Chapter 38: How to Subjugate Pirates 101

I walked towards the residential quarters of the ship, humming in delight. After my talk with my new girlfriends—that fact still hadn't fully settled, despite my outward casual attitude. It was both bizarre and amusing to think about. I mean, who would've thought I'd end up with both Angelica and Olivia? The original Protagonist and Antagonist of this stupid Otome game, respectively.

Looking back at my first day in this world, at how annoyed I was when I first arrived, I couldn't help but feel amazed at how much my perspective had shifted. Sure, I still wanted to leave, but I never imagined I'd form any real connections here. Much less end up with girlfriends. Plural.

I was giddy and smiling, the thought once again reminding me of my absurdly delightful reality as I continued on my way.

My destination was the room of the bluenette who was the reason behind this whole journey.

Knocking on her door, I heard a hurried "Come in," and stepped inside to find her standing by her bed, a book set aside.

"Ah, Viscount Alpenwind. How may I help you? Is there something you need?" Carla asked demurely as she approached me. She was nervous, doing her best to hide it. I had a pretty good idea why, but rather than playing the guessing game, I figured I'd just cut to the chase.

"You can, actually. Let's sit down and have a chat. There are some things we should discuss regarding the upcoming pirate subjugation."

"Oh, of course. Please, come in." She gestured toward the small but comfortable-looking chairs. I closed the door behind me and made my way to one of them, Carla following close behind.

"Alright, let's get to the main point. What's your game?" I asked, lounging in the chair like I owned it (which I did, in fact, own). I looked her straight in the eyes.

Her face went pale, and her anxiety skyrocketed as my words registered.

"W-Whatever do you mean, milord? I simply wanted your generous assistance in dealing with the pirates ravaging my hometown," she said, her voice somewhat shaky but otherwise controlled.

"I see. So it's just about the pirate subjugation, yes?" I asked. She nodded jerkily.

"Yes, milord. That's all. I'm truly grateful that you've deemed to help this poor self. I cannot repay you enough for your generosity."

"Is that so? And it has nothing to do with, say, the Offrey household—or Stephanie Fou Offrey in particular?"

Her face tensed up even more, and despite her best efforts, she couldn't stop herself from trembling. She tried, but I noticed the subtle gulp, the perspiration beginning to form on her forehead despite the cool air-conditioned room.

"I-I don't understand, milord. What does that have to do with—"

"Carla, look." I sighed. I was in a very good mood, but this conversation threatened to ruin it. I wouldn't let it. "I know Stephanie Fou Offrey set you up to do this."

The moment I said that, she began to hyperventilate, avoiding eye contact, looking everywhere but at me. That reaction alone was enough confirmation—not that I needed it, since Eris had already submitted her report which had confirmed as such.

"Understand, I'm not blaming you. I know the full story. You were forced into this, right? She threatened you—your reputation or your position at the academy, maybe your family? Whatever it was, I get it. You didn't have much of a choice."

At my words, she broke down, tears welling up.

"I—I'm sorry! Please, forgive me, milord!" She fell to her knees, groveling.

"I... I didn't have a choice! I never wanted to do this, milord. Please, believe me… Miss Stephanie threatened to kill my family—and me—if I failed to bring you to the trap. She paid the pirates to ambush you en route and promised I wouldn't be harmed once you and your companions were captured or subdued. I'm so sorry! Please, milord, I beg for your forgiveness!"

I sighed at the sorry sight in front of me.

"Jeez, stand up. I told you I'm not blaming you, Carla. You don't need to do this."

She hesitated but eventually rose, her face a mess of tears.

"Here, clean up." I handed her my handkerchief and waited while she composed herself. She was trembling with fear, but beneath it, I sensed a degree of sincerity. Yes, she was trying to save her skin from a known powerhouse's wrath, but this wasn't just an act. She was genuinely desperate, trying to protect herself and her family from forces far beyond her control. Honestly, she was in a shitty situation, stuck between a rock and a portable nuclear weapon. (Three guesses as to which one is which and the first two don't count.)

As she wiped her face, I quietly pulled a jug of water and a glass from my Inventory and offered her some. The perks of having a convenient pocket space.

"Here."

