Moreover.
These so-called "armed merchant ships" are mostly also involved in "pirate business", with a few even possessing privateering licenses issued by their countries.
Those who wander the grey areas, although not exactly the same as pirates, aren't usually good people either.
Even the wild pirates loathe most these "colleagues" with legal privateering licenses.
Not only can they enjoy the rich rewards of plunder, but they can also openly return to the civilized world. The top ones even use their huge privateer earnings to exchange for noble titles from their country's royal family, turning into nobles, which has happened in the past!
This treatment makes the wild pirates green with envy and gnash their teeth in hatred.
"We are pirates, free pirates, we are pirates, brave pirates...?"
Bah! If one could have a stable, affluent, and decent life, who the hell would want to be a pirate?!
Of course, except for the ambitious.
