Chapter 80: Pirate Creed

Chapter 80 The Pirate Creed

On a reef-strewn beach on the northern side of Corona Island, Azeroth opened its mouth and stuck out its tongue, allowing everyone who had been inside to step out.

Inside Azeroth's mouth was a mucous membrane zone; once people entered, this layer would close to shut out the ocean currents, opening again each time it breathed to let fresh air flow in.

This area was quite dry, though unfortunately devoid of furniture, forcing everyone to sit on their luggage trunks.

In Pu'er's memory, the exact same spot inside the mouth of Azeroth's father back then had been furnished with tables, chairs, nautical charts, and sand tables; the Allen family had used Azeroth as the flagship of their pirate fleet in those days.

Yet now, in the identical spot within its son's mouth, there was not even a single stool.

Upon reaching the shore, Madam Jenny turned to face Azeroth:

"Thank you for your assistance. The Allen family will always cherish your friendship."

Azeroth made no reply, diving straight back into the sea and vanishing from sight.

Once a pet, then a partner, and now merely returning a favor;

This was a curve of a relationship, and the perfect interpretation of the Allen family's decline.

A few figures appeared on the distant hillside, and moments later, a group of men wearing leather jackets with pistols strapped to their waists walked over, led by a bearded, middle-aged man.

"Jenny, you're back. Oh, my dear Eunice, you've grown even more beautiful."

The bearded man greeted Jenny and Eunice warmly, but his gaze remained fixed entirely on Karen.

"Eldest Brother, thank you for coming to receive us in person," Madam Jenny said.

"Uncle," Eunice greeted him.

"And this must be Young Master Karen?" The bearded man extended his hand to Karen. "Hello, young master of the Inmoles family. You can call me Wood from now on."

"Hello."

Karen reached out to shake his hand, but the next moment, he felt a burning, searing pain flare up in his palm.

Seeing this, Alfred immediately stepped forward, the bloody hue in his eyes about to surface;

But Wood released his grip at that exact moment, and Karen shook his hand slightly with some effort.

"You really are a young master," Wood said with a faint smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

Karen stopped Alfred, his expression remaining gentle as he said:

"I have disappointed you."

Sitting on Karen's shoulder, Pu'er looked at Wood with the kind of gaze one reserves for an idiot.

Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes!

The law that the Allen family will inevitably do something foolish whenever the possibility of foolishness arises was about to begin!

She had held in her feline frustrations all the way through the passenger ship,

Jenny and Eunice hadn't let her down,

Yet the moment they arrived on Corona Island, a fool had to show his face!

Idiot, moron, imbecile,

Are you setting the stage,

To give Karen a reasonable excuse to leave the Allen family?

Beside them, the Golden Retriever wiped away the playful grin it wore when they first landed, closing its mouth and staring intently at Wood.

Wood shifted his gaze to Alfred and gave him a smile;

Then he looked down at the Golden Retriever on the ground and reached out to tease it, but the dog ignored him completely, baring its teeth slightly instead.

"This dog seems to have quite a temper."

Then,

He pointed his finger at Pu'er on Karen's shoulder and said:

"There is something Young Master Karen might not know, which is that the Allen family does not allow cats."

Karen still smiled and nodded, saying:

"But this cat holds a different meaning for us."

Karen used the word "us";

After all, this was the ancestor of your Allen family, and if things went as expected, the Allen family's tradition of forbidding cats probably had something to do with Pu'er as well.

"Even when a whale enters shallow waters, it needs to tuck in its belly," Wood said with a smile. "I believe Young Master Karen will respect the traditions of our Allen family."

"Uncle, I believe these matters should be decided by my father and grandfather."

Eunice walked over to Karen's side and naturally wrapped her arms around his, the standard posture for a female companion to a male companion in social settings.

Pu'er turned her head to glance at Eunice beside her,

The old ancestor felt immensely comforted,

Good great-great-great-great-niece, as long as you aren't foolish, it's fine;

As long as you keep this up, there's no reason for this guy named Inmoles to fly solo.

Wood shrugged, showing no anger at his niece's words, and instead waved his hand to signal the people behind him to help carry the luggage, then said to Madam Jenny:

"Jenny, we need to walk a bit further. I will arrange for your rest once we reach the town."

"Thank you for your trouble." Madam Jenny's attitude toward Wood had grown considerably colder as well.

Led by Wood, the group walked along a mountain path and entered the small town of Corona.

The town was built against the port, where several medium-sized cargo ships were currently docked, while smaller boats were even more numerous, densely clustered all around the periphery of the harbor.

