A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 39

※Fishing and the Big Catch※

Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.

The entire operation was running so smoothly that the hardest part of this revenge plot was suppressing the laughter threatening to bubble up.

[Fermos] "They're fast, as expected."

[Randall] "Indeed. We should use their services more often."

It hadn't even been half a day since they put out the call, and a meeting was already arranged.

Now, all they had to do was meet the broker, verify a portion of the goods, hand over a promissory note guaranteed by a top Blue Warren merchant guild, and then take possession of the entire shipment. Once that was done, the deal would be complete.

[Fermos] "Has Ashker not returned yet? This would be the perfect time for him to tamper with the cargo."

[Randall] "True. Should we send someone else?"

[Fermos] "Leave it. We can just tell them we'll take delivery tomorrow and sneak in tonight."

[Randall] "Well, we have plenty of time anyway."

Currently, they were waiting for the broker to bring a sample of the goods obtained from the fence that they had bought from the pirates.

Since they were posing as "Major Buyers," it wouldn't do to be seen skulking around the cheap inn where the pirates were staying.

So, the two Major Buyers had taken a table at the most luxurious inn in Blue Warren, pretending to enjoy an extravagant tea service.

The combination of Blue Warren’s unidentified liquor and equally mysterious seafood dishes was spectacular.

[Randall] "This is surprisingly good."

[Fermos] "It is."

The food was delicious, and their hands were busy eating, yet something felt oddly unsettling. Their minds were soaring with thoughts of revenge, but their bodies were lounging in an inn dining room, snacking. The disconnect felt strange.

[Randall] "They should hurry up and get here."

He muttered as he chewed on a piece of grilled octopus.

[Fermos] "There’s still plenty of time before the appointment."

[Randall] "I’m starting to get full."

[Fermos] "Then stop eating."

[Randall] "But it's boring doing nothing."

[Fermos] "……That is true."

It was boring, yet the liquor went down smooth and sweet.

Was revenge always this peaceful?

Or was it just because their target was a bunch of ignorant pirates who required no elaborate effort?

Logically, it should be the latter, but why did they feel this persistent sense of unease, as if something were wrong?

While Fermos and Randall sipped their drinks and pondered this nagging feeling, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

---

If there was one thing they had overlooked, it was that not all pirates were cooped up in the inn drinking from morning till night.

Among them were those who grew tired of endless boozing and wandered the streets out of boredom. And sometimes, those wandering pirates might spot well-dressed children from wealthy families excitedly running down a shopping street.

[Pirate 1] "Hey, look at that."

[Pirate 2] "I’m already looking."

The pirates' eyes gleamed.

Having come ashore when they should have been working hard in the sea breeze, their backs were itching for action.

On land, the seasickness of boredom was setting in, and even the alcohol tasted stale. It was a tedious and terrible time.

The two pirates, Hazarro and Atil, were lookouts with sharp eyes, tasked with spotting prey at sea. They were experts who could identify a ship’s nationality nine times out of ten just by the shape of its furled sails.

There was no way they would miss such prime prey.

Of course, Blue Warren, policed by the Red Rocks, had its rules, and kidnapping and human trafficking were strictly forbidden. But this was Rambasol’s first time in this city. They hadn't exactly studied the implicit laws that kept this lawless zone running before they arrived.

[Hazarro] "Looks like there's an escort?"

[Atil] "Just one guy. And his hands are full."

They didn't know what their father did, but it was clear the family wasn't short on money. Even from a distance, the children reeked of wealth. The lone escort was so laden with shopping bags he probably couldn't even see straight.

[Hazarro] "What do you think? Cast the net?"

[Atil] "Ah, wait. Is this okay? Didn't the Captain say he was selling something here?"

[Hazarro] "What connection could a buyer have with some brats? They clearly look like tourists."

Unfortunately, there was a connection. A very significant one.

[Atil] "So, if we cast the net, what then?"

[Hazarro] "Same as always once we catch them. Just toss a flag at the guard, and they'll figure it out."

[Atil] "Ah, right."

[Hazarro] "So, toss it?"

[Atil] "Why not?"

Hazarro grinned, a sinister look on his face.

