I’m a Bastard But You’re Worse!

After humoring Sues exploration of the ruins for a while, I headed to the building the White Demons used as headquarters.

There was a grand total of about 20 buildings inside the ruins, which housed over 5,000 people.

Rather than just a pirate crew, it could be said that they were a city-state by now.

Before I was born, the White Demons apparently sustained themselves via small-scale raids and pillaging, but after obtaining a large fortune in a certain event, they expanded their business to marine transport, mercenary trade and exploration of uncharted areas.

I entered the building with Sue, and Grace welcomed us with a grin.

Youre late, boy. Were you having a picnic out there?

You see, I had to escort this young lady with little knowledge of the outside world.

OhI

Sue blushed violently: she was clearly embarrassed by her spurt of childish excitement.

Incidentally, we left the children, enslaved together with Sue, to the people in the fishing village above.

There were many children of their age there: they would surely enjoy themselves more than being locked up in a ship cabin.

Mother, lend me a ship. Im going on a quick trip to the Garnet Kingdom.

I cut right to the chase. My mother was the type to think with her fists: there was no need for negotiations with her. If you wanted something, it was always more effective to just come out and say it.

For that womans sake? Since when were you so generous?

I promised, thats all. And when I can keep my promises, I do.

I shrugged and replied. Grace looked at me and her smile deepened.

Fair enough, you can go. Take care out there.

Eh?

I was taken aback: I definitely expected to be refused.

Grace had abducted me at Baal harbor, but still had not told me for what reason.

It couldnt have been just to take down the Snakebone pirates: I was expecting her to push another task on me any moment.

Youre letting me go? Just like that? What the hell are you plotting?

Gahaha!! Dont doubt your own mother now! Im the woman who gave birth to you!

Thats exactly why Im worried

I grimaced and let out a long, annoyed sigh.

She wasnt going to tell me anything more, no matter how much I pressed. I had to go along with it, regardless of what plans she was cooking up.

Whatever. Im taking the Snakebones ship then. I was the one to take in the first place, anyway. No objections, right?

Sure, but you have to pass by the Sapphire Kingdom, all right?

Sakuyas waiting for me there, so I was already planning tobut

I shot an interrogating glance at Grace. What was waiting for me at Sapphire?

Dont ask a woman to reveal her secrets, son. Theyre part of her charm, right?

hearing you say that kind of gets on my nervesanyway, were leaving tomorrow. Hopefully well never meet again.

I glared at Grace and her whimsical tone, then turned on my heels and headed out.

Sue, however, grabbed my sleeve and pulled.

Hm? Whats wrong?

Ehmmaster. If we leave, it would be better to do so today.

Sue looked up at me, with apprehension in her eyes.

Hey, whats all the rush? I know you probably want to be back home as soon as possible, but

No, that is not ita storm will probably arrive here soon. If we leave today, we should be able to reach the Sapphire Kingdom without encountering it.

I furrowed my brow. How could Sue know something like that?

I heard the seabirds talk about it. A big storm is coming, so we should fill our bellies and hide out somewhere.

Youunderstand what birds say?

Yes, kind of.

Sue looked completely serious: she was not joking or lying.

Among the Fangs of Steel at my service, there was a priestess capable of predicting the future.

Even if the magic civilizations were a thing of the distant past, I knew that there were individuals albeit extremely rare with superhuman abilities in this world. Could Sue be one of them?

Blue hair and golden eyesI wonder if shes from a special clan, or

I glanced at Grace: my mother looked away and innocently pretended to whistle, despite her age though I did not know how old she actually was.

She was playing dumb. I couldnt help but feel slightly irritated by her childish antics.

Fine, lets leave today then. Never wait to do good, they say.

I talked to Gourd, borrowed a few sailors, boarded the kids on the ship and left my hometown.

I had visited it for the first time in 12 years, but in the end, spent only a couple of hours there.