Elemental Cats

Avian and Metra were frustrated that Toz used them as hostages to persuade Red Hook, but just like her, they quickly realized that their presence didn't affect the outcome, only the process. If they hadn't been there, Toz could have just as easily put his sword against Red Hook.

Red Hook and the Representative knew Toz defeated Dristel. They had also sensed that Dristel was stronger than them, but they didn't think Toz would be able to beat them so quickly, considering he almost died in his battle against Dristel. And unless Toz attacked first, he probably wouldn't have an easy time defeating them, but they didn't know that since they hadn't seen anything of his fight with Dristel.

If Red Hook and the Representative had teamed up and ambushed him, the battle wouldn't have ended after a single exchange. But now that Toz had already defeated Red Hook by taking her subordinates hostage, it was too late. Toz had already proved his strength and prowess enough for Red Hook to accept her defeat and listen to what Toz wanted.

Having already been defeated once by Toz also made it difficult for her to refute his wish. If he really wanted to go through with becoming Pirate King and didn't care about the hassle, there wasn't anything stopping him from assassinating those who stood in his way.

Toz wasn't very interested in the material benefits of being Pirate King, and that's what he led with, not that there was much to say. Toz was only interested in being the Pirate King for the sake of being it. He would naturally take a share of whatever treasures and stuff as long as it was reasonable during his stay in Pirate Haven.

However, Toz wouldn't lay a personal claim to a specific area of the city. He would let the other three divide it for themselves.

Looking only at the benefits, it wasn't a bad deal for Red Hook and her crew. Like Toz had intended, she noticed how Toz had intentionally taken a separate position from Wulf and the Bunglehoppers during this meeting. With Toz's strength, he was more than qualified to occupy a fourth of the city by himself.

But instead of dividing the city into four, they could split Pirate Haven into three parts, and Toz would mostly be like a figurehead for the city.

The gains of having a third of the city instead of a fourth of it more than made up for Toz occasionally grabbing what he wanted.

If it had been before, Red Hook would have never agreed to be in an officially lower position than Toz. In her heart, it still didn't make sense that a fifth level mage was stronger than her, but her brain knew it was true, and she could make a rational decision thanks to it.

Red Hook still didn't like it, but as a pirate, she was more concerned with benefits rather than her ego. And when Toz said he would happily prove anyone who doubted him that they were wrong, Red Hook agreed to support Toz in becoming the Pirate King. However, Toz could only rely on himself to maintain that position.

Red Hook smirked a little when they finished their deal. None of them had mentioned anything about the leaders who supported Toz in becoming Pirate King being prohibited from seizing the position for themselves.

Though by the time Red Hook would be confident enough to attempt a coup, such an agreement probably wouldn't matter much. It would have been different if they had used a notary or someone specialized in contracts to make a binding agreement. However, people with such skills and abilities weren't suited to become pirates, so Toz and Red Hook only had each other's word.

Only the Representative remained after Red Hook agreed since Wulf and the Bunglehoppers already supported Toz.

The Representative had only spectated everything that had gone on so far, and it didn't seem like he would be the first to say anything. Toz didn't mind since he was already planning on settling previous business with the Representative.

"Things didn't quite go according to plan, but I say you still owe me a spell."

"I guess I can understand your point of view. Do you mean to trade in that debt for my support?"

"Not at all. That's a separate matter. Hand over the spell, and then we'll talk business."

None of the cultists showed any expression, but Toz could sense a building frustration at being ordered to hand over a spell exclusive to the cult to an outsider.

"What? It's not like I even need to convince you to support me. As things are currently, I'll become Pirate King with or without your support. The only things that will change are how messy the city's going to be afterward. And what the first item on my agenda's going to be."

Toz thought that the Representative really should practice his poker face since anyone could see his eyebrow twitch like a stranded fish.

"Is that a threat?"

Toz responded to the words the Representative squeezed out through gritted teeth.

"Only if you feel threatened by it. I don't make agreements with people who can't be trusted, and until you hand over that book, you won't be trusted enough to be part of my Pirate Haven."

Toz could tell how his words further angered the Representative, but his followers maintained their calm, so it was obvious he was better at preaching than following. Toz wondered if maybe he should replace the Representative with someone more focused on the teachings of the cult instead of worldly affairs and greed.

The Representative felt a chill run down his spine as Toz looked at him with scrutinizing eyes. The chill snapped him out of his anger, and the Representative realized that Toz had the strength to back up his words.

The Representative was confident he could defeat Red Hook and Wulf even if they worked together. But he wouldn't be able to overwhelm Red Hook as Toz had done. And if all three of them worked together, the Representative felt like it would only be a matter of time until he lost either the fight or his life.