Over the western seas of the Kingdom of Ordo, a merchant ship was slowly sailing towards the kingdom’s largest port – the Port West.
This merchant vessel was a galley, massive in size, with 20 long wooden oars extending from each side. Under the command of the drumbeats, they rhythmically dipped and soared through the seawater.
Many people were on deck, vigilantly scanning the surrounding waters. From their expressions, they seemed more like warriors than mere crew members of a merchant ship.
At the stern’s high poop deck, two individuals leaned on the railing, each holding a beer, gazing distantly at the land appearing on the horizon.
“Beautiful weather today, Captain Edward,” said a young man with black hair and earrings, speaking to a tall, middle-aged man beside him.
“Indeed, a perfect day for gathering intelligence,” replied the middle-aged man, raising his glass for a toast before taking a sip. He was robustly built but with a lean face, his mustache resembling swords stretching sideways. His skin was dark, and his face bore an indescribable sense of world-weariness. However, his eyes were bright and sharp, unforgettable upon a single glance.
Unknown to many, the infamous pirate, Walker Edward, who once ruled the northwestern waters of Ordo and then mysteriously vanished, was about to reappear before the world. But now, he had an additional identity – a member of the Arcane Society.
He was sent by the organization to raid the kingdom’s western coast. However, due to his years of pirating habits, he naturally wanted to scout the area thoroughly first.
Edward, the pirate captain, shrugged. “Disappointing it may be, but my crew and I mostly loitered in Northwest Bay. We’ve only been to the central waters of the kingdom a few times, so nostalgia is a bit of a stretch. Besides, the royal navy, though not as formidable as the Horn Bay Alliance, is not to be underestimated, unlike the lords of the northwest. Oh, speaking of which… Nathan, didn’t you recently visit Northwest Bay? What was your purpose there, if you don’t mind sharing?”
Nathan, despite his youth, was a highly regarded member of the organization and very competent. The most astonishing feat he achieved was burning down the granary of the Ordo capital right under Princess Catherine’s nose last year, when the kingdom’s army had just recaptured Crystal Shine Fortress, and the city was under martial law.
After a moment of thought, Nathan tilted his head and replied, “There’s nothing particularly secretive about it. You know Marltz Kent, right?”
Walker Edward chuckled. “Count Kent? He’s a tough nut to crack – ambitious, cunning, and cruel, typical of his family line. Has he crossed our path?”
“Heh, not only has he not crossed us, but he also wants to join the Arcane Society. It was Master Barnett who initiated contact with him, planning to make him one of our external forces.”
“Which is exactly why he can be of use to us, just like Jars, right?”
“True. So, you went there just for this? How did it go?”
Nathan shrugged and grimaced. “It fell through.”
Edward was slightly surprised. Even with the power of the Arcane Society, they faced setbacks. And wasn’t Kent also keen to join?
Noticing the pirate captain’s expression, Nathan explained, “The plan, as Master Barnett had it, was to first install Kent as the Duke of the Northwest and then eliminate the rebellious elements to make him the second Duke Jars the Greedy Wolf. But things went awry.” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ Nove1Fire.net
“Master Barnett suddenly left for some unknown reason, and Marltz Kent, unable to wait, acted on his own. He ended up making himself a target for everyone – a fool who didn’t realize his reputation in Northwest Bay.”
“Then what happened?”
“The lords of Northwest Bay, harboring old grudges against him, united to wage war on him. Heh, his own army proved ineffective. He hadn’t even warmed his seat as the Duke before being attacked at his doorstep. Eventually, he ended up lying in a coffin.”
Nathan revealed this with a smirk, adding slowly, “I did it.”
Edward asked in confusion, “Why? Was it to prevent any leakage of our organization’s information?”
“That was one reason. What use is there in keeping such a worthless person alive? But more so because he dared to blackmail us into providing support. An ungrateful dog biting the hand that feeds it deserved to be put down.”
Edward continued, “And what of Master Barnett?”
Nathan shook his head. “Who knows? He always moves unpredictably.”
Edward asked with some concern, “He hasn’t met with an accident, has he?”
Nathan laughed scornfully. “You probably don’t understand him well enough. As a member of the Council of Ten, Master Barnett’s power is unfathomable. He alone can take on a small army, and even in the face of a larger force, he can retreat unscathed. The power of worldly lords can’t touch him. Marltz Kent, who was the second most powerful lord in Northwest Bay after the Duke, was still under Master Barnett’s control. There’s no need for us to worry unnecessarily.”
Edward nodded and took a sip of his drink.
Looking into Edward’s eyes, Nathan asked, “By the way, Captain, how did you join the Arcane Society?”
A reminiscent expression crossed Edward’s face, and after a few seconds of silence, he said, “Ten years ago, I obtained an ancient scroll from a merchant ship. By chance, I came into contact with the power of magic, and witnessed incredible things that were once only in legends. From then on, I became fascinated, or should I say, obsessed with it.”
“It was as if I was blessed by the heavens. My body awakened to the potential of casting spells, and I started collecting everything related to magic, even though it was taboo in the eyes of commoners. But this circle was so closed off that many people considered magic mere fantasy.”
“My efforts eventually paid off. I came into contact with the Arcane Society, and the doors to the magical world finally opened to me. And to my surprise, the Society was backed by… by that revered Highness. After I willingly offered my power, the organization accepted me.”
Edward turned and leaned on the railing, looking up at the clear sky. “That moment… for someone who has been an orphan since childhood, it felt like suddenly returning to a real home.”
Nathan seemed thoughtful. “Yes, once our abilities as mages awaken, we essentially set ourselves apart from ordinary people. Even if we don’t realize it at first, day by day, you start to feel different, or rather… not accepted by the mundane world. Captain, you were smart to seek out your kind. Only fellow mages can understand and accept each other.”
He changed the subject. “But among our kind, there are fools who naively think they can blend in with ordinary people, not realizing the cost in lives once their identity is exposed.”
A cold glint flashed in Nathan’s eyes. “Our task is to shatter their naivety and make them see the harshness of the world.”