Because Baroque had gone out of his way to introduce himself, Naomi felt obligated to return the courtesy.
"I'm Naomi. By chance—or maybe bad luck—I ended up captain of the Grim Reaper. And this is Serena, she handles radar... and, um, that's it. Just the two of us."
She added the last line because Baroque kept glancing past her, as if expecting more crew to step out.
"What? You're telling me just the two of you run this whole ship? C'mon, don't hold out on me. I ain't gonna eat ya—least you could do is introduce everyone proper."
"No, really, it's just us. Well... us and the AI," Naomi said.
Baroque groaned, dropping into a crouch and clutching his head.
"You're kiddin' me. You're actually the captain? Sure, every ship's got an AI, but makin' a cruiser like this run smooth with just two people—that's one hell of a program. Still, no matter how smart the system, it's humans who bring out the performance. And me? I got played by a slip of a girl, and she even managed to escape me..."
"Well... to be fair, luck was on our side back then," Naomi said.
"Nope. Luck's still skill. You pulled it off fair and square."
"Alright, alright—save the sob story for later. I'm starving." Elsa rapped Baroque on the head with her knuckles.
She took the lead, marching them through the rust-stained alleys behind the dock. Past stacks of abandoned cargo crates, tucked into the shadows, a small, battered tavern squatted in the gloom. Its sign half-fallen, just enough left to read: Rusty Seagull Inn.
The automatic door was long dead; Elsa shoved it aside by hand, metal screeching as it scraped open. The interior was dim, lit only by a swaying rust-colored lamp. Dust coated every corner, piles of scrap parts littered the floor, and the stench of burnt oil clung to the air.
Inside, the place was already packed—crew from the Abyss, raising mugs and plates, their laughter echoing under the low ceiling.
"Captain, we went ahead and started," one called out. His gaze landed on Naomi. "Ah... so you really are the captain? I thought so. We met once in a bustling town, remember? Cassia Verona—first officer."
The introductions started again. Naomi smiled politely, but a strange unease nagged her. The tavern looked rough, and the pirates looked the part—scarred faces, patched clothes. Yet their table manners were oddly neat, their posture almost formal. Something didn't fit. Something bigger than appearances or etiquette.
Then Baroque stood, scanning the room before fixing his eyes on Naomi.
"Naomi. How much do you know about the person sittin' beside ya?"
That was it—the missing piece. He'd never once pressed about Serena. Most pirates would have poked and pried, suspicious of her refined looks and the aura she carried. Yet Baroque hadn't asked at all.
"You're right," Naomi said slowly. "I've felt it too. You never asked who Serena really is."
Baroque scratched his head, then turned to Serena.
"Alright then. Different question. Ever heard of the Black Spear Fleet?"
At that name, Serena's expression flickered.
"And you?" she replied smoothly. "What does 'Black Beard' make you think of?"
"My father. Jack von Duran, commander of the Black Spear Fleet," Baroque said evenly.
A quiet exchange, but enough to confirm.
"What—your father? But... ten years ago—" Naomi started.
"Ten years since that incident, yes," Baroque cut in. He glanced Naomi's way. "And does she know?"
"Yes. Naomi knows everything," Serena said clearly. "That I am Princess Serena Luxia Valdis the Seventh."
Baroque let out a long breath. "Good. Because if she'd been some schemer, I was already figuring how to take her out. And if she was clueless, I was racking my brain on how to explain without spilling too much. Either way... hell of a weight off my shoulders."
Naomi blinked. "Wait, so I was... one wrong answer from being killed? And Baroque—you're with the Imperial Army?"
"Not exactly. We were Imperial once—but not of the Nei-Vald Empire you've met. We served under Emperor Leonus Alexion Valdis, of the original Valdis Empire."
And so the truth spilled out. Serena told them of her ten years adrift in cold sleep. Naomi admitted she was from another world entirely—an absurd claim, but the pirates didn't dwell. They simply accepted she lacked some common knowledge.
Osaka chimed in through Naomi's tablet, voice cutting into the talk.
"Ha! Captain, reckon they think you're some spacey weirdo."
Baroque's crew glanced toward the sound.
"So this is the Reaper's AI," Baroque mused. "Odd accent, but I've heard it before, back in Pest Hollow."
They explained: Pest Hollow was once a colony ravaged by plague, abandoned after most of its people died. Outlaws, drifters, and pirates filled the void. It became a hub for black markets and shady trade.
"But wouldn't the Empire send in fleets to clear it out?" Naomi asked.
"They can't," Baroque said. "Nei-Vald lost the luminous charts to this sector. They know it exists, but without a chart, they can't bring a fleet through. So they leave it be."
"And even if caught," Cassia added calmly, "pirates always destroy those charts first. No evidence, no pursuit."
Naomi frowned. "So what now? You expect us to become pirates too?"
Cassia shook her head, sipping strong liquor. "We don't raid innocents. No slave trade, no murder. Our targets are the Empire's patrol ships. That's it."
"Then why attack my ship?" Naomi snapped. "I'm a civilian!"
"Civilian?" Baroque laughed. "What kind of civilian rides a light cruiser with full main guns? We figured you were rookie pirates ourselves."
Naomi grimaced. "...Guess normal people don't. But when Imperial ships came after me, they didn't say a word."
"They were lazy. Saw your ID code, didn't bother with visuals," Baroque shrugged.
Naomi thought back. "So that's why Luna Beta's AI almost denied us docking."
"Exactly. If I were the gatekeeper, I'd never let you in," Cassia said with a smirk. "We dock only by hiding the Abyss outside and sneakin' in with shuttles."
It made sense now—why Serena's identity had been their only passport.
"And that," Baroque said gravely, "is why the Empire marked you. So—Your Highness, what are your plans?"
"I want to go to Gordia Central, to my grandparents," Serena said softly. "But... I want Naomi with me. Though with the Grim Reaper broken, I may be asking too much..."
Her eyes darted nervously toward Naomi.
"Don't be silly. You're my friend. Of course I'll go with you," Naomi said, firm. "The Reaper will need repairs first, but we'll manage."
Baroque nodded. "Good. You've found a loyal ally, Princess. She fought the Deathcallion with a single cruiser and came out alive—that alone proves her mettle. We'll help. Repairs, support—whatever it takes to make the Empire pay."
"But won't that make you wanted fugitives—ah, right. You're pirates already," Serena said with a faint smile.
"Damn straight!" Baroque grinned wide.
The tavern filled with laughter, rough yet warm, as the Rusty Seagull shook with pirate cheer.