Northeast corner of the Banta'an Sea Area, Bahama Archipelago.
Among all the pirate havens in the Banta'an Sea Area, the largest one, Black Sails Harbor, is located here.
This port was also established as a brand-new Pirate City after the Old Continent pirates were forced to migrate south to the Banta'an Archipelago (Chapter 23).
It gathered most of the free pirates.
This was also the first stop for that Castilian Adventurer when he landed on the Banta'an Archipelago.
Located at the edge of the inescapable Devil's Triangle, it boasts over 700 islands and more than 2,400 islets and reefs.
It's perfect for the numerous free pirates to hide from the pursuing naval fleets of various nations.
Most importantly, it is adjacent to the First Circulation Zone, a major maritime thoroughfare. Passing ships were frequent; by simply waiting at one's doorstep, one could catch the proverbial sheep that come knocking.
"Disembark! The sailors on duty will guard the ships and transfer the loot from this raid to the Pirate Group's quartermaster."
"The rest of you are free to go about your business. We'll have a major operation soon, so report back here in three days. Don't be late!"
A small fleet bearing the Ocean Throne flag of the Pirate King followed the guidance of the harbor Navigator. Gliding through dense fog and perilous, reef-strewn channels, it slowly docked at the pier of Black Sails Harbor.
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A massive figure, about two meters in both height and width, stepped down from a flagship with a clearly damaged forecastle, making the wooden gangway groan under its weight.
This was none other than Fat Dragon, whom Byron had encountered by chance. After a great battle, Byron had transformed him into his Bizarre Wild Hunt Servant.
This was the first time Byron's perspective, following Fat Dragon, reached this new Pirate City.
The air is filled with a sense of freedom and decadence. Compared to Iron Anchor Bay, where many ordinary North Bay Folks live, this place fits the common image of a pirate port better.
Black Sails Harbor had an infamous reputation. As the haven for the upstart Banta'an pirates, it was known as "one of the most corrupt places on the high seas."
Walking on the uneven streets, sewage was everywhere, sometimes mixed with the vomit of drunken pirates—a clear sign of failed public management.
On either side of the street stood a dense array of haphazard buildings; clearly, the port city had been constructed without proper planning.
Every fourth building on the street was either a tavern or a brothel. The other businesses were mostly casinos, weapon shops, or apothecaries selling various contraband.
Of course, there were also banks and black markets operated by the Remit People.
Clearly, those pirates, who lived on the edge, would return here after each plunder to seek pleasure, searching everywhere for beautiful women and rum.
Byron also caught Fat Dragon's thoughts:
This place is a den of iniquity for men. When women and drink are laid before them, no amount of money seems sufficient. Some could spend 2,000 or 3,000 Gold Coins in a single night just to watch an attractive dancer strip, even willingly throwing down 500 Gold Coins for the sight.
This is a sacred place for those who worship Gold, both heaven and hell. Many who earned money would squander it here in a drunken stupor, spending all their savings in just a few days. If they lost the ability to plunder, they would be reduced to begging. If they were unlucky, they might end up dead in a filthy gutter the next day or become raw material for some forbidden ritual.
Their desires are simply too vulgar. I'm different; my passion is for elegant cuisine. For such a hobby, no amount of money is too much to spend.
The Barbary Pirates, with a formidable Fifth-Order Pirate King at their helm, were obviously one of the strongest pirate groups in this Pirate City.
They not only had their own Pirate Group headquarters but also an independent fortress built upon the coastal cliffs, far from the main city of the harbor.
Even though they were already far more powerful than others, they were still not satisfied, for the great endeavor the Barbary Pirates were set on was—founding a nation!
The higher-ups had hastily convened a meeting of all captains at sea for this very purpose.
An opportunity was rare, so even plundering could be temporarily set aside.
Fat Dragon (Byron) had just entered the ruggedly styled council hall in the fortress when he unexpectedly overheard some of the earlier captains discussing him:
"Hey, have you all heard? That The Mad Hunt who made such a splash in Iron Anchor Bay last year has done something big again. He supposedly collaborated with the Aztec Empire to create a Bizarre creature that spreads smallpox. Now that Beak-Faced Plague Doctor is wreaking havoc on Yucatan Island to the west."
Hearing this, another pirate captain scoffed, "You believe the bullshit released by the Kingdom of Castilia? I've seen that bounty notice for 48,000 pounds too. It's just a fig leaf for the dirty deeds they do themselves. Even the renowned Conqueror Cortes was killed. Since Castilia can't catch the culprit, they're just trying to save face with words.
"Besides, a bunch of natives teaming up with outsiders to create a weapon that can only kill their own people? Are you dumb, or am I? Castilia has been arrogant for far too long; they don't even bother with logic when they lie. If one day they pull out a vial of lime powder, accuse The Holy Silver Empire of developing supernatural weapons against them, and then try to snatch the Habsburg family's Crown, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised."
The pirate who had spoken first merely shrugged off the remark and continued: