The only reason I decided that we shouldn't go faster than the speed of sound is all the attention it would bring. Khan technically doesn't have to worry about things like "air pressure" or "air resistance," but I do. I'm riding on him.

The only thing slowing us down is one of Khan's mid-flight snacks, the decimation of a flock of horse-size birds. We managed to reach the ocean in a little under half a day. Although our speed was usually constant, we did need to detour around the cities since they all have restricted airspace.

The cities situated by the coast were decimated by tsunamis at the beginning of the year. The only city left standing was Prismarine, the location of the headquarters for the Cerulean Shield. But that was a few months ago.

Although not all the cities are running like before the disaster, quite a few are, including my destination. Little Rock had a pirate problem before the disaster, but in a twist of irony, pirates were the number one source of funds to repair it.

A famous pirate lord cut a deal with the government to help with the reconstruction efforts. I don't know the intricacies of the deal, but I know that the Cerulean Shield wasn't happy about this.

The government wanted to reduce some of the Cerulean Shield's influence over water cities for quite a while. As long as the people ‘in charge’ follow a set of rules, the government doesn't really care who the predominant superpower is. They will still be present and collect taxes.

With so many factions that can be found in just one city, having another one thrown in might help out, cause it can weaken the others. Churches, Minor Guilds, The Major Guilds, Noble Families, Clans, Masters, Merchant Companies, etc. So much power and influence is silently warred over every day.

The water is dark and constantly churning once you get a few feet from shore. There aren't many boats in the water, but the ones there typically have the Cerulean Shield's emblem on their sails. A small raid team seems to be battling some sea monster that was too close to a human settlement.

Little Rock is an island completely surrounded by ports and harbors. There is only one city, and it takes up over half the island's land, the rest is jungle-like wilderness. Many boats act like shops or other buildings for commerce, and many buoys with flags set a perimeter for the water.

To stay a little more incognito, I swap my ride out for Duchess. As we get closer to landing, I notice that none of the ships fly Jolly Rogers. Either the pirate mayor of this place retired, or the pirates have their own port.

I mean, it would make sense for one of the conditions to run this place was to cease active piracy. I assume that retiring into a position of power would be the optimal pirate retirement.

And what of the previous mayor?

Probably dead. Plus, this is technically an entirely new place. The city is called New Little Rock, it's just that the island kept the same name and that's how people usually refer to that place.

The port bustles with activity. I purchase random nick-nacks and store them in my bags. I also bought a ‘costume’ to keep my identity low-key. As a “famous person,” It's hard to go anywhere without someone noticing me.

Wearing a rubber cartoon fish mask with some heavy pirate motifs, I confirm the directions to the Archipelago by bribing a few sailors with alcohol and credits. However, relatively quickly into my shopping and information gathering, I get confronted by the enforcers of the city.

Since I'm not stupid, I'm not blatantly wearing my GI, which I'm famous for, nor is Duchess openly around my neck. Those things are hidden by the rest of the costume—over-the-top pirate wear.

I wanted Duchess to use a mix of mind and light magic to appear as a normal parrot on my shoulder. Even though I asked her, she refused and decided to stay hidden on my body instead. If I was extremely dedicated, I could cut an arm and a leg off, but I'm fine with all my extremities intact.

Although I'm surrounded, guns don't get drawn on me. What a quaint experience. Hmmm, oh. There was that thing about high-level people being restricted from certain cities unless they had permission, were a Master, or were strong enough to ignore rules and restrictions.

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From the city’s point of view, I’m sure whatever sensors or magic circles they have set up started blaring because some random level 500 person just randomly appeared on the island. From one of the books I consumed, I know that the magic circles the cities use can’t physically stop me at this level, but due to the nature of this city, I’m sure the “level cap” shouldn’t be too low.

“To the individual in the rubber mask, please identify yourself and your motive for arriving secretly at Little Rock.”

I don’t say anything. I don’t move either. For all these enforcers know, I am some belligerent madman here to do crime. Regardless, they have to do their jobs even though they can just as easily die as the civilians they guard. Well… not “just as easily,” but I’m being pedantic.

