The Serpent’s Proposition

With the cargo dispute settled, the meeting aboard the privateer ship concluded.

As everyone rose from their seats, Borok, ever the responsible host, arranged for a sailor to escort each person, even enlisting several strong men to help carry away the crystal prison.

“This cage possesses anti-magic properties; you must keep her securely confined when you’re not around. Should this mermaid stir up any trouble, don’t claim I didn’t warn you.”

“Oh, and don’t forget the tail-removing potion. Administer it to her regularly; don’t be frugal with it! When your supply runs low, simply purchase more from us!”

Saranya scoffed, “That certainly doesn’t require your reminder.”

Borok let out a low chuckle, evidently anticipating the steady stream of income his potion would generate.

Unbeknownst to him, this was merely a one-off transaction; Kaelan, a witch herself, possessed means of dealing with the mermaid’s tail fin, even without resorting to his concoctions.

Once the others had departed, Saranya leaned close to Kaelan’s ear, lowering her voice to inquire:

“Mistress… what compelled you to purchase Aquilis?”

“I simply fancied her; is that not permissible?”

“!”

Kaelan’s eyes narrowed, taking pleasure in Saranya’s visibly chagrined expression, before she let out a soft snicker.

“Hmph hmph~… Didn’t you yourself allow Cecilia to move into the tavern? She was a complete stranger, yet you welcomed her. What was *your* reasoning?”

“But that was a matter we both readily agreed upon…”

“Are you implying, then, that you disapprove of Aquilis sharing the same mistress as you?”

“I…”

Saranya gritted her teeth, the word ‘disagree’ poised on her tongue, yet she hesitated, fearing her mistress’s displeasure.

Earlier, when her mistress had touched the mermaid, she had yearned to cry out. After all, she was the mistress’s sole s*ave, her most obedient little dog… the mistress’s collar and chains, she felt, should rightfully be hers, and hers alone, to wear.

Naturally, such deranged thoughts were best reserved for moments when her mistress’s heel pressed against her face, never to be voiced openly.

Alas, on reflection, when had she ceased to feel shame in her status as Kaelan’s s*ave, only to find herself now vying with others for the coveted title of ‘the sole one’?

Truly… she had utterly fallen.

“The bond between you two is quite extraordinary indeed.”

From the deep shadows of the corner, a grey-robed figure suddenly emerged, obstructing their path.

Saranya reacted with lightning speed, drawing her sword, yet before her blade could fully clear its sheath, the grey-robed figure’s hand clamped down on her arm.

“Nazareth…”

“I find myself meeting you for the first time, and you are much as I envisioned, Commander Kerfen.”

Nazareth’s voice rasped, his pronouncement utterly startling.

Saranya drew a deep breath, slowly returning her sword to its sheath:

“Hmph… I suppose it stands to reason. You, a petty scoundrel of the Shadowscale Gang, would undoubtedly be aware of my identity.”

“Indeed, though today presents an unforeseen bonus… I just overheard you referring to Lady Hillburg as your ‘mistress’? Hmm… I never would have imagined that the illustrious Commander Kerfen harbored such a penchant for married women.”

‘This old bastard hears absolutely everything! Now, in the Shadowscale Gang’s dossiers, she’ll undoubtedly be branded a masochist with a predilection for married women…’

A flush crept up Saranya’s cheeks, her outward demeanor appearing flustered, yet inwardly, a subtle calm began to settle.

Thankfully, judging by Nazareth’s tone, it was clear he remained unaware of Kaelan’s true nature as a witch, ensuring her safety.

“Cease with the pretense; what exactly is your objective?”

“I wish to request your presence with me. This is hardly the appropriate venue for our discussion, and I have no desire for the Bloodsail Alliance to acquire any leverage against us.”

“Only you and I, then?”

“Don’t go…”

From behind, Kaelan suddenly reached out, her hand finding Saranya’s. Her scarlet eyes flickered wildly, and her body swayed precariously, as though she might collapse at any moment.

Perceiving Kaelan’s distress, Saranya swiftly embraced her arm, while subtly pressing one foot against her mistress’s boot heel. Her intention was to mask Kaelan’s unusual emotional state, instead projecting an image of intimate affection between them.

“Lady Hillburg, spare us the saccharine display with your little darling for a moment. I assure you, she will return swiftly.”

“No… I beg you, don’t take her… I implore you…”

“Hm?”