Wood and his crew held a high status in the town; as he led his people swaggering through, all kinds of folk in the town greeted him with deep respect.

The place where everyone was staying tonight was a guildhall, an inn belonging to the Allen family.

Well, the establishment across the street was also an Allen family property—a four-story building with a tavern on the first floor, a casino on the second, and a brothel on the third and fourth.

After entering the guildhall, Karen walked into his room. He first went to the bathroom to try turning on the shower, and after a moment, finding that hot water actually flowed, he took off his clothes and washed up.

After the bath, he felt much more comfortable and refreshed. While adjusting the pillows on the bed, he discovered a promotional booklet placed underneath. Opening it, he found a roster of prostitutes listing prices and services; the most expensive group featured photographs, while those further back had only text descriptions. Not only were all races included, but the final pages even marked services provided by "males."

Karen tossed the roster onto the bedside table and leaned back against the headboard.

The Golden Retriever lay on the sofa, facing him.

Pu'er, however, leaped onto the bedside table and began flipping through the final pages of the roster.

"Is this a smuggling island?" Karen asked Pu'er.

Pu'er turned a page with her paw,

And said:

"It should be now."

"Then what about before?"

"Before, this was the fief of the Allen family. Centuries ago, when Wien was not yet a great power, it relied on pirate groups voluntarily formed by the populace to conduct external expansion and harassment. At that time, the notorious leaders of the pirate legions could even receive titles of nobility from the royal family."

"Is this how the Allen family made their fortune?"

"Strictly speaking, not quite, but that period was indeed the absolute pinnacle of the family. When I left Wien, Corona Island was a fief belonging to us, and every soul on this island was a feudal subject of the Allen family.

Back then, the family used this place as their stronghold, where great pirate galleons came to harbor and rest. The combat prowess of those pirates and their ships was by no means inferior to an actual Royal Navy.

As for now, well, you can see for yourself—it is gone;

this place can only be considered a mere smuggling transit station for the family."

"Is it far from the mainland of Wien?"

"Not far now. We should be setting out tomorrow with the cargo ships. York City sits right by the sea, so we will take the maritime route, disembark directly at the port, and then take a carriage out to the countryside to reach the Allen Manor.

Once we are here, we are essentially home. That was how I used to feel, at least."

"Very well."

"Furthermore, do not lower yourself to Wood's level," Puer reminded him. "Though it is my first time meeting him, I know all too well that being dispatched by the family to manage a smuggling point on a tiny island like this proves he certainly holds no real status within the clan.

He was likely exiled here by Eunice’s father and grandfather;

for a man like that, it is only natural to have a bit of a foul temper and a sarcastic tongue, is it not?"

Karen placed his right hand before his eyes; the skin on the back of it still bore a faint red hue.

"I harbor no ill will toward him."

Puer paused, letting out a cold snort.

"In fact, you rather like his way of doing things, don’t you?"

"That is only because I have always maintained an abundance of goodwill toward the Allen family."

"Karen, how is it that I never realized you were this hypocritical back in Logia?"

"Because at home, sincerity was all I required." Karen leaned his back further into the frame, finding a more comfortable posture. "When sincerity suffices, who would willingly pick up hypocrisy?"

"You truly sound like a poet right now."

"That is because most poets only write their most beautiful verses after they have left home."

"Knock, knock, knock..."

The bedroom door was struck.

Karen rose and stepped off the bed, but before he could reach the handle, the door was pushed open from the outside.

Wood leaned casually against the doorframe, a cigar clamped between his teeth, staring at Karen.

The golden retriever slunk off the sofa, glaring intently at Wood.

Puer lowered her head, thinking to herself: *This foolish nephew of mine has come to offer another assist.*

Outside the door, right behind Wood, Alfred had already stepped out from the room adjacent to Karen's.

"Mr. Wood, is there something I can do for you?" Karen asked proactively.

Wood looked at Karen, removed the cigar, and exhaled a neat ring of smoke. "I came to invite you to dinner. Evening meal."

"Splendid, thank you, Mr. Wood."

Karen said no more; having arrived on another man's territory, he would naturally defer to the host's arrangements. He picked up his coat, slipping into it as he asked:

"Have Lady Jenny and Miss Eunice already gone?"

"No, just you and me. Why, do you mind?"

"Not at all, it is my honor."

Karen followed Wood out of the room. Puer leapt upon him, climbing up to perch on his shoulder, while the golden retriever trailed closely behind his heels. At the very rear walked Alfred.

