The Warden of The Witches-Chapter 270:

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256="">Chapter 270: The Female Pirate Captain</ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The deck quickly emptied as the crew members scrambled into the cabins. The other two blood-kin Princes emerged from inside and stood alongside Kyle.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Is it really necessary for all of us to go?" the female blood-kin Princess asked, glancing between her two companions. She retained a measure of aristocratic pride; three Prince-level blood-kin, equivalent to three S-class fugitives by Inquisition standards, facing a single pirate ship—the combat power seemed excessively overkill.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Don't be too careless. I've heard some pirates know a trick or two of black magic, or possess strange artifacts," Kyle waved his hand dismissively. "Since three of us were sent, we must ensure complete success."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Fine. A chance for a 'light meal' anyway," the other Prince remarked.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"What a pity, Kyle. A perfect opportunity to indulge, yet you're wearing a 'collar'," the female Prince glanced at Kyle. Among the three present, only Kyle possessed legal demi-human status; in other words, only he bore the restrictions of the Heresy Inquisition.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"I have my principles... Alright, the ship's coming. Prepare for work!" Kyle signaled for the two to turn their attention back to the pirate vessel.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Since the merchant ship had surrendered early, the pirate ship approached unhurriedly and dropped anchor alongside it. The pirate ship was clearly more than a size larger than the merchant vessel. To facilitate boarding, the pirate ship lowered a boarding ramp.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Five pirates assigned to scout descended the ramp first onto the cargo ship, only to find the deck empty except for three strange figures cloaked in hoods.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"What's going on here?" Suspicion immediately arose among the pirates. Five gun barrels simultaneously pointed at the trio. Revolvers, shotguns, even a flintlock pistol, rarely seen nowadays—pirate weaponry mostly came from port city black markets or plunder, resulting in mismatched equipment.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Kyle spoke first: "I'm not very familiar with news from these waters. May I ask if this ship is the <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Hippogriff<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->, captained by Anne Drake?" Anne Drake of the <!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Hippogriff<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->—this was the primary target of their mission. Due to the limited time, aside from her main area of operation, they hadn't gathered much more intelligence, ultimately resorting to chartering a merchant ship to lure her out nearby.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Cut the crap! You've got five minutes! Haul out anything valuable from the cabin yourself if you don't want to be thrown overboard as fish bait!" one pirate threatened viciously, stepping forward to kick.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->With agility unimaginable to the pirate, Kyle raised his hand, caught the pirate's ankle, and flipped him onto his back. "Looks like we'll have to try a different method of questioning," Kyle smirked.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Simultaneously, the two blood-kin Princes flanking him took action. With a flick of their wrists, they slit their own wrists; crimson blood spurted out, solidifying into weapons.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The pirates were startled, almost reflexively pulling their triggers. All three were shot but merely staggered slightly. Kyle didn't even move; the bullet passed harmlessly through his chest. For Prince-level blood-kin capable of turning their entire bodies into mist, most physical damage could be negated simply by dematerializing and reforming. If they dematerialized beforehand, injury could be avoided entirely.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The two blood-kin Princes on either side each formed two short daggers from their blood, flicking their wrists to send the daggers flying, piercing through the pirates' arms. While the pirates howled in pain, the Princes had already closed the distance, downed two more, and then each seized a victim, biting their necks and drinking their blood.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->A sharp horn blast echoed from the pirate ship. The flag on the mast was replaced with a red one. Witnessing the trio efficiently dispatching the initial boarding party, the pirate ship immediately entered combat mode.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Kyle leisurely walked forward, preparing to board the pirate ship via the ramp they had lowered. Immediately, two pirates rushed over, intending to cut off the boarding route. Seeing them about to push the ramp away, Kyle slit his wrist again and flung his arm violently; the gushing blood transformed into a flexible whip. The whip, seemingly alive, quickly wrapped around the deck railing. A quick-reacting pirate grabbed a boarding axe and swung down at the crimson whip coiling upwards, but the axe blade couldn't even penetrate it.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Pulled by the blood whip, Kyle successfully boarded the pirate ship. The pirates, having witnessed their opponent withstand gunfire and wield bizarre blood magic, were utterly terrified. Though surrounding the enemy with swords, axes, and knives, none dared to step forward and engage.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Damn it! What are you good-for-nothings standing around for? Kill him while he's alone!" an authoritative shout came from the center of the deck. A young female pirate wearing a captain's hat brandished a cutlass, urging her crew into battle. "Keep standing there like posts, and see if I don't hang you all from the mast!"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Under their leader's threat, the first group of pirates mustered some courage, advancing with weapons raised, attempting to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. Kyle shook his head. Ordinary swords, axes, and guns were useless against high-ranking blood-kin. The Heresy Inquisitors always loaded themselves with concentrated holy water and blessed anti-magic bullets when fighting blood-kin.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->He swung the blood whip in a wide arc, effortlessly slicing open the pirates' chests. Unlucky ones even had their weapon-wielding hands severed. Geysers of blood erupted. The severely wounded pirates collapsed in heaps, moaning on the deck.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Ignoring these small fry, Kyle smiled towards the female captain in the center of the deck and addressed her: "This beautiful lady—"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The response was a gunshot and a curse: "Go feed the sharks, monster!!"<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->

<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->The bullet hit his shoulder. Kyle attempted to turn that part into mist to deal with the wound, but suddenly felt a searing pain spreading from his left shoulder. This strange pain wasn't comparable to the Heresy Inquisition's specialized anti-magic bullets for undead, but it was clearly not caused by an ordinary bullet.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Silver bullet?" he quickly realized. This female captain wasn't entirely foolish. Recognizing him as blood-kin, she had her crew stall for time while she used the opportunity to switch to equipment effective against blood-kin.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->Just then, the other two blood-kin Princes boarded the ship using the same method.<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Female pirate captains are rare," the female Prince commented. "This should be our target."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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<ms-cmark-node _ngcontent-ng-c2459883256="" _nghost-ng-c2459883256=""><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!---->"Doesn't matter. I can't be bothered to ask anymore," Kyle, having taken a hit, said resignedly. "The orders are to capture her alive. So, let's try to be... gentlemen about it."<!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></ms-cmark-node>

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