The burly tribal chief had been muttering the whole time about marrying off "Cuìhua." He had just turned around and taken a couple of steps when a young tribesman behind him suddenly smacked his head, as if remembering something important, and shouted:
"Chief! Wait! I remember now! A few days ago, when BluBlu Island traded food with us, they mentioned something. Just like what you wrote on that leaf. Recently, there's been a group called 'pirates' out at sea! They rob islanders and run away right after! Not like those invaders you talked about who occupy land. These ones just steal and leave. They're especially awful!"
The chief, who had been heading home, suddenly stopped.
He turned back to look at Reid.
So it was you who brought trouble here.
Reid saw the situation and immediately thought:
Alright. Perfect. This is my excuse.
The blood mist around him surged instantly. He straightened his back, putting on an extremely serious expression, secretly thrilled.
Yes. Exactly. This is how things should go. This is the proper treatment for a villain. Come on, attack me. Just give the order and I can wipe this entire tribe out. I, Reid, am that kind of man.
The chief pointed his stone axe at him.
"You! Are you one of those 'pirates'? Are you here to rob us?"
Without hesitation, Reid answered clearly, word by word, with almost proud certainty:
"I am!"
He was already prepared to face their righteous assault. They would charge forward shouting about protecting their homes and all that passionate nonsense.
However…
Nothing happened.
The expected attack never came.
After hearing his answer, the chief's serious expression disappeared. It was replaced by complete boredom, as if he were thinking, what is this nonsense?
He even waved his hand dismissively.
"Alright, alright. Break it up. Nothing to see here," he called out to the tribe. "This is definitely not a pirate. What kind of pirate admits it so easily? This kid clearly isn't very bright. Probably just some fool dreaming of being a hero. A talented idiot who got lost. Ignore him."
With that, he hoisted his stone axe onto his shoulder again and walked off without looking back, muttering:
"What a waste. I thought I'd finally get some exercise… Cuìhua, your old man will find you a good match. Just need a bit more time…"
Reid: ???
He stood frozen.
Wait. What?
I am a pirate. A real one. I admitted it. Why aren't you fighting me?
Why does no one believe me when I say it out loud?
Reid was completely at a loss.
"Uh… Captain, I really am a pirate. I've been one for years. Could you maybe take another look?"
"Do pirates act as polite as you? And how many pirates even come here? Where did this kid come from? Move along, move along."
The chief did not even glance at him.
Only then did Reid realize something.
In this era, "pirate" was still a relatively new concept. It had not yet gained the infamous reputation it would have centuries later. It might not even have a fixed meaning yet.
His honest confession… well, it just made things awkward.
Reid watched as the villagers completely dispersed, no one sparing them another glance.
The chief walked a few steps away, then gradually slowed down. He scratched his head, sighed, and turned back toward Reid and the girl, who were still standing there.
The faint contempt on his face was gone.
In its place was sympathy.
"Ah, forget it," he said gruffly, waving his hand. "You look like you can't even find your way home. Have you eaten? You look pitiful. I'll get you something."
Reid's eyes lit up instantly.
Food was always welcome. He was not picky.
"Waaah!"
The sudden reaction startled the chief.
"Chief, you're such a good man! We haven't had a full meal in so long! Look at her!"
He gently pushed the frail girl forward.
"Look how hungry she is! And look at me!"
He pointed at himself. His skin, already fair, had become even smoother after gaining his power, something quite rare in this era. Most people here had rougher, darker, sun-worn skin.
"We've been suffering so much…"
His dramatic performance, combined with the girl's naturally thin and confused appearance, created a powerful effect.
The tribespeople who had just left somehow gathered again, some already tearing up.
Reid could clearly sense how quickly they had rushed back.
They slowed down as they listened, then swiftly surrounded the two of them.
Looking at this "pitiful young couple" as they imagined them to be, especially in a tribe where strength symbolized health, the girl looked painfully fragile.
Reid thought:
Perfect. Yes, this is exactly right. My first mate may not be fully recovered yet, but she is already contributing.
Several burly men quietly hid their weapons behind their backs. A few older women were already wiping their eyes.
Good. Very good.
"Ah, this poor child has suffered so much…"
"Look at her hands. There's barely any flesh on them…"
"It must be those metal invaders who did this! If they come again, I'll deal with them myself!"
"Didn't the chief say they weren't that strong?"
"He always exaggerates. Haven't we driven off invaders before?"
A kind woman quickly brought over a steaming bowl of fresh meat soup.
"Come, child, don't be afraid. We just came back from hunting. There's plenty of food. Have some soup first and warm up."
Reid gently nudged the girl with his elbow.
The girl looked up. She saw the warmth and kindness in the woman's expression, then glanced at Reid.
Reid mouthed the words silently:
"Thank you, big sister."
She copied him, her voice soft and careful:
"Th… thank you… big sister…"
The woman froze mid-motion, eyes widening in disbelief.
"B… big sister?" she repeated, her mood instantly lifting.
"Oh my goodness! Did you hear that? What a sweet little voice!"
She almost dropped the bowl in excitement, quickly steadying it, her voice rising as she proudly shouted to everyone around:
"She called me big sister! Did you hear that? This poor little thing called me big sister!"
That single phrase seemed to carry magical power. The atmosphere instantly grew even warmer and livelier.
Other women gathered around, laughing as they eagerly brought more food.
"Come eat here too, big sister has more!"
"Try mine! Call me big sister and I'll give you some!"
In an instant, the girl was surrounded by food and overwhelming kindness.
Reid himself ended up holding piles of roasted meat and fruit.
Inside his mind, calculations clicked rapidly into place.
Plan complete.
This was the fastest way to understand this world.
After all, he had already heard about salt trading. That alone proved there were connections between different regions.