Second Time’s the Charm

I was tossed to the ground before the king once more, just as I had only a day prior. Sir Branwell knelt and placed his hand upon his chest.

The king's piercing golden eyes had been replaced by a hollow, hazel stare. He was no longer the imposing Administrator I remembered, but seemed broken and frail. He no longer resembled the overpowering Administrator I’d seen the day before.

“Why has a pirate been brought to me?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.

“I’m sorry, my lord, you requested we bring the Accursed Captain Lark to you.” Sir Branwell responded, his posture not budging in the slightest.

“Ah, yes, I did request that, didn’t I?”

“My lord, I must also notify you of a serious matter. Valgorth is on the move from the South.”

“What?! Why is that beast moving?”

The king's eyes bulged, his mouth agape. He quickly collected himself but slumped further into his throne. He reached up and began to rub his forehead. “How do you recommend we deal with this matter, Sir Branwell?”

“I received word that the Otherworlders were on their way to fight him.”

The king lowered his hand and leaned forward. There was a softness in his eyes.

“Their strength is a great service to this country, but we cannot leave this matter only to them.”

Sir Branwell nodded his head. “Indeed, out of an abundance of caution, I would also suggest we mobilise an elite unit.”

“That sounds reasonable.” The king slumped back in his chair. “Well, if Valgroth is on the move, I do not have time to talk with this pirate.”

“Nor I you,” I responded.

Sir Branwell was quick to react, but before he could slam my head to the ground, the king's hand signalled for him to stand down.

“Oh? Aren’t you even a little curious? It is not every day you get brought before the king.”

“You know this isn’t my first rodeo.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Is that so? Sir Branwell, I would ask if you could leave and begin preparations against Valgroth. It seems this pirate may be worthwhile to speak to after all.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Sir Branwell stood up and turned with poise, then left the room. The doors closed, and the king stood up.

“My memories… Your memories… What do you know?”

What do I know? Was this guy right in the head? Well, may as well roll the dice.

“You were inviting me here to pardon me.”

The king laughed.

“I may not remember why I invited you here, but I do know I would never let a pirate go free.”

His laughter was warm, a complete change from the cold demeanour he had shown me before. Did he actually lose all of his memories?

The door burst open suddenly, and Duke Wiscard, the blond-haired pretentious twat entered.

“What’s the pirate doing here?” He snapped as he closed the door behind him.

“You know him? Were you the one who ordered him to be brought here?” The king asked, looking between the twat and me.

“What do you mean? You were the one who ordered that?”

“I can confirm I do not know this twat,” I added, nodding my head.

The duke's face turned red with anger. He began biting his nail, drawing a small amount of blood. “Why is everything so different this time?”

He began to pace back and forth. I took this time to use my hook to start cutting the rope. With Sir Branwell gone, escaping would be a lot easier.

The king rose slowly from his throne.

“Well, my dear son-in-law, why are you here then? What is troubling you? Is it Valgroth?”

The duke let out a heavy sigh and slowly approached the king.

“Oh, well, having this pirate here will certainly make things a lot easier.”

“Duke Wiscard?” The king looked confused as the duke leaned in towards the king and whispered something into his ear. The king's eyes widened just as I managed to free myself from the bindings and get to my feet.

“Look, I know the two of you are having a beautiful bonding moment, but could you rope me into the conversation? It’s getting a little lonely here…” My taunt was cut short as the king staggered forward and collapsed.

His crown fell from his head and rolled along the ground, coming to a stop next to my foot. The king landed with a thump, and a pool of blood began to form. A blood-soaked dagger was in the Duke's hand. The accursed gem began to glow.

The duke turned around to face me.

“I suppose that makes me king now.” The duke laughed like a madman.

“Look, I don’t know what’s going on here, but I think I’ll just leave now.”

“Well now pirate, how should I deal with you?”

“How about letting me go?”

“Why would I let a witness escape. Although I could let you take the fall for the king.”

I shrugged.

“What does it matter? A dead Administrator is a dead Administrator.”

“How do you know about the Administrators? Can I take it as a threat?” He snapped back.

I remained silent, and he sighed.

“Well, if you already know about Administrators, then I may as well come clean. I am the Administrator known as N. Now then, pirate, how do you know about Administrators?”

“Oh, do you not know? You mustn’t be very well liked amongst the other Administrators if you don’t know me,” I taunted back.

He gritted his teeth as his face turned red.

“Tell me what you know, you damn pirate!”

“Now, why would I do that, Administrator~?”

“So, do I take it, you are the same man as the masked man?!”

Masked man? This guy was giving me a goldmine of information I didn’t know. He was leaking information like a sieve.

He collected himself.

“No, you can’t be. The masked man had two hands.” He rubbed his forehead. “But then, who are you, and what do you know? Are you working with the masked man?”

I smirked.

“I can’t believe you think I would tell you,” I replied, trying not to let out that I knew nothing he was rambling about.

He sighed.

“It doesn’t matter. Even if you are working with the masked man, there is nothing you can do to stop me anyway. I have the strongest skill in the world. The power to turn back time.”

So that weird nausea and strange events were from time resetting. But I can’t believe he was still leaking information.

“Do you have any popcorn?” I accidentally said out loud.

He tilted his head before a cruel smile crept along his face.

“Guards!” he screamed with faux fear in his voice.

Several guards burst into the room and instantly noticed the corpse of the king, the trembling duke and the pirate who had managed to break free of his restraints.

“This… this pirate… he murdered the king. Kill him!” His voice was trembling, and even though I knew it was all an act, I had to admit he was actually pretty convincing.

The guards didn’t hesitate as they drew their blades.

“Hey, don’t I get to give my side of the story first?” I replied, readying myself with the only weapon I had on me, my hook.

“Prepare to die, pirate!” one of the guards shouted as a loud noise filled the room behind us.

The glass window behind the throne shattered into tiny shards. The duke ducked and cowered behind the throne, and the guards momentarily shifted their gaze away.

“You’re not having a party without us, are you, captain?” the familiar voice of Túta asked as some familiar wires wrapped around my stomach.

“Catch you later, Administrator.” I waved as I was pulled out the window and to the roof of a neighbouring tower.

▪──── X ────▪

End of chapter 40