The Pirate King's Daughter - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 11
“Why do you keep waking someone who’s sleeping?”
I batted away the hand reaching down to shake me and asked, but Perian simply replied as if it didn’t concern him.
“Let’s eat breakfast.”
“No. I’m going back to bed.”
As I tried to close the door, he caught it with one arm and held firm.
“It’s almost eight o’clock. You need to live by a routine. Especially you—you’re far too thin. You have to eat properly.”
He sounded exactly like a doctor would, and his words were unbearably tedious.
“I said I don’t want to…”
“Berto said he’s eating and heading to the Shipyard after. If you don’t tell me what you need now, you’ll have to use that room as-is until he gets back.”
“I’ll just brush my teeth and come down.”
It wasn’t a temptation I could resist. There were things I desperately needed for a smooth voyage.
“Wash your face too. You’ve got sleep in the corner of your eye.”
I slammed the door shut against Perian’s unsolicited kindness.
There he was again, acting like we were close friends—and apparently believed his own performance. The audacity was infuriating.
“Insufferable bastard.”
I muttered it like a curse, and through the poorly soundproofed wooden door came the soft sound of his laughter.
* * *
Colorful lanterns glowed against the darkened earth as night fell.
Surrounded by the noise and chatter of crowds, I sat alone as if I existed in a different world entirely.
Today was the performance day—the Female Lead was being held by the Bellaruna Troupe.
‘I’m terrified.’
My legs bounced nervously as I stared at the temporary outdoor stage with desperate intensity.
None of the Male Leads had come.
Since Perian changed his attitude, we’d at least gotten along on the surface. But knowing what lay beneath, I couldn’t bring myself to ask them here together.
I couldn’t think of a plausible excuse to go to the Warehouse where the Female Lead was being kept, and if I suggested it, I’d only invite suspicion.
Lucas saving my life deserved praise a hundred times over.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience.”
Finally, the portly Troupe Master took the stage.
“We shall now begin the performance of the Bellaruna Troupe.”
Behind him, musicians with their instruments climbed onto the stage one by one.
‘That person is…!’
Bright red hair with a frizzy curl, drooping eyes that contrasted with that fiery red—it was her. Serena, the Female Lead of the Starlight Voyage.
As I went rigid with a crawl of goosebumps, the beautiful melody of a Lyre began, and the performance commenced.
The Troupe’s performance was lavish. Music, Illusion Magic, acrobatics, theater—Serena participated in every act.
Sometimes as a musician or assistant. In the final play, as the leading actress.
I watched silently as she lived out the slavery she’d spoken of in the Original Work.
And after the performance ended, I waited until the staff finished cleaning up and left.
Only once all the lanterns had been extinguished did I slip into the darkness, searching the tent and Warehouse.
Equipment, costumes, props—and in the deepest corner.
I opened the Warehouse door and stepped inside, pressing my hand over my mouth to stifle the shock that threatened to burst out.
‘This bastard of a Troupe Master.’
Serena was locked inside an animal cage.
She startled at my discovery, hesitated, and then slowly backed away. The Shackle around her ankle clanked against the metal with a heavy sound.
“Shh.”
I brought my index finger to my lips, calm and deliberate.
I reached into the large bag on my shoulder and pulled out the Bolt Cutter to cut through the lock, when—
‘Why… why won’t it cut?’
I’d practiced this at the Inn and it worked perfectly.
Serena, who had been watching me warily, stepped closer and extended her hand. Bruises were visible beneath her thin long sleeves.
‘At least she hasn’t wasted away completely. Small mercy.’
As I sighed and thought this, Serena tightened her grip on the Bolt Cutter without so much as a frown.
The lock snapped cleanly and fell to the floor. The iron door swung open with a creaking sound.
“Wait—”
“Quiet.”
Her ash-gray eyes flashed like lightning, and I clamped my lips shut.
While locked in the cage, she’d looked every inch the fragile woman. But now her eyes and movements suggested someone for whom this was routine. And her frame was considerably taller than mine.
‘Her bone structure is larger too.’
It felt like I was standing before a man.
“You.”
