Pirates began pouring out of the bar in droves, shouting and yelling.

Lots of meat! Lots of alcohol! Get them on the ship, fast!

Rionas jaw dropped after seeing the number of pirates walking past.

She then turned to Seol.

She was in disbelief. She couldnt believe that it only took just a few words from him to make those dangerous criminals move like that.

Thud Thud

An extremely large troll lumbered out of the bar as well.

He seemed to be as large as Jamad, but there was a small difference. Unlike Jamad, who was clad in muscles, the troll was practically pure fat.

The pot-bellied troll was one of Julias pirates.

Were setting sail? Urgh I dont want to

Thud Thud

The troll disappeared through a large door the bar had prepared for giants.

Riona and the others quickly followed behind them.

Earl Brispin moved first to find Sicorzes soldiers, returning not too long after with roughly a dozen men.

Everything was going well.

Julias smile was more than enough proof.

Luckily, the same could be said for Seol as well.

There was an extremely high chance of their journey being a success if they traveled with an influential pirate like Julia.

Well Maybe not.

Though the transferees might give up, the Church of Eternal Life definitely wouldnt.

As long as theyre after the Joy of the Fallen, theyll keep going after her.

The church could still have a means to catch up to Julias boat and intercept them.

I cant let them do that, though

Could Seol prevent that situation onboard Julias ship? He couldnt give a definitive answer.

If the ship gets damaged during the fight, getting the Church of Eternal Life off their tail will be much more difficult.

We could only make it this far because of luck. Theres no guarantee how long we will be able to continue running away from them.

There was no reason for Seol to strive for more since his rewards were already determined.

His mission remained solely to help Princess Riona reach Zonia.

Seol thought for a moment before calling for Ur.

Ur.

- What is it?

Do you remember what you told me before?

- Ive told you a lot of things. What do you mean, specifically?

What you told me at the Bragrand Mountains.

- Ah Yes, I remember. Didnt you refuse it then?

Is it still possible now?

- Im not quite sure the situation is a bit different now. It could be possible, but it also couldnt.

Why?

- Youre asking me this because youre trying to fight Bria, arent you?

Ur quickly realized Seols plans. Seol simply nodded, confirming Urs hunch.

- I dont know how strong they are, but if they are capable, well need to use a power different from the mana I have stored to defeat them.

Like?

- Like your vitality. Your body will probably collapse from the aftermath, though. In fact, youll likely die.

Seol smirked before explaining his plans to Ur.

Yeah, so

After hearing Seols plans, Ur laughed as well.

- Hahaha! Just the plan I would expect from you! Youre definitely crazier than I could have ever expected you to be.

So, what do you think?

- Not my style, but going out in a flamboyant way like that wouldnt be a bad idea.

With Urs approval, their insidious plan was complete.

The outcome was something only the two of them could foresee.

As Seol was secretly forming his plans, Julia and her pirates were quickly preparing to leave.

Thud

Watch it! Ill spill your blood if you spill even a single drop!

Hehehehe I can feel my hands shaking already. Maybe Ill feel better if I can get a sip first?

Sure, Ive always wanted to see Julia stuff your head into an oak barrel.

Someone get me some water! This guy is stingy as hell!

Julias ship was large enough to rival the massive merchant ships at the harbor.

Considering that her ship was equipped for combat, it was clearly much more powerful than it let on.

As Riona, Brispin, and Chadorf entered the ship, Seol met with Julia, who was waiting for him at the pier.

Do you know about me? asked Julia.

Somewhat.

Then you must also know that Ive never broken a promise before, right?

I do.

Princess Riona will arrive safely at Zonia, I guarantee it.

A contract guaranteed success.

Julia was claiming she wouldnt fail.

And as she was going to keep her promise she was asking Seol to keep his as well.

Santos Did you see that idiots final breath yourself?

You could say that yeah.

After all, Santos was him.

Seol also knew about Santos and Julias relationship because of this. That was why he had a question for Julia: Did they still have the same relationship after his death?

Does his death hold a special meaning for you?

It was something even Santos would have wanted to hear as well.

Julia shot Seol a vicious glare.

Shut up and keep your promise.

She then took a few heavy breaths.

How did that bastard die?

* * *

Julia was born in a small nation in western Pandea, one of those places where the majority of the countrys citizens survived through crime.

As such, Julia walked down the same path as the others around her.

At a young age, she turned to piracy.

Thanks to a house of swordsmen who took her in as an orphan, she swiftly gained renown as a skilled individual.

Julia, the Sea-Blooming Rose.

After leaving her impoverished homeland, she rose to become the captain of a pirate ship operating near a wealthy nation.

She also filled her ship with a number of unusual individuals, some of whom ended up becoming influential themselves.

If anyone had asked her what drove her to piracy, her first, second, and third answers would all be the sea.

After all, it was a profession that offered nothing more than the wind and the waves.