Beholding the cat on his young master’s shoulder and the dog at his feet, Alfred’s brow furrowed slightly.

In the past, he would have been satisfied merely to be included in the mural; now, he was beginning to consider his position and angle.

He knew not whether this was because he had grown arrogant or because he finally possessed a dream;

yet, glancing down at the dog that he had "personally" sealed, Alfred’s brow smoothed over once more, his melancholy lifting.

The room Wood brought Karen into appeared to be his office. The space was grand, and near the window stood a table laden with brandy and large slabs of roasted meat, drenched in a thick, dark sauce.

Karen had originally felt quite famished, but upon seeing this massive platter of rustic fare, a strange sense of fullness washed over him instead.

Wood sliced off a chunk of meat and tossed it directly to the golden retriever.

"What is its name?"

"Kevin."

The golden retriever did not so much as glance at the great chunk of meat on the floor.

"Let him eat the meat."

"Eat, Kevin."

The golden retriever snatched the meat into its jaws and crouched there to consume it.

Wood then looked toward the black cat that had accompanied Karen. At that moment, the creature was perched upon the windowsill, its feline eyes gazing back at him with an expression somewhat melancholy and heavy with sorrow.

It was difficult to imagine that a cat’s eyes could convey such a rich tapestry of emotion.

Wood decided he was merely overthinking things and turned to pour the wine for Karen first.

"Do you drink?"

"I do not."

"Mhm. The first glass, however, must be finished."

"Very well."

Wood drained his cup in a single swallow, and Karen did the same.

"And you say you do not drink?" Wood laughed, raising the bottle to replenish Karen’s glass, but Karen reached out a hand, gently covering the rim.

"Is there any orange juice?"

Wood froze for a moment, holding the bottle aloft as he stared at Karen.

Karen kept his hand over the rim, a polite smile gracing his features.

The two men stood locked in a stalemate.

Puer sighed, unable to bear the sight, and turned her head toward the bustling town streets outside the window: *I am weary, just let the world burn.*

To her surprise,

Wood smiled, set the bottle down, and shouted toward the doorway:

"Find some orange juice, or any other fruit juice, or soda—bring it here quickly."

"Drinking less is for the best, especially when one is young." Wood filled his own glass as he spoke and knocked back another. "When you are young, there is much to be done. Once you grow old, you can please yourself."

"In truth, drinking is never quite good for the health at any age," Karen remarked, though he was well aware that such a reminder could easily provoke irritation in a man fond of his liquor.

"Mhm, you speak the truth." Wood extended a finger toward the distant docks; even at this hour, numerous laborers were busy unloading cargo. "But sometimes, it is impossible for a man to live in absolute comfort. Heavy physical labor like hauling goods easily damages the body as well; I simply consider this a way to make up for it."

"What you say does indeed make an immense amount of sense."

A woman of singular elegance, her hair a cascade of deep violet, approached bearing a tray with three kinds of juice.

"What would you like to drink?" she inquired. "There is orange, apple, and grape."

"Orange is fine, thank you."

"Would you care for some ice?"

"That would be wonderful."

"Very well."

The woman dropped ice into Cullen’s glass before pouring the orange juice.

"Thank you."

"You are most welcome."

Wood motioned toward her. "Elena, my wife."

Cullen rose, offering her a respectful, half-formal bow.

"A pleasure to meet you, Madame."

"Please, sit, there is no need for such formality." She cast a playful, scolding glance at her husband. "I have a pot of soup simmering in the kitchen; I shall bring some out for you shortly."

"You are very kind, Madame."

"My dear, this handsome young man of ours possesses truly impeccable manners."

"Ha ha ha." Wood broke into a hearty chuckle.

"Father, why did you summon me? Oh, Mother is here as well."

Just then, a girl dressed in a striking, provocative outfit and sporting a nose ring strode into the room; strapped to her hips were two blades, each etched with peculiar, intricate patterns.

"Come, let me introduce you. My daughter, Camilla."

Camilla’s eyes fell upon Cullen, who sat opposite her father. When he turned to offer his greetings, the usually fierce and impetuous girl suddenly froze, overcome by an unfamiliar wave of shyness and agitation.

In a place like the town of Corona, dominated by crude sailors and sodden drunks, one never encountered a youth of such pure and crystalline refinement. Standing before him, it felt as though one were gazing upon a masterpiece of fine art.

"Ahem." Wood cleared his throat, a subtle reminder. "Camilla."

