships ca and went without pause.
But the port town was not populated only by rchants and sailors.
The local taverns and food stalls also sent their crew to hunt down potential custors.
I stood on the edge of the ship, looking down at the bustling crowds.
Sue, standing next to , was watching the waves of people running across the city, with sparkles in her eyes.
This places the sa as ever toonot one thing changed.
You have visited this city before, Master?
A few tis, when I was a kid, yeah. Now dont leave my side, Sue.
Yes, Master!!
I strictly told Sue to stick close to and went down to port.
As strong sunlight creates the darkest shadows, cities as bustling as this breed plenty of crooks.
A girl as naive as Sue would be kidnapped in seconds if I left her alone.
Hey, you two!!
Hm?
I planned to head straight into the town, but a man wearing half-plate armor stopped us. He had two more n in tow, wearing the sa kind of armor.
The man in the lad, skin burned by the sun, probably around 30 years old, gave the impression of a rcenary working as ship escort, but the emblem hanging from his chest revealed his position.
As it turns out, he was a guard, hired by the local lord.
This ship is yours, yes?
It is, is there a problem?
It looks just like a ship of a pirate crew on the wanted listdo you mind answering a few questions?
The guard glared at with suspicion.
(Ahcrap.)
The ship we ca to Sapphire with was forrly the property of the Snakebone pirates.
We removed their flag and other telling signs of a pirate ship, but such a surface-level camouflage wouldnt trick people with good eyes and mory.
Ten years ago the security level wasnt as high, so I had let my guard down.
One of the other pirates on the ship, to rescue from that predicant, jumped down and walked in between and the guard.
Oh, please, officer, lets not make a big deal out of this
The short pirate, a devious grin on his face, placed a small leather bag in the guards palm. A bribe, basically.
Hmm
The guard squeezed the leather bag one, two, three tis, checked its texturethen tossed it into the sea.
Aah!!
You might have gotten away with bribing until now, but now that I am captain of the guards, dont think its going to work anymore! No pirates or illegal drugs are getting into this town!!
The guard rebuked the pirate, then glared at even more sternly.
Youre coming to the guardroom. Weve got a lot to talk about!
Tch
I clicked my tongue and put my right hand over my face.
I could easily cut down the guard, but what would an not being allowed entry into the port anymore.
The problem was not myself being interrogated, but the other pirates would surely spill the beans with so prodding. It was only a matter of ti until they got caught.
(This is badshould I kill this guy, and co back later?)
In the worst-case scenario, wed give up on resupplying here and head straight towards the Garnet Kingdom.
Then, just as I was about to resort to that plan
Wow!! So many people!!
Look!! Those people are all black!!
Hahaha!! Seagulls!!
Bright, innocent voices echoed from the deck. It was the slave childrens first ti in such a large port town, and they couldnt suppress their excitent.
They had been playing and running around the ship as we sailed here, as to release all the stress piled up during their imprisonnt.
Look at those kidshah.
The guard looked at the children trying to flick beans at the seagulls and chuckled.
Apologies, I guess it was all my imagination. Youre free to port.
well now. Thank you for your service.
Yeah, make sure the kids dont get lost. Stay out of the back alleys, especially!
The guard briskly slapped my shoulder and left, followed by his companions.
We managed to get out of the pinch, apparently.
Geez, and we just got here
Indeed, trouble seems to follow you everywhere, Lord Dyngir.
Wyah!!
Soone called my na from behind, and Sue let out a curious yell of surprise.
I turned around, my face turned into a frown, and protested to the maid who suddenly appeared behind .
dont say stuff like that, Sakuya. This trouble was inevitable, wasnt it?
Soone who invites inevitable events without aning to do so is called a troublemaker, Lord Dyngir.
Really nowIll have to rember that.
Even under the sweltering sunlight, Sakuya, Fangs of Steel assassin, wore her maid outfit impeccably. As I replied to her pungent remarks, a wry smile ford on my lips.
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