Herald of Steel

It was listening to Vidiyan about his crew that Alexander understood that most pirates had a very short shelf life, wishing to only stay as long as it was needed.

The prospect of death, injury, or worse capture at the hands of authority and being made an example of was enough to motivate most to limit their stint to as short a time frame as possible.

"Then what about you Captain Vidiyan? Why did you stay when your brothers left?"

So figuring out this equation, Alexander naturally asked about the man himself in curiosity.

"Hahaha, because I like it!" The candid answer came very easily and lightly, as the bearded man jovially waved his hand

"That life on the land is not for me. I tried it once for a few weeks, and it was suffocating, like having a noose constantly tied around my neck. You could not leave your house at night, you could not drink in the morning, and you had to pay for everything in full. Hehehe…"

"No, I like the sea much better. I like the feeling of wind hitting my face. I like the smell of the salty breeze. I like the soft sway of the waves, like a mother cuddling her child to sleep. I like how I am the lord of my own destiny. I like… just staying on my ship."

Alexander could sense the heavy love and nostalgia held in those words, the eyes even turning misty in reminiscence.

It was clear the man could go on for days why he chose this life.

But if one were to sum it up in a single word, it would be - freedom.

The freedom to do whatever one wanted.

And as he came from a similar background, Alexander could certainly sympathize.

He as a lord was similar to the pirate captain in many ways, only he had the power to legitimately do whatever he wanted.

If he plundered other ships, it would be simply kicking down the competition and improving the lives of his people.

But if Vidiyan tried to do the same for his crew, well, he would be branded a criminal and hunted down.

The irony of just how thin and fine the line between good and evil was was not lost on Alexander, and he found it quite funny.

This musing was suddenly broken by a gruff cough from Vidiyan, who suddenly commented on a different topic,

"I appreciate my lord for not bringing it up. But actually, before my brothers left, they had once asked me if I wanted revenge against the captain for my parents. Hehehe, I threatened to hang them if they dared to speak this ever again."

"You see, I do not hate the captain for what he did. It might sound very shameful, but in fact, some part of me is actually glad that he came when he did. When I see all those peasants and laborers toiling away, with no end in sight, and when I know I too could have been easily one of them, I… I make sure to count my blessings."

The man instantly took a very large and long swig of his drink as finished this, so it was unknown whether that red blush on his face was due to alcohol or simple shame over the admission.

Alexander was also surprised the man would reveal such a close secret to someone who was basically a stranger to him

Perhaps this was him revealing why he could not give up his post as the pirate captain.

Not because he loved the power and authority that came with it, but something more primal, more dear- the ship was Vidiyan's reason to live, his way of life.

Alexander did not judge the man's actions. He did not condone such thinking, but at the same time, he could understand where he was coming from.

In this age, being a peasant was no glorious profession, it only got you regularly pressed under the heel of a brutal heel of a cruel lord with barely a chance to breathe.

So Alexander could not help but ask the next natural thing that came to his mind,

"How many people in your crew think like that? Like you. People who will stay with you no matter what."

"About 200 my lord." The pirate captain frankly revealed, then swiftly added, "But your question is also not quite right."

"You see, I have about 2,000 men in my crew. Among them, 1,300 are regular crew. They all get one share of the loot. The rest are… kind of slaves- deckboys, cleaners, sweepers, and cooks, servants who do all the menial chores."

"I say only 'kind of slaves' because in many ways they are equal to us. They get the same food, the same quarters, and sometimes even weapons if we are short on men during battles."

"The only thing they don't get is a share of the booty. Rather, they are promised a lump sum of five hundred wesas (5,000 ropal) after five years of service and to be made into regular pirates. That is how me and my brothers started."

"So if my lord you are just asking how many of my crew I can command without question, then I guess it would be close to a thousand."

Alexander appreciated that the man was able to take in the context and reply with the genuine number.

"Hahaha, I see, so that's how it is. Thank you for clearing my misunderstanding." He nodded, but then soon a bit frowned,

"But then can't these slav… servants run away like your crew when you dock?"

Alexander thought he found a loophole in the argument.

"Hahaha, and go where? They don't have any money." The pirate captain however was very quick to smash Alexander's worries, sneering, "The only place they can go is 'starvation'.. if not straight to the gallows. Those guards in the docks are surprisingly sharp at telling us pirates apart from common vagabonds. And trust me, they do not like pirates that can't bribe them."

And if that was not enough of an obstacle, Vidiyan further hammered home the difficulties,

"And even if the slaves could get some money, like by stealing, most would not leave out of their own choice. You see my lord, these slaves actually live far better than most peasants. They get a good solid bed, guaranteed food, yearly new clothes, and when we go ashore, sometimes we take them with us as fun."

"Wine, meat and good whores… they can enjoy it all. Tell me, where can a poor peasant sod with a nagging wife and ten bawling children get that? So most pirate crews actually have very little to worry about their slaves. They are always eager to join the crew, and get a share of the loot."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The new information caused Alexander's eyes to light up with understanding, and he traced his chin with a nod,

"Hmmmp, I see. Since the kingdoms don't care about whether you are a pirate or a pirate's slave, it makes more sense for them to stick with the crew and make some money. At least that way they can enjoy life before being hanged. "

"....." The frank evaluation made the pirate captain twitch his lips a bit awkwardly, but he did not object.

So Alexander took the opportunity to further inquire,

"But did none of the crew stay and fulfill the Heeat family's offer? Didn't you say if they served for enough years, they could become free men? Why take all this risk?"

"Some did stay with the crew till the end my lord. But most did not have the patience." The pirate captain here paused a bit to heavily shake his head in disapproval

"For most, the terms were too long and the family only offered a free man status. So after the initial enthusiasm about the deal died down, they figured they would rather take their chance hiding in some remote island village in the Central Sea."

At this point, the heavy head shaking became even more pronounced, as if Vidiyan was lamenting the fate of many of his crew for their untimely and sometimes unsightly fate while trying to chase this dream.

Not all got lucky.

"I see." While Alexander only gave an acknowledging nod, before quickly losing interest and suddenly shifting the topic,

"So about the people that stay with you permanently, those who have no wish to settle down… do they also demand the same payment?" He posed out of nowhere.

Vidiyan did not understand what Alexander's obsession was about their pay.

In his eyes, this was their internal affairs, detached from the boss's concerns.

But he did not reject the query and nodded with a kind of forced amused smile,

"Yes! In fact, sometimes they want the most. Good liquor, loads of meats, the finest prostitutes, and most of all gambling, all my close men love to spend on the good things in life. 'Life is too short to enjoy! Let's go broke!' they love to shout!"

"Every port we dock, these wastrels go ashore with purses thick as their balls. And when they come back, they look like shriveled grapes. Darm wastes!"

Although it sounded like he was berating them, judging from the tone Vidiyan spoke, it was clear he actually held them in great endearment.

Let us say no to piracy! Don't take part in a crime! Don't patronize thieves!

Please come Here!

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