The next morning, Giant Horn Island Port.
The few clouds in the sky had lost the rosy glow of dawn and lazily drifted, but the slight sea breeze could not dispel the slight heat brought by the early summer sun.
The dockworkers, like industrious ants, were moving various goods and supplies between ships and warehouses, yet many whispered among themselves, stealthily glancing towards one side of the dock.
That was where the pirate ship Hurricane had docked yesterday, but now it was completely empty.
If that were all, it wouldn't matter much, as pirate ships that stay just one night and then leave weren't unheard of.
Currently, quite a few people were gathered at that dock, arguing loudly, sparking some curiosity among the dockworkers.
But it was just curiosity, after all; they saw that the dock manager was there too and knew that this was not something they could freely discuss.
However, there was still a hint of schadenfreude in their exchanges, as, although these pirates adhered to the rules of this gray port and wouldn't strike ordinary people, being scolded or kicked around by them was something the manager wouldn't fuss over much.
"Manager Lais, you've seen the situation yourself, someone definitely took action against our captain last night!"
"They must have lured Boss Patrick somewhere else, then sent someone to steal our ship in the meantime!"
"This is Giant Horn Port, where we've always followed the rules; now that someone's causing trouble, don't you think we deserve an explanation?"
Delion said to the calm-faced dock manager Lais, struggling to contain his bad temper despite his angry expression.
He couldn't help it; he was just a High-level Bronze pirate, who had finally managed to come ashore yesterday and naturally wanted to indulge a bit.
But when he woke up, he found the Hurricane was missing.
And from people around other ships, he'd heard there had been sounds of a fight last night and claims of seeing Boss Patrick battling someone.
What now, should they just stay here waiting for the Hurricane to return?
There were quite a few comrades around him feeling the same, but being one of the strongest among them, he was pushed forward to negotiate with the dock manager.
This was because the Silver Pirates on the ship, as per Boss Patrick's orders to return to the ship daily, had made a representative out of him, an otherwise average-strength pirate.
Truth be told, while he trusted Boss Patrick's strength greatly, the peculiar circumstances today made him uneasy.
After all, Patrick was a Druid capable of turning into a massive shark, clearly holding a huge advantage in sea battles.
Even if chasing a foe, the Hurricane might have been unwittingly stolen, he should have returned by now.
How could there be no news for so long?
Delion didn't know what had happened, but now he could only hope that the powers behind Giant Horn Port, the ones in control, would ask the Golden Strong Man stationed there to search for Boss Patrick.
Manager Lais, while listening to Delion's words, nodded repeatedly and surveyed the surrounding landscape.
Ah, what a clear sky!
Ah, how blue the water!
Yes, today is a good day to bring out my treasured James Red Wine and enjoy it with some fresh tuna.
Seeing Manager Lais play dumb and evade responsibility, Delion looked displeased but was powerless.
He couldn't afford to make a scene; after all, this manager also had Silver level strength.
His manner clearly showed he wasn't interested in dealing with the situation and intended to drag it out.
What other choice did he have?
Delion glanced at his comrades looking to him, even considering using Patrick's name to threaten Lais, but a bad premonition halted his impulse.
Lais glanced at Delion out of the corner of his eye, yet his mind was as clear as a mirror.
Did he not know what these pirates were thinking?
Thinking Lord Halil would intervene was absolutely out of the question!
Whatever had happened last night, the Golden Strong Man Halil stationed at the port had already sensed it.
Since the incident occurred outside the port, Halil was disinclined to get involved.
Moreover, in his view, though the Silver pirate who had attacked Patrick was powerful, he was still just Silver, and Patrick dealing with him wasn't too troublesome.
So when their presences faded into the distance, Halil didn't bother much further.
But then there was a complication; some time later, Halil sensed the Silver's presence had returned to the port, right at the Hurricane's location, yet he couldn't feel Patrick's presence.
Having waited all night without a sign of Patrick's return, Halil suddenly had an absurd suspicion.
So early in the morning, Halil had called Lais over, instructed him thoroughly, and told him to stay at the dock today to see if anything else happened.
Otherwise, Lais would have left already, as he really wasn't interested in chattering with these minor pirates.
Watching Lais absent-mindedly kicking small stones into the sea, causing little splashes, Delion couldn't hold back any longer.
"Lord Lais, aren't you afraid..."
Just as Delion was trying to continue, he was interrupted by a loud shout from someone nearby.
"Look, isn't that the Hurricane?"
"Exactly, I told you, Boss Patrick would surely be fine!"