Disclaimer: The characters of this story(all chapters included) are not mine. I do not earn any profits from this fanfic. Enjoy reading it!
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The sound of footsteps echoed in the castle's corridors as young prince Wolfram made his way towards his elder brother's office. He pondered seriously on what made Gwendal call him to his office. Lately, he had not committed any mistakes. His patrols were peaceful and his soldiers were in excellent form. The more he thought about it, the more it puzzled him. Worried, he quickened his pace.
'If Gwendal is mad, its better to apologize soon rather than procrastinating.'
He climbed two steps at once to reach the third floor and marched right. The sun that was sinking in the horizon illuminated his figure. The maids who were peeking from the kitchen gushed at his slender silhouette moving with sure steps and knocking on Lord Voltaire's office door.
"Enter." Came a voice gruffly.
Wolfram paused only a moment to gather his nerves before walking in, what he hoped was, confidently. However, he was taken aback by the presence of even his mother in the room; Her Highness, the Maou.
"Hahaue?"
"Oh Wolf! How nice to see you again!" she squealed delightedly and rushed forward to press him to her bosom. Oh, what works to sooth a son if not the heartbeat of his mother- was her philosophy.
Wolfram's words were muffled but Gwendal could make out him saying "…-met only an hour ago..!"
His brow twitched. Now was not the time for some glorious reunion.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat.
"Mother, please let Wolfram live to complete this mission."
"Ara Wolfram, that's right. We have a task for you."
In between coughs, our golden-haired prince managed to sputter-
"What…task…?"
Gwendal waited for his breathing to return to normal before he started…
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It was midnight. Blood Pledge Castle was standing proudly under the gentle moonlight. The sound of cicadas had lulled its previously bustling inhabitants to sleep with the exception of one restless prince.
Wolfram was wide-awake with thoughts of his latest mission. He was excited. Never before was he appointed a mission of such importance. He rolled to the other side of his bed and opened the drawer beside it. Pulling out a parchment, he read for the sixth time what was written in it.
"From:
The Imperial King and the people who make up this nation shall continue its long-standing prosperity. You must not forget that everything that makes this world began with us- the Mazoku. Bear with you the courage, wisdom and strength of those who defeated the Sou warriors and continue our prosperity forever! Behold our nation, and our capital!"
'This is definitely drafted by Gunter.' Wolfram groaned. He skipped the next few superficial paragraphs and read the core of this document.
"The Shin Makoku government is besieged with complaints from its allied nations that the notorious pirate crew who call themselves 'Shin Makoku Kaizoku', while already committing a sacrilegious crime by using our revered nation's name for their ship, are also bringing it further disrepute by plundering their treasures in our name. It is imperative that they must be brought to book for their crimes to send a strong message to our neighbors and our allies that we do not, under any circumstances, tolerate such behavior.
This mission is handed to the Royal Blue Knights.
Your target- Capture all the pirates, alive
Location- At Shin Makoku's southern bay
Time- At dawn, a week after this letter is dispatched
A report on our existing information of these pirates has been attached for your perusal.
Good Luck!"
Wolfram put the parchment aside carefully and picked up another one from the drawer. It was the information that had been formerly mentioned.
"
-Ship's captain: Has never been spotted. Said to be prideful and haughty.
-Ship's vice captain: Has never been spotted. Rumored as the love interest of the captain.
Crew members:
1.) Conrart Weller: Her Majesty's second son. Half human. Previously a citizen of Shin Makoku, he committed sedition by joining the infamous pirate crew after the war of races."
Wolfram clutched the sheet painfully before continuing reading.
"2.) Gisela von Christ: Lord Gunter von Christ's adopted daughter and former apprentice of Julia von Wincott. Rumored to have joined the pirate crew in despondency after witnessing the death of the latter."
A pained look marred Wolfram's face for a second. He took a deep breath.
"3.) The Navigator: Name unknown. Said to be constantly perched on top of the main mast.
4.) The Cook: No details known.
