After the cheers from the pirates slowly died out, Captain Israel planned on heading back to the cave and claimed it to be our little hideout where we would plan ahead and monitor what was about to happen. The sentires scattered around the islands, and Azure’s crews took the initiative to check the boat for parts they could salvage and fix, so by tomorrow, everything would be as smooth as butter. Some pirates also put together a make-shift bed and houses for us to live on. But since I was also a part of the strategic team, I would be stuck with Francoise and Azure, plotting ways how we could beat the shit out of the monsters.The situation had gotten out of hand. But since I had my overpowered system with me, we should be fine. And I should come up with a decent and less risky idea. On the other hand, Francoise excused herself for a few minutes to tend to those who needed her care. When everyone fulfilled their roles, Captain Israel proceeded to the cave, bringing with her a few garg
It was harder than I thought - talking to someone and checking out for them. I thought I could do this if I imagined Captain Israel being Kirameki, but it didn’t work. There was no way for it to work. Captain Israel was a different person who had divergent personalities compared to Kirameki. And most importantly, Kirameki was my sister. She was my everything, my family, and the only one who I trusted the most. Putting them together was something impossible for me to achieve, so I went inside the cave without a plan beside my name.I first cleared my throat, and then followed it up with a knock on the cavern’s wall. The sound of my fist reverberated. And my footsteps alarmed anyone who was awake and prepared for an ambush. And that was Captain Israel.“Who are you, and what are you planning to do… with me…”Captain’s voice became hoarse as she croaked those words. This girl knew someone who came inside the cavern wasn’t a pirate but someone else, so she asked for my identity. But I wa
“What’s your first demand or topic, Arata?” Captain Israel asked, as she finally faced towards me with her eyelids closing down and her face forcing itself to lift above her neck. Captain Israel was like a zombie with the face of an angel. Although she looked like a stressed college student who had three hours of sleep, Captain Israel looked gorgeous as ever, excluding the leaves surrounding her. “HOLY SHIT! YOU LOOK LIKE A TIRED LAW STUDENT TRYING TO PASS THE BAR EXAM?!” I commented. I couldn’t hide my surprise as I yelped as loud as my lungs and mouth could. And I didn’t even know why I associated Captain Israel as a law student. “A… law student? What does that mean? I only know about… students, but what is a law scholar?”“Law students are the ones who study law. You know, the rights and republic acts and all of that stuff. It doesn’t matter. My joke is terrible, and you don’t have to worry about that.”I didn’t explain much of what I wanted to say and let the joke die together
Captain Israel then continued her words as she gripped her hands and curled her fist into a ball of wrath and regret. “Captain Blackbeard was a close friend of mine. We two wanted to rule the world… We wanted to have something we could get, so we used our strength to snatch what we could have. And we did. But as time passed by, our interests changed. I realised that these pirate crews I have were dear to me, and killing all people was something that left a bitter taste in my mouth. However, Captain Blackbeard didn’t. She continued the killing spree, and she walked the path where nobody dared visiting. She drowned herself in power. Captain Israel became a monster we are trying to fight.” “But then you’re still a murder,” I uttered instinctively, even after what Captain Israel had told me. “You still helped her achieve that feat. You were by her side. And I get it. You want to change, and I welcome that. But that doesn’t make you an angel in disguise. I am not here to blame you, Capta
But before Captain Israel could fall fast asleep, she broke the silence and brought up one last thing… one last request from me. “What did you want to ask me? I remember you’re about to say something,” she said, as Captain Israel turned and faced towards me, still with her eyes wide awake. But her body wished for a night long rest. “Is it more gold, riches, fame, or my people? I know you’re not the kind of person who would ask such things, right, Arata?”I cleared my throat and uttered, trying to cut out of the chase. Since this was the last thing we had to talk about for tonight, I planned on resuming all the details I could tell her for tomorrow. “There’s something I want to know… Something I want to learn. Teach me how to fight… Teach me on how to use a sword, cast my spells efficiently. So I can protect my sister…” I answered, with a blank and serious expression carved on my face. “If I can protect my sister, I can protect your people. Once I learn all of these things, I assure
By the time I left the cavern and went outside, the place had turned black, and the moon finally showed itself to us. And the moons were shaped as squares, which never ceased to amaze me. The stars had different figures as well, so I spent some time appreciating the skies before proceeding towards the beach where the pirates and the ruined ship awaited me. But as I traversed my way towards the bumpy and the mossy road, clanking noises and a choir of people chanting and yelling at each other pierced my ears. And when I finally stepped on the vantage point, a… circus awaited me.The pirates had a blast of their own and partied like animals. And if I squinted my eyes to view what they had in their hands, those pesky pirates held bottles of booze and tossed and turned the barrels at the side. Well, I didn’t even have to instruct them to do that. And this sight was beyond my expectations. There were torches that lit the forest, and others gathered around a campfire with a few mackerels
“Then what did you do there? Captain Israel isn’t the type of person who would invite and talk to someone about the weather. And I know you. Even though you have that slacked off expression painted on your face, you’re a sly fox that wants nothing more but to benefit yourself and your sister.” I didn’t reply to Azure’s words and remained silent. But after a few moments, I gave in and answered whatever this girl wanted from me. “I just came to visit her. Again, I do not have any ill intentions towards your captain-...”“Bullshit!” Azure said, as she accidentally… or deliberately raised her voice. But the moment she realised she caught the attention of the nearby pirates, Azure cleared her throat and repeated her words. “Bullshit. Like I’ve said, Arata. You wouldn’t do such a thing. And I wouldn’t believe that you’re just there visiting as if the Captain is your friend!”“Before cutting me off, care to listen to the entire explanation? Well, it’s not that I will tell everything I know,
Kirameki and I stayed inside the cavern and accepted Captain Israel’s request to sleep inside, together with Azure and Francoise. It was a funny story, actually. The two pirates were hesitant for us to hit the sack with them as if we were sharing a bed. Azure told us that I was a thief more than a pirate, and Francoise called me a powerful perverted being, which I was not. it was far from the truth. Thankfully, Captain Israel intervened and forced Azure and Francoise to shut their craps before she could spank the hell out of them. As we survived the night, I proved Francoise and Azure wrong. But it seemed that these two pirates had less sleep than the rest of us, considering they were up all night guarding their bodies. I couldn’t care less about it and moved on. The days here in Kepler moved slower than usual, giving us more resting time than on Earth. Even though we were still awake late at night, Kirameki and I still slept for eight hours and woke up early in the morning where the