Captain Shores was left in charge of redistributing the former hostages, and some had come from as far as Dolliver. One girl had had enough of the pirate lifestyle and asked to be delivered to her family in Porta Bora, which he said he could facilitate as well. Always the reliable one, that Captain Shores.

“As you can see, I embossed it with the gold of paradise, and it can now hold ten barrels, instead of just two.” Cira looked mighty proud of herself as she leaned against the fence in her garden.

“Did you really have to upgrade it?” Tawny was distraught, tugging on Jimbo’s arm, “He already drinks too much.”

“I was inspired. My bad.”

“I like it. Best ale I’ve ever had, while I’m at it.” He said after finishing a long drink, offering Cira a thumbs up, then going for another. “When can we get working on my leg though? I have tons of ideas. Like, could I store stuff in there—”

“Hang on! The hell are you two planning?!” Tawny looked between the two—Jimbo with childlike wonder and Cira with a holding to her chin in deep though.

“After studying this pendant,” Cira no longer wore it, so she made it appear in her hand, “I believe I have more catalysts capable of the task than I thought. I also have theories on spatially interchangeable blades, but that opens the door to any number of quick-change attachments. Shears, harpoon gun, grappling hook. Hell, one could even be a metal leg with jointed ankle, toes and everything—”

“No!” Tawny clamped a hand over Cira’s mouth, “Stop it! You will heal his leg or leave it alone and that’s final!”

A frown formed and Cira looked at Jimbo, but he also looked pretty bummed out.

“Fine, fine…” his expression was one of true regret, “Can you just heal my leg instead?”

At the end of the day, it was the same choice Cira would make, if hers hadn’t grown back incidentally.

“I can, but… it will possibly take a while and hurt pretty bad.”

“Who cares? Getting my leg munched on hurt pretty bad too. If I can get my leg back for just a little more pain, I’d be a coward to refuse.” Jimbo shrugged, “Just put me to sleep.”

“I suppose I can, huh? But that will have to wait. We have just arrived at my first point of interest.” Cira leaned over the rail and stared at a crisp emerald canopy. Trails of blood-red sap formed small streams that poured into the earth and disappeared.

“You’re gonna kill the evil tree?” Tawny asked, mildly interested.

Jimbo was even more interested, “Hell yeah! Let me get everyone—”

“No, I am going to study the tree, and write a short research paper on it at a later date. Stay here if you want.” Cira jumped right off the edge and plummeted down, silken robes flapping in the wind as her finely crafted hat remained in place.

The ground was spongy when she landed and saturated in life and blood mana. An interesting combination for dirt, she thought. Naturally, Cira scooped some out and filled a pouch with it.

The dirt shifted and a root rose from the ground like a spear before crumpling against her barrier.

Cira turned her gaze to the tree’s trunk, “Greetings, Tree. It is I, the ruler of these lands.”

“AHHHHHH!” Cira winced as a hundred tormented cries flooded her mind. “GYAHHHHH”

Only a couple seconds was enough for Cira to cut the connection.

“What that hell is your problem?” Approaching the tree, Cira continued to repel root attacks until she was within arm’s reach of the trunk. She wiped her finger in the bloody sap running down it.

She was disappointed to find that it was nothing like vestigial nectar, but also relieved because she would have felt really stupid if it were here all along. The substance was more like blood but far stickier. After washing off her hands, she filled a jar and stuffed it in a pouch.

By this time one of the pods had begun to slowly lower from the canopy. As it fell further, it split into four.

This was of course, right above Cira. She watched the process intently and was fascinated to see the pod reform seamlessly around her.

Rather aggressive digestive juices, but it has almost zero aethereal weight. Where’s all that mana going, then? Just dumping out for no reason in the sap? That can’t be.

Cira sat there for a few minutes, surprisingly comfortable, and deduced that nothing else was going to happen.

“Sorry, Pal.” Cira punched a hole through the pod.

“REEEEEEEE” It cried in briefly novel pain and split open to immediately rid itself of her.

Landing back on the ground and crossing her arms, Cira gave it one last inspection.

“Huh.” She leaned down and placed a hand on the roots. Cira almost made up the sorcery ‘Root Sense’ on the spot, but something gave her a bad feeling. Instead, she just used Spatial Sight to inspect below ground. The roots were vast, far more so than the rivers of Fount Salt. Cira noticed much of the mana within the tree was instead flowing through the roots.