The enforcers are actively moving civilians away, which I feel is out of sequence in the order of apprehending an unknown threat. Shouldn’t they be brought to safety before approaching me? I guess, I would’ve noticed if everyone around me suddenly started treating me like a bomb.

I continued to not speak or move, creating a situation where they believed the situation devolved into a standoff. The reason why I’m not speaking is obvious, I’m trying to hide my identity. But I’m not moving either because I don’t want to get shot. Although not completely damning, my resilience might be too big of a giveaway.

Now, how to get out of this situation with the least amount of casualties… I’ll wait for all the civilians to leave the vicinity and I’ll just run for the ocean. That’s a good enough plan.

Murmurs and whispers of the “mayor” approaching grab my full attention. If the mayor, a ‘retired’ pirate lord is on his way, then things might get interesting. I imagine you can’t become a pirate LORD without some serious power… Well, having a good crew would be the main thing.

…Will this be my first meeting with a mayor? I can’t recall if I met with Bluefield’s mayor and I’m sure I haven’t met Auroran’s mayor. I’m sure if I did it was probably for some dumb award or ceremony.

The man I see approaching me looks aggressively like a pirate. Not like an aggressive pirate, but his features are so stereotypical, it borders on offensive… He also looks aggressive, but that’s beside the point. Large beard, gold tooth, eye patch, missing a hand. If his facial hair wasn’t neat, his prosthetic taking the form of a hand rather than a hook, and the business suit he is wearing, he would look like he jumped off the cover of a children’s book.

Although, he does sport a wooden peg-leg. Interesting.

Now that I think about it… I’m not wearing a ‘cartoon pirate’ fish rubber mask, but a ‘pirate lord mayor’ fish rubber mask. I’m wearing a mask of him, however intentional the design may or may not be, we are practically twins. (Ignoring the fish part.)

“What’z going on here? If you haven’t heard friend, Little Rock got a new leader. And I don’t take miscreants kindly here. If you want to simply turn and leave, we won’t stop ye. But be warned. It doesn’t matter how strong you think you are, the sea swallows all the same.”

I want to fight this guy. I can tell he is experienced, but not anywhere near the level of a Master. I wonder how easy or hard the fight between us may be? I’m not one of those people addicted to fighting, but I can’t say I grew to hate the feelings associated with combat. I wonder how much stronger I would’ve been if I had a rival who grew alongside me, pushing me all the way? The rare time a fight wasn’t a threat or an annoyance and was somewhat matched was fun.

The mayor’s scabbard shifts as his metal hand firmly grasps the hilt of his blade. I know he feels my intent. Something tamer than bloodlust… fighting spirit? As soon as the blade starts to leave its scabbard I pounce.

I appeared in front of him, as fast as I could manage without purposely breaking my legs. He managed to get his sword out and pivot into an attack. I believe his reaction speed might be better than mine, but that’s about it. I hit the edge of his blade away with my wrist.

With my other hand, I moved his eye patch over to the other eye, effectively blinding him. In that same fluid motion, I kick his wooden peg leg. With an audible CRACK, his prosthetic snaps in half. The surrounding enforcers can’t immediately shoot me in case they hit their mayor, but sticking around isn’t ideal. Although I want to battle it out, there is a time and place for everything.

I run as fast and hard as I can and swan dive into the sea, using [Bestial Storage] to put Duchess back into the manor before hitting the water. Rather than cold water stinging me as I jump in, the water is actually quite temperate. It might be because of my resistance or the local climate. Although this is my first time in the ocean, it isn’t my first time swimming. As hard as I can I swim to make distance, not surfacing for miles.

With my stats, it wasn't difficult to get out of eyeshot of the island. It turns out I'm pretty good at swimming.

~~~

The journey continues. I ride Duchess until we reach the archipelagos. A series of islands that still somehow have vegetation is constantly pestered by the perpetual storm above. The waters are dangerous as they twist into whirlpools of red water. It occasionally rains, but the lightning never stops.

Elementals play within the clouds as sea creatures that feed on flesh teem within the raging red waters. The whipping winds make it hard to hear anything besides the cracks of thunder.

"This is your new hunting spot."

I summoned Khan without dwelling that he couldn't have heard my statement to him, before allowing him to run wild. Me and Duchess watch in awe as Khan completely devours this long standing landmark for all its ecological worth.