Chapter 95

“Ha ha, this is truly a sight to behold. I mean, just how much privateering have you all been up to that the merchants are going to protest in the capital of the Duke’s territory, Rothringen, claiming they can’t live there? Shouldn’t you be a bit more reasonable?”

“Our devotion towards Your Excellency, for which we would like to receive just compensation, was sincere. I was worried it might not be enough, but I’m glad you are satisfied.”

“Am I a noble that I should humbly bow in the end? Just go ahead and show off. Isn’t that what pirates do?”

Hearing this, Brime looked at me and grinned before speaking.

“We are indeed quite valuable. What do you think?”

“I acknowledge that. If that’s the case, I will have to pay a sufficient price to avoid opposing you. Alright, I will buy 18 ships, the cargo aboard them, and 500 crew members for 15,000 gold coins.”

“15, 15,000… You really intend to buy for 15,000?”

“If we consider the value of the goods, the crew, and the ships, it could be about 10,000. However, I hold you in high regard. That’s why I’m adding 5,000 more.”

“Are you serious?”

It’s not strange that Brime doubts me.

Originally, a privateering contract grants the right to supply ports and acquire goods cheaply, receiving a portion of the items the pirates plundered.

Yet here I am, not only not taking a cut, but actually providing them with food, water, and what they consider a magical herb, kelp.

Furthermore, I’m even offering a bonus for broken contracts that isn’t typically recognized. Adding 5,000 as a bonus feels almost like throwing money around.

And whether in modern Korea or this era, generally, someone who gives away money is considered a swindler.

“That’s right. But let me ask one thing, what will you do after this contract is finished? Have you thought about it?”

At my words, Brime looked at me seriously.

“Is what you wrote on the back of the contract true?”

“Yes. If you come under our banner, in exchange for a part of the profits from the goods we sell that you plunder, I will grant you land and houses to live on. And as soldiers under my command, you will be treated the same as my current soldiers.”

“As you know, we of the Black Fog Pirate Crew left due to our dislike of the evil captains of the Brittany navy. If you tell us to become soldiers, even if you see us as people, my crew will not accept it.”

Pirates of this era generally cannot withstand aggression from captains or officers of a navy or merchant fleet, making them free spirits.

Thus, more often than not, when nobles say, “Become my subordinate!” they ignore it or scoff. Yet this guy is saying it’s hard to accept, even using his crew as an excuse…

There is already a slight opening and with a bit more persuasion, I will be able to bring him under my banner.

So, I chose my words carefully to persuade him.

“Then let me ask you. Don’t you want to get married?”

“For us pirates, marriage is only for those who lost an arm or a leg to disembark from the ship or when they grow old and have children with bought female slaves. That’s nonsense…”

“Well, it seems that those who say that are somewhat envious of those who have gone that route.”

“Absolutely not. While watching a child grow that resembles oneself is something I can do even when I’m old, celebrating my successes with my comrades on the ship or in the city, indulging in food and drink after a successful raid, that’s truly enjoyable.”

“I see… That’s good. So, while you’re here, how about you eat some of the cookies that Ela baked?”

Saying this, I rang the bell to call the butler and said,

“Sebastian, go fetch the baked cookies that Ela has surely finished by now.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Sebastian quickly exited the office.

A moment later, Ela, in her usual maid outfit, came in with a tray piled high with cookies and a teapot.

Ela set the tray and tea in front of Brime and me before naturally standing behind me.

Then I stroked Ela’s head and said,

“Thank you, I will enjoy them.”

“It’s nothing, my lord…”

Suddenly, the sight of a mere maid witnessing her master engage in affectionate actions with a guest seemed to throw Brime for a loop, and he asked with a bewildered expression,

“Who is this maid? How can your master behave like this in front of a guest…?”

“Oh, I never introduced you. There was no need. This is Ela, my only mistress. Since I have no wife, she is essentially my concubine.”

Generally, a noble’s mistress is of a lower rank than the noble’s title, classified based on the degree of favor and the order of entry as a mistress.

From that perspective, to define Ela’s status, being my only mistress as a count, she is treated almost as a baroness.

However, she always tells me this.

“I am your maid, my lord, and I have no noblewoman’s grace… I have no intention of showing off. If I act too high and mighty, it will only burden you.”

This often leads to scenarios where new maids, seeing Ela for the first time, mistreat her thinking she’s just a normal maid, only to face dire consequences from me…

But that’s Ele’s situation; to others, Ela is clearly a noble.

Thus, even though Brime is a pirate, he has committed a serious offense against a noble.

So, Brime quickly bowed his waist and deeply apologized.

“I apologize, Count Your Excellency and Lady Ela. I didn’t expect one in a maid’s attire to act in such a manner with a guest.”