Elena slipped an arm around her daughter’s shoulders and smiled at Cullen. "Please do not take offense. My daughter has grown up on this island since childhood and has never seen a young man quite as handsome as you."

"Oh, Mother, what are you saying!" Camilla finally snapped out of her daze, her face flushing crimson.

Mercifully, her subordinates were not there to witness this. If they ever discovered that their formidable chief—who took personal delight in severing the tendons of unruly smugglers—possessed such a soft, girlish side, they would lose their minds.

"Hello, Camilla. I am Cullen, from Rulan, just across the sea."

"He... hello, I am Camilla, from Corona Island, just across the sea."

Good grief, what on earth am I saying?!

"Alright, let us leave your father and our guest to their dinner. We shall step out." Elena guided her flustered daughter away.

Cullen resumed his seat.

"I apologize for the display," Wood said.

"Not at all. Camilla is very charming."

"It has been nearly a decade since I last heard anyone call her charming. Perhaps the last time was when she was still in swaddling clothes."

"Every girl is fashioned from water; beneath the surface, they all possess a wellspring of charm and tenderness."

Beside them, Purr turned her head to stare at Cullen. Truly, ever since they had left home, he behaved more and more like a poet by the day!

"A most philosophical way to put it." Wood raised his glass once more, and Cullen lifted his orange juice in return. "I am certain you have no shortage of young ladies admirerers."

"No," Cullen replied, shaking his head. "In the past, I suffered from certain psychological afflictions. Have you heard of autism? For many years, I preferred to lock myself away from the world, entirely averse to socializing."

Purr frowned. Was it truly necessary to be this candid with every member of the Allen family? Did he really have to confess his past medical history?

"Ah, I see. I imagine emerging from such a state must have been an immense struggle," Wood remarked.

"The truth is, one can never be entirely certain they have truly emerged. There is always a chance of slipping back. With an illness like that, nothing is ever guaranteed."

Purr: "!!!"

"Alas." Wood let out a heavy sigh. "I must apologize to you for my conduct when we first met this afternoon."

With that, Wood stood up and bowed deeply to Cullen.

Cullen instinctively began to rise as well, but Wood reached out, pressing a firm hand against his shoulder to keep him seated.

Purr looked up with a touch of bewilderment, her eyes fixed on Wood, as a faint glimmer of hope began to stir within her heart.

Wood sat back down and motioned for Cullen to do the same.

"I only learned of your grandfather and the current state of the Inmoles family from Jenny’s own lips. Living on this island, communication with the outside world is often difficult.

When we first met this afternoon, I intended to humble you. In my eyes, you were a young lord originating from the grand Inmoles lineage, and I feared you would look down upon our Allen family."

"I harbored no such intentions."

"Yes, I see that now. It was merely my own petty narrow-mindedness. Tell me, do you know of the small islet just south of here? It hosts a small town controlled by the Raphael family.

However, not long ago, a catastrophic upheaval shook the Raphael family, leaving them in absolute chaos as various factions tore into each other. Just the day before yesterday, I led my men to that island and seized the town, restoring both islands to the domain of the Allen family, even if the law refuses to recognize it."

"Congratulations."

"It required little effort, for they were already fractured from within. When I arrived with my men, insider accomplices had already paved the way. In truth, driving them out was never the difficult part; we simply feared the Raphael family's retaliation. Now that they are consumed by their own ruin, vengeance is beyond them.

In his last letter, my brother dropped a hint, mentioning that the Raphael family might face turmoil within the month and advising me to prepare early.

Though he never spoke plainly, the moment I learned Jenny had returned from her family visit accompanied by Eunice and a young man bearing the name Inmoles, I began to piece things together.

Am I correct?"

Cullen offered no reply.

"Then it seems my suspicions are confirmed," Wood concluded. "This is a transaction, is it not?"

"Yes," Cullen said. "Merely a transaction."

His grandfather had given Madame Jenny a purple bookmark. If there were no surprises, the name Raphael must have been inscribed upon it.

"I see." Wood nodded slowly. "Yet I must still express my gratitude to your family. You must understand, the Raphael family has spent these past years suffocating the Allen family's livelihood at every turn. On this very island, many of my brothers-in-arms perished in our struggles against them.

In truth, many years ago, I had the opportunity to return home and inherit the mantle of family patriarch."

"Oh?"

"But during a maritime voyage, I was ambushed by brigands under the Raphael family's banner. My vessel was destroyed, and I barely escaped with my life by leaping into the sea, wounded. Ultimately, it was Elena's parents who pulled me from the waves."

