Chapter 632 - 243: She Shouldn’t Know, Right?

Beyond the shop district of Aleksey was the garrison district, the area closest to the center of the Aleksey City State, where the various Pirate Gangs and Extraordinary Clans had their stations.

In fact, the garrison district also had another name: the Aleksey City State Guard District.

In contrast to the chaos of the trade district and the lawlessness of the shop district, the guard district boasted the best security on all of Aleksey Island.

Not only did it house the stations of the various Pirate Gangs that ran rampant throughout the Cordo Sea Region, but also three official squads from the Black Pearl.

According to the Black Pearl’s personnel classification, a squad captain had to be at least a Director Level Extraordinary. The three Governors currently on the island—"One-Eye" Adolard Walls, "Pretty Hands" Franda Carneiro, and "the Killer" Horant Kirkland—had all started out as captains.

So, the pirate squads they commanded were also stationed on Aleksey Island.

Just then, on the periphery of the guard district, near the shops, stood a nine-story tower built so tall and grand it rivaled the distant city walls. And atop it stood a woman whose figure was enchanting and whose features were the very definition of seduction.

She wore a black miniskirt that barely concealed her plump thighs. She was leaning against the edge of the wooden railing, her breasts, suspended by delicate straps, hanging heavily over the barrier as she gazed at the bustling trade district in the distance.

"Wei’en..."

Mitra’s gaze grew distant. Reflected in the depths of her eyes were two figures, one tall and one short. The image gradually overlapped with the memory of a shy boy who had just entered Nocturnal City, and a strange feeling bloomed in her chest.

’How did that Little Mage grow to be so powerful?’

’Even I, a Favored One of the Lord of Desire—chosen as a vessel for that great being due to my affinity with its Origin Power—couldn’t have reached the point of slaying a Judgment Knight of the Dawn Church in such a short time.’

’Tsk, it’s only been a month since the Caster incident...’

"Lady Mitra, so this is where you are?"

Hearing the voice behind her, Mitra frowned slightly. With a subtle shift of her feet, she straightened her slender waist, her posture becoming proud and erect. The black miniskirt slid smoothly down her rounded hips, perfectly concealing the black fabric beneath.

Having done all this with a composed expression, Mitra turned. Her clear eyes met the newcomer’s gaze, and every trace of seductiveness vanished from her face. She now resembled the wife of a nobleman from a long-established family, exuding an air that forbade any disrespectful thoughts.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Horant."

The newcomer was none other than Horant Kirkland, "the Killer," one of the Black Pearl’s captains stationed on Aleksey Island. His appearance, however, utterly belied his moniker.

Horant wore an exquisite, soft silk hat adorned with feathers that swayed gently with each step. His face was handsome, his skin fair and delicate—not coarse and sun-darkened like the other pirates.

He was dressed in a magnificent robe of deep blue velvet, its edges meticulously stitched with gold thread. A heavy lynx-fur cape was draped over his shoulders, its natural spots glinting with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.

Around his waist was a finely crafted, wide belt studded with various Gemstones and fastened with a massive gold buckle. His shoes, made from the finest Deep Sea fish leather, were long and slender-toed, polished to a mirror shine.

"Good afternoon, good afternoon, Lady Mitra."

Horant approached and executed a flawless bow. He placed a hand gently over his chest and lowered his head, the movement both elegant and solemn. It was clearly a gesture honed through long practice to achieve such smoothness.

"Mr. Horant," Mitra said, her voice soft and gentle. A flicker of disgust passed through her eyes, but her lips curved into a pleased smile. "The only thing separating you from a true nobleman is a crest bestowed by a King from a mainland kingdom."

"A kingdom’s King?"

Horant’s smile tightened. "Lady Mitra, you’re mistaken. The only thing I need to attain nobility is for our great ’Sea Emperor’ to become a true ’Emperor’."

"’Sea Emperor’? Don’t tell me Captain Isabella plans to establish a nation in the Cordo Sea Region?"

Mitra grew suspicious. If the ’Sea Emperor’ truly intended to do so, she feared no one at sea could stop him.

"Unfortunately, no! The Captain’s ambitions lie elsewhere. Besides," Horant’s gaze burned as he stared at the elegant woman before him, "he hasn’t found a suitable ’Empress’ yet!"

"And Lady Lodilia is not?"

Mitra noticed his stare and turned slightly to the side. ’That look again. It’s truly disgusting.’

"Lodilia? The Iron Hammer... er, if *she* became the ’Sea Empress’, I’d rather give up my chance at nobility."

"Oh?"

A look of fear crossed Horant’s face. He unconsciously tugged at his tight collar, a coarse gesture that completely shattered the noble etiquette he had so painstakingly constructed.

"Her status is... unique. Mmm... if she really became the... it would be a nightmare for every pirate alive."

’Fear?’

Mitra noted it clearly. This was the first time since her arrival on Aleksey Island that she had seen such an emotion on the face of Horant, "the Killer."

’It seems that Lodilia, the so-called Witch of the Black Pearl, must be incredibly formidable in both power and cunning...’

"If she heard you giving her such a high appraisal, I’m sure she would come to value you even more."

"No, please don’t! Don’t you dare let her know!" Horant shook his head frantically, the ornaments on his cape jingling. "I’d rather fight the scum from the Alanjia to the death than have that woman even remember my name."