Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 157

Yan tilted his head in confusion. “What do you mean by that…?”

“Are you not a spy sent to dismantle this pirate fleet and the revolutionary forces?” Ivan asked sharply, his gaze piercing.

Yan’s eyes darkened. “Why would you think that?”

“Because you stand out. Had there been a clear hierarchy between you and them, I wouldn’t have suspected. But that’s not the case, is it? It’s only natural to have doubts.”

Yan shrugged nonchalantly. “There is a reason.”

“…?”

“I was sent here because of the political strife within the revolutionary forces.”

“I think you owe me an explanation.”

Yan recounted the events, omitting, of course, any mention of loyalty to the revolutionary forces.

After hearing the rough explanation, Ivan nodded heavily. “Political faction issues… Indeed, such problems are inevitable in large organizations.”

“So, the pirate fleet has these issues too?”

“Us? We don’t have such things.”

“Really?”

Yan’s eyes widened in surprise.

As Ivan said, political factions are an inevitable problem as an organization grows. Even the Caballan Empire, with its strong imperial authority, has its fair share of noble and institutional factional strife.

Even within one of those institutions, the Special Task Force, there was infighting between the Task Force Leader and the Chief Instructor, Damian.

The same goes for the revolutionary forces.

But to think that the pirate fleet, larger than the Special Task Force and comparable to the revolutionary forces, would be free of such strife?

Yan recalled that even before his regression, there were no records of factional disputes within the pirate fleet.

Noticing Yan’s puzzlement, Ivan chuckled mischievously and made a vague comment.

“Our pirate fleet is utterly devoted to our ‘sister’… No, I mean our captain.”

There was only one person Ivan would refer to as captain—the Pirate Empress.

Yan nodded heavily, as if he understood. ‘With the power of the Pirate Empress, she could indeed suppress any opposition with force.’

Ivan, sensing Yan’s inner thoughts, grinned slyly. “You may think you understand, but you’ll see what I mean soon enough.”

Then, with a sudden seriousness, Ivan asked, “So, for now… Can I trust you?”

“Yes. There will be no harm to the pirate fleet from me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, at least from me.”

“…From you?”

Ivan frowned at Yan’s ambiguous words.

Yan shrugged again. “I can’t speak for the thoughts of the other candidates.”

“Oh, is that what you meant?”

Ivan laughed heartily.

However, Yan was certain that among the candidates, there would be someone who would act out of line.

Beneath the Pirate Empress were ten captains, and Ivan himself was a superhuman.

The other captains were likely to be superhumans as well, and the number of their pirate ships and crew was not to be underestimated.

Their power was comparable to that of any noble house in the empire.

Moreover, their main stage was the sea—a challenging terrain for ordinary knights.

Could the Pirate Empress fall into a trap set by the Sun Duke and die?

‘Impossible.’

There must be a conspiracy lurking.

* * *

Cruel’s face twisted into a scowl as he spotted Yan approaching from a distance.

“…Hey, aren’t you moving the cargo?”

“The captain said I didn’t have to.”

“Damn it! If you brought them, at least you should handle such…”

Cruel paused mid-sentence, glancing around cautiously.

Once sure they were alone, he whispered sharply.

“Shouldn’t you be preventing such tasks? Did I come here to carry luggage?”

Yan let out a hollow laugh in response.

“This isn’t an assassination, it’s a stealth mission. If they say peel, we peel.”

“…Sigh.”

Cruel heaved a sigh deep enough to sink the ground and looked around again.

The cargo loading was nearly complete.

Suddenly, his lips curled into a smirk as he pointed at two figures silently moving the cargo.

It was Karam and Darkin.

“See how their mouths are shut tight? They were provoking just a while ago, but after a taste of the blade, they’ve clammed up.”

Yan snickered.

Their deflated demeanor was likely due to him. Unlike them, who had faced death from a single strike, he had effortlessly severed the arm of the ship’s captain.

A broken nose was bound to shatter pride.

‘Considering that… Could those two be the traitors?’

Yan’s gaze shifted towards Mel and Don.

‘Then it’s likely those guys.’

But he refrained from jumping to conclusions.

They hadn’t done anything definitive to be labeled as traitors.

Yan smiled, feeling the prickling stares of Henry and Loen.

‘How shall I make use of those elf fellows?’

* * *

As the cargo boarding concluded, the pirate ship cleaved through the waves, setting course for the isles of the Caribbean.

Karam and Darkin, bandaged across their chests, seemed to have received treatment.

Upon Ivan’s emergence on deck, he sprang up and headed towards him.

“Huh?”

Karam squinted at Ivan’s puzzled look and then bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.

“Thanks for earlier! I owe you my life, and I’ll definitely repay the favor next time!”

Ivan chuckled in response.

“Do you even have the skills to help me?”

