Pirate Kingship

Just moments before the Barbary Pirates held their nation-founding meeting.

In the Hightins Royal Colony, just outside Jamestown, on the outskirts of the Blue Mountain range, lay the private lands of the Newman Family estate. The main peak of this mountain range soared to 2,200 meters, blessed with plentiful rainfall, dense forests, and a cool climate. Moreover, it also produced the Blue Mountain coffee popular in Old Continent nations, bringing significant income to the Newman Family each year—a veritable treasure trove.

But for the past two months, this mountain range had been undergoing a major transformation, as many spice trees were transplanted here from other areas.

"Your method of planting trees is incorrect!" Byron exclaimed. "The manual is written in such detail; how can you still make such elementary mistakes? Spice trees prefer acidic soil—red soil is best, followed by yellow soil, and sandy soil is the worst. You should choose gentle slopes or hills sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, at altitudes below one kilometer, for planting. Look at your orientation and soil quality—are they correct? Dig them up and replant immediately!"

"And you there," Byron continued, pointing, "is that how artificial fragrance induction is done? Did you buy your 'Famine Hunter' profession or something? Blockhead! Agarwood trees can only be artificially induced to produce fragrance after they reach maturity. The simplest method is to select mature trees over eight years old with a trunk diameter exceeding thirty centimeters. Then, wound or drill holes into the trunk about two meters above the ground, with the wounds being about three to four centimeters deep. This tree is still so small; how can it withstand such abuse? Carry a ruler with you at all times and follow the manual! Standards are standards, and no one is allowed to shirk their duties or cut corners!"

Seeing the myriad mistakes in the operations of the spice cultivation teams the Newman Family had assembled, Byron was so angry he nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Listen up, all of you," Byron declared. "Though you are either slaves or prisoners, the chances of regaining your freedom are slim.

"But if you perform well, you can also enjoy better treatment. You might even have the opportunity to be promoted to agricultural expert and enjoy privileges akin to those of nobility.

"But let me make this crystal clear beforehand.

"Anyone who messes with these precious spice trees is messing with the Newman Family, and they're messing with me, the 'Sea Hunter.'

"I can endure a personal loss here and there, but I absolutely will not tolerate anyone causing losses to the Newman Family."

Although the natural conditions here are excellent, there's neither the 'Golden Toilet' capable of ensuring soil fertility and transforming barren land into black earth, nor is there the third Crystal Skull that, once activated, would greatly accelerate plant growth with its 'Land of Plenty' ability. Using artificial cultivation methods, it will take at least three, five, or even eight years before we can harvest spices that meet the standards. This puts the cultivation techniques of these Famine Hunters to an even greater test. If the cultivation goes awry from the very beginning, what happens if, after three to five years, the spices produced don't meet the standards, leading to a massive reduction in yield? Won't I suffer a huge loss then? Frugality is the key to managing a household, and no one is going to cheat me out of a single penny! Rework it! All of you, rework everything!

The red-uniformed Lobster Soldiers supervising the prisoners' work, clearly oblivious to Byron's cunning thoughts, couldn't help but praise him incessantly:

"Mr. 'Sea Hunter' is truly devoted to the General."

"He anticipates the General's needs and worries about the General's concerns. He treats the Newman Family's affairs as his own, taking better care of the General's property than even his own. Such loyal subordinates are almost extinct on the high seas."

Another soldier beside him, who seemed to know more of the inside story, continued, "Perhaps our newly promoted Pirate General, Mr. Byron the 'Sea Hunter,' truly has a chance of becoming part of the Newman family. Or perhaps with Mr. Bill, another Pirate General with whom he is very close."

Nearly half a month had passed since the fall of the Aztec Empire, and Major Newman had kept his promise: "If I survive today, I will help you get high-ranking positions, reduce taxes, smuggle arms... I'll even marry my daughter to one of you!" He had helped Byron successfully secure the vacancy left by 'Hook's' death, restoring the complement of seven Pirate Generals.

Furthermore, the Kingdom had long lamented the lack of capable commanders in its Privateer Fleet. The Kingdom even promised that as soon as they advanced to the Third Order, they would be formally granted the rank of Commodore or even Brigadier General in the regular Navy.

More importantly, if one of them truly married the daughter of Governor Newman of the Royal Colony, their status would elevate significantly. With this affinal tie, they would be on par with 'the Conqueror' Cortes, brother-in-law of the Castilia Governor. Wouldn't they then be able to do as they pleased in the Hightins colonies? Relying on this marital tie, they could even ascend to the ranks of nobility in a few years.