[Hazarro] "Looks like fish in a barrel. How can we pass that up?"

About thirty minutes later.

Avoiding the eyes of Ashker, whose movements and vision were dulled by his increasing burden, the two pirates successfully snatched the two children from a shopping district alleyway.

---

Thwack!

[Fermos] "You out-of-your-mind lunatic!"

Thwack!

[Fermos] "Go die, you idiot! Where the hell were your eyes!"

[Ashker] "Ah, please! Is this the time for this, sir?"

Of course, he deserved the beating. But this really wasn't the time.

[Ashker] "I have nothing to say, even if you beat me to death! But isn't finding them the top priority right now?"

Guilt and worry made him shout back even louder.

[Ashker] "Right now! Just think how terrified they must be, kidnapped by those heinous villains! Think how desperately they must be looking for us!"

Thwack!

He got hit again.

[Randall] "You bastard, if you hadn't taken your eyes off them, this wouldn't have happened!"

[Ashker] "I know!"

Tears welled up in his eyes.

[Ashker] "No, really... who could have known this would happen! I still can't believe it! Right under my nose..."

His hands had been full of luggage. The shop had offered to send it separately, but he insisted on carrying it himself, fearing that delivery would reveal the location of the manor and the presence of Nauk royalty. He had thought he was being clever enough to deserve praise.

Anyway, his hands were full. His vision was blocked.

One of the packages was an oil lamp with ornate glass decorations.

The children had each bought a similar one as gifts for Madam Flambard and Madam Renfel. The shopkeeper had warned them sternly that while beautiful, the lamps were fragile, and he wouldn't accept returns for broken goods. So they had begged Ashker repeatedly not to break them.

Walking carefully through the uneven alleyways of Blue Warren with a mountain of luggage required immense concentration, diverting his attention.

Thinking they were finally heading to the old bookstore, he had walked toward it. It was only when he paused to catch his breath that he realized they were gone.

It felt so surreal, like a waking nightmare.

[Ashker] "Damn it... That’s why I feel like I'm going crazy."

Ashker wiped away tears of frustration with his sleeve.

[Randall] "Haa, damn it all. I can't even hit you anymore."

Randall spat out a curse and swept his hair back. He had to restrain himself. He wanted to beat Ashker until next year, but if he broke a bone now, they would be short on manpower.

Randall looked at Fermos.

At their feet lay the Rambasol flag Ashker had picked up.

Hazarro and Atil had dropped it to announce they had taken hostages. It was called a "flag," but it was really just a rag tied around an arm, stamped with a crude triangle sail drawn in whatever dye was available. Still, it was enough to identify them as the Rambasol crew.

Riiip!

Fermos picked it up and, unable to contain his rage, tore it to shreds with his bare hands.

[Fermos] "...Those bastards. I won't let them die peacefully."

[Ashker] "First, we have to find them. Should we drop the current plan?"

[Fermos] "No. I refuse to do that out of sheer spite."

Fermos ground his teeth, his eyes flashing dangerously.

If the Rambasol crew had kidnapped the children, there were only a few places they could hide them. Finding them wouldn't be difficult. If necessary, they could even enlist the help of the Red Rocks.

However, if they did that, the revenge plot would be over.

One might ask why revenge mattered when royal children were kidnapped, but the timing was terrible. They had already sold their name to play the "Major Buyer." The deal was in motion; pulling out now could expose their connection to the Nauk Royal Family. And if that happened, they couldn't keep this a secret from Black...

[Fermos] "There are only a few places they’d hide people. We have time, so search those first."

[Randall] "Just the two of us? What about you?"

[Fermos] "I have to meet the broker bringing the goods. I'll deal with him as quickly as possible and join you."

[Randall] "Understood."

[Fermos] "Use the information guild for all they’re worth. Don't spare any expense."

[Ashker] "Yes, sir."

Fermos was worried sick, but he had one thing he could believe in.

[Fermos] "Even though they are young, they won't be easy targets."

Shellan was brilliant, and Dief was bold. Since pirates were in the business of ransoms, they wouldn't harm the hostages, and the children wouldn't just sit there trembling in fear.

And he was right.

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