In fact, pirates considered everything else pointless, especially notions like loyalty or friendship.

And Julia was no exception.

If they wanted to survive on that cramped ship, personal feelings came second.

One had to stab others in the back to rise to a higher position, all the while watching their own.

Those foolish enough to pursue piracy as a dream often met an early end.

Julia simply became a pirate for the money, and she believed that goal would never change.

With money she could do anything.

To her, nothing was more valuable.

However, there came a time when she had to confront her sins.

The pirate ship she was operating was captured by a country.

At first, she believed that she could escape quickly. After all, the country she operated in only requested that she pay bail.

However, as the days passed without any news, her worries grew. Then, one of the guards delivered shocking news.

Congratulations on receiving the death penalty, Julia. Tell me, how does it feel to die a dogs death.

What are you saying I

The negotiation for your price broke down. A fine ending for a witch like you.

Only then did Julia realize the situation she was in. She was going to die in prison.

All alone.

I guess its finally time to hang my hat, haha

The iron ball she was chained to made it difficult for her to take even two steps in her cell.

A few days later

Theyre escaping! The prisoners are escaping!

Fire! Put out the fire first!

Theyre getting away! Grab them!

Fwooooosh!

Smoke poured into her prison cell.

Yeahhhhhh!

Kill them! We can escape!

Her subordinates sprinted past her cell.

Here! Over here! shouted Julia.

Could they not hear her? Or did they just choose not to listen?

Ahhhhhhh! Kill them all!

Theres too much smoke here! Lets just go now!

The prisoners were freed from their cells due to a mistake made by one of the guards. Everyone was freed... except for her.

Julia! What about Julia?!

Im here

You idiot, we dont have time to waste. Just run!

......

Julias prison cell was in the deepest corner of the prison, in a difficult-to-approach solitary confinement room.

And as the fires blazed on she was thrown to the side.

Fuck Fuck

She knew it as well.

There was no loyalty between pirates.

In fact, if she were in their position, she would have been the first person to run away.

......

Even so, it was lonely.

This was not the death she wanted.

Clang!

And then

She heard the sound of an axe clanging on the door.

Clang!

Burn

Even she could see the fires from beyond the door. How did they manage to come here?

More importantly Who came here?

Julia! shouted a voice. Are you there?

Damn it Santos!

Santos, her vice-captain.

He was strong, but he was also someone with a screw no, at least two screws loose.

He had come for her.

Santos! Im here!

Hold on!

Clang!

Claaaang!

Claaaaaang!

The sound of the axe clanging against the door echoed in her cell.

Eventually it burst open.

Santos Your face

An eye and ear had burned, melting onto his face.

Santos had arrived at her cell at the cost of heavy burns.

Tadah! happily shouted Santos. I have arrived!

You idiot! You should have just run away!

Shut up! Dont call me an idiot!

However, he was soon at a loss for words after seeing the chains on her ankle.

Uh This is a bit

Leave me behind, Santos. I want you to live.

You shouldnt say a cool line like that while shaking, hehehehehe!

Why did you come Youre going to die too.

Santos disfigured face greeted Julia with bright eyes.

Dont you dare leave a stain on my life! I am a man of the sea! Im getting you out of here.

......

...Im going to cut off your leg, Julia.

Yeah.

Its going to hurt. What if you die because of it?

...Shut up and just cut it already. Its better than dying her

Crush!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Julia let out an ear-piercing scream, one that would likely leave her voice hoarse later.

Santos then quickly pulled out a bunch of medicine from his pockets and stuffed them inside Julias mouth.

"I dont know what any of these do, so I brought all of them just in case!"

Y-You bastard

Im sure at least one of them will work! See? Look! Your bleeding is stopping!

Riiip

After tearing the cloth from his clothes, Santos tied it around Julias leg as a makeshift bandage, quickly becoming drenched with blood.

However, the bleeding was definitely slowing down.

Haah Haah

Santos began running through the prison with Julia on his back.

Flaaaaare!

Crumble!

The prison was collapsing.

Even so, Santos and Julia had managed to escape before it did.

...Its all over now, said Julia. I wont ever be able to fight with my leg like this.

Hehehehe! You can still head out to sea, who cares?!

It must be nice urgh to be so simple.

Yup, Im simple!

...Where do we go now?

I already prepared something!

Santos then carried Julia to a hidden and secluded spot on the island.

And there, was a one-eyed man.

Along with a small boat.

Julia!

Bric! You survived!

Santos said that hed be coming back with you. He really did it.

Nows not the time for this! Lets go!

As they were preparing to leave, the three heard people shouting around them.

Over here!

Prisoners passed through here!

Search the perimeter!

Thud.

Santos kicked off the ship Julia and Bric were on.

...Santos?

Bric! Go, now!

Ill kill you if we go, Bric! Santos, come with us!

Well all die if we do. Even someone simpleminded like me can tell, you idiot.