She blinked in surprise as she started a the glass but then took it. She started sipping slowly, her hands still shaking, but soon drained it in a few quick gulps. When she finished, she slumped, looking utterly defeated.

"Why..." she muttered softly. "Why are you being so kind to me? After everything I've done?"

She was still doubtful, despite my assurances. There was pain and hopelessness behind her words.

"Honestly? Because I knew it was a trap the moment you asked for my help. It wasn't hard to figure out the rest afterward." I wasn't going to mention Eris, so that was all she was getting from me.

"That's how I found out about your situation too. You were ordered to do this, under threat. You couldn't fight back, had no support other than your 'Mistress,' Stephanie. In the end, you did what you had to."

I kept my tone calm, non-judgmental.

"That being said," I continued sharply, causing her to tense up, "I can't just ignore the slight. You're desperate, and desperate people do desperate—and often stupid—things."

"I—"

She started, maybe to deny it or to beg again, but I cut her off.

"So, I'll have to deal with you."

Her face drained of color as she sagged, as if the strings holding her up had been cut.

I rolled my eyes at her overreaction. "By which I mean, I'll help you with your situation. I'll get you out from under that bitch's thumb."

It took a moment for my words to sink in, but when they did, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Y-You will, milord? Even after what I've done, you'll help... me?"

I frowned at her self-deprecating words, and she winced in fear, probably taking it the wrong way. I quickly softened my expression with a sigh. This girl was too pitiful.

"Yes, I'll help you, despite everything. Now, stop degrading yourself, and stop calling me 'milord.' I told you I don't like all that formality. Just call me Ian."

As soon as I said it, I realized my slip-up. I'd told her to call me Ian—my real name. But I hadn't meant to. It was something I reserved for the people I cared about: only Eris, Olivia, and Angelica knew my real name.

I thought about correcting myself but decided against it. It would just make things awkward. Besides, it wasn't that big of a deal. I'd gotten used to being called Leon in this world, even if I didn't fully identify with it. I was still me—Ian Sawyer.

Thankfully, Carla didn't seem to notice my blunder and subsequent pondering. She just looked confused for a moment before responding.

"I... I understand, Sir Ian. But I'm unworthy of such familiarity. That's reserved for people on your level, or your close acquaintances."

I sighed again. "Alright, whatever." I tried. I did. But she's a tough nut to crack.

"Now, let's talk about your situation. I need to hear everything. I know the basics, but if we're going to deal with it properly, I need the full story. Don't hold anything back."

I paused as a thought struck me. I said I'd help Carla, but I wasn't the best person for this. There was someone far better suited to handle it—someone who would likely be more than willing to lend a hand once they knew the full truth. And in helping Carla, she might even gain a loyal ally.

I smiled inwardly. Angelica could help. And it'd be cruel not to let Olivia in on the plan. Not that Olivia had any prominent abandonement issues as far as I knew. That was more Angelica's thing and for good reasons. Something I'd be sure to weed out thoroughly by never making her feel like I was abandoning her. After all, what's the point of forming a relationship if you're not going to value it?

"Actually, let's go see the others. They can help with this."

Angelica could handle it, no question. I had a feeling her family would be more than interested in this little scheme. After all, if Carla had succeeded in luring us to the pirates—and if it had been anyone else—this could've easily turned into a life-or-death situation. Instead, I'd been handed the perfect excuse to bring the entire Offrey household crashing down. Let's see how that bitch likes it when her world crumbles under the hammer of God.

I didn't feel an ounce of remorse as I plotted my course of action. The Offreys were a rot, secret spies poised to sow chaos later in the game's story. From the reports Eris had gathered, that seemed more than likely. So really, I'd be doing the Kingdom a favor by wiping them out—while reaping the benefits myself.

It didn't take long to find Angelica and Olivia. They were still sitting in the lounge where I'd left them, talking to each other. From the tit-bits I heard while approaching them, it seemed to be about the upcoming opening of Utopia. They noticed the two of us and both gave me a beatific smile. I couldn't help but return a smile myself.

My girlfriends. I was still feeling the butterflies at the word. It'd take some time to come down from the high. But honestly, I didn't want to.

"Hey, Angie, Livy," I greeted the two. "There's something we need to talk about."

 I gestured toward Carla, who shifted awkwardly, clearly nervous. It was time to sort this mess out once and for all.

