Pirate Kingship
Chapter 69 - 68: Loyal Bill, Danger Byron

Chapter 69: Chapter 68: Loyal Bill, Danger Byron

His cries were silenced by the Whale Bone Talisman • Silence.

But from within his eyes, a powerful spiritual light brimming with an oppressive aura burst forth, condensing in the spiritual realm into a golden emblem.

—A golden lion with a crown, cradling a pair of pure gold scales.

This was not a Second Order ability, but the Executioner’s most important passive ability at the First Rank Attendant stage—Majesty of Law.

It was also known as the Aura of Dignity.

When the Executioner gazed directly into an enemy’s eyes, he would automatically unleash a sliver of pressure from the law, coercing the adversary into surrender without a fight.

It was extremely effective against enemies with weak wills.

The moment the foe hesitated, the Executioner could decapitate them with one stroke.

The enemy’s head could hit the ground before they even had a chance to react.

Unfortunately, a series of abilities rooted in Hightins’ Iron Laws of Sovereignty were utterly useless against Byron!

Storm Sigil Ring effects:

"Innate Nobility: A king’s gaze shall not be meddled with...

If one possesses the right to the throne, they automatically obtain legal authority second only to the King.

Apart from the King, other Law Mages, jailers, Punitive Knights... etc., are all unable to convict them (Chapter 26)."

According to the laws of succession, as long as Byron lived, he would always retain his right to the throne, posing a threat to the rule of the White Rose York Family.

Bill’s Anchor was fixed to both Hightins’ Magna Carta and the Pirate’s Ten Commandments of the Goddess of Vengeance.

But at this stage, Red Beard’s power was still too small to compete with Hightins, so the primary subject of the Anchor was naturally the kingdom’s laws.

Since even the strongest Law Mage of the Tribunal Sequence could not penetrate the defenses of the Storm Sigil Ring, what chance did a mere executioner have?

The so-called Majesty of Law, upon striking Byron, disintegrated like a wave crashing against a reef, shattering into pieces.

"URGH!"

Bill let out a muffled groan as blood trickled down from the corners of his eyes and mouth.

In that instant, as he was dizzied by the backlash of his ability—

SWISH!

Byron had already sprung up, using Mountain Goat Steps to appear before him.

His left hand clamped down on Bill’s face, while the dagger in his right hand flashed like cold light, zipping across his neck.

The Holy Grail of Blood in his palm lit up instantly.

From the outside, only a faint red glow was briefly visible through the crack of the door, gone in an instant, unnoticed by anyone.

Byron acted quickly, concocting a cup of Blood Brew • Golden Dream on the spot.

Ingredients: 5ml of Blood of Transformation, 30ml of vanilla liqueur, 15ml of white citrus sweet wine, 15ml of orange juice, 10ml of brain-eating monkey’s brain juice.

Method: Fill a shaker eight-tenths full with ice cubes, pour in the ingredients, shake until frost forms on the outside, then pour into a glass to serve.

Adding an extra drop of Bill’s blood, the originally pale golden liquor immediately turned blood red and even emitted a hazy, icy mist.

Byron lifted the cup and drank it down in one gulp.

Bill’s chaotic memories as the Executioner immediately began to surge through Byron’s brain, but only the most vivid parts remained.

There were memories of youthful desires unfulfilled; ingrained verbal tics and habits; the most valued interpersonal relationships; a certain irresistible courtesan...

There was the supernatural knowledge vital for survival, complex legal understanding, and secrets to be taken to the grave...

Byron’s legal studies had earned him all A’s; his understanding of the laws of Hightins, and even those of other nations, far surpassed Bill’s.

The key was to quickly scan Bill’s pitifully scarce interpersonal relationships and the remembered interactions with Red Beard.

The Psychological Disguise Technique allowed Byron to become another person but could not alter the past of the new identity.

The previous identity of a chef was already a blank slate; if he wasn’t meticulous with details this time, flaws could be exposed in minutes.

Soon, Byron had completely transformed, inside and out.

In appearance and temperament, no trace of his original self could be found.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he recited the Tribunal Sequence’s maxim:

"Ignorance of the law excuses no one!"

