Surviving without God

«You’ll regret this.» Words that, for some reason, strike straight at the human soul.

Thanks to them, Viktor, captain of the 5th unit of the Blue Blade, managed to safely board the deck of the Crimson Pearl. For a brief moment, he flinched at the oppressive atmosphere and the sinister aura emanating from the vessel, but quickly regained his composure, as befitted a veteran privateer.

— A ship of the dead... In twenty years of privateering, this is the first time I’ve seen someone command something like this. In any case, a pleasure to meet you. I’m Viktor, captain of the 5th unit of the Blue Blade.

— No need for introductions. I know exactly who you are.

It was Tarsha Everlight who answered. Her gaze carried undisguised contempt.

— How do you even have the nerve to still hide behind the name “Blue Blade,” Viktor?

Tarsha deeply respected the Great Admiral. She had always admired those who lived by conscience and for the greater good.

«Just like my former commander.»

To her, those who betrayed the admiral were creatures deserving nothing but scorn. Viktor’s face hardened.

— ...If you keep a wolf on a leash, be ready for it to bite you.

— Ha! What wolf? You’re a gutter rat.

Viktor coughed lightly.

— Ahem, these arguments are pointless right now. What’s done is done... That’s why I’m saying I want to make it right.

Make it right...? Gunther instantly understood his intention from that word.

— ...Another betrayal? This time you want to side with us?

— Listen, man from Valloren.

Viktor fixed his bulging eyes on Gunther.

— I just want to fix my mistake. Blinded by momentary greed, I betrayed the Great Admiral. Like I was possessed. But... ever since I left her on that cursed island and returned, there hasn’t been a single hour I didn’t regret it.

— ...And?

— I know you’ve come to save the Great Admiral. I want to help. Right now both the admiral and you are in grave danger. The enemy knows about your arrival and has set numerous traps. Without me, you won’t be able to pull her out.

Gunther narrowed his eyes.

— You want to join us?

— Exactly.

— ...What a “reliable” ally.

— I understand it’s hard to believe. But does that really matter right now?

Instead of answering, Gunther raised his binoculars. In the distance, three ships drifted. Repairs were visible on their hulls, but their decks were still scarred by recent battles. The aftermath of breaking away from enemy command? Or a carefully crafted disguise?

«What should I do with him...»

This man had already betrayed the admiral once. It was entirely possible Luthien had sent him as a spy. But... there was also a chance he hadn’t originally intended to betray her, that he had been caught in the web of the Cult of Trust and only now come to his senses.

Ironically, the very dilemma they had discussed earlier now stood before him.

«No time to verify.»

His companions were already watching him. Tarsha leaned in and whispered:

— His reputation isn’t great. He’s been a pirate longer than a privateer.

Levain Bernecker was spinning a magical pistol in his hand, clearly eager to shoot the guest on the spot, while Zahara watched Gunther with an unreadable expression. A deep crease formed on Gunther’s brow. A trap or an opportunity?

.

.

.

The ships of the 5th unit slowly disappeared into the sea fog. Viktor expressed regret until the very end, but Gunther’s decision did ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ not change.

— ...Can’t be helped. We’ll handle the admiral’s rescue ourselves.

Gunther had three options. First — accept them. Second — refuse and attack for experience. Third — use them while keeping them at a distance.

Gunther chose the third.

— You boarded of your own will. But leaving — that’s not your choice.

— ...What?

— I need at least some justification to let you leave my ship alive after you betrayed the admiral.

— Ha.

As a former pirate, he understood quickly. Viktor grinned, exposing the gap where a tooth was missing.

— You’d make a fine pirate. Well, I was planning to give this information anyway.

He immediately revealed everything he knew.

— The island where we abandoned the admiral... near the “Sunken Crown,” Luthien fanatics are plotting something. Both Black Wind Armarch and Isolda are there. Looks like some large-scale ritual...

— A ritual?

— They’ve gathered a huge number of human sacrifices. To transport them, they used a bunch of Black Wind and Blue Blade ships. That means there are plenty of troops there... And after hearing all that, you still plan to fight alone?

Gunther nodded silently. There was no point taking unnecessary risks. Besides, bringing a traitorous subordinate to the admiral was a terrible idea. If he put himself in her place, it would be absurd.

— Damn... you’re a stubborn one. Still, I wish you luck. No matter which of us does it, the admiral has to be saved.

With that, Viktor left the ship. The Crimson Pearl and the 5th unit of the Blue Blade parted ways.

— Wouldn’t it have been better to kill him? He could become a problem, — Levain muttered, his words carried off by the wind.

Gunther himself had placed his hand on his sword hilt more than once. In the end, they were traitors. Eliminating them and taking the experience would have been more efficient.

But... there was still the possibility they had been entangled against their will in the Cult of Trust’s web. Because of that faint thread, Gunther never drew his blade.

— Let’s move.

The choice had been made. There was no point looking back. Gunther stepped onto the island’s shore and continued:

— If we want to save both the admiral and those poor people brought as sacrifices, we need to act quickly.