***

It took some time for Carla to tell her story, and I helped fill in the blanks. She told us of the scheme cooked up by that Offrey girl and a piece of her depressing backstory—which, I had to admit, was kinda sad. It made me realize just how much lower-class citizens, whether commoners or lower-ranking nobles, had to suffer in this social hierarchy. So much was dictated by your standing, your pedigree, and if you weren't among the privileged or distinguished—the two not always being mutual—you were in for a lifelong struggle, chasing what others could obtain as easily as breathing.

Not that this kingdom treated nobles like divine beings and commoners like fodder, but there was definitely a divide. The social circles were evident. It wasn't too different from my old world, really. There, the upper classes were defined more by income and influence—mainly the money. Capitalism and feudalism weren't all that far apart when seen from this perspective. Sure, we'd progressed past the age of Kings and Queens, but the social strata had only evolved into something new. There was still a remnent of the past evident.

Angelica, having heard the entire story, was furious. She understood how bad things could've gotten if not for my intervention, and even then, this was clearly an attack on us. Putting me aside—after all, I was a Viscount with a prominent past and a bright future and the one who was the primary target of this—Olivia might've seemed the least important of the three from the outside, but Angelica was involved. And she was the Ducal princess.

The consequences were clear, and Angelica didn't hesitate to voice them.

"The Offrey household is done for. I'll make sure of it." Her expression was a mix of outrage and resolve. "She dared to play such games with us, with my friend and…"

She trailed off as she looked at me, blushing slightly. Clearly, Angelica had her own feelings to deal with.

"… and my lover."

That word—"lover"—was strong, even deeper than "boyfriend." It was sturdy and intimate, and it made me want to cuddle her on the spot. Was it weird that I was suddenly feeling all mushy and lovey-dovey? Probably. I hadn't expected to act this way, but I guess I was still technically a teenager.

That brought me to another point. My real age was a bit of a fuzzy topic. When I got the System, I was 16, nearly 17. I had physically regressed to 10 when I entered this world, and I'd spent five years here, growing up again as a teenager. Technically, I had 21 years of life experience, but I'd never even reached 17 before. Instead, I went back to my pre-teens. How had that affected my mental growth? Was I truly thinking like an adult? I liked to believe so. But was I actually one? I tried to act the part. Then again, wasn't it odd that I was making 15-year-olds my girlfriends? The fact that I was even attracted to them spoke volumes. To be fair, they were both mature for their age. And I'm not just talking about their, well, assets, though that was a bonus. Still, I never had the chance to physically grow into adulthood, and it messed with my perception of things. Mentally, I was somewhere between a young adult and a teenager, and my body reflected that, looking closer to 17 or 18 than 15. The inevitable result of a proactive lifestyle filled with action and growth.

But that was a complicated subject for another time.

Angelica quickly regained her composure, setting aside her momentary blush for a more serious expression.

"I'll be informing my family of this. My father and brother won't take this lightly. At a minimum, they'll wage a political war against the Offrey household."

If that happened, they'd have no trouble unearthing all the dirt hidden under the Offrey's carpets. I—or rather, Eris—had already prepared for this. It would only make things easier to steer in the right direction. I couldn't help but smile, thinking of how much this would net me. Bringing down an entire noble household would certainly earn me world points in abundance.

"Um…" Carla's meek voice interrupted my thoughts. She sat nervously in one of the corner seats, while Olivia and Angelica shared the sofa, and I sat across from Carla. I could've joined my girlfriends, but I had a feeling I'd get distracted.

"Yes, Carla?" I prompted, and she gathered herself to ask a quiet question.

"What will happen to me?" Her voice was shaky. "If Lady Angelica's family gets involved, they'll know about my part in all this. I… I'll be found guilty."

She choked on the last words, dread washing over her. She looked down, clearly imagining the worst—what the Duke might do to someone who had tried to harm his daughter.

"Nope," I said casually, causing her to look up, startled. The others gave me questioning looks, so I clarified. "Nothing's going to happen to you. I told you before, and I'll say it again—you were more or less forced into this. You didn't have much choice. Sure, you could've come clean," She winced, understanding my point. "but you didn't know how we'd react. Ultimately, it's up to us how we handle your case."