At her gesture to approach, I hesitantly moved closer.
“Where are the mercenaries positioned?”
As I leaned in to answer, her steady breath and neutral voice tickled against my ear.
I was the one caught off guard—I’d just appeared out of nowhere.
I’d heard she was quick-witted and decisive from her nomadic life, but I hadn’t expected it to manifest like this.
“One on the left path, one on the right. The Main Road is to the right.”
“Weapons?”
“They were carrying swords. Nothing else that I saw.”
“You, then.”
I pulled the Revolver and Short Sword from my holster.
“This one’s loaded. Keep it ready.”
“Mm.”
Serena snatched the Short Sword and reversed her grip like an assassin.
“Follow me.”
I bent low and moved after her, keeping the gun muzzle angled upward.
Taking the right path as I’d described, Serena stopped short of the mercenary ahead.
She turned back to me, gestured for me to wait, and then vanished into the shadows.
“How did you—ugh!”
The mercenary was eliminated in seconds.
Serena wiped the blood from the blade and turned to me.
“You go now.”
“Wait, what about you—”
Before I could finish, Serena was already moving back inside at rapid speed.
‘That inconsiderate wretch.’
I’d just saved her, and the Female Lead had abandoned me. She left without a thought for saving the world.
Moving forward reluctantly, I heard footsteps approaching from somewhere.
I immediately crouched and held my breath.
“Hey! What—”
The man who appeared spotted the fallen guard and, without hesitation, pulled out a Whistle.
Shriek!
‘Damn it. I should have just left when she told me to.’
I needed to move fast, now.
I bolted out openly and aimed my Revolver at the man.
“Aaah!”
“Move aside.”
He threw his hands up and stepped out of the way.
I kept the gun trained on him as I backed toward the Main Road. But something pressed against my back.
I turned—and locked eyes with the Troupe Master.
“Ugh!”
I tried to pivot and aim, but his fist drove into my abdomen and I crumpled.
I couldn’t breathe.
“Well, well. A woman who walks willingly into our arms.”
The Troupe Master, holding my Revolver, looked down at me with a low chuckle.
If it came to it, he could end my life. But Serena was still here.
“Run, Serena!”
I screamed with every ounce of strength I had. Then his sole filled my vision, and darkness swallowed me.
My bones ached and my body trembled. I forced my heavy eyelids open—and saw legs.
“So you’re awake.”
Damn.
The Troupe Master, seated in a chair above me, looked down at my prone form and smiled wickedly.
“You and Serena know each other, it seems. Is that why you came to take her place?”
The Troupe Master sneered. But his words revealed that he still hadn’t captured Serena.
‘Thank God.’
Though I felt oddly hurt.
She’d left me so coldly—would I even manage to meet up with the Male Leads?
“It seems you can’t use Magic, and you’re not much good at hiding either. What was your original profession?”
My hands were bound behind me. I wriggled and managed to push myself upright.
“Why, planning to recruit me?”
“Ha! Hardly. Just curious, as your master, about your past.”
‘What is this madman talking about.’
As I considered how to provoke him, I caught Serena’s face peeking through a window behind him.
‘Could it be… this rude woman is coming to rescue me?’
My heart swelled. I’d been cursing her for being different from the Original Work, but her character was intact.
‘I need to keep his attention on me.’
I opened my mouth to the Troupe Master.
“I don’t want to be a slave. Let’s make a deal.”
“A deal? I can get everything I want just by enslaving you. Why would I need one?”
“Well, Serena’s Magic is strong enough that you had to use a Control Device on her. Even then, she must have been hard to manage. Wasn’t I right?”
“Hmm.”
The Troupe Master stroked his chin, his eyes glinting with greedy desire.
“That would be ideal, wouldn’t it.”
He gestured, and two men standing nearby approached and grabbed me.
“What—get off me!”
I struggled, but it was useless. They only gripped me tighter.
“Do you know what Slave Magic is?”
I didn’t know what it was, but the very name filled me with dread and disgust.
The Troupe Master approached with a cruel smile. His hand reached toward my head.
‘This insane bastard—he’s a Mage?!’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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