Santos stumbled and flailed as he ran toward a light.

Tadah! Here I am!

Over there! Get him!

Dont let him go! He still hasnt escaped yet!

The boat slowly drifted away from the island.

That was the last she ever saw Santos. An image she can still vividly remember.

* * *

Translator - goguma

Proofreader - Karane

* * *

My leg still hurts whenever it rains. That idiot He shouldve done a better job. So, how did he die?

He managed to steal a reconnaissance ship to get away. His back did end up getting covered in arrows because of it, though.

...And?

He escaped to Srika and became a respectable captain.

What? Hahahaha!

And he died in the Alfrina Strait.

......

Julias expression grew dark.

Did he not use the canal?

There were probably some circumstances.

The Alfrina Strait was notorious in the southeast. Its waves were fierce, but there was another problem entirely.

If its Alfrina Is it perhaps?

Yes. He had his soul taken by Vitona.

Vitona was the name of a monster.

A monster also known as the father of all sirens. There were rumors that being devoured by this massive sea serpent would result in having your soul stolen.

How do you know all this?

I dont know Is that important, though?

...No, it isnt. I was just surprised by how much you knew.

That was everything I had to say.

......

Youre not planning on getting revenge on Vitona, are you?

Me? Are you out of your mind? Santos and I lived different lives. Hes just a fool who came to the sea to chase his dreams. He died young, I knew it would happen. Also Vitona is invincible in the sea. Hes not something a pirate should be getting themselves involved with.

Got it. Anyway, I kept our promise. Are you satisfied now? asked Seol.

Julia looked closely at Seol.

Were you close with Santos?

...You could say that, yeah.

Would Santos think like that too?

Probably?

Fwip!

Julia tossed a pouch filled with coins at Seol.

Take it.

Are you giving it back?

"I didnt take this job because of the money, that stupid princess, or you and your punchable face, said Julia, turning back around. It was because of Santos.

...Okay.

Then Well see each other again if the stars align.

Tack

Step

After boarding the ship, Julia ordered the pirate beside her.

Bring rum.

Youre starting already?

Shut up and just bring rum already.

Yes, maam!

Gulp

After drinking half of the bottle, she poured the rest into the sea.

Thank you, you idiot. When I dont mind dying later Ill go see you.

There is a myth among pirates that those who set sail can receive news from the sea. Though Julia did not believe in such tales, she hoped that just this once, her message could be delivered.

Meanwhile, Seol was looking at Riona and the others from the pier.

Cut the ropes and raise the anchor! Were setting sail!

Riona quickly called out to Seol from the ship.

Were going to be leaving soon, you should quickly

Despite gazing directly at Riona, Seol remained rooted in place as if he were nailed down.

Are you not coming with us? asked Riona.

You wont need me anymore, Your Highness. Weve managed to keep the final rule of these streets, after all.

The Final Rule: Trust only those who could be trusted.

Julia is someone you can trust. She will take you safely to Zonia.

But staying here on your own will be dangerous.

Im always in danger, so I dont mind.

Seol then calmly began to say his final goodbyes.

Your Highness, thank you for enduring that arduous journey.

Ah ah

I sincerely hope that you will be able to do what you wish. These are my honest feelings.

If Riona had remained weak, there was a large possibility that Seol would have failed this Adventure as well.

This result was achieved because everyone had done their best.

Hey! shouted Earl Brispin.

Toss!

Seol caught the item that Earl Brispin threw at him.

It was a black statue of a woman.

[You have acquired Joy of the Fallen.]

Take it! And thank you! We only managed to make it here because of you.

Cupping his hands around his mouth to make his voice louder, Chadorf shouted as well.

Hey! The next time we meet, lets do so as friends! Since youre younger than me, I can help you out with a few things! Also, youve worked so hard these past couple of days! I am really, really thankful for it all!

Fwoosh

The ship began to slowly leave the harbor.

E-Excuse me! hurriedly shouted Princess Riona.

I-I want to know your namNo, even just your face

She had tears in her eyes.

I want to know about you.

Seol knew that Riona would eventually come to learn his name through Earl Brispin anyway.

With a glance at his surroundings, Seol removed his stuffy mask.

The sunset cast its reflection upon his face.

Seol then held the mask close to his chest and gave a slight noda gesture of farewell, filled with respect.

I hope you have a safe journey, Riona.

I I really hope that we can see each other again! No, I Ill find you later, no matter what! Stay safe, okay?!

Seol smiled after hearing those words.

[Princess Riona is now in the final stretch of her journey toward asylum.]

[You do not know if Princess Riona will succeed.]

[The Linked Adventure continues.]

[You can only collect your rewards after all Adventures have been cleared.]

[You begin your next Adventure.]

[Your 30th Adventure is starting.]

[Adventure 30. Final Line]

Seol donned his mask once more.

There were still tasks at hand, and he had no intention of leaving just yet.