The Prince of Demons

Can you explain? Nil requested as more yelling ensued.

Captain Nautilus is powerful. Ignoring her complete lack of standards and willingness to sleep with quite literally anyone with a pulse, she is our best bet at reaching Speranza alive. I informed Nil. Wow that was a lot of swearing from them as the three of them kept arguing.

“I’m jus’ sayin’, we can all b' happy.” Nautilus explained, clearly trying to salvage this.

“How?!” the woman cried at her.

“Ya both clearly thin’ I’m attractive, so we can settle this wit’ a three-way.” Nautilus offered. Of course that’s her solution; I’m shocked she didn’t invite some onlookers and try to start an orgy.

Are you positive? Nil inquired, clearly skeptical. If I didn’t know who she was, I’d definitely have agreed with Nil, but I knew better.

Let me put it this way, I can only think of two people who were able to defeat you. Ekard was one, Nautilus was the other. I told Nil. Nil looked doubtful, but clearly trusted my decisions.

“You are a whore!” the man screamed at Nautilus.

I chuckled at that. She’d literally forl anything if she was horny enough; I’m not sure I ever heard of her rejecting someone. Nautilus took great pride in her seduction skills. I still remembered when to prove a point she slept with a man’s father, mother, brother, sister, three of his cousins, and grandmother. I couldn’t even remember what she was trying to prove; her promiscuity was nearly as legendary as her fighting ability. I’m not even sure what I’d describe it as being honest. Still was absolutely delighted to see her. She’s a great friend to have and it’s her hobby that makes her happy. I still thought it was highly ironic given her other title.

“Oi, that’s Cap’n. Ya were such a good lil lad the othe’ night; did ya need me t’ tie ya up again? Let ya enjoy the motion of the ocean?” Nautilus snapped back. I was chuckling at this; Nautilus was beyond feeling shame for any of her actions.

“W-w-what ar-re y-you talking about?!” the man stammered. Nautilus, how you never caught a disease or got pregnant is beyond me.

“Luna, you can’t seriously be considering hiring her?” Lilas inquired, clearly not understanding why I’d choose Nautilus.

“What she lacks in standards she more than makes up for in power.” I shot back. I understand the skepticism, but she’s the likely the strongest being on Tenebrae at the moment.

“Look, neither of ya are innocent. Both of ya slep’ wit me. I’m tellin’ ya, a three-way will make our day.” Nautilus insisted as I finally wormed my way through the crowd.

Nautilus looked exactly how I remembered. Deep silver eyes, long platinum hair, copper toned skin, and the devilish beauty she used to try and seduce anything that caught her eye. I was surprised to see her wearing pants and a crop top. She does own pants; I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wear something other than shorts. Focus. We needed to hire her and get moving as I’d rather not inconvenience Ailla and Lilas much more after this morning. I walked up to the three arguing, which made the other two stop bickering and glare at me. You know, even now if I didn’t know better, I’d mistake her for a human.

“Beat it kid!” the woman snapped at me. I paid her little attention.

“I don’t care about you two. I need Captain Nautilus.” I retorted, as Nautilus seemed surprised by that statement.

“What could I do for ya? I don’ date lil kids.” Nautilus replied, looking back at the two she was arguing with. Horny bucknarl, focus.

“I want to hire you and your crew to sail my hunting dog and I back to Speranza. And to cool the endless fire between your legs, persimmon.” I told her. Nautilus looked absolutely dumbstruck after I said that.

“What’s that mean?” the man roared at Nautilus. Nautilus looked like she was processing what I just said.

“I got a job; cya later lovelies. Now, how on Utol’s tits did a lil lass like ya know that word?” Nautilus inquired as she immediately looked more serious.

“Luna, we can afford to hire better if you’re strapped for cash.” Ailla offered. Better than Nautilus? I know events have changed, but I doubt she has from what I’ve seen. I highly doubted she was any less overwhelming.

“Wait. Nautilus. That name is familiar.” Lilas muttered. Yea, she’s always been famous. Just for a different reason right now, I guess infamous would be more accurate at the moment.

“Because she’s a ruthless pirate that currently has the highest bounty in the world. If we’re talking about competent, strong sailors, she’s hard to beat.” I explained. Ailla and Lilas both had very concerned stares now.

We’re hiring a pirate queen? How confident are you she won’t try to ransom us? Nil inquired. Valid concern if you didn’t know her; she was a lot nicer than rumors would lend you to believe.

Yes. Nautilus is many things, but she won’t betray a client; especially given I know persimmon. I informed Nil. Nil clearly conceded he was going to have to trust me on this.

“Who are ya four? How do ya know me? How do ya know persimmon?” Nautilus pressed, looking annoyed I didn’t answer her.

“I thought it was your policy not to question clients who gave you that word.” I checked. Lilas and Ailla looked like they were questioning reality.

“Normally, ya not wrong. When a demon child I neve’ seen knows imma lil curious how.” Nautilus inquired. She’s not one for dropping things once she sets her sights on it.

