Counterfeit Hero

Surrender was a direct order from Barbarossa. There was no other choice; he was a pirate, not an idiot. In the pirate world of survival of the fittest, everyone is a desperado, but everyone also understands the rules… Under absolute force, any resistance is futile!

The weak obey the strong, this is the pirate creed. In the life of looting, if anyone breaks this rule, they do not care how many they kill. Likewise, they are also bound by this rule. Because they have killed many, they understand this principle well.

Barbarossa is famously ruthless. He is ruthless to opponents, ruthless to prey, ruthless to his subordinates, and ruthless to himself. Because of his ruthlessness, the Redbeard Pirate Group has been able to dominate the Golden Triangle area between Gazalin, Desic, and the Tatania Commercial Alliance for nearly twenty years.

The number of resisters who died at the hands of the Redbeard Pirate Group is countless. In the Golden Triangle Region, every merchant ship or smuggling ship knows that if they encounter the Redbeard Pirate Group, without absolute certainty of escape, it is best to stop and surrender.

As long as the pirates do not fancy your ship, as long as you do not provoke them, after obtaining enough money, they usually will not kill indiscriminately. After all, these merchant ships are their foundation for survival; wise pirates do not fish by draining the pond.

Now, the pirates only hope that these Leray people are as ”reasonable” as themselves. A military destroyer, why bother with some pirates who have not provoked you?

Barbarossa, deep down, was not particularly scared. This Leray battleship is not a pirate. They would not kill without interrogation. And the Redbeard Pirate Group, although they have looted Leray merchant ships countless times, has never attacked Leray’s military logistics vessels.

After the war broke out in the Southeast Star Domain, many pirate groups, supported by various countries, quickly grew stronger and frequently robbed military logistics vessels and disrupted supply routes. They thought the forces behind them could help them avoid all retaliation.

But Barbarossa kept the envoys who came to contact him and tried to buy off the Redbeard Pirate Group at arm’s length. This was not because he was timid but because he understood that once caught between two major forces, no matter the final outcome, pirates used as cannon fodder would not end well!

Therefore, despite killing and looting, the Redbeard Pirate Group has no direct conflict with the Leray Military Government. In this war era, pirate groups as pure as the Redbeard Pirate Group, not involved in any power struggles, are very rare.

”As long as I don’t reveal my identity, I can get through this.” Barbarossa thought to himself, burying his head lower.

In this world, few have seen Barbarossa’s true appearance.

The leader of the Redbeard Pirate Group doesn’t necessarily have a large red beard. Dominating the Golden Triangle Star Domain for nearly twenty years doesn’t mean Barbarossa should be very old.

In fact, Barbarossa is an ordinary-looking middle-aged man whom you wouldn’t pick out in a crowd.

”Andre…” A Leray sergeant held a list and walked past the lined-up pirates, calling names one by one. Beside him, a Fatty dressed in common clothes leaned in to peek at the sergeant’s list while glaring and puffing his cheeks at the named pirates.

”Juan…”

”Present.”

”Frank…”

”Here!”

”Alda…” The Leray sergeant walked up to Barbarossa.

”Here!” Barbarossa bowed humbly.

The sergeant glanced at the data and photo on the electronic clipboard, scrutinized Barbarossa again, then turned to the next name: ”Barak…”

”Wait…”

Just as Barbarossa thought he was in the clear, Fatty suddenly called the sergeant loudly and reached for the list in the sergeant’s hand...

”Alda…” Fatty looked at the list and then looked up with interest at Barbarossa, his eyes bright: ”You’re a mechanic?”

”Yes, sir.” Barbarossa rubbed his black and dirty hands nervously on his mechanic’s uniform, his eyes showing appropriate confusion and terror, his ordinary face looking even more humble: ”I’m responsible for the power cabin engine maintenance.”

”What’s wrong?” The sergeant quietly asked Fatty while reexamining Barbarossa.

Looking for a long time, the sergeant didn’t see any problem.

This newly named Alda was clearly a lower-class member of the Kole Clan. In this nation not more than a light year from the Kentai Clan, Alda is the most common name.

The man with the square, honest face in front of him fits the image of a mechanic. Neither he nor his data seemed suspicious to the sergeant.

”If I’m not mistaken…” Fatty raised his chin: ”This so-called Mr. Alda is actually the leader of the Redbeard Pirate Group, Barbarossa, Hayreddin!”

Everyone froze at these words.

”You mean…” The sergeant stammered: ”This guy is the leader of the Redbeard Pirate Group?”

”Sir…” Barbarossa seemed disoriented and confused: ”You’re mistaken, my name is Alda, I’m a repairman on the ship.”