Purple Rose Harbor welcomed a new day. Near the harbor's outer district, a new three-story wooden building stood tall. A wooden sign hung on the first floor—Joe Shuya Risky Trade and Transport Company.

On the third floor of the white wooden building, Dracula Joe Shuya leisurely smoked hand-rolled cigars.

"Never expected this world to have tobacco leaves... I never smoked before, but now... it’s a great stress reliever."

A knock sounded at the door. After Dracula’s permission, Purames entered, dressed in clerk’s attire.

"Sh-ship... uh... boss! Here are the compiled documents..."

"Hmm... understood."

"Have you found managers? We can’t stay here long..."

"Yes, with the Admiral’s help, we found six humans with a knack for this. So... we’ll just check the accounts periodically..."

"Well done... Purames... and thank you..."

"What are you saying? Serving you is my duty; no thanks needed..."

"No, I sincerely thank you for all you’ve done... Alright, you may leave now."

Purames bowed calmly, exited, and closed the door. Dracula, pipe in hand, seemed to hear a loud—Awesome!

Probably not Purames... she’s always composed. Whatever.

Roots are firmly set now. Next, tackle things one by one... I can do this. The old me couldn’t, but now... not just from increased power, but for these dear subordinates too. They’re my creations, after all. I won’t abandon them in this strange new world. You worked hard to earn my living expenses and pocket money before... Now it’s my turn to protect you all!

---

At the Admiral’s residence in Purple Rose Harbor, servants bustled in the garden, stealing glances at Miss Mary nearby.

"Ever since Viscount Dracula arrived, Miss hasn’t practiced fencing or clamored to sail out to sea..."

"Shh, the Admiral’s coming..."

Mary Gale Bandemin reclined lazily on a garden lounger, one arm listlessly dangling over the armrest. She gazed absently at colorful fish swimming in a nearby pond.

"Hmm, what’s wrong, my daughter?"

Mary turned to see the Admiral’s kind face smiling. He slowly pulled an adventurer’s novel about sailors from behind his back and handed it to her.

"Thank you, Father..."

Mary set the book aside and sat up straight. The Admiral sat beside her.

"You weren’t like this before. You’d dive into such books instantly and only head indoors when you saw the stars. Why so cold to these poor books today?"

".....I, Father, I think I......"

"Fallen for him?"

"....Yes, wait?! No way!"

"Liking is liking... what’s wrong with that? He’s truly exceptional... a young man like him draws every woman’s gaze. It’s natural my daughter admires him."

"......"

"Mary... sometimes I wonder what we nobles live for. For country? For family? Why not live for ourselves once? It seems selfish, but... all humans are selfish. It’s not a sin. Perhaps it’s just human nature..."

"Father..."

"Ah, if you seek adventure... make him your goal. You might lose everything, but if you succeed, you could find happiness. This time, I’ll let you gamble your luck. Just don’t come crying to me later..."

Patting Mary’s shoulder, the Admiral stood. His lonely figure faded into the distance.

"Thank you... Father... I know what to do!"

Mary rose to leave but glanced back at the novels. She gathered them and thrust them into a passing maid’s arms.

"They’re yours! This young lady is off on an adventure!"

---

On the scorching beach, a horde of pirates squatted under the blazing sun. Leaders at the front spoke; exhausted, not one dared to leave.

"Listen up! The Big Boss said! Protect these waters from now on... and you’ll get paid monthly!"

"Scarface Bro! Are we still pirates?"

"Of course!"

"But why protect the seas?!"

"Less fucking talk! Do as ordered! Any ship flying this flag—you guard it fiercely. Even if they say they’ll shit on your head, you smile, offer your head as a toilet, and lick their ass clean! Anyone who messes with them—kill them dead! Don’t say I didn’t warn you! Screw up, and I’ll chop you into pieces for the fish!"

Scarface beamed while addressing the pirates. The Big Sister and Big Boss were incredible... Lord Faglas, Big Sister Greenland, and Big Sister Golden Key too. In mere months, they’d wiped out all old pirate leaders... making him their spokesperson to rule these waters.

"Work hard, and the Big Boss’s rewards will flow. Fail, and you die!... These are his gifts..."

Scarface waved. His cronies dragged out wooden chests, opening them under the sun. Gleaming gold coins blinded the pirates below. Yet they refused to blink, fearing the treasure would vanish.

---

"Commander...?"

"That’s right—me! Great Commander of the Holy Lance Oath Mercenary Company, Silver Lance, the Holy Lancer~"

"Aren’t you a mercenary? But..."

"Nonsense! A mercenary captain is still a mercenary!"

Cabell waved away the kneeling mercenary reporting to him.

"Honestly, Brother Elfa, being commander is exhausting... kills you~"

Elfa remained noncommittal.

"So what are your plans? You said your family was wiped out?"

Elfa looked down at the shattered copper badge.

"Shadowblade HQ is gone. See... this badge is magical. It shatters when triggered, sending an alert..."

Cabell nodded at the badge broken into five or six pieces.

"I’m homeless now... lost. My arm healed with a precious Healing Scroll, but my family’s gone. I don’t know where other Shadowblade families are... we’re split into clans with separate networks. They don’t accept outsiders."

Cabell scratched his head.

"Won’t you avenge them?"

"Avenge?... How? Against whom? With what? I’m just a top-tier assassin, not a master... Now I have nothing. An unwelcome omen..."

*Smack!* Cabell slapped Elfa lightly.

"Snap out of it! If my comrades were killed, even if the enemy could crush me easily, I’d fight to the death and stab them with my lance first!"

"What meaning would that have?"

"None! I’d just feel shitty if I didn’t!"

......What kind of answer is that, but... I guess it’s not wrong......