At this, Ela lightly denied it and said,

“It’s okay. I’m not originally a noble.”

“Thank you.”

“I baked these cookies since I heard my lord’s guest was coming, so enjoy them.”

“Then I will enjoy them.”

Brime and I then ate the cookies that Ela had baked.

Perhaps due to the fine flour, butter, milk, and hefty sugar used, the cookies were incredibly soft and sweet.

How can a cookie be made so that it crumbles as soon as it reaches your teeth?

Having such doubts, I ate a fair amount of cookies before I began to boast about today’s events to Ela as usual.

“This guy here is Brime, the captain of the pirate ship. He was a bad captain, but now he’s a good one working with me. He defended our territory from the minions of Duke Maxburg who were bullying us.”

“Is that so? Wow…”

I deliberately continued this conversation until Brime finished off the cookies, aiming to stir his emotions.

And as I anticipated, he went from incredulous to truly envious as he looked at me and Ela later on.

It’s inevitable; for those who rely on a piece of ship to survive the vast sea, the only things left are a bit of money and an aging body. Family is something they want to deny yet cannot have.

They might say that it’s nothing, but when reminiscing about their childhood or before they left home, they must envy those with families.

And I, pretending to be oblivious, casually said,

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had much conversation with Ela lately.”

“Not at all. Also, the cookies were really delicious. As expected from the ruler of Blueport, where cookies and culture begin, the snack you provided is on a different level. Far tastier than anything I had from a royal chef once.”

“Thank you for saying that. So, let me ask one last time before you leave. Do you really not need a family?”

At my words, the man before me seemed to begin to struggle with the conflict between the yearning for a family he had hidden and the freedom of being a pirate, his expression growing troubled.

“Family is like this. When the husband works hard and returns home, he smells the savory fish that his loving wife is frying, stepping through the door. Then the family sits down together at the table, and you say to your wife and family, ‘I did this today, and it’s truly remarkable…’ You brag about what you did, and your wife and children comfort you, empathizing out of sincere respect for their husband. Then the children share what they have accomplished, laughing and bragging about it, returning home to a place that supports their hearts even in tough times with the hope to provide better food and clothes for the family that loves them. That is what family is.”

Of course, it’s funny to say this to someone who has no children and is probably 20 years older than me…

He looked at me blankly blinking and said,

“That sounds nice. It’s good, but to have that, doesn’t it mean one can’t live as a pirate anymore? And while my officers might be alright, the rank-and-file crew might still face abuse like when we were in the navy. I don’t think they would accept that… If so, other crew members would push me out as the admiral and promote someone else.”

This condition applies only in a military of a typical nation, especially in a navy that treats pirates well…

But in Croilet where there’s plenty of money yet chronic manpower shortages, it doesn’t apply.

And our soldiers can get married and gather funds to feed and marry their children without issue, even at just a petty officer rank.

“That’s how their military operates; ours is not the same. Should there be unjust cruelty as there was in merchant ships or warships, no matter how noble, they will face consequences. Desertion will be punished, but if there’s a valid reason, one can leave the unit. And I will ensure you are sufficiently paid, providing seven gold coins annually for a private’s rank. All equipment and supplies will be provided by the Count’s territory.”

“…Is that true?”

“And if one has the ability, anyone can achieve their fate. Have you heard the popular minstrel song about the devil pig slayer, Black Baron? The noble with serf origins, Mark, is my squad leader with a salary of two gold coins.”

“Will my subordinates receive the same treatment then?”

With just one more bait, he’ll bite.

And since I need to build a navy starting from his fleet, I will ensure even the most junior sailors under Brime’s command are given at least squad leader responsibilities.

“And I plan to expand the navy further. If that happens, I’ll need capable sailors like your subordinates. So if you contribute to winning this war… I will promote all of you to at least a private rank. Plus, I will bestow upon you the title of knight.”

“But what exactly is a private?”

“It’s like the captain of ten men. You’ll receive a salary of about ten gold coins and I’ll personally assist you in marrying. After all, there are many unmarried serf girls in our territory. Of course, if you miss this opportunity, you may never get it again.”

After hearing these words, he knelt one knee before me and said,

“Brime, admiral of the Black Fog Pirates, hereby pledges allegiance to Count Croilet. Please accept me and my crew.”

“Alright, however, to receive the treatment I have promised you, you must demonstrate your worth in this war. And is it alright if I use 5,000 of the 15,000 gold coins to purchase houses and land for you?”

“Whatever you wish. Surely we will pledge our loyalty to Your Excellency.”

Finally, I’ve laid the groundwork to lead this war to victory.

This time, I must deliver an overwhelming, truly overwhelming victory.

Otherwise, in the worst case, the Northern Alliance might not hesitate to attack Romania’s rear…