I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

Lilith's eyes lit up: "Has anyone really broken a vow?"

"Indeed, there was a young sailor who, after his ship docked, immediately changed into new clothes and wore new jewelry, thinking, 'What's wrong with replacing all my ironware?' Then, after getting drunk in a tavern, he told a dwarf joke—"

His belt buckle immediately turned red and burned him, leaving a scar below his navel that he still carries to this day. He has never dared to tell jokes about dwarves again.

Lilith laughed so hard she slapped the table: "That's an amazing vow!"

"Next up, the human pirate king..."

"Hmm...why does this feel like a grand celebration for all races?"

The captain explained, "The sea is fairer than the land; whoever can establish themselves at sea can become king. No matter what race you come from, the waves and storms will not be lenient with you because of your origin. Of course, a human pirate king is closer to the traditional meaning of the title 'Pirate King.'"

"What's his name?"

"No one knows his real name; everyone calls him 'Bloodsail.' His most infamous 'deed' is that once he boards a merchant ship he's plundering, he slaughters everyone on board."

Lilith's smile froze for a moment: "Not a single one alive?"

Oh dear~ Why is Bloodsail so wicked?!

"That's what they say. His crew members are just as bloodthirsty. The kingdom's wanted posters describe him as 'around forty years old, with a scar on his left eye, and who is wielding a black scimitar that looks like a sacred relic.' But these descriptions are of little use to the wanted posters posted in the major ports. Those pirate kings are too cunning; they're impossible to catch."

Lilith thought for a moment, then shuddered: "Do the elves also have pirate kings? Could they be like the Bloodsail?"

The captain shook his head: "The Elf Pirate King is different; her name is 'Moonshadow.' She's unlike any other pirate king; she set sail because she was tired of the rules of the Elf Royal Court."

"What is she tired of?"

"The rules themselves. The Elven Royal Court has too many rules, and for someone like her who extremely values ​​freedom, that kind of life is like a cage."

She chose to be a lone wolf, marked by a small boat and a bow, lurking near the moonrise path, trying to avoid killing people during her raids, and preferring to use intimidation and reputation to force merchant ships to surrender.

Lilith pressed on, "Then how did she become the Pirate Queen?"

"Because she has stayed at sea long enough and has never been defeated. The lifespan of the elves gives her enough time to accumulate experience and enough patience to wait for her prey to make a mistake. Many fleets would rather take a detour than pass through the waters where she appears."

"And what about the fourth one?"

"The fourth pirate king is a half-orc, or, according to humans, a half-demon."

In this world, orcs are divided into many races. Among them, those races that are more friendly to humans will be accepted by human kingdoms. Of course, most orcs in tribes have a lower status than humans, and half-orcs are even lower than orcs. Typical examples are fox orcs and rabbit orcs.

Orcs who are unfriendly to humans will be accepted by the demons and become members of the demon race. Typical examples include werewolves and tiger orcs.

Lilith practically jumped up from her chair, the chair leg scraping softly against the deck, and her voice rose slightly: "A half-demon? A half-demon has become a pirate king?"

Evelyn nodded slightly: "Yes. And he is probably the most troublesome of the four pirate kings, and the only one who never actively plunders merchant ships."

It was rare for a demon to penetrate deep into the human realm and make a name for itself, so Lilith was quite interested. "Then, sister, could you tell me the story of this pirate king in detail?"

"I can't do anything with you, sit down now."

He was the only pirate king who chose to establish himself in that sea, not plundering everywhere, but constantly walking the line between life and death, and had long been accustomed to guarding the pass alone. He extended his hand to change fate in desperate situations, and he was the sun in the hearts of countless mixed-blood beastmen.

He ruled over an independent sea area, where the shipping routes were not on any kingdom's map, and the local port cities were not under the jurisdiction of any kingdom. He offered protection, and all ships entering that sea area, as long as they followed the rules he set, were granted the right of passage. His title was "The Lone Reef."

It is said that the reef established three rules in that sea area:

Ships entering the sea area must not attack each other. Merchant ships may pass freely, but are not allowed to carry any intelligent living cargo, that is, slaves.

If a fleet is found to be violating the rules, he or his men will confiscate the vessels directly, and the crew members, if innocent, will be released and allowed to leave in small boats.

Lilith listened intently, her hands resting on her knees, leaning slightly forward: "Why do those orcs worship him so much? Why do they call him the Sun?"

"Because hybrid orcs are in a bad situation in this world: if their orc bloodline is too strong, they will be captured or hunted as wild beasts; if their human bloodline is too strong, they will be rejected by orc tribes."

They find it difficult to gain a true sense of belonging within any ethnic group unless someone is willing to provide them with a place where they can live in peace.

Evelyn picked up the bowl, ladled out a spoonful of soup, drank it, and then continued:

"Legend has it that the 'Lone Reef' spent ten years carving out a space of their own at sea, establishing several port cities that were not under the jurisdiction of any kingdom."

"But...can those port cities really provide them with a safe and secure life?"

"It's at least safer than outside. Every year, hybrid orcs manage to cross the dangerous seas to reach that area; they call it the 'Return Tide.'"

Lilith stopped asking questions and murmured thoughtfully, "...I see, then Master is also my sun."

Now it was Evelyn's turn to not understand, but seeing Ji Tian's somewhat strange expression, she decided not to delve into the hero team's private affairs.

The surroundings were quiet for a moment, with only the continuous sound of the ship breaking the surface of the water and the soft rustling of the sea breeze through the sails.

The captain put the empty bowl back into the wooden box and stood up: "Alright, it's getting dark. The sea breeze is cold at night, you should rest."

Lilith then looked up as if waking from a dream. "Are we almost there?"

"How is that possible? It will take at least another week."

"Sigh, okay~"

Lilith wrapped her coat tighter around herself and followed Elena and Ophelia toward the cabin.

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the clouds, spreading a silvery-white band of light across the rippling sea.

Ji Tian stood on the ship's railing, watching their figures disappear behind the cabin door, before turning his gaze back to the distant sea that had sunk into the night.