These roots were then entangled with those of the surrounding forests. Cira followed the blood through a vast network of roots up and over the mountain, then clear to the other side of Acher.

For one reason or the other, that at least explained the bustling jungle and dense rainforests that covered the entire island.

This was enough for her, and Cira was glad to have had the forethought to avoid another incident like Fount Salt’s Spring Sense, so she rose again to Breeze Haven, bidding her loud new friend a final farewell.

“So…?” Tawny asked when she arrived on deck. “Is it evil?”

“Evil, no. Very hungry for flesh—yes.” She sat back against the fence of her garden. “And there’s a high chance that it assimilates the souls it consumes, potentially in eternal torment.”

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

“Why not destroy it though?”

“Yeah, seems dangerous.” Jimbo agreed.

“Because Acher’s vegetation would collapse, and if anyone is interested in blood sorcery, this is the place.”

“I’m… not sure I understand.” Tawny looked helpless.

“It’s fine. I’ll have you transcribe the paper I write before I leave. The general public should probably know do avoid this tree, though.” Cira put her foot back up on the fence, “But for now, take Breeze Haven back to the palace. I’ll meet you there, but I have a friend to see first.”

As she kicked off the ledge, her body turned to mist and faded away.

___

“Took you long enough.” Undina sounded grumpy, “And who said you could touch my spring chamber!”

Cira sat down as a glowing chair materialized from the water beneath her. This spring was located in the center of a tall outcropping and mostly hidden by surrounding palms. It was no violent geyser like she often saw but was much stronger than Paradise’s water spring.

“So, you’re literally just water mana. Despite the fact that you can take slug-form, your composition isn’t all too different from a sprite.”

“You would study me without even saying hello first?” An offended slug face briefly emerged from the spring. “Good to see you, Cira, glad you didn’t die! Sheesh.”

“Cira!” Wet footsteps came from behind and squishy arms wrapped around her, “Hi!”

“Bleh—” Cira shook her head like a wet dog, “Get your suction cups out of my face, Ella."

The young girl was having a blast just hanging out, but Cira and the Undine learned a lot. It wasn’t every day one could get up close and personal with a greater spirit. For Undina, Cira’s abominable nature was endlessly fascinating, and seeing it all reforged into a nice and tidy package amused her.

Cira spent a good few hours chatting with them and satisfying her curiosity before bidding farewell. She let the river take her away.

Twenty minutes later, a violent gurgling echoed through the palace courtyard and mana exploded from the hideous angel fountain.

After the light died down, Cira was face to face with another crowd. This time it was at least her pirates and those acquired in the recent deposition. Wick and the naked wizards was another item on her list, but they could wait.

“What?” Cira spoke across the courtyard, “Get back to work.”

They dutifully obliged, though Cira had no idea what they were doing.

“Darling, you’ve returned!” If it weren’t for a tug on her sleeve, Cira would have been confident those words were not meant for her. She turned her head ready to see who would dare, then froze. “I so hope you’ve been well.”

It was the pensive blonde girl, fluttering her eyelashes and looking up at Cira with such genuine worry. She had very light makeup on, but it was clear she spent some time on it. The dress she wore was a pale green silk and while she lacked a hat, it was styled similar to a set of robes—notably not enchanted, but must have come from a fine tailor. It made her sparkle gently in the morning light.

Behind her was the crimson haired woman with a beauty that was difficult to contain within a dress, and she seemed to hold her tongue knowing that Cira was at a loss. Perhaps her silence was a consideration, and Cira was almost irritated appreciating it. Next to the voluptuous woman was the brown-haired girl from the other day as well. They were all well-kempt and wearing extravagant dresses. Admittedly, it was nice to see that they fulfilled her request and found some clothes that fit.

While Cira suppressed a groan, she could only count her blessings that the entire imperial harem was not present. She wasn’t ready to come up with more orders on the spot.

But they looked so happy to see Cira, she didn’t have the heart to complain to their faces.

“You look parched,” yet another member of her harem arrived holding a glass of water. She had short, elegant hair and a tight yellow sundress.

“Well, I suppose…” Cira was not parched, but took the glass anyway. It was cold and refreshing. “Thank you…” Unfortunately, all four of them looked like they were expecting her to say something. The blonde girl even appeared to shuffle around nervously, flitting her eyes between Cira and her own dress.

Why is this happening to me? “Well done completing your task… You have all found quite fine garments.” Cira nodded her head approvingly.