However, the soldier beside him showed little envy upon hearing this, his expression turning peculiar: "Would the General be that kind-hearted? Wait a second, you're not talking about Miss Tilly, are you?"

"Erm, it seems the General only has one daughter..."

At the mention of that name, the soldiers immediately fell silent, as if to prevent themselves from accidentally breaching some extremely dangerous taboo.

「A little while later.」

Just as Byron was multitasking—simultaneously gathering intelligence among the Barbary Pirates and instructing the Famine Hunters on cultivation—Bill, who had accompanied him to the Newman estate to meet his prospective father-in-law (and perhaps drag the man into treacherous waters), walked over with somewhat stiff steps.

Bruh had obtained the 'Shaman Mask.' Aided by its 'Concealment Barrier,' he had long made it difficult for others to discern his true nature. He had no fear of his cover being blown, even in close contact with anyone from the Middle Sequence. Moreover, for Bruh, an Oath Knight, as long as he upheld his vows—protecting his lord and honor—he could advance rapidly. Considering Byron's penchant for diving headfirst into all sorts of turmoil, Bruh's strength was improving at an astonishing pace. Bruh was only a year older than Byron, yet he was a true genius who had awakened his powers independently at sixteen. Having already accumulated several years of experience at the First Rank, his promotion to the Second Order could occur at any moment.

Accompanying Bill were the ever-smiling Major Newman and another individual, surrounded by a bevy of maids.

Byron steeled himself and went to greet them.

"General, Miss Tilly, good day!"

Newman remained taciturn. The noble young lady, dressed in richly hued garments and adorned with gleaming gold bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, looked exceedingly prosperous. Perhaps just a trifle too prosperous, as even her not-so-delicate bracelets seemed to cut deeply into her flesh.

Her most notable feature was her size: large, very large, large everywhere!

Even if we brothers were, ahem, exceptionally endowed, our... 'specifications' just didn't align. She was practically... an amplified version of Fat Dragon. No, Fat Dragon was more svelte; at least he didn't pant for breath when walking on his own.

The young lady held a jade-green feathered fan, giggling at them from behind it, though the fan could scarcely cover her mouth. Her eyes, a mixture of coyness and ardent fervor, unabashedly fell upon the two men, their gaze crawling over their bodies like caterpillars.

The brothers maintained broad smiles, but inwardly, they both couldn't help but curse Newman:

Despicable! How could you repay kindness with such malice!

Major Newman, oblivious, sought their opinion with a smiling face, "What do you think? My daughter Tilly is quite taken with both of you. You two decide who will marry her."

For two young men, this 'fine lady's'... er, 'allure' might have been somewhat difficult to stomach. But in the eyes of an established nobleman, this was hardly an issue. Weren't political marriages always like this? The nobility of the Old Continent had always lived extravagantly. Take 'the Conqueror' Cortes, for instance; while he had only one wife, he entertained many, many lovers. It was common for husband and wife to pursue their own affairs. Even in the Irisflower Kingdom, noble tradition held that if a man encountered his wife with her lover, he was to politely close the door—such was considered true gentlemanly conduct. Some even took pride if their wives consorted with higher-ranking dignitaries.

The most difficult moment had finally arrived.

Upon hearing Newman's words, the brothers instantly relied on the unspoken understanding forged from a childhood spent growing up together, engaging in an intense ocular battle:

Bruh: Women are like clothes, brothers are like limbs. How could I damage our brotherly bond over a woman? You go first.

Byron: These clothes are too large; they really don't fit. Better to use them as a facecloth for my dear 'limb.'

Bruh: I'm not wiping. You wipe.

Byron: I'm not wiping either. You wipe!

Bruh: You wipe!

Byron: You wipe!

.....

Abruptly, Byron summoned a gust of wind from behind, which struck his good brother squarely on the back.

Don't blame your brother for being unscrupulous. This young lady is simply too terrifying. Rest in peace, my brother.

Bruh immediately lost his balance and stumbled forward a large step, nearly colliding with Miss Tilly's ample bosom, causing her to blush instantly with coyness. As if startled by his 'forwardness,' she quickly darted behind the General.

Just as Bruh, filled with sorrow and indignation, was once again taking the fall for his lord and shouldering the entire burden, a sudden flash of Divine Light sparked in his eyes.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG...

Amidst the melodious chiming of bells, he anchored the second level of the 'Silver Law,' officially stepping into the Second Order as an Oath Knight!