Nazareth, sensing Kaelan’s peculiar demeanor, furrowed his brow in suspicion. His metallic prosthetic eye whirred as he began to lean down, intent on scrutinizing Kaelan more closely.

Saranya immediately turned her back, shielding Kaelan from Nazareth’s gaze, and pulled her firmly into her embrace.

“Hey…”

“Mmm.”

Kaelan, reacting like a startled kitten, clutched tightly at the buckle strap of Saranya’s leather armor, her delicate hand blanching under the constricting iron ring.

‘Why does Mistress seem so terrified by Nazareth’s very image?’

Saranya gently patted Kaelan’s back, secretly resolving that she absolutely *must* discuss this matter with Kaelan later.

For the immediate present, however, she knew she had to soothe Kaelan’s agitation without delay.

If one were to ponder what might most swiftly calm a distraught maiden, it was, perhaps, the warm touch of another’s lips.

With this thought, Saranya inclined her head, pressing a kiss to Kaelan’s forehead. Her lips then slowly descended, her tongue delicately tracing a path across her mistress’s cheek.

Kaelan’s eyes clouded with a veil of mist, as if she were lost in the depths of a traumatic memory:

“No… I don’t want this…”

“Don’t abandon me… I’ll do anything you ask…”

Observing that her efforts yielded little effect, Saranya, with a sudden flash of inspiration, parted her lips and gently encased her mistress’s earlobe.

“Mmm!”

Her vulnerable point thus assaulted, Kaelan’s eyes snapped open wide, her pupils trembling violently.

A moment later, Saranya released her hold, lightly touching Kaelan’s forehead. Their gazes locked, and they exchanged deep, ragged breaths.

After a significant pause, Kaelan gradually regained her composure:

“A s*ave is not permitted to leave their mistress alone…”

“Just this once.”

“Very well, break the rule just this once, but return swiftly…”

“Mmm~”

****

“Abandoning your comrades and fellow soldiers to pursue a widow in Vero—could you possibly enlighten me as to your reasoning, Commander?”

At Nazareth’s mention of her comrades, Saranya felt a dull ache in her chest, and her reply was icily delivered:

“Does that concern you in the slightest?”

Leaving Vero West Dock behind, the two halted at the entrance of a secluded alley.

“Pray tell, if I were to disclose certain details about you to your former subordinates, do you believe some loyal followers might not, in their desperation, rush to Vero, prepared to dig three feet deep in their fervent quest to reclaim you?”

“What advantage do you stand to gain by such an action?”

Nazareth smiled, then raised a hand, miming the gesture of collecting money:

“Information, secrets, intelligence—these are all commodities that can be converted into profit. Given the right circumstances, perhaps they would willingly pledge their service to our Shadowscale Gang in exchange for mere snippets of information about you…?”

Saranya’s pupils constricted momentarily, though she swiftly regained her composed demeanor.

“Hah, since you’ve already divulged so much, why not simply state your intentions directly? What precisely do you wish to coerce from me?”

“Very good.”

Nazareth extended his arm, motioning for Saranya to follow him deeper into the alley.

“During today’s meeting, you must have sensed the collective ‘enthusiasm,’ wouldn’t you agree? Cecilia, Aivy, and even Grondel and Rogni, were all eager to present proposals, keen on forging connections with your Redwater Gang.”

Saranya lengthened her stride, keeping pace with Nazareth:

“Those are merely transactions; whatever they offer will certainly not come without a price.”

“Well spoken, but I must now inform you that the Shadowscale Gang operates quite differently from the others.”

“Oh?”

“We hold no interest in your influence within Vero; our sole desire is to forge a direct partnership with you, personally…”

Though Nazareth’s throat was raspy, his words, delivered with measured cadence, proved remarkably persuasive.

Saranya let out a soft, dismissive chuckle, crossing her arms over her chest:

“You’ve clearly set your sights on my identity, haven’t you? You intend to leverage me to forge an alliance between the Twelfth Legion and the Night Lily Knights, thereby realizing your grand ambitions? And yet, you claim this is not a transaction?”

“Your initial assessment is correct, but I assure you, this is not a mere transaction, but rather a ‘close collaboration’.”

Nazareth positioned himself directly before Saranya, parting his lips to reveal a grotesque smile,

“The Shadowscale Gang has lain dormant for far too long. Over these past years, we have amassed a trove of vital secrets. Now, the opportune moment has arrived to seek out an ally of eminent standing and unimpeachable integrity, through whom we may rightfully exert our influence upon the wider world…”