“Your robes are quite lovely as well,” The red-haired one winked, “But they’re the same ones you wore when last we saw you.”

“Wha—” Is that a problem? Why does that matter? Gah! I take sorcerous showers like six times a day. Cira’s cheeks felt warm, and she still didn’t have the heart to be annoyed. It was very conflicting. Why do I feel self-conscious right now? Damn this woman! “I spent all morning sewing them and the council told me to take ‘em right off!”

But she was alarmingly ready for Cira’s argument, “That’s such a shame. They’re so beautiful and soft.” Now both of her sleeves were occupied by women with unknown intentions.

“Y-yeah… it is a shame.” Cira had to agree.

“Unbelievable!” Even though she seemed to put a lot of effort into that shout, the blonde women still sounded so delicate as she hung onto Cira’s left.

“How dare they?”

“Yeah, I can’t believe that council,” Yet another, Pearl, approached from behind. “You look great, Love.”

Her gentle smile was disarming. Cira didn’t know what to do and was about to conjure a table and chairs and give up when a voice came from behind her.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? The Council’s waiting for you” It was James, who looked pretty mad until he saw the helpless look on Cira’s face. “You can only bring one member of your harem. Choose quickly.”

Then he walked away, and Cira saw the shit-eating grin on his face in Spatial Sight.

Oh look, we’re up to seven again. Surely there’s one or two more on their way… I better make this fast.

“Who’s he to boss you around?” This woman wore a bonnet.

“Yeah, you can bring all of us. Who’s gonna stop you?” There were just too many. Cira tensed the muscles in her legs and was half a breath from disappearing in a flash of void lightning, but the crimson woman began to tug at her.

“Those are her friends, you know. I’m sure she doesn’t appreciate you speaking ill of them.” She gave Cira a single stern nod. “Come on, Dear. Let’s go.”

And before she knew it, Cira was following James with the proactive woman. The others cried in disappointment at her back, and Cira watched them pout—still walking away at this point. It would be difficult to navigate if she made eye contact with them at this point, just like it would be singularly rude to this one woman now if she were to transform into energy and escape. Cira had been bested.

They were locking arms apparently, and drawing a fair amount of gazes as they carried on through the courtyard.

“Ahehehem.” Cira cleared her throat and side-eyed the woman. On closer inspection, she had to have had about a decade on Cira.

As if this was expected, she chuckled and bounced back, removing her arm and holding it out to shake hands.

“You can call me Ember.” She fluttered bright red eyelashes.

“Is that right?” Cira shook her hand.

“You’ll have plenty of time to play with your harem,” James spoke opening a door to the palace, “But hurry up.”

Right inside the door was her entire Mortal Council seated at a round table. There was notably an empty throne on the far end. Nothing fancy, but a few gems and gold inlay. She was both irritated and grateful to find they made most of it out of titanium.

Good metal, that. Who could complain?

Everyone gave her weird looks as she walked around the table to assume her seat, and Ember stood diligently behind her to the side like an attendant. Cira was finally starting to understand what it meant to possess a harem for humans and the like.

She had to take two steps up to her throne and was pleasantly surprised to find it was comfortable. There were even relevant enchantments for her to grade later. “Councilmen.” Cira knit her fingers and leaned forward, grazing over them and eventually settling on James for answers.

“What? You don’t know why you’re here?”

Cira put a hand on her chin and thought about it really hard.

“Paradise, you dumbass!” It was Doctor Larry.

“Did… did you really find it?” Dutchy asked timidly.

“It’s real, morons!” Tawny spat. She looked tired of saying so.

“Councilmen!” James’ brother shouted, “Keep it together! Apologies, Captain Dreadheart. Most of us here believe you without a second thought, of course, but it’s difficult for the people to grasp. Much doubt has festered.”

“Yeah!” Jimbo pointed at her with his flask hand, “You gotta take us there. I won’t believe it til’ I see it. To hell with your golden boat.”

“Fair enough,” Cira shrugged, “Nothing should harm us anymore since the entire realm belongs to me now, and I do need to stop by there again on my way out, but you’ll have to wait. It will be the last thing I do. Is there anything else?”

Dutchy answered, “Yeah… We got word meant for Wick earlier saying that Cap Kieran should be landing in Hangman’s Cove by morning. What do you think we should do about it?”

Cira was taken aback, “Who even is that?”