“I have connections and through them have heard that word. I know you have client tiers, and that is the one you absolutely never betray. Now, how much would it cost to sail us to Speranza?” I retorted. Nautilus was shifting a bit, clearly trying to determine if she liked the answer enough.

“How do you know the client tiers of a pirate across the world?” Lilas probed, looking very, very befuddled.

“Fine lass. Seventeen hund'ed gold, no negotiatin’.” Nautilus demanded. We can afford that.

“Luna, this is madness.” Ailla interjected, clearly not a fan of the plan. If that man could defeat Nautilus, we’re doomed either way until Nil is in his twenties.

“I don’ know who ya are, but insult me one more time, and imma put ya in the groun'.” Nautilus threatened Ailla. I appreciated Ailla’s concern, but this was our best move for now.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware pirates suddenly followed rules.” Ailla retorted. Nautilus looked less than amused as she stretched her shoulders.

“Do not harm my friend. She’s concerned for my safety.” I stated immediately before she struck.

“She’s bein’ insultin’. I’ll take ya two to Speranza; we can set sail in about three hours. I need a thousan’ up fron' for supplies.” Nautilus growled, glaring at Ailla. Reasonable enough. I looked at Nil, who was clearly anxious about the idea.

“Come on Nil.” I prodded him as Nil begrudgingly summoned the money.

“You’re seriously hiring the pirate?” Lilas checked, looking a bit frantic.

“I know for a fact we’re reaching Speranza alive with her. I appreciate your concern, but we’ll be fine.” I insisted to the frazzled looking Ailla and Lilas.

“I don’ do kidnappins. Plunde’ merchant ships, a tad.” Nautilus defended herself. Her line in the sand. A complex, confusing set of lines, but they existed nonetheless.

“Oh yes. The moral line in the sand.” Ailla retorted, clearly unconvinced.

“If I’m tyin’ someone up, it’d be more the type ya do t’ ya pretty boy there.” Nautilus shot back. I had to bite my lip to avoid laughing out loud.

“We’ll be fine. Come on Nil, we got places to be so pay her.” I ordered. Nil sighed, went to comply, and then Ailla put her hand in front of him.

“I can’t just agree to this madness.” Ailla snapped with an annoyed expression.

“Don’t do any lasting damage Nautilus.” I sighed, knowing exactly what was about to happen.

Before Ailla could ask for clarification, Nautilus slammed her head into Ailla’s. Ailla almost instantly crumpled to the ground with stars in her eyes. Nil begrudgingly handed over the thousand gold as Nautilus stared at Lilas. Ailla tried standing back up, but one fast straight from Nautilus put her out. Her two hits sounded like thunderclaps from how much strength she had. Nautilus lifted Ailla over her shoulder and began carrying her. A panicked Lilas followed, clearly not a fan of Nautilus suddenly attacking. Nautilus dropped Ailla off at the Medical Ward before motioning us to follow her.

We’ll contact you once we arrive home. Ailla gave me the communication crystal details for you both. Don’t worry, Nautilus is not going to hurt us. I told Lilas mentally. I definitely felt a bit guilty Ailla got knocked out by Nautilus.

It’s not like we have much say. Lilas spat bitterly, looking at the starting to come to Ailla.

I’m sorry she’s a bit rough. Nautilus is close friends with someone my family sponsors. I just can’t tell Nautilus that because she’ll be mad at who told me persimmon. I told Lilas. Not a complete lie, but close enough.

Fine. Good luck. Lilas sighed as Ailla was getting her wounds treated. By how she was swaying, Nautilus barely held back enough not to do lasting damage in her attacks.

I felt a bit guilty for what happened, but Nautilus was undeniably our safest option. We’ll send a formal apology once we’re back; hopefully they understand. I wished I could explain a bit more, but that would make me look insane unfortunately. We definitely would need to apologize to the two of them. Nautilus made numerous and sent them off. She marched right to the port side merchants, quickly procuring the supplies for the trip. Nil and I were walking behind her, making sure to stay close to Nautilus.

Ailla and Lilas are probably not happy with us. Nil told me, looking a bit dismayed. He looked a bit guilty as we walked.

I’m aware Nil. I wish things went a bit better, but we need her help. Our best bet of getting back alive is Nautilus; we’ll definitely need to apologize later. I replied. I wasn’t the biggest fan of how this played out either; we needed to get back home at the end of the day.

Is she seriously that strong? Nil inquired, activating his to look at her. He leapt out of his skin when he did.

Yes. I chuckled at him, as Nil was clutching his eyes a bit. Nil was rubbing his face and blinking quite a bit.

I was not expecting that. Nil confessed, looking embarrassed.

I appreciate you trusted me enough to go with it. I informed Nil, trying not to laugh too much as Nil was giving her a completely different look now.

What is she? Nil probed, looking inquisitively at her.

“Stop lookin’ at me wit’ that of ya’s.” Nautilus barked at Nil without turning around.

“Sorry.” Nil apologized as he turned it off.

Nil, let me introduce you to the Scourge of the Sea, future Grand Fleet Admiral Nautilus, and most importantly, the Nautilus. I informed him, which made him look absolutely baffled.