"A perilous ordeal, yet a beautiful beginning to a romance."

Wood flashed a bitter smile and continued:

"The Raphael family began scouring the neighboring islands for me. To shelter and hide me, Elena's parents were slaughtered by their men."

"I am sorry."

"It matters not now. At the time, Elena was several years my junior, looking to me much like a younger sister. But I knew I owed her—owed her far more than I could ever repay. Later, when my family's rescue party finally retrieved me, I insisted on bringing Elena back to meet my father, declaring my intention to wed her.

However, my father was grooming me to be the next patriarch, and furthermore, Elena was a foreign immigrant. Not only was she not of Vien nationality, she did not even belong to the Maclay ethnicity." Wood gestured toward his own hair. "As you saw just now, her hair is purple."

Cullen nodded.

“My stubbornness infuriated my father. Since then, I was stripped of my status as successor to the patriarch and sent to Corona Island to manage the business here. Aside from returning to the manor once or twice a year to see my family, I must remain on this island most of the time. But…”

Wood smiled: “Elena and I have always lived happily here.”

“You are a man of true responsibility.” Cullen raised the orange juice in his hand.

Wood also raised his wine glass.

“In truth, I deserve no praise. I only know and remember one thing: if you owe someone a debt of gratitude, no matter what, it must be repaid.”

Purr on the windowsill slowly stood up, looking at Wood with eyes full of hope. It suddenly felt that this bearded descendant was just a little bit endearing.

“So, I originally thought you were a young master hailing from a prominent church family, but when I learned about your grandfather and your family, I felt I absolutely had to come and apologize to you.”

“It really isn't necessary, Mr. Wood.”

“No, it is absolutely necessary!” Wood struck the tabletop hard with his hand. “It has been too long since I spent time with my father and younger brother. My father is somewhat rigid, and as for my brother, since he became patriarch, I don't know him very well either. But since they sit in those positions of the family, they will certainly consider the family's interests first and foremost.”

“Yes, I can understand that.” Cullen smiled faintly.

*Smash!*

“To hell with understanding!” Wood slammed the remaining half-bottle of brandy directly onto the ground, shattering it. “I cannot understand it, and I don't want to understand it!”

Purr on the windowsill raised its paw: Splendid, big beard, keep going, keep going, keep going!

Wood stood up and walked over to Cullen's side, wrapping an arm tightly around him. His face was very close to Cullen's, so close that Cullen could smell the scent of alcohol on his breath.

“Promise me, when you go to the family manor and find that my father and brother treat you poorly or slight you, pay no attention to them and come straight back to Corona Island.

I will give you my position here and all the wealth I have accumulated—the businesses here, my men, my ships, everything I have, I will give to you!

Furthermore,

I will also give you Camilla to be your wife!”

Cullen: “……”

Cullen blinked. Why were things heading in this strange direction?

Purr practically stood upright: Big beard, well done! Your great-aunt is proud of you!

“Mr. Wood, it really doesn't have to be like this. I only need a place to settle down…” Cullen explained.

He had the money to buy a small apartment, where he could then develop some side businesses and, at the same time, try to practice the "faith system."

Purr had actually always been quite right; compared to a so-called "political marriage," Cullen preferred to develop slowly and quietly on his own in a corner.

Wood said with a touch of embarrassment:

“Well, in truth, I know that Camilla is not as beautiful as my niece, Eunice.”

“No, Mr. Wood, Camilla is very lovely.”

“When a man describes a woman merely as 'lovely,' it proves she isn't your cup of tea.” Wood patted Cullen's shoulder. “I was young once, too.”

“Uh…” Cullen muttered.

“Or perhaps you prefer someone quieter and gentler? I'll make Camilla take out her nose ring, and she won't be allowed to wear those strange accessories anymore. I'll make her more refined.”

“It really isn't necessary, Mr. Wood.”

“How can it not be necessary? It must be this way! Your family helped us. You have no idea what a terrible menace the Raphael family—the former house slaves of the Allen family—has grown into today.

Now, your great grandfather has fallen into an eternal slumber, and the members of your family can no longer enter the church system.

You have lost everything;

you have come to Wayne;

you have come to the Allen family.

I will never allow such ungratefulness to happen before my eyes!

Because many of my clansmen, perhaps including my father and my brother, have already forgotten;

the family creed from the days when the Allen family commanded the vast seas,

which is…”

Wood clenched his right fist and struck his own right chest:

Purr also raised its right paw and struck its own feline chest:

“The Allen family always repays its debts of gratitude!”