It was a question laced with mockery, but Karam, unlike before, didn’t bristle.

“I’ll find a way to help, no matter what!”

Ivan’s eyes showed genuine admiration.

It didn’t seem like empty words, judging by Karam’s gaze and tone.

“In our kingdom, it’s customary to repay kindness twofold and vengeance a hundredfold. Since I owe you my life, it’s only right to risk it in your aid.”

Ivan burst into a hearty laugh.

“Well, I like that culture. If there’s a chance to help, I’ll ask for it.”

He accepted Karam’s conviction without mockery.

And shortly after.

“Captain! We’ve arrived at the Caribbean isles!”

The pirate ship had reached its destination.

* * *

The Caribbean isle, a bastion for a formidable pirate fleet, thrives despite its barren soil unfit for crops or farming.

“Such an abundance of shops?” “And there’s a tavern over there.”

Businesses of all sorts were bustling about, from taverns and eateries to blacksmiths forging weapons and armor, and shops peddling magical wares.

It was a sight comparable to a well-established minor fiefdom.

And at the heart of the island stood a grand fortress.

Ivan revealed with a sly grin, “That’s where our captain resides.”

The candidates marveled at the island’s well-ordered appearance, an impressive feat for a stronghold amidst the sea.

Ivan commanded his crew to tend to the ship and rest, then bellowed to the newcomers, “Those from the revolutionary forces, follow me!”

Eager eyes followed Ivan as the candidates made their way toward the fortress.

Yan absorbed the landscape, stacking the island’s geography in his mind like a mental map.

The more he observed, the more he sensed the Pirate Empress’s savvy.

‘Impressive. Such a stronghold would be hard to find even within the empire.’

The terrain was formidable enough to repel any large-scale imperial assault.

The fortress was flanked by a bustling market and homes of the islanders, while the rear faced a steep cliff leading directly to the sea.

Surrounded on three sides by water, it meant only the front needed guarding.

And with such a narrow front, the number of naval forces that could land was limited.

‘…A natural fortress.’

That was the simplest way to describe the island.

After a considerable trek, Ivan halted before the fortress.

Yan turned to face the robust structure before them.

A stone wall stood guard at the entrance, blocking it thoroughly.

The gatekeepers, spotting Ivan, snapped to attention and announced, “Ivan Kruger, the battalion commander, enters the fortress!”

With a rumble, the wall slowly ascended upon the gatekeepers’ call.

Ivan chuckled and offered words of encouragement, “Take it easy, everyone.”

“Not at all!” they replied, their voices taut with discipline, as they resumed their vigilant stance.

Yan was impressed by the strict order, even among mere gatekeepers, a testament to the pirate fleet’s reputation.

“Just seeing the gatekeepers so disciplined gives a sense of the fleet’s renown,” he remarked.

Ivan laughed, “Flattery will get you nowhere with me. Save it for the captain.”

Ivan, Yan, and the candidates passed through the entrance into the fortress.

Inside, the labyrinthine corridors resembled an ant colony, easy to get lost in.

But Ivan, familiar with the layout, led the group without hesitation.

Finally, they reached their destination, facing a massive gate that left them in awe.

“…Is this gate larger than an average tree?”

“The queen’s palace seems smaller compared to this.”

The gate was indeed colossal, dwarfing even the grandest trees, as Henry had noted.

Ivan, amused by their reactions, composed himself and knocked on the gate.

“Uh… Captain, a messenger from the revolutionary forces has arrived.”

No sooner had he finished speaking.

Creeeak.

The gate began to open on its own.

Ivan stepped back, signaling the candidates to enter.

Yan was the first to step inside.

The interior was as vast as the grand hall of the imperial palace.

Dark floors, black walls, and flags and banners that likely bore the pirate insignia adorned the walls.

Yan tensed, sensing an extraordinary force emanating from the depths.

“Welcome, everyone!”

A husky voice of a middle-aged woman echoed through the space.

The candidates, scanning their surroundings, turned toward the source of the voice.

Thud, thud.

The woman who had spoken approached them.

Her jet-black hair had a slight curl, and her tanned skin glowed against the contrast of her white blouse and black trousers.

Despite her small stature for a leader of fierce pirates, she approached the candidates with a breezy smile and hands clasped behind her back.

“I am Mei Valentine, the ruler of this Caribbean isle!”

The Pirate Empress, Mei Valentine, scanned the candidates with her crinkled eyes.

As her gaze met each of them, they stiffened as if mice caught by a snake.

“Shall we hear what news you bring from the revolutionary forces?”

Her grin shifted the atmosphere entirely.

It was as if they stood before the vast open sea, an overwhelming presence despite her small frame.

The candidates involuntarily swallowed, facing the Empress whose reputation rivaled that of a duke.