A golden lion holding scales also appeared above his head.

Cognitive Revision made it easy for others to see an illusion.

Then, drawing upon a thread of the Power of Law from the Storm Sigil Ring, he embodied the figure in both form and spirit, looking even more authentic than the real thing!

Whether as a Navy officer or as a legal worker for Hightins, Byron was more convincing as an Executioner than Bill had been; he didn’t need to act at all.

With a grand wave of his hand, the golden emblem vanished. He faced the mirror and revealed a cold, murderous smile:

"Loyalty that is not absolute is absolute disloyalty!

You... all must die!"

Finishing his words, he took out the Whale Bone Talisman, Mossy Tombstone, which imprisoned Omnitrix Franklin Joshua, from his pocket.

"Mr. Franklin, I’m very satisfied with your recommended candidate.

But this confidant’s status is still somewhat short of what I had in mind.

You know Captain Red Beard’s special preferences; can you elevate this identity to the next level in a short time?"

Omnitrix lived up to his moniker and, without hesitation, responded in a chilling tone, "I’ve heard that the First Mate, Badger Harvey, has been busy recruiting all sorts of freelance pirates, spending money like water.

Bribing other council members for support is nearly draining the accumulated wealth of the Goddess of Vengeance.

If you could deliver a large sum of money, Mr. Red Beard would certainly be very pleased."

Omnitrix was indeed correct. Just before departing, Byron had even arranged for Bruh and Gus to join the Privateering Alliance under the guise of freelance pirates.

But upon hearing the word "money," Byron couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.

"That was as enlightening as hearing someone state the obvious.

If someone else gave me a large sum of money, I’d be very happy too."

Then, based on the principle of reciprocity, Omnitrix also asked, in his cold voice, the question that concerned him.

"Now, it’s my turn.

Do you prefer pure, lovely, beautiful girls, alluring and amorous ladies, or perhaps something else?"

Hearing this question, Byron’s face darkened once again.

"I refuse to answer."

Effects of Mossy Tombstone:

"If you answer, it may broadcast your secret to those around you through a spiritual broadcast or by invading their dreams.

If you cannot answer, you will suffer a First Rank instant-death curse. If the resistance check fails, you will die on the spot."

One could imagine, if he were to divulge his true preferences,

It would eventually turn into:

"Pass it on, the Captain likes young, beautiful girls because they’re light and supple."

"Have you heard? The Captain takes anyone, no questions asked, as long as they’re light and supple."

"..."

At that point, his hard-earned reputation for brilliance would be ruined in an instant, a fate more distressing than death itself.

Meanwhile, the Storm Sigil Ring flashed with an electric light, effortlessly resisting the instant-death curse from this Quasi-Cursed Object.

The light on the Whale Bone Talisman, however, dimmed slightly.

Without a replenishment of souls, Franklin might not last long before completely dissipating.

Byron felt no regret. If it weren’t for this man’s knowledge of the Privateering Alliance’s various secrets, a First Rank Attendant’s knowledge was worth less than his own Sailing Logbook.

After stowing the talisman, he was truly perplexed about how to "please" Red Beard.

Get money? If I could get my hands on a fortune, would I still need to find ways to curry favor with Red Beard? At that point, even if I threw my riches in his face, he’d have to grin and bear it, giving me an official certification as the housekeeper of the Goddess of Vengeance.

But as he turned his head, he happened to see Executioner Bill’s Sailing Logbook on the desk, along with a crudely drawn Nautical Chart.

He finally had an idea.

He hurriedly grabbed the tools from the desk and started working on the chart, bustling about until the early hours of the following morning without a wink of sleep.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Around seven in the morning, his door was suddenly knocked upon. A sailor shouted from outside, "Mr. Bill, the Captain is summoning all officers to the Goddess of Vengeance’s operations room!"

The door was pushed open again.

Executioner Bill, holding a rolled-up "treasure map," walked out full of vigor.

"Now, if anyone dares to say I’m not a confidant, Red Beard himself will have to slap them across the face for me!"