Chapter 5

As the evening grew late, the tavern began to fill up with more customers.

The patrons enjoyed their chilled drinks, boasting and sharing interesting stories, which echoed with bursts of laughter.

"Hahaha~"

Amidst the cheerful ambiance, the tavern's proprietress, Afura, busied herself with the lively environment, as she was short-staffed.

Lily and Light, two young children, autonomously assisted their mother, Afura, with various tasks at the tavern.

"Ding-ling~"

At that moment, the wooden door of the tavern swung open, and the crisp sound of the doorbell rang out.

A man with a silver-white longsword hanging from his waist, sporting black hair and a sturdy build, walked into the tavern. However, the patrons inside didn't pay much attention. They were accustomed to people coming in to enjoy drinks at this time, and the sound of the doorbell had become routine.

Similarly, the man entering the tavern didn't pay much heed to the drinking and laughter around him. He calmly walked towards the tavern counter.

Afura, who had just served another customer, habitually smiled and asked the man who had just entered, "What would you like to drink?"

The man took a seat at the counter and spoke in a calm voice, "The usual, chilled drink."

Upon hearing the familiar voice and words, Afura's expression momentarily froze. She instinctively looked up and scrutinized the man standing before her.

When she recognized his face, she seemed taken aback, covering her mouth in surprise.

"You...you?!"

The person standing before her was none other than Carnes, who had transformed from an old man into a young adult.

Observing Afura's astonished expression, Carnes smirked.

"I'm here this time to bid farewell."

Afura's expression softened. After regaining her composure, she slowly removed her hand from her mouth and smiled.

"I see. Have you recovered from your injuries?"

"Yes, I've been grateful for your care over these years." Carnes nodded, not hiding anything.

"Carnes..." Afura began to speak but paused, seeming hesitant.

"What's wrong?" Carnes asked, puzzled.

Afura shook her head with a smile, apologizing, "It's nothing! It's just that seeing you in your current appearance and calling you 'uncle,' it feels a bit strange."

Carnes didn't mind and continued, "Then just call me Carnes. I don't mind."

"It's truly surprising. You look even younger than me now," Afura chuckled lightly as she started preparing the drink Carnes requested.

"Where are you planning to go?" Afura asked.

Carnes replied, "I'm setting sail to settle many unresolved grievances from the past."

"Tonight?" Afura inquired.

"Yes, tonight!" Carnes nodded firmly.

Just as Carnes finished speaking, the tavern door was violently pushed open.

"Bang!"

The untimely loud noise immediately attracted the attention of the tavern's patrons. They stopped their conversations and actions, collectively turning their gaze toward the entrance.

At the tavern's entrance, a middle-aged man, drenched in sweat and panting heavily, surveyed the tavern. His trembling voice spoke up, "It's... it's bad news! Something big is happening pirates... I saw a pirate ship docked at the port!!"

Upon hearing this news, the tavern erupted into a storm of commotion.

"What?!"

"Pirates!"

"Hey, hey, Hans! Are you serious? Pirates have arrived?!"

"Damn it! Is the peace of this island going to be shattered again by those damn, wicked pirates?!"

As they spoke, many patrons in the tavern stood up one after another.

Upon hearing the news of the pirate ship docking, they could no longer continue drinking peacefully in the tavern.

They had to hurry back home and hide with their families!

Otherwise, if they encountered those pirates, they would surely be killed!

The patrons started rushing out of the tavern.

Behind the counter, Afura's expression changed upon hearing about the pirates. She instinctively looked towards Carnes standing in front of her.

Before she could say anything, Carnes spoke first, "Don't worry, I believe the pirate ship that has docked belongs to my crew."

"Even if it's not, there's no need to worry."

"I'm here."

Watching Carnes' calm and composed demeanor.

Listening to his confident words.

Afura's panicked expression eased a bit, and she smiled again.

"You're still as reliable as you were back then, whether facing these pirates or the bandits from those years..."

At that moment, Lily and Light also ran over.

They came to Afura's side and called out with concern, "Mom!"

Afura turned her head, looking at her two children with affection, and comforted them softly, "It's alright, don't worry."

---

On the other side,

At the port of the small town, on a recently docked pirate ship.

More than twenty crew members with long swords gathered at the bow of the ship, led by a tall man wearing a red and white striped suit, round-framed glasses, pointed ears, and a tail.

And he was none other than the special crew member recruited by Carnes.

Demiurge!

Casting a glance at the town below, Demiurge had a stern expression. He spoke in a cold, icy voice.

"Let's go."

"Don't make our captain wait too long."

"Yes!" The twenty-plus crew members responded in unison.