The crowd began chattering, their faces red with embarrassment.
Cordell's pants were halfway down, as if his belt had snapped. His exposed backside was visible to everyone.
Abel chuckled, a sly grin on his face.
"I can't flirt around here anymore," he muttered.
The sight of Cordell's predicament was humiliating enough to damage any knight's reputation, but Abel couldn't help but find humor in it.
It seemed like the chaos had finally settled.
Amid the commotion, voices echoed from all around.
"Oh my! Look at that. Your lower body is really toned."
"It's Apple Hip. Apple Hip!"
"It looks like you usually exercise a lot."
"Of course. You're a member of the Imperial Guard. How intense is the training?"
To Abel's surprise, there were far more positive responses than expected.
He shook his head and turned away, pondering, Are you sure you can just leave the escort knight alone like that?
For people who liked "apple hips," perhaps they'd hold on to such moments.
Abel dismissed the thought and focused on what lay ahead. Let's go to the boat. I hope there isn't too much damage.
Fortunately, not a single knight from the Schultz family had been killed.
Although there were quite a few casualties, they were minor wounds easily treated with potions.
Of course, their appearance was rather miserable.
Haven't we been fighting fiercely against countless pirates so far? Abel mused.
It was only natural to be covered in blood and sweat.
"Thank you for your hard work," Abel said, nodding to the knights.
One of them, looking both relieved and weary, replied, "Ah! You are safe. We have also witnessed Your Highness the Duke's exploits here."
"Was that so?" Abel raised a brow.
"Thanks to you, I was able to overcome the crisis," the knight continued earnestly.
Abel frowned slightly, finding the story absurd.
"I haven't done anything that would have had much influence this far," he said honestly. "I just fought a demonic monster and won."
Yet, he couldn't deny the next part of the knight's explanation.
"When that monster fell, the pirates also lost their fighting spirit. It was as if they had lost some kind of mental support."
Abel nodded slowly. "I think I know why. It's actually something similar to that."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, and it seems he has quite a deep connection with the Navy. He's got Admiral Nigel Bayliss."
"Huh! That kind of thing…," the knights murmured, clearly troubled.
For the Schultz family knights, the Imperial Army was a source of honor and admiration.
To hear of dishonorable actions from someone in such a revered position must have been a difficult pill to swallow.
They couldn't curse him outright, nor could they defend him.
Abel broke the tense silence. "Shall we sort things out now?"
"If you give the order, I will faithfully carry it out," one knight assured him.
"You all are in charge of liberating the prisoners. Disarm the pirates and hand the weapons to the able-bodied men. It'll be easier to control the pirates that way."
"Yes!"
The Schultz knights moved swiftly to execute Abel's orders.
Before they left, Abel added, "Oh, one more thing. Be strict with them so they don't retaliate."
"Huh?" one of the knights hesitated.
"If you suppress your anger, it'll only lead to chaos," Abel explained. "If even one pirate lashes out with a sword, things will spiral out of control."
"Then what should we tell them?"
Abel smirked. "Say this: dying here would be too lenient. Rotting alive in prison is a much harsher punishment."
"Ah…"
"Tell them I'll take responsibility if it comes to that. And don't hesitate to beat them up if necessary."
"Understood."
As the knights disappeared into the slave auction area, Abel turned to the helmsman.
"Mr. Benku?"
"Yes? Yes, Captain?" Benku answered, startled.
"I need to fix the keys of those ships over there. Is that possible?"
"I'm sure they have at least one replacement part on board. If we get someone on the ships, repairs can be done in a few days."
"That's the most urgent matter right now. Please proceed as quickly as possible."
Abel then selected prisoners with ship-repairing experience and assigned them to Benku.
He moved around the area, ensuring everything was under control.
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With so many people crammed onto the small island, discord was inevitable unless tightly managed.
Fortunately, no major incidents occurred.
The freed prisoners were given weapons but wielded them responsibly.
Abel maintained his vigil from the highest point, watching closely.
After all, if the man who tore apart a demonic monster told them to behave, who would dare disobey?
---
A few days later, the situation stabilized.
The ships were seaworthy again. Abel addressed the crowd.
"Let's leave now. We'll head back to Grand Cape first."
"Wow!"
Cheers erupted as people raised their hands in jubilation.
Abel watched their joy with a faint smile.
How relieved they must be, saved from becoming helpless slaves, he thought.
Soon, the fleet sailed out of Billygut's hideout into the open sea.
"Oh, I almost forgot this," Abel muttered to himself.
"What? Surely it's not me, Your Majesty?" Cordell McNeil asked with a haggard expression.
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Abel chuckled. After being nicknamed "Apple Hip Knight," McNeil looked utterly dejected.
"Well, that's something for you to figure out," Abel said, smirking before pointing to the island behind them.
"The ending must be neat."
『Remote detonation activated.』
The rocky island began to crumble with a thunderous roar as explosions erupted underwater.
The weak ground beneath the water gave way, swallowing the island whole.
Initially sturdy, the island had become unstable after the demonic monster's rampage.
Now, with precise strikes, it vanished completely.
The pirates won't be able to use that place as a hideout anymore, Abel thought with satisfaction.
As he turned back to the fleet, he noticed everyone staring at him in awe.
Finally, Cordell McNeil asked, "Your Highness, are you… human?"
Abel smirked. "Sir McNeil, would you like to find out?"
"… … ."
McNeil wisely remained silent.
---
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