As the sun slowly rose over the horizon and cast its light across the small island, the sailors aboard the two-masted merchant ship—who hadn’t seen land in a full month—couldn’t hold back their cheers. They were as overjoyed as men who’d just escaped the terrifying Fallen Triangle with their lives.

That was Fran Island, the Empire’s southern frontier—a dagger pointed straight at the Southern Islands.

As luck would have it, it was the very place Roy and her companion had discussed settling after escaping their predicament. The fine wheat liquor Eda’s party had brought was meant for a certain viscount who’d come to Fran Island on vacation—but he was long gone by now.

Thanks to Kain’s promise, and the pirate’s firm insistence, the merchant ship hadn’t changed course to take the down-on-his-luck officer and the legendary pirate straight to the Empire’s interior. Instead, it had continued on to this barren little island.

The only town on Fran Island with any real life to it sat by the sea. It was the island’s only harbor where ships could dock.

Fran Island lay far from anywhere, with few people to be found. Though it stood at the Empire’s frontline facing the Southern Islands, very few ships came here to do business—or even just pass through. So naturally, the harbor was nearly deserted.

When the merchant ship docked, the officer in charge of the harbor came over to check its papers and cargo. The people fishing along the pier only turned their heads for a lazy glance, then went back to their struggle with the fish and their drowsiness. They showed no eagerness to help unload anything. Perhaps that had something to do with the town’s rock-bottom prices and tortoise-slow pace of life.

Once the stone-faced officer had finished his inspection and returned to his post, standing there like a statue, Eda began directing the sailors, who’d been slacking off for the entire voyage, to unload the cargo.

After going to confirm the details of the deal with the fat captain, Kain took Roy by the wrist as she emerged from the cabin and led her ashore.

“Hey, wait.”

Roy had only just woken up, and her head was still foggy. She didn’t come around until they’d passed the sparse vegetable stalls near the harbor. She pulled her hand free of the officer’s and looked at him blankly. “Where are you taking me?”

“To the garrison on Fran Island.”

Kain didn’t look back. He narrowed his eyes slightly against the sunlight and gazed at the rough little town, with no walls or defenses to speak of. He seemed entirely at ease here. The warmth and fondness that flickered in his blue eyes made it clear he knew the place well.

That was right. He knew every detail of this town. It held too many happy memories from his childhood.

More than a decade ago, Governor Naren was still the naval commander. He spent most of his time overseas, fighting pirates in the south and the Punora navy to the west, with no time to return inland and be with his wife and children.

So Kain’s stepmother, wanting to spend as much time as she could with her husband and let the children experience more of their father’s hardships and honors, moved the whole family to Fran Island, near the front lines.

Those were the happiest days Kain could remember. Along with the island scenery he never got to see inland, he could live with his father—even if only for a few short days at a time. That was far better than going a whole year without seeing him.

But happy times rarely lasted. Those carefree days were over in less than a year. After the surprise attack on the Black Crow Society’s elders, peace on Fran Island was shattered.

When Governor Naren raced back from overseas in a desperate hurry, all he found was a raging fire, its smoke billowing into the sky.

The scorching flames seemed to come straight from Hell as they mercilessly swallowed the Howard family estate. Kain had been playing at the garrison and escaped unharmed, but his stepmother, whom he’d always hated, and the elf-like girl were both buried in that bloody, merciless act of revenge.

At the thought, Kain’s eyes dimmed.

After that, his father left the front lines. Though he took up the post of governor, it took him a long time to emerge from the shadows of grief. It had to be said: the founder of the Black Crow Society was exceptionally skilled at manipulating people’s hearts to bring down a man that strong.

“Are you planning to repay my kindness by betraying me?” Roy’s gritted words dragged Kain back to the present.

“How could you think that?” Kain turned around and looked at the hostile pirate, bewildered.

“You’re taking someone the Empire has put a huge bounty on straight to the garrison. What else could that mean besides selling me out? Don’t tell me you’re afraid you’ll be punished for losing your fleet, so you want to use me to earn merit and dodge the blame?” Roy took half a step back, laying out her reasoning with complete confidence.

“Relax. You saved my life. I’m not going to turn you in—especially when I’m your second-in-command now.” Kain sighed helplessly.

Roy remained wary. “Richie was someone I raised, and he still betrayed me. And you’ve only ever shared a bed with me.”

“When have we ever—”

Kain instinctively started to object to her choice of words, but immediately realized that wasn’t the point. His head began to ache again. “I’m only going to the garrison to ask for help. Even if we were going to sail together, we have no money, no crew, and not even a decent ship. How could we possibly make a comeback?”

“See? I told you not to give their cargo back. We could’ve used it as startup money. And now you still have to—”

Once Roy realized the navy really wasn’t trying to sell her out, she let down her guard and started scolding him for what he’d done. But halfway through, she realized something didn’t add up.

“Don’t we have a ship? That two-masted merchant ship might be a little ugly, but…”

“I promised I wouldn’t touch their ship or cargo,” Kain said expressionlessly. “Just as you said yourself, repaying kindness with betrayal goes against my principles too.”

That killed Roy’s plan to break her promise once and for all. She stared at the officer, blinking, then raised a trembling finger and pointed it at his nose. “So you’re still selling me out!”

It was a different kind of betrayal. The things involved hadn’t belonged to her in the first place, but she was still furious that her subordinate had done this.

“That’s why I’m going to the garrison. I know someone there who can help. If you don’t want to come, then stay in town and behave.” Perhaps a trace of guilt was stirring in him. For once, Kain didn’t argue with her, and even his tone softened.

“I don’t need your pity.”

Roy was clearly still angry. She replied coldly, then walked off without looking back, soon vanishing into the narrow streets and alleys.

Kain stood there in silence for a moment. He was a little worried the pirate might cause trouble and disturb the townspeople, but after a brief pause, he headed for the garrison.

He wanted to finish his business as quickly as possible, then keep an eye on the troublesome captain.

The garrison lay a short distance north of town, inside a castle perched atop a barren hill. When sunlight fell across its heavy wooden gate, you could even see cobwebs caught between the gate and the stonework. That told you everything about how lazy and idle the soldiers living in the old fortress were.

When Kain reached the castle gate, the two guards were still dozing. Seeing such disgraceful conduct, his face darkened at once. “Stand up straight!”