The Pirate King's Daughter - Chapter 74

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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 74
I ran after the innkeeper and discovered a crowd of murmuring people.
“The Pirate King!”
But they only shouted this—they didn’t rush at me like last time.
“Insane…….”
My pace slowed, then stopped entirely.
The street was scattered with what looked like countless unconscious bodies.
“Captain! Over there!”
The innkeeper pointed ahead.
There, Berto was gripping the last pirate by the collar, his fist raised to strike.
“Berto!”
Thud!
I shouted to stop him, but his fist was faster than my eyes, faster than my sluggish reaction.
The pirate caught by Berto’s brutal punch flew backward, crashed into a market stall, and lost consciousness.
“…….”
His flustered gaze turned toward me.
“Captain, you’re late.”
Perian, who had likely hidden somewhere safe again, casually approached and spoke without a care in the world.
When I glared at him with narrowed eyes, he made an excuse.
“How was I supposed to stop them? They went down so fast the ones who got hit didn’t even notice it happened.”
“You used First Strike? On whom?”
“Berto.”
I’m going to have to burn the original character design.
Where did my favorite prototype of the ideal adult man go?
‘This goes beyond self-defense.’
No matter how much they provoked us first, it would be hard to escape punishment.
And there seemed to be collateral damage to the merchants around us too.
While I was debating whether to flee immediately, the three troublemakers approached hesitantly.
“Why did you fight?”
No one dared speak easily to that ice-cold voice.
Well, except one person.
“One of those pirates said he’d kill you and become the Pirate King.”
“Is there anyone to verify that statement?”
“Not really.”
As I sighed, my head aching, the king’s advisor, who had caught up late, looked around with a bewildered expression.
“What on earth…….”
And my eyes gleamed like a hyena spotting prey.
“They attempted to murder me and steal my honor.”
The king’s advisor and a count.
Smoothing over a matter like this was easier than lying down and eating rice cakes.
“If I go explain the situation to the Guard Corps, I’ll surely be late for the banquet. I had been looking forward to it, which is a shame.”
The advisor immediately understood the meaning of my words and spoke to the knight who had come as an escort.
“These are attempted murderers targeting the Pirate King. Call the Guard Corps and have them arrested at once.”
The Guard Corps, summoned by a resident, arrived just in time, and we didn’t need to give a single statement.
‘Power really does have its advantages.’
I wish I could buy a minor noble title once I settle down.
But in reality, even feeding myself will be hard.
“Who is that man? What did he mean about the banquet?”
Kies, standing there with a bewildered expression, asked me while the advisor dealt with the Guard Corps.
“The king’s advisor. He invited us to a banquet, but I refused. Now, thanks to these idiots causing trouble, we have to go to the Royal Palace.”
“……It couldn’t be helped.”
“I was already irritated that they dared mention you, and when they said they’d kill you, I tried to endure it—but Berto threw that First Strike, and now it’s come to this.”
Dilshard spoke up boldly after Kies, then shrank back under my gaze.
“……I’m sorry.”
Berto apologized, his shoulders sagging.
‘Again, again. I can’t even scold him.’
If he fought for me, it’d be too pitiful if he looked guilty.
“Is anyone hurt?”
“Not at all.”
Good on you, really.
Realizing I wouldn’t lecture them further, the three drooping dog ears perked up.
We roughly wrapped things up among ourselves, and soon the advisor, who had been speaking with the Guard captain, approached us.
“Captain, you needn’t worry about this matter. Since it’s nearly lunch time now, if you eat and rest, I’ll send a carriage and attendants at three o’clock.”
“Ah, I’d like to finish the departure preparations first. Would it be possible to dine and depart around eight o’clock?”
“The banquet is tomorrow, so there’s no issue with that. I will personally oversee the departure preparations. I’ll entrust the final inspection to Berto, so please don’t worry.”
“No, it’s not that I don’t trust you, advisor. It’s simply that I feel more at ease handling it myself. And there are some things I wanted to purchase separately.”
Voyages were inherently dangerous, and it was customary not to entrust preparations to another’s hands.