I turned to Angelica and Olivia, gesturing for their input.

"After hearing everything, I agree with Ian," Angelica said. "You were involved, but I don't think you deserve full blame. I'm willing to forgive you, though my family might not be as lenient."

Carla's mood sank again, but Angelica continued. "That said, if they knew where Ian stands on the matter…" She smiled at me. "I'm sure they'd be open to settling things quietly. I'll even ask for leniency on your behalf. But you should distance yourself from Stephanie." She warned the bluenette.

Carla nodded, looking worn out. The whole situation had taken a toll on her, but it was inevitable. Honestly, my actions probably saved her from a much darker fate—possibly even treason. And Eris? She wouldn't have hesitated to step in if I were in any real danger. She was protective like that, even if she didn't show it often.

Angelica broke the silence with an offer. "I can support you, Carla. But I don't offer that lightly. In return, I expect loyalty. You'll be treated well, and I'll offer what security and help I can, but I'll need your allegiance. Is that acceptable?"

I smiled inwardly. Looks like Angelica was ahead of me on this one. It was a smart move—she had nothing to lose and could gain a loyal supporter and ally if it worked out. And it would. I'd make sure of it.

Carla agreed, of course. It was the obvious choice. She'd be treated far better under Angelica than with someone like Stephanie, and she knew it. Plus, with our leniency and willingness to help, she had no reason to refuse.

"Well, that's settled," I said, turning to Olivia. "What about you, Livy?"

She looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what's your take on this? You were part of this mess too."

Olivia hesitated. "I… I'm not sure. This is all so overwhelming."

"That's okay," I said gently. "Just tell us what you think."

"It's not a good situation," Olivia said after a pause. "Carla was in a tough spot. I think it's kind of you two to help her out. I just don't know what I can do to help…"

Her uncertainty was understandable, but I wasn't expecting her to fix things. Still, saying that outright might hurt her self-confidence, so I spoke my following words carefully.

"That's fine, Livy," I reassured her. "As long as you're okay with how we're handling it."

"I am," she said quickly. "I think it's really kind. I'd help if I could."

I smiled. The matter was settled.

After a few final remarks, Carla left, looking thoughtful but in better spirits. I stayed with Angelica and Olivia, and we spent the rest of the evening talking and playing board games to pass the time.

***

It was time. We were approaching Carla's hometown, and despite knowing this entire thing was a setup, I decided to press forward with the mission. There was a good reason for that. Eris had sent one of her stealth drones ahead to scout out the pirates who had been paid to ambush us, and the findings were… interesting.

Among the group of pirates, one of them had stashed away a particularly precious piece of jewelry in a hidden safe. When Eris described it to me, I instantly recognized it.

One of the original Saintess's relics.

I hadn't expected this. Sure, it was part of the game's canon that the Saintess's items had scattered across the world and one of them was in the hands of a certain group of pirates, but the fact that one of the three main story relics ended up in the hands of this exact group of pirates? That was a surprise. A fortunate one, though. It meant I had the perfect reason to spring this trap and take them down.

"Alright," I muttered, standing on the deck of our ship as the horizon came into view. The sea stretched out below us, calm and deceptively peaceful, but not for long as I knew what lay ahead. Somewhere, hidden in the clouds or behind some rocky crags, the pirates were waiting. Okay, I knew exactly where they were waiting but I was making this overly dramatic for the heck of it.

The girls—Angelica, Olivia, and Carla—stood nearby, watching me expectantly. They knew what was happening but didn't quite understand the full extent of my plan.

"Eris, are the drones in position?" I asked.

My query was followed by her calm response as Eris hovered next to me, in full view of Carla, who I had sworn to keep this quiet.

[All units are in place. They await your command, Captain.]

"Good." I straightened up, standing in full armor as my hand rested on the hilt of my sword more out of habit than necessity. I wouldn't need it or the armor for what was coming. It was more out of a precautionary measure than actual need. I doubted the pirates would be able to even approach close enough to our ship's position.

Angelica glanced at me, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Ian, what's the plan? We know it's a trap, but…"

I flashed her a reassuring smile. "Oh, it's definitely a trap. But they're the ones who are about to get caught."

Before she could ask more, I raised my hand, signaling Eris to initiate the attack.

