Not long after,
Franka left the dining room, holding Rayne.
This banquet was supposedly to celebrate Rayne's first birthday, but in reality, it had little to do with him.
Rayne also didn't like being with those men who reeked of blood, so he obediently lay in Franka's arms.
At this moment, Rayne was inexplicably curious about what would become of Havier and Kent.
Havier was certainly doomed to die, but what about Kent?
Would his father, Lyon, spare his life?
Soon, as he passed through the corridor, Rayne knew the answer.
Through the wide window, he could see several Black Flags fluttering in the wind outside the manor, and at the top of those flags, two heads, one large and one small, were conspicuously hung!
Thick blood slowly dripped down the flagpoles.
That was a pirate's punishment for traitors, and also a warning to those who harbored ill intentions!
Rayne's small face turned pale.
Some things are completely different when you know them versus when you see them with your own eyes.
Even though Rayne had long realized the bloodiness and cruelty of the pirate world, it was only when this scene truly entered his eyes that he realized his psychological preparation was far from enough.
Just then, a warm hand covered Rayne's eyes.
Franka's gentle voice sounded in his ear.
"Rayne, you are even more intelligent than I thought, but actually, I still hope you could be a bit more oblivious."
Her tone carried a hint of guilt.
If Rayne had been born into an ordinary family, he naturally wouldn't have been exposed to such cruel scenes so early, but since he was a pirate's son, he would certainly encounter no less bloodshed in the future.
"The old Lyon wouldn't have used such methods before, but after having you and me, he has to be even more ruthless than before."
"Only in this way can he deter those with ulterior motives…"
Franka murmured softly to herself while gently comforting the infant with her slender hand.
Rather than confiding in Rayne, it was more like she was trying to convince herself—as an elf, how could Franka like such bloody slaughter?
But if they didn't do this, it was possible that their family would be killed in the future!
Rayne couldn't speak yet, so he could only bury his head in his mother's chest, trying to convey his comfort through this gesture.
At this moment, he also understood.
If Lyon were to die unexpectedly in battle, would other pirates spare their orphaned mother and son out of sympathy?
No, absolutely impossible.
The Imperfect Branch in the notes had already given the answer; if they were unfortunately captured, the treatment his mother and he would suffer would only be even more miserable!
The victor is king, the loser is bandit; the strong prey on the weak—this was the iron rule of the pirate world!
This sea does not believe in tears.
…
…
In the evening,
Under the dim afterglow, a modified carrack with an iris pattern on its sail sailed into the port of Black Flag Island.
The style of this ship was out of place with other pirate ships.
Even if the Black Flag was placed next to it, it was like a malnourished, skinny boy from the slums encountering a plump, jeweled noblewoman with branches laden with fruit.
The difference was obvious.
Crude pirates might comment on this ship like this—
"I really want to screw her!"
Thoughts aside, the pirates on Black Flag Island who saw this ship at this moment unanimously remained silent.
That was not fear of the ship itself, but awe of the iris pattern.
It came from the Alexander Family of the Lanster Empire!
Currently, the Lanster Empire is the most prosperous country on the continent; it possesses the world's most powerful naval fleet and even launched two eastern expeditions against the Far East Islands at one point.
And the Alexander Family is one of the most prominent families in the Lanster Empire.
Its founder, Augustine Alexander, was even one of the founders of the Lanster Empire.
The iris is precisely the family crest of this family.
Within the Alexander Family, there is also an unwritten rule.
Only ships that have sunk three enemy ships are allowed to have the family crest painted on their sails.
It is precisely because of the illustrious battle achievements left by these Blood-colored Iris family ships at sea that pirates are accustomed to calling them—
Blood-colored Iris!
At this time, the pirates were somewhat unable to understand.
How could the always high and mighty Blood-colored Iris family visit their Black Flag Island?
Only a handful of people knew the reason behind this.
In fact, on Black Flag Island, only Rayne's family knew that Lyon's real name was… Lyon Alexander!
That's right, this great pirate, who had been making a name for himself in the Chaotic Sea in recent years, was once a member of the Blood-colored Iris family.
As for why he left the family and became a pirate in the Chaotic Sea, that is a very long story.
Let's not dwell on those past events for now.
At this moment, looking at the ship sailing into the port, Lyon's expression was solemn.
He clearly knew the reason for the family's visit to Black Flag Island.
The Alexander Family is a family that places extreme importance on bloodlines; every child in every branch of the family, even illegitimate children, must undergo bloodline testing.
And based on the test results, they are given different treatment in aspects such as education, money, and family rights.
The best time for testing is when the child is one year old.
What Lyon worried about most was not that Rayne's bloodline evaluation result would be too poor—on the contrary, he worried that the result would be too good!
Based on his understanding of the family, once a child with an excellent bloodline is discovered, they will be forcefully brought back into the family to receive unique family education.
If the child's parents agree, they will also be brought to live on the family's territory.
But if they do not agree, a couple will be directly found within the family to serve as the child's adoptive parents.
Lyon could not accept either of these situations!
"My dear…"
Franka, holding Rayne, walked to Lyon's side, her face showing a faint worry.
Lyon glanced at his wife, then at the infant in her arms, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.
Lyon said in a deep voice, "Rayne is our son, and I will not let anyone take him away."
"If it really comes to the worst, we'll just abandon Black Flag Island and start over in the more distant Far East Islands!"
Rayne's eyes widened blankly.
Who wants to take me away?
Why are we starting over?
Rayne didn't fully understand the current situation, but it was the first time he had seen such a solemn expression on his father Lyon's face.
Not long after, a tall, thin old man in a butler's uniform walked down the deck alone and came before Lyon.
"Long time no see, Lyon."
The old butler smiled slightly, speaking in the unique royal capital accent of the Lanster Empire.
Even though his demeanor was very ordinary and could be described as polite, it always gave people an indescribable sense of arrogance.
That was the pride ingrained in the Alexander Family's bloodline!
Lyon responded indifferently, "Uncle Anderia, it has indeed been a long time."
Looking at Lyon before him, a hint of regret flashed in Anderia's eyes.
"With your ability, you could have easily secured one of the Thirteen Seats; why be a mere pirate here?"
Lyon chuckled, "When I left the family, I said that my own path would be decided by myself!"
"Besides, Uncle Anderia, you didn't come here to reminisce with me, did you?"
"That's true."
Anderia turned to look at Rayne in Franka's arms, his tone rarely revealing a touch of softness.
"What a beautiful child; I hope he can inherit the great and ancient God's Blood."
Saying that, he reached out and gently touched Rayne's forehead.