Valentine is the de facto pirate of all pirates. He’s tall, like Boriss tall, with broad shoulders carrying a scale-plated coat with massive pauldrons and a flowing black cape. The pauldrons have the depiction of a monstrous maw on either side with glowing eyeholes. The rest of the coat is similar to Irmgards jacket, where it hugs closely and extends to his knees in length. Unlike her jacked, the coat is covered in armored scales with each individual scale having a carved rune on it.

Atop the man's head rests a resplendent leather tricorn with glowing red bones decorated throughout the headpiece. Atop the hat, a single crimson feather extends a foot above and flows lazily to the movements of the wind.

Underneath the coat, runed Bone-leather jackets and pants match the aesthetics of the man tricorn while the runed scale greaves match the man's jacket.

The entirety of the man's clothing screams of a quality and expense only a kingdom can provide, if even that.

Below the hat, Valentine's hardened human face rests. The man is old on account of the wrinkles on his skin, but flowing black mane reveals no sign of aging, nor does the vibrant green eyes discern a loss of mental ability.

No, Valentine is a man in his absolute prime, and he fully knows it by the slightly crazed grin on his face and resting left hand on the singular sheathed cutlass at his hip.

Just as they continue walking towards the central tower, I realize quickly that all of them are completely dry. When they get close enough, I find out why.

The rain stops pouring, and when I look up, I find that it is being blocked by some kind of barrier. Looking more closely, I notice the barrier is a bubble, and that the center of the bubble is Gazania, the Hurricane.

I guess a [Storm-Forge Navigator] is going to have some way of countering a storm. Hell, the woman is known as the Hurricane. She can probably make a damn hurricane.

“That staff is amazing.” I hear Emma whisper.

Figuring I have a moment since they seem to be walking rather slowly towards us, I focus upon the glowing staff in the plant-woman's hand.

Name

Roaring Aurora

Rarity

Legendary - 56 Runes.

* 2(8-- Greater Mana Efficiency)

* 1(10 - Greater Aurora shielding aura]

* 1(30 - Create Aurora)

Description

This staff reduces external mana expenditure by 75%. This staff reduces the effect of an aurora by 90% in its vicinity. This staff can cast Create Aurora at will.

Sustain

2.3% Mana Regeneration Per Minute

Create Aurora: 4317 Mana to activate

That's legendary? Doesn’t seem that impressive. Well, maybe it is, depending on what an Aurora does in this world.

Before I can ask, Valentine arrives within speaking distance. He stops and stares down all those present until he locks eyes with James kneeling at the tower's entrance.

“When I came here, I wasn’t expecting to be greeted by the tower idiots,” Valentine says mockingly.

Next to me, I find Simon balling his fists. Apparently, the man doesn’t like his religious order being called idiots. Thankfully, the man has the self control to keep his emotions in check.

James, ever diplomatic, bows. “The Tower Ecclesiasticus encourages all to make pilgrimage to the divine ear.”

“Harr harr harr,” Valentine laughs. “You idiots understand nothing and comprehend nothing.” The man continues laughing and then abruptly stops. “I should end you all for even thinking I’d do something like come here for a pilgrimage.”

Every single person goes pale at the man's words. Even Simon, the level 57 that he is, tightly grasps the hilt of his longsword nervously. The man is clearly willing to fight to the death, but he can’t help stop the fear rising up in him.

Then Valentine smiles. “But I have a better idea, and an audience would do well. Now move aside!”

James and everybody around the entrance quickly shift to the side, allowing valentine a view of the entrance.

“Harr harr harr.” Valentine laughs again. His laugh is odd, gritty, and laced with a bit of crazy.

He walks forward, up the steps, and then stops at the entrance. He raises a hand forward, and then stops at what appears to be an invisible barrier.

“I always wondered what these towers are for and why there is a barriered entrance.”

Immediately, Valentine retracts his hand, balls a fist, and punches forward. The sound of a gunshot goes off as his fist breaks the sound barrier. When his fist makes contact with the invisible wall, no impact can be heard as though all kinetic force was absorbed.

The man steps back and laughs again. “Now, I know. It’s all for a game.” He turns around and looks back at his crew. “And I am not a player.” His eyes focus on the singular Gemma. “Drevis, tell me what’s inside.”

Confused looks spread throughout the pilgrims at Valentine's words. Looks that the [Pirate-Prince Captain] thoroughly enjoys the look of.

“Yes, [Captain].” Drevis exclaims confidently.

Valentine grins. “Not your [Captain] yet. Prove to me the worth of your story and I will let you join my crew.”

The Gemma nods confidently. He walks up the stairs and stops right next to Valentine. Then he raises a hand forward and is met with the barrier. Then he applies a little bit of pressure.

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The entirety of the Tower Ecclesiasticus gasps in surprise as Drevis hand passes to the other side.

“Harr harr harrr.”

Valentine's laughter echoes throughout the clearing from the surprise of all those present. Now, every word of heresy that has come from his mouth may now be considered as gospel.

“Harr harr harrr.” He continues his joyous dark laughter. Then he puts a hand on Drevis shoulder. “Welcome to the crew.” Then he pushes Drevis fully through the barrier. “Now go inside and tell me what you find.”

When Drevis looks back, the man's expression is confused as though he can't see anybody. He puts his hand back on the barrier and then exits outside. When he does, he gives everyone a confused look.

“What happened?” Valentines asks.

“Nothing. I just can’t see outside the barrier.”

Drevis walks back into the tower. He gives one last look and then jogs deeper inside. Once he is out of vision range, Min Daiyu steps behind Valentine.

“[Captain],” She calls. She raises a hand with an extended finger pointing directly at me. “There is a sovereign here.”

Shit!

Valentine twirls rapidly in my direction at a speed I can barely track. When our eyes meet, the man relaxes and starts laughing.

“Harr harr harr.” his laugh echoes for a moment. Then, out of nowhere, his hand bitchslaps Min Daiyu with enough speed and force to send the woman flying into the ground..

“That's a [Shifter] you bitch!” He corrects her. “Check the class next time.” He warns the woman before turning away from her.

Damn, he’s brutal.

When I look at the woman next, her hood is peeled back to reveal a very asian heritage. Her cheek is now very red and her expression is oddly one of bliss on account of the smile and blush. She quickly stands up and lowers back her hood.

But, the damage has been done. Valentine's interest is on me.

“A [Shifter] that can transform into a Sovereign. Today just keeps getting better and better.”

Valentine starts walking towards me with a creepy grin on his face. “I’m going to have to know how you got such a transformation.”

Before he can walk the distance, Simon steps in front of me and unsheathes his longsword in warning.

“[Captain] Quasi is a guest of the Tower Ecclesiasticus, and is thus part of my protection. So long as I live, I will not allow any harm to come to him.”

Awww, you’re trying to protect me. That’s adorable… It was nice knowing you.

“Harr harr harr. A [Captain] you say? A [Shifter] and [Captain]? This just gets better and better.”

Valentine steps forward, completely unbothered by Simon's unsheathed longsword.

I see the shift in Simon's posture. The man is ready to rush and attack. Probably die too considering the difference in levels.

The moment just before Simon is about to attack, Valentine completely stops. The man’s eyes harden when he notices another person nearby.

“Well, if it isn’t the old fart. Today is full of surprises.”

I hear a grumble, and then Myers steps forward with a hand readily on his cane.

“It’s been awhile, Valentine. I wasn’t expecting to meet you here.”

“Harr harr harr. So this is where you’ve been hiding. I don’t suppose you’ve got the brat with you?”

“The child is not your concern.” Myers answers.

“Harr harr harr. Not mine, true. But there are many who’d pay a kingdom's ransom for the kid's death.”

“You don’t care for coin. You never did.”