5.) Crew member 5: No details known."
Wolfram rolled the parchment carefully and put it back in the drawer. He snuggled into his bed and looked at the moon.
'4 more hours left.'
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It was just minutes before dawn. The crickets were still chirping incessantly. The camouflaged Royal Blue Knights were hidden in the bushes, waiting for the arrival of their targets. A few whispers were heard in the bushes on the right followed by a muffled yelp. A stern voice said in a low tone "Any of you who dares to speak will personally get his posterior roasted by me." Yes, a prince can never say a vulgar word like 'ass' but that won't stop Wolfram. The soldiers gulped and went silent. Another fifteen minutes passed. The sun was now completely visible. Patience was wearing thin amongst the Knights. Just as they were thinking of getting up, they heard footsteps. Wolfram cocked his ear to the ground and put up two fingers.
'Two against twenty. This will be a cakewalk.'
As the steps sounded nearer and nearer, Wolfram paused with bated breath for the right moment. When the two men were just in between them, he yelled "Charge!"
Swords were unsheathed as they circled the men threateningly. The soldiers waited for their captain's orders. Not receiving any, they looked back at him. Wolfram was staring angrily at the two men.
"Conrart and…Yozak!"
Conrart smiled and said gently "Nice to see you again, Wolfram."
Yozak chuckled as he removed his sword from its scabbard. "This will take no time at all, Captain." Conrart held his sword in response. Wolfram snapped out of his stupor and ordered, "Get them both! Don't let them escape!"
A fight between the Ruttenburg's Heroes and the Blue Knights started, with a magnificent display of swordplay and majutsu. Despite their excellent form, the knights were no match for the warriors. Wolfram, who was sparring with Conrart, looked at his comrades' losing conditions. Conrart took the opportunity and hit Wolfram with the back of his sword, turning him unconscious. But as his own brother caught him carefully, Wolfram only thought- 'Sorry, Aniue.'
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"Ugh!" Wolfram awoke with a grunt.
'Shit, where am I?' he thought, looking around the room he was kept in. He was in some sort of a basement. It was dark and quaint with many boxes stacked around the room. He got up to check them out when the ground rocked violently.
Wolfram tumbled down and his stomach lurched. This morning's light breakfast was rapidly making its way up his throat. He looked around hastily and spotted a window. Running towards it, he pushed a box beneath it and stepped on it. He reached just in time at the window as his stomach's contents emptied themselves.
"Ugh!" He grunted again feeling weak. Opening his eyes, he was shocked to see what was in front of him. Miles and miles of sea…all the way till the horizon.
'No way.' He thought 'This is NOT happening!'
He jumped down and looked again around the room, this time more carefully. He spotted a ladder in the corner. He pulled it hard to check if it was safe to climb on. Satisfied, Wolfram climbed on the rungs and saw what looked like a floor door. He pushed upward but it did not budge. He tried harder but in vain. Jumbled voices reached him from the other end. He knocked hard on the board. The voices stopped and Wolfram heard footsteps. He climbed down a rung, just in case. Something heavy was shifted and the door cracked open. Yozak smiled down on him, "Yo! Good morning Bielefeld."
Wolfram seethed at his cheekiness. He scowled and climbed out when Yozak moved aside. Bright sunshine poured into his eyes. He shielded them as Yozak announced, "This is today's booty!" Lots of cheers were sounded and Wolfram grit his teeth in anger. He glared at all of them and stopped in shock at one person.
He had cerulean blue eyes that were staring at him haughtily through the flying sunny bangs. A smirk was shown.
"Welcome to my ship. I am Shinou and from today onwards, you are a Shin Makoku KAIZOKU!"
Further cheers and roars erupted. Wolfram eyes narrowed in anger…
"Its you…you bastard!"
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I hope you enjoyed reading this, minna! Its an idea that popped in my mind when I was watching One Piece. Things look a bit angsty in this chapter but fear not! Next chapter will dispel such thoughts. So read on and don't forget to review! :)