Pirate Kingship

"The origins of that bizarre creature are not important; the key lies in the fact that once the Tenor People on the island die out in large numbers from the disease,

"that will be our chance to establish our own kingdom! Just think about it—all of that unclaimed, vast land. There's probably no better place in the world to found a nation than Yucatan Island."

Upon hearing a topic that interested him, Byron took over Fat Dragon's body and casually found a nearby chair to sit down. He surreptitiously scanned the council hall. A giant nautical chart had already been placed right at its center. Around a wooden podium, two to three hundred pirate captains had already taken their seats. Though mainly consisting of Barbary Pirates with exotic attire, there were also Bay Citizens Pirates and some from various nations within the Bantaan Archipelago. Every one of them was a Transcendent.

Fat Dragon, who stood out among Second Order Transcendents with strength enough to challenge non-combat-oriented Third Order adversaries (relying on a staple diet of geoduck clams), only held an upper-middle-tier status here. Near the podium alone, over a dozen Third Order Great Pirates were seated. This indicated the true depth of a Fifth Order Pirate King's power.

It was known that the strongest Adventurers and Great Pirates of the Bantaan Archipelago had all headed further south, contending for the rights to discover new routes and the New Continent. That represented not just honor, but tangible Extraordinary Power. It was said that the Fifth Order Pirate King, holder of the 'Ocean Throne,' was no exception and had naturally taken a large contingent of elites with him. No wonder they had the audacity to plunder the Church, the Royal Family, and even the maritime Overlord simultaneously.

The heated discussion nearby continued unabated. The pirate captain who had first spoken brandished a gem-studded scimitar, his voice ringing with fervent passion as he declared, "As long as we establish a kingdom on Yucatan Island, we can replace the Tenor People and take direct control of the sources for spices and various native specialties. In the future, all merchants will have to defer to us!"

"Precisely! With this, we Barbary Pirates will complete the crucial step from plundering to taxation. As founding elders, everyone here will become new nobility in the Pirate Kingdom!"

Cast off the pirate attire, wash the blood from their hands, count the gold and silver earned from murder and slave trafficking, then acquire manors and noble titles, don aristocratic finery, and henceforth call themselves gentlemen and civilized men. Such stories had played out time and again in the Old Continent, inspiring generations of pirates to follow suit.

However, some more rational pirates in the crowd voiced concerns. "The key issue is our other identity as the Navy of the Star Moon Empire. We need the Empire's approval for this. With the Pirate King absent, if we aren't acknowledged, founding a nation would be no different from establishing just another large pirate city."

At that moment, the hubbub in the hall abruptly ceased. As footsteps approached from a side door behind the podium, an invisible pressure suddenly bore down heavily on everyone's heart.

A master!

Byron clearly felt the body he occupied experience an accelerated heartbeat and difficulty breathing. When a tall figure with blue hair and a blue beard appeared on the stage, the powerful oppressive feeling reached its peak. It wasn't until he walked to the center of the podium and casually waved his hand at the crowd below that the pressure vanished instantly, without a trace.

"Vice King, good day!"

Immediately, all the pirate captains, including the Third Order Great Pirates, rose to their feet and respectfully greeted him. The newcomer was none other than the Vice King 'Blue Hair' Barbarossa Halding, whose status within the Barbary Pirates was second only to the Pirate King 'Ocean Throne' Barbarossa Haladin!

He appeared to be only in his late thirties. His small eyes twinkled sharply, and a thick blue mustache curled upwards above his lips. He was dressed in magnificent silks, a scimitar with a gold sheath hung at his waist, and he wore curled-toe boots. A single glance revealed him as an extraordinary individual, long accustomed to wielding great authority.

Byron also bowed respectfully, but alarms blared in his mind. Fourth Order! This oppressive aura could not possibly belong to a Third Order Transcendent. When facing this twin brother, who looked identical to the Pirate King, he felt almost the same pressure as when standing before the [King's Title]. His heart sank; the man's strength seemed far greater than he had imagined. Even if my true self were here, due to the Class disparity, the Sailing Logbook would not be able to retrieve information about him. Finding clues to 'Whale Hunter' Jack Harold's disappearance from the Pirate King's brothers will not be easy.

'Blue Hair' Halding wasted no words. He took a letter from his breast pocket and proclaimed loudly to the pirate captains under his command, "His Majesty Bayezid of the Star Moon Empire has authorized us. He has promised that we can establish an independent nation in the Bantaan Archipelago, recognized our status, and will provide us with full support in diplomacy, funding, and equipment. My captains, rejoice!"

This statement was like the starter's pistol for the war of nation-building. The words had barely fallen when the hundreds of pirate captains below erupted in a thunderous roar of excitement.

**ROAR—!**

"We've finally waited for this day!"

"My elder brother, the Pirate King of the 'Ocean Throne,' is currently forging new routes in the south. We will establish our nation on the southern part of Yucatan Island, conveniently constructing a solid rear base to provide them support. Once coordinated with Black Sails Harbor—one to the east, one to the west—we will be able to control the main shipping lanes of the entire Bantaan Archipelago, turning the Sapphire Sea completely into our inland sea!"

Halding showed no intention of consulting anyone, nor was there any sign of democratic voting among the pirates—only a cold, unilateral announcement. After making this decision, his gaze naturally fell upon the giant nautical chart. An otherwise inconspicuous location suddenly became particularly eye-catching under this new strategy.

"Where is this?"

The pirates under his command certainly knew 'Blue Hair' wasn't asking for the island's name but for the specific situation of this archipelago. Someone immediately replied with reverence, "Vice-King, this is the Tayman Archipelago, belonging to the Kingdom of Hightins. It's said to have been designated as Countess Grenville's territory just last year. A Privateer Fleet, the Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company, is stationed there, led by a Pirate General appointed by Hightins. However, there isn't even a single Third Order Transcendent there; their strength is negligible before us. Interestingly, one of the islands has been occupied by the Kingdom of Castilia as a forward base, and the Harkins People don't even dare to protest. Vice-King, your insight is as brilliant as ever! This location, as a midpoint connecting the east-west routes and another apex of the triangle—beyond Castilia's Havana Island and the Taya Empire—has greatly increased strategic value. Perhaps even the Kingdom of Hightins itself did not foresee this."

'Blue Hair' Halding waved his hand dismissively. "What is the relationship between Countess Grenville and Hightins? Never mind, it doesn't matter. Technically, our only opponent is the Kingdom of Castilia; all other forces are negligible. But my strategy is to act prudently. The Kingdom of Hightins is notorious for its scheming and plotting. Before war with Castilia begins, we will prioritize eliminating any unexpected factors that might try to take advantage of the situation. Start assembling the troops now. Before the main fleet sets sail, send out three Great Pirates as an advance force to... flatten this place for me!"

His tone was domineering, as casual as deciding what to eat for dinner. Yet, no one thought he was joking—not even Byron, the true 'injured party' in this. Byron's face was ashen, a bitter taste in his mouth, filled with countless curses he wanted to scream but couldn't.

How can this guy be so unpredictable?!