His companions silently followed him ashore. Tarsha Everlight, Zahara, Parco Draven, Levain Bernecker, Rietta, Yuria, Blanc Ibel, Mikhela Iska. Aside from Mikhela, all were fighters of at least the 4th hierarchy.

— Alright, everyone here. Tarsha, light up the surroundings with light magic.

The light she conjured dispelled the darkness, and the group gathered in a circle. Gunther took an ink pen and unfolded the map Viktor had given him.

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

▲ ▲ ▲ ① ▲ ▲ ▲

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

┌──────────────┐

│          │

│  Central Island │

│   (Temple)  │

└──────────────┘

⛰ ⛰ ⛰ ⛰ ⛰ ⛰ ⛰ ⛰ ⛰

⛰         ⛰

④ ⛰         ⛰ ③

⛰         ⛰

⛵ ⛵

② ⛰

The name “Sunken Crown” was no coincidence. From above, the archipelago resembled a crown half-submerged in water.

Tap. The tip of Gunther’s pen touched the center of the map. Time for the briefing.

— Point one. In the center is the sanctuary of the Vanguard of the Dark Night. That’s where Luthien is preparing the ritual with the sacrifices. That’s our final destination.

Next.

— Point two. The western shore of exiles. That’s where the Blue Blade abandoned the admiral. They say sea monsters roam there at night. And Luthien patrols regularly sweep the area.

A brief silence followed.

— ...What about the admiral?

— Is she alive?

A lot of time had passed since she was abandoned. Anxiety hung in the air. Had she died on a shore crawling with monsters and cultists?

But Gunther was certain she was alive. If she had died, the system message would have changed. So far, nothing had appeared.

...We’ll find her. No matter what.

Tap. The pen moved east.

— Point three. The only gentle bay in this archipelago. That’s where the main forces of Black Wind and the Blue Blade are stationed. According to Viktor, they’re searching the area for an artifact from Jean Daet. Black Wind Armarch and Isolda are there as well.

— ...The artifact that allows control over the Sea Dragon?

— Yes. I don’t know if it really exists, but if it does, we need to secure it. Something like that cannot fall into their hands.

Parco shook his head tiredly.

— This operation looks more complicated than all the previous ones combined.

And it was. As soon as Gunther got the information from Viktor, he had contacted Dimona Ryen and requested support. The situation here was far more serious than waiting at the Sea Dragon’s lair.

«There are far more troops here than I expected.»

But reinforcements wouldn’t arrive anytime soon. Even if their ship was repaired, it would be far slower than the phantom vessel, and slipping past enemy patrols wouldn’t be easy.

— So until backup arrives, we move carefully. The enemy outnumbers us dozens to one.

One thing was reassuring — the members of Night Raven were used to such odds. There was no fear on their faces, only determination. Everyone understood the importance of this mission. Gunther nodded and continued:

— And finally, point four. This is where we landed.

A narrow rocky bay. A normal ship would be torn apart before even approaching. Luthien hadn’t even posted guards here. But for a phantom ship, that wasn’t a problem. That’s how they arrived unnoticed. The enemy still didn’t know they were here.

Gunther looked at the map and added:

— On this Black Path, tides are unpredictable. During low tide, you can move between islands on foot.

His gaze shifted back to point two.

— When the tide recedes, we head to the second point and look for traces of the admiral. And if my assumption is correct...

Gunther narrowed his eyes.

— Somewhere around point two, there should be a hidden passage to a space not marked on any map. With very high probability.

Zahara tilted her head.

— Where does that certainty come from? Intuition?

— Viktor said Luthien still hasn’t captured the admiral, elder.

Even considering the size of the Sunken Crown, it didn’t make sense.

— If such massive forces haven’t found her yet, it means she isn’t just hiding on the island — she’s in a specific... deliberately concealed space.

— Hm, makes sense.

— So our task is to find the hidden admiral, extract her, and escort her to the Sea Dragon’s lair.

The plan was set. A brief silence followed. Levain spoke first.

— What about the sacrifices?

The air grew heavy. The reason Luthien had gathered so many people in the middle of the Black Path was obvious. They had simply slaughtered coastal villages one after another.

Just like Levain’s village once. Just like his sister had disappeared.

— Gunther, I understand the admiral is the priority, but...

Gunther looked into Levain’s trembling eyes and answered:

— We’ll save them. All of them.

No matter the cost. A rough rescue plan had already formed in his mind.

— Alright.

Gunther stood and looked toward the horizon. The others followed. Rietta murmured quietly:

— ...Low tide.

The waves, as if taking a deep breath, stilled — then slowly began to retreat. The water receded, revealing black rocks and narrow sandy paths that had been hidden before. A route connecting the islands. A passage open only for a short time. Gunther tightened his grip on his sword.

— Move out.

.

.

.

[The Vanguard of the Dark Night watches with interest what is happening within his domain]

[He is seriously considering which outcome would be the most amusing]