In an instant, the sky shifted. From high above, a swarm of drones emerged from their cloaked positions, sleek, black, and previously near-invisible against the backdrop of the clouds. They descended in perfect formation, targeting the pirate ships hidden just beyond a certain patch of thick clouds which was acting as the main hideout for this entire fleet of pirates. The pirates of course had no idea they were going to be swarmed.

Eris's drones were a marvel of Ancient technology, equipped with precision laser weapons and capture nets. Without so much as a warning, the drones opened fire.

The sky lit up as beams of light sliced through the air, disabling the pirates' ship's weapons and defenses with pinpoint accuracy. We heard distant shouts and the clanging of metal through our comm links that Eris had distributed to the girls—I already had it in-build in my suit.

The pirates scrambled to defend themselves, but it was already too late. One by one, their ships' armaments sputtered and died, leaving them sitting ducks in the air. The drones had surrounded their entire fleet.

A dozen or so of the pirates tried to flee, some by using their Mecha armors and a few using emergency pods, only to be met by the drones' next wave of attacks. Capture nets were launched on the ones in the open, enveloping them and dropping them onto the decks, restrained and utterly defeated, while the armored ones suffered a similar wave of strike, disabling their armors and effectively locking them inside, unable to move or get out. The pirates had also fired back with what I could only call laughable weaponry—rusted cannons and poorly maintained muskets—but their shots went wide or bounced harmlessly off the drones' energy shields.

The entire fight lasted less than a minute.

I stood there, arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold like I was merely observing a routine chore. The girls, however, were stunned.

Olivia's eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open. "That… was incredible."

Angelica, who usually maintained a composed demeanor even in the face of danger, looked visibly impressed. "You dealt with all of them in less time than it takes to brew tea."

Carla was frozen in place, disbelief written all over her face. She knew of the pirates and was made aware of their reputation and strength by her ex-mistress, but seeing them dispatched so effortlessly left her speechless.

"Well," I said, rubbing the back of my neck, "Ancient tech is pretty handy, huh?"

I couldn't help but grin at their reactions. It felt good to show off every now and then.

But I wasn't done yet. "Eris, time to retrieve the item."

[Already done, Captain.]

Eris was one step ahead of me.

One of the drones had peeled away from the group and descended into the largest pirate ship. It didn't take long before it emerged, carrying a small chest—likely the hidden safe Eris had mentioned. The drone flew back toward me, landing gracefully at my feet, the chest still clutched in its mechanical arms.

I knelt down and opened it, my eyes instantly locking onto the gleaming artifact inside. The jewelry wasn't just a piece of treasure—it was a relic of immense power in this world, one of the three sacred items tied to the original Saintess and which held the secret to defeating the final boss of this game. This particular one was a necklace, officially called the Blessing of Veritas. However, in the game, it was simply referred to as Saintess's necklace or one of the three Holy Relics.

Holding it in my hand, I felt its weight, both physical and metaphorical. The magic power radiating from this item was palpable. No wonder this was a core item in the story. Of course, it held no chance against Eris, but this was only a piece of the puzzle. It was incomplete currently and wouldn't show its true potential until the other two pieces were gathered as well.

The girls gathered around, looking down at the pendant. Olivia's eyes sparkled with awe. "It's so beautiful…"

Angelica frowned in contemplation. "What is this? This doesn't look like an ordinary piece of jewelry. And why did the pirates have something like this? How did they even get their hands on this? It looks like it could be a heirloom of the Royal family."

I nodded and answered her question. "Close. It's one of the original Saintess's holy items."

The three girls went wide-eyed at that revelation and looked at me and then back at the item, now with a greater sense of awe and wonder.

"The pirates were holding onto it, and now it's ours," I added.

Angelica folded her arms, a smirk forming on her lips. "That's one way to turn a trap to our advantage."

"Ian," Olivia said, her voice soft, "what are you going to do with it?"

That was the question, wasn't it? This relic was powerful, far more than its appearance suggested. And while it was tempting to keep it for myself, I knew the implications it carried. This wasn't just some trinket to collect. It had meaning.

I turned the pendant over in my hand, feeling the cool metal against my skin.

"What am I going to do with it?" I mused aloud, glancing at the girls. "That's a good question."

And one I'd have to figure out soon.

***