Valentine laughs. “True, true. What is the point of coin when the best things in life are priceless.”

Myers grimaces. The old man tightens his grip on his cane which causes Valentine to smile wider and wider.

Thankfully, before a fight could happen, a screaming man rushes out of the tower. Not a moment later and a horse-sized brown scorpion with three glowing pincers rams directly into the barrier with enough force to shatter concrete. But, the barrier easily holds. The scorpian strikes the barrier several times with its claws and even pincers, but nothing happens.

Then, after glancing about, turns around and disappears deep into the tower.

Only once it is gone, does the attention return to Drevis. The Gemma is on the ground. His axe is missing and a massive bloody hole is on his left shoulder.

Completely distracted now, Valentine turns away from Myers and rushes to the drowned man. When Valentine arrives, the gemma starts convusling.

“Ghaahhhhhh.” The man screams. His formerly orange-grey stony skin starts turning a slightly violet hue.

Valentine reaches down to pick up the man.

“Don’t touch him,” Gazania warns. The woman's eyes are aglow as she stares at the writhing form. “He’s been poisoned by scorpis venom. If even a little bit enters your system, it can be lethal.”

Valentine stops reaching down and takes a step back with a frown. “Are you saying he’s going to die?”

Gazania nods. “The venom is called Scorpis Grasp. Once someone is infected, the person's mana regeneration increases by several hundred fold until they die from overdose. Once dead, the Scorpis consume the mana-rich corpse.”

“There is no cure?”

“Maybe by a [Healer], but not by me.”

Valentines eyes swerve immediately to James. “It’s a good thing we have a [Rejuvenating Archmagus] in our presence.” The [Pirate] points at the Gemma, “What do you say? Save my man here and I may let you and your flock go.”

“Yes!” James answers. He rushes to the writhing man and kneels down. He reaches into his robe and retracts a runed wand. He lays it on the Gemma, calls up his mana… and the Gemma ceases movement.”

“He just died,” Gazania exclaims. “Too slow.”

“No!” Valentine Roars in outrage as his foot slams down on James chest. James screams in pain under valentine's crushing weight.

“JAMES!” Simon yells. The [Faith-Guardian Captain] rushes forward with longsword raised to strike. He moves fast, faster than you’d expect someone in full plate.

But before he even reaches Valentine, a bolt of lightning rips through Simon's upper body, completely obliterating the man and spraying several dozen people in brain matter.

The corpse falls to the floor not a moment after. Valentine glances at the [Paladin] and then the asian woman. Min Daiyu’s arm is extended and a dagger is missing from her waist.

Valentine snorts. He looks down at the struggling James.

“I find someone who can enter the fucking tower, and he dies. I wasted my precious time on this.” Valentine adds more weight, wherein James screams.

“L-let me go!” I turn to my right and find a woman crying and attempting to rush towards Simon's corpse. But several [Sailors] keep her back from making the same mistake.

Honestly, I kinda feel bad. The Simon guy seemed pretty nice. He even put his life on the line for me. Maybe I should add Valentine to my future kill list? Then again, I only knew Simon for a day.

“FUCK!” Valentine roars. The man is now fully pissed and his smile is completely devoid of amusement.

He looks at all those present, scanning them for something.

“Hoy,” he calls out, “anyone here able to enter the tower too?”

He applies more pressure on James. “Come on, don’t be scared,” He says, looking hopefully.

“How about a deal, eh?” He looks about, even more crazed now. “You go into the tower, tell me whats inside, and I’ll leave everyone here fucking alone!”

Oh? Now that sounds like a pretty good deal. Though, if the tower is dangerous, I could also die. Then again, what’s the chances the man might kill me or my crew anyway? Decisions decisions.

“Come on, it's a good deal.” Valentine starts laughing. A manic, crazy laugh. He reaches into a pocket and retrieves a scroll. “I’ll even give you a map to where you can find some nearby treasure.”

“DEAL!” I yell out.