“I see. Very well. Then I’ll send a carriage and attendants at eight o’clock.”
“Thank you. And please convey to His Majesty that I’m grateful for the gift he sent earlier.”
“Of course. I’ll have Banquet Attire prepared for your companions and a Dress for you, Captain.”
The advisor bowed and took my hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it.
“Until later.”
After parting with the advisor and heading back to the inn, Dilshard suddenly stopped me by grabbing my shoulder.
“There’s something dirty on you.”
Then he vigorously rubbed my hand—the one the advisor had just kissed—with his sleeve.
“It’s just a greeting.”
“It’s not coming off. Let’s go wash your hands quickly.”
Honestly, so childish.
The pirate crew responsible for the mess was ultimately expelled from the kingdom.
I was worried they’d turn on us, but instead they thanked us and boarded their ship right away.
That was only because three people had exercised restraint and kept the damage from being too severe.
“Are you happy?”
As darkness fell, I asked Pudding, who was peering out the carriage window.
“About what?”
“You wanted to go to the Royal Palace.”
“Oh, right. Of course I’m happy.”
Of course?
You were so eager earlier. Something feels off about this.
“Are you hiding something from me…….”
Just as I was about to interrogate Pudding, the carriage suddenly stopped and there was commotion outside.
“What’s happening?”
Looking out the window, all the main characters who had ridden in the other carriage were down and arguing with the attendant who had come to help with Palace Entry.
I quickly got out of the carriage before they caused another incident.
“If you had told us initially, we wouldn’t have come in the first place. We’re returning now.”
The attendant stammered in response to Kies’s firm tone.
“Wait, please. Calm down for a moment. I understand you’re concerned about what happened during the day, but this is Royal Protocol.”
With Kies’s oppressive presence standing firm and the other main characters backing him, the attendant seemed intimidated.
‘They clearly don’t realize how they appear to others.’
The attendant looked ready to flee at any moment if it weren’t for the Royal Order. I quickly approached them.
“So I’m saying we’re leaving.”
“Kies……?”
For reasons I didn’t understand, Kies pulled me toward him, then handed me to Berto as though commanding him to protect me.
“The thing is, of course I wouldn’t dare detain you members of the Jellyfish Pirate Crew, but I’m also not in a position to make such decisions alone and let you go…….”
I looked at Berto and asked.
“What’s this about?”
“In the Royal Palace, people of different genders can’t stay in the same wing unless they’re married. Have you heard anything about that?”
“No?”
So that’s why they put him in a different carriage. I thought they were treating him like the Pirate King.
“We can report to the higher-ups that you declined.”
I gently tugged at Kies’s arm, sensing he had no intention of backing down.
“No.”
“What did I say that made you say no?”
Of course I’d meant to object.
But they had cleaned up after us as a condition for entering the palace, so my conscience wouldn’t let me overturn it now.
“It’s the Nedel Kingdom we’re talking about. And Pudding will be there, so it’ll be fine.”
“It’s not fine. Absolutely not. Don’t bother asking—I won’t hear it no matter what, so give up.”
Kies looked like someone being chased, desperate and anxious.
‘It’s almost like he’s frightened.’
Worry was understandable, but this level of excessive protection didn’t match the situation.
‘What on earth should I do……!’
A good idea came to me.
I tried to pull Kies’s shoulders down, but he held firm, unyielding. It meant he wouldn’t listen to anything I said.
“Just come down for a moment.”
“No.”
There was nothing for it.
Just as I was rising on my tiptoes to hang from Kies’s neck, Dilshard came to my aid.
“Thanks, Dilshard.”
Dilshard wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me, so I could easily reach Kies’s ear.
“What are you doing? You’re putting Tatiana in danger, ugh—”
“What danger is there in whispering in someone’s ear?”
When I tugged his earlobe, Kies let out a sound of pain.
“You always do whatever you want anyway, don’t you?”
“Why do you refuse when you know that?”
I chided him and leaned in close to his ear.
When I withdrew my lips, I felt him flinch, ticklish from the touch.
“What do you think?”
Back on the ground, looking up, I asked. Kies covered